Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-12-23

presents. Then just as the Major wa.
soout TO order farewell dance before
preahing up, his golden haired grand
cniiu came running across the hall to
him with little note in her hand.
what Is this, katrlna? he in.
CURED with smile.
a letter from Santa Clausi" was the
reply, given with all the mlschieyous
glee OF childhood.
lie read the few lines contained in
the note, and with light laugh, turn
ing to his wondering guests said: 81
am informed that special messenger
Is here from the republic of good Sain
Nicholas with Christmas greeting and
Christmas gift. Yet not So" he
added more gravely, 'I am told that
he brings to me special greeting in
the name of the Babe OF Bethlehem, OF
pc .ce and good will"
His voice had grown entirely grave
as he concluded, and a gray shadow
passed over his fiorid cheeks for a mo.
/ ment as he glanced around upon the
still, expectant faces of his guests
Then drawing himself up to the full
height of his massive figure he cried:
Where Is the messenger?"
"Here! came the reply from the end
OF the long drawing-room and the tones
seemed as unearthly as If they had
come from grave.
At the sound, the guests parted or
either side and made way for two fig.
ures that advanced slowly and arm in
arm amid a silence like death. One
was certainly Mrs. Won Tromp, whose
white face was not merely set in a look
OF iron determination but kindled with
q glow which had not been there for
many day. But who was the other?
The strangers attire like his face
was worn as if by many storms and he
was white and tain, but his eye sparkled
proudly and people turned from his
face to that of the old Major as if they
| could trace resemblance between tae
two. When at last they stood face to
face, the likeness was wonderful, only
the lines of the other mans counte.
nance grew every minute more grim.
"Well?" said the old man. with a
touch of distain in his voice.
Father cried the younger man,
and at the same moment the wife fell
on her knees and with uplifted hands anc
streaming tears, pleaded: Husband
He Is our boy-my Stephen-the good
Gods Christmas gift to you"
81 have no son Stephen. He is dead.
My SONNY Oldest son-died when he
put on a red coat and fought for the
King. Neighbors, L bid you depart
in peace"
A great stiffness fell upon the as.
sembled guests.
"Stopw
All eyes now turned to the door OF
the room whence the voice came, and
then still greater amazement fell upon
the company.
1t was President Washington who
had spoken. He stood Just within the
doorway, his tall form clothed n black
velvet, stately, serene and gracious,
and he held by the hand little gol len.
haired child-KatrIna Won Tromp.
The hand of the old Major, which had
been extended with a repellant gesture
in the direction of his son, fell 10 his
side, and his countenance lost its stern
ness as he looked upon his chief But
he seemed to have also lost the power
of speech, even SO far as to extend g
greeting.
"You and L, Major Won Tromp," said
Washington, advancing, fought under
the British flag once-you at Ticon-
! deroga and. L at Fort Du Quesue-
and that should plead something in be.
half of your son's honest but mistaken
sense of duty. l know the whole story
| If you still hesitate to forgive, let u:
| try the case, as old comrades in arms,
by a court martial here and now. Let
us make a child the Judge, and who
better than your little granddaughter
This goodly company shall be wit
nesses, you shall make your own plea
and Hamilton-you know him-shall
speak for the culprit. Here, Hamil-
ton, step to the 'front.'
Then the new Secretary of the Treas
ury, reputed not only the wisest states
man but the most eloquent speaker In
the young republic, came to the front
from the little group that had followed
Washington on his rounds of visit.
that evening. The Major stated his
case tersely and was heard in silence,
but Hamilton had never spoken as ht
did did that night, and long before he had
finished all eyes were wet with tears
and the old Major had covered his
face with his hands and, leaniue &
against the wall, was sobbing like 6
child.
But the mother-her heart was il
her eyes. She stood Mt her sons side
hem his hand proudly and beamed
swe, t defiance upon those around her
Th1n, when the pleas were ended
Washii eton turned to the child and
ask ed hor what her grandfather should
do with the culprit. "Forgive him,
WAS the sobbing answer. And more
than one who was present thought Of
the time when the N1an of NaZarett
took little child and set him in the
midst of his dlsputing followers to be
their judge.