Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-12-24

he deposited his burden on the spacious
hearth. where a huge fire was already
blazing, and began to pile on the long,
dry sticks Of beech and hickory until in
a few moments a perfect sheet Of flame
was reoring up the wide-throated chin
ney.
Grandma Botsworth, who sat in her
accustomed corner by the ~jamb.H busy
with her knitting, mad no reply, while
Uncle Billy proceeded to remove his coat,
hat and boots, and, having filed and
lighted his pipe, sat down TO enjoy him
self. Outside furious snow storm was
raging, and already the earth was
heavily carpeted with white Presently
his two sons, Jacob and Milton, came in
from doing up the chores, and like their
father, were soon Invested Of caps, coats
and boots. and seated before the rOusing
IRE talking over the events of the day.
A little later Mrs. BotsWorth joined
them, and then the family circle was
complete No. not complete, either: a
daughter was missing. Three years ago
this Christmas eve she had gone out from
the parental roof 10 marry the man she
loved, but whom her father had forbid
den some time before TO enter his doors.
But Mary had gone; and she and her
husband, a poor mechanic, went out
West TO build up for themselves home
and fortune. After they were married.
= day or two before they we to start
for Dakota, Mary and her husband dove
to the old home. where she got out OF
the buggy and started to 20 into the
house TO say gOOd-by. She did not ask
nor expect forgiveness from her father
for what she had done; but she knew her
mother and her brothers still loved her
and would gladly have her come to see
them So she Just had her hand on the
latch. and, with tear filed eyes, was
taking in the dear and familiar sur
rOundings, when her father, coming
round the corner Of the house, saw her.
Don't yer come in here. " he yelled,
hOarsely. -Don't step your foot inside
o that gate, Mary Ellen BotsWorth.
You're no darter o. mine Take yer
Ratchet faced painJ-slinger an git"
For moment she stood as If stunned
at his words; then, without a word,
turned and went to the buggy. Her
husband helped her in, and then, stand
ing up and shaking his whip at Uncle
Billy, said: ~Bill Botsworth, if you
wasn't my wife's father, I'd thrash you
till you couldn't walk for a week. You
OBJ 'ect to me for a sOn-in-law only be-
cause 1 am poor; but III see the day I
can buy an sell you 5 If you was black,
darn you
Here Mary laid her hand on his arm
and said, stop, VIII; it won't help
things any to quarrel; let's go"
It was well that Will needed her a d.
vice. for old Uncle Billy had started for
the buggy with murder in his eye; and
there is no telling what might have
happened had not NJ lton and Jacob at
this tuncture made their appearance
and urged him TO be quiet
SO Mary went from home an outcast;
and, as the buggy disappeared around
the bend in the road, Milton turned to
his father, and, with tears in his eyes, /
said, reproachfully;
~Pap, you oughtenter have done it &"
And Mrs. Botsworth, who had come
to the door just in time to take in the
affair, echoed her sons words:
mo, pap, you was too hasty," she
added ~Mary Ellen was allus a mighty
good girl; an, though I'd ruther she'd
not a married WIN Kenney yet 1 hope
the Lord will prosper them both
you are right, mother" said Jacob,
the elder of her sons "you are right,
mother. 'Filsey' 1.-THE nickname the
boy had bestowed upon Mary when she
was toddler) was the best girl in Indi-
any kind an lovin', an a sister worth
the havin'.s
AS for Uncle Billy, seeing his whole
family up in arms against him, he vouch-
safed no reply but turning, strobe rap
idly in the direction of the barn.
From that time on he had never
spoken his daughters name. And al
though he knew that mother and the
boys got occasional letters from her, vet
he never by sign or inquiry showed that
be ever thought OF her, or had the
slightest interest in knowing whether
she was dead or alive
But on the Christmas eve that have
intro iuced him to your notice, he sat by
the ire thinking; and his thoughts were
OF her He had long ago admitted TO
himself that he was too hasty when he
drove his only daughter away from his
home; but he still remained silent at
each family reunion. always held on
Christmas day, he had missed her. And
IS the coming one was to be held at his /
house. and his brothers and sisters, /
with their families. would be there. he. /
with some bitterness OF feeling. was
6Eooding over the fact that through no 4
Tau OF his, he reasoned, the pleasures
Of the day would be marred- Eyerv- /
body missed Mary the children of his I
lepheWs and nieces would ask for her
and talk about her, despite the admoni- /
LIcna they hal received 10 the con-
tr4Ey AS be was busy with his thoughts |
lag the while moodi y into the fire. /
sad nov AID then punching up the fore /
ztIeke |n 8 spitefui sort Of way, Grand
u4 bcrsHerth suddenly spoke up and /
r1sz.sz Il - anosher white Christ.
ss sNe % EN- Es7hf hand !