The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-12-24
rs the coming one was to be held at his

uflSc, anu ms DrotneTS anu HiSteIS,
with their families, would be there. he,
with some bitterness of feeling, was
brooding over the fact that, through no
fault of his, he reasoned, the pleasures
of the day would be marred. Every
body missed Mary; the children of his
nephews and nieccs would ask for her
and talk about her, despite the admoni-
tions they had received to the con-
trary. AS he was busy with his thoughts,
gazing the while modify into the fire,
and now and then punching up the fore
sticks in a spiteful sort OF way, Grand
ma Botsworth suddenly spoke up and
said:
"Tomorrer'il be another white Christ
mas. This makes two on EN- right hand
runnin' Three years ago was a mighty
mild winter. and we had green Christ
mas that year"
Here the old lady paused and heayed
sigh. No one said anything and she
continued: II rccollyck now there was
more buryn's that year in the Bald Hill
buryin' groun' than there has been since
AL put together"
"Ies," assentcd Mrs. Botsworth, re-
ftectively, "a green Christmas alcrS
makes a fat graveyard, they say, an l
never knuwcd It to fail"
Il reckon it'll be good sleighin' to-
morrer," observed Uncle Billy, an all
the folksll come over il the bohS. Eth.
what's that"
The exclamation with which he con
cluded his remark was caused by the
furious bark of old Mae" the watch
dog, the sound OF voices in tae front
yard, and what seemed to be the cry OF a
child in fear
e., :
door, while the remainder of the family
sat intently listening and wondering who
could be their visitors. They had not
long to wait: for minute latter the
sitting-room door was flung open and
Jacob strobe in, bearing in his arms a
bright and lusty , 2ycar-old boy. Almost
snatching the wraps from about it. and
holding the little feItw ", he shouted:
Zap, look at your grandson: tilsey's
come, an this j. her boy
The devil it is" roarod Uncle Billy.
sprngng to his feet, with a face as
black as thundercIoud. Take him
away: | don't want ter see him."
Hold on minute" shouted a clear,
strong voice in the doorway. 1t was the
son-n-aw who had spoken. and who
stepped into the room, his figure ere t
and eyes blazing with anger "isod on
minute, say" he continued: u want
word, Bill Bo.sWOrth. | can buy and
sell you. | am rich man. but y0u
don't have to own me fer a on-in!aw
on that account As for me, | can get
along without yoH. But Mary here
wanted to come back and see her mother
and all Of you once more, and | said she
should; and, more than that, | said yOu
should treat her and baby right, or Id
make you; and. by thunder. I'll do it.
Understand me, | ask no favors for my
self; but for this poor girl here. that
still loves you, but who wants to come
home only for little while, ! will speak
for, and fight for, too, if necessary.
Even while he was talking, mother and
| daughter were weeping in each other :
| embrace, and Grandma Eotsworth,
rising with difficulty from her seat. laid
| her hand on her sons shoulder, "Nill-
| iam," she said. SHOWS as good time 10
| give in as yen ever have. II Mary an
| Viii can afford to fergivc You. don't
| see how you can help forgiven, them.
| Come now. son. do right.
! For an instant he stood struggling
| with his passion, then love conquered.
extending his hand to his sonin-law, he
| said: "Billy, | knock under; Eve made
| mistake an am sorry IuF IL. 1JGtS tAt'ir
! come here"
With glad cry Mary put her arm
around his neck and kissed him agail
and again.
There. there, child." the Old fel ow
murmured, in yoicr husky with emo
| ton, "its ali forgot now, au-"
But he did not finish the sentence
And, while Mary was kissing grandma
and all were silently crying lor .oy, h.