The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-12-24


hearth, whore huge fire was already
blazing, and began to pile On the long,
dry sticks Of beech and hickory until in
few moments perfect sheet of flame
was reoring up the widH-throated chin
ney.
Grandma Botsworth, who sat in her
accustomed corner by the "iamb." 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 a furious snow storm was
raging, and already the earth was
heavily carpeted with white Presently
his two sons. Jacob and Milton, came in
from dong up the chores, and like their
father. were soon divested of caps, coats
and boots, and seated before the rOUsing
fire 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 oat 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 out
West to build up for themselves home
and fortune. After they were married,
a day or two before they were to start
for Dakota Mary and hcr husband di owe
to the cd home. where she got out of
the buggy and started to go into the
house to say good-by. She did not ask
nor exp ct 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
latrh, and, with tear filled 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,
hoarsnly. "DOn't step your foot inside
% that gate, Mary Ellen Botsworth.
You're no darter O mine. Take yer
hatchet faced paint-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. sad: "BlI BotswOrth, if you
wasn't my wife's father, I'd thrash You
till you couldn't walk for a week. You
oh @ to m for a son -in-law only be-
cause | am poor; but III see the day I
can buy an sell you s if you was b ack,
darn You"
Here Mary laid her hand on his arm
aud said. "Stop, viii: it won't help
Things any to quarrel; let's 60"
1t 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
IT. %l1;,
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, eproachfully:
"Pap, you oughtenter have done it."
Ard Mrs Botsworth, who had come
to the door just in time to take in the
affair, echoed her sons words:
"No, pap. you was too hasty," she
added. MARY Ellen was allus a mighty
good gir,: an, though I'd ruther she'd
not a married VIII Kenney, yet l hope
the Lord will prosper them both"
You are right, mother" said Jacob,
the elder of her sons, "you are right,
mother. 'Filsey' lthe nickname the
boys had bestowed upon Mary when she
was toddler) was the best girl in Indi
any; kind an lovin', an sister worth
the havin'."
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, ye
he never by sign Or inquiry showed tha
he ever thought of her, or had the
s!ightest interest in knowing whether
she was dead or alive.
But on the Christmas eve that have
intro 'uced him to your notice, he sat b,
the fire thinking: and his thoughts were
OF her. He had long ago admitted t.
himself that he was too hasty when h
drove lis only daughter away from hi
home; but he still remained silent. A
each family run on, always he'd OF
Christmas day, he had missed her. AM