The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-12-23


he deposited his burden on the spacious
hearth, where huge fire was already
blazing, and began 10 pile on the long,
dry sticks OF beech and hickory until In
o few moments perfect sheet Of flame
was reoring up the wide-throated chin
ney.
Grandma BOtsworth, who sat In her
accustomed corner by the "jamb," busy
with her knitting, made no reply, while
Uncle Billy proceeded TO remove his coat,
hat and boots, and having filled 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
fire talking over the events Of the day.
A little later Mrs. Botsworth coined
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 to 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 ott
West to build up for themselves a home
and fortune After they were married,
@ day or two before they were to start
for Dakota, Mary and her husband drove
to the old home, where she got out Of
the buggy and started to go 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-illed 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
You're no darter o. mine. Take yer
Ratchet faced paint-slinger an GIT"
For a moment she stood as II stunned
ut his words then, without O 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, il you
wasn't my wife's father, I'd thrash you
till you couldn't walk for q week. You
OBJ to me for sonfn-law only be-
cause ] am poor; but I'll see the day I
can buy an sell you s. II you was back,
darn you"
Here Mary laid her hand on his arm
and said, "Stop, VIII; IL won't help
things any to quarrel; let's CO."
1t was well that VIII needed her ad.
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 M lton and Jacob at
this iuncture 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 married Will Kenney, yet hope
che Lord will prosper them both"
"You are right, mother" said Jacob,
the elder OF her sons "you are right,
mother. 'Filsey' (the nickname the
boys had bestowed upon Mary when she
was q toddIer) was the best girl In Indi-
any; kind an lovin', an sister worth
She havin.'
AS for Uncle Billy, seeing his whole
fappiv M In arms AGAINST him, he vouch-