Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-12-24

sank lower ana lower, unable to hill lucra-
tive positions, and taking the work the.
gave him barely food and the poorest
clothing.
Very sadly the son and his wife talked
of the impossibility of helping one who
would not let any appeal touch him, until
suddenly Margaret cried:
Charles! | have an idea! Let me
try to win your father over. will send
him Christmas card"
MY dear, he would not open the en-
velope."
"But it will not 60 in an envelope
Don't ask any questions. Let me try,
and see if your father does not dine with
us tomorrow"
"Dine with us! Margaret, you must
be crazyw
"Not bit of it. Just let me have my
own way, dear"
"Do you ever fail to get that?" was
the laughing query, for something in his
wife's face gave a fresh hope to Charles
Austins heart.
1t was q very mean room in q very
poor house where the sun Of bright
Christmas morning wakened Simon Aus
tin. Everything in the shabby place told
of the lack of woman's care and love
Dust hung upon everything, disorder
reigned. There were no dainty trifes of
needlework; the curtains were dingy and
crooked; the carpet torn and dirty.
Very YEARLY and slowly the old man
dressed himself, lit n frein the crate and
rang for the poor breakfast his landlady
provided. Dinner and toa ho was sup
posed to buy outside, but very often this
muddy coffee, stale bread and tough chop
or steak were the sole repast of the twen-
ty. four hours.
1t was Christmas Day, and no business
took the old man abroad; so, after the
untempting tray was removed, he took
newspaper and drew shiveringly to the
fire. But before he had read one column
there came knock upon the door, and
then it opened wide and closed again be-
hind child-a little girl in quaint
Mother Hubbard cloak and hat, with
large blue eyes and clustering golden
curls, and holding large fiat basket full
Of fresh, beautiful flowers. While the
old man gazed at her in silent amazement
'he seid' IN sweet, childish voice:
III you please, dear grandpapa, | am
your Christmas card"
~ ou-you are tChat - he said, utter
ly bewildered.
elf you please, dear grandpapa, am
your Christmas card!"
"Who sent you here? What is vour
name?"
mamma brought me herel am
Madge Austin, dear grandpapa-" and
then, half frightened at the strange face
and the poor room, the child's ewes filled
and her lips trembled. Il want to 90
home!" she whispered.
Don't cry!' Mr.. Austin said, finding
his senses and taking her into his arms
very tenderly. Don't cry, dear, | will
take you home"
"Oh, if you please, because nv big
doll is there and all the toys Santa Clans
brought, and brother Harry. What die
Santa Claus bring you?"
Nothing"
ooh" with very deep drawn sigh
twas it because you are up so man,
stairs? But he always comes TO on,
house, and mamma said perhaps to-day, h,
would bring us our grandpapa! w,
haven't got any now, you know. anG
mamma said if he did come, we would
love him just the same as papa, and h,
would love us. And please, grandpapa
so we will" And here the child put he
little arms around the head bent low be
fore her, and lifted the face quiverin!
and tear-stained.
'Oh, don't cry! Oh, please, men don ;
cry; only naughty girls and boys! OH
and again the terror found voice in the
plea: II want to go home"
es' yes! L will take you home.
BRING your howers, child. This is nc
place Tor flowers or-or-Christmas
CARDS!
Down the crazy old stairs the old man
lea the child, tenderly watchful that the
llttie rect did not slip nor stumble
through the sunny, streets, unheedine
the cold, she walked beside him, prat
Ting of her home and of the dear grand
papa that she had been taught to love.
mat was the crowning amazement
NO child IN a rev short hours could have
been taught to talk of the estranged
parent as this child talked. She told the
ola man oil inc prayer she said night and
morning, please, dear Lord, send my
grandpapa, homo! OF the talks of her
mother about this unknown relative
whom she was to reverence and love,
should he ever come home, opening to
the hardened but, oh, such lonely heart
a hope of rest and affection, that he felt
it would be bitter as death to thrust aside
now.