The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-12-22
ONE HAPPY REUNION

I the night, and had only held up abou
noon on the day which was now nearing
its close.
In those days the distance from New
, York in the direction of what is now the
town OF Fordham was traversed by
, stage-coaches, drawn by spanking foul
[ horse teams, travelling by the old Boston
post road. On this Christmas eve the
leaders plunged and plowed their way
through the snow, snorting and emitting
clouds of steam from their nostrils.
After awhile the vehicle paused before
a wayside tavern in Winchester county,
bearing a swinging and AUTHORIZATIONS
airy sign, the presentment of a scarlet
clad and handsome cavalier, and the in
scription, marquis of Claremont Arms"
There were but two passengers in the
coach that night-a tall traveller in
slouched hat and Il shaggy overcoat, and
a little girl whom he carried in his arms
AS the horses were baited and the
coachman and groom went in for
drop of something hot the traveller
alighting turned quickly mp a road lead
ing northward from the inn. The man
was good looking, though foreign and
sunburned of aspect. Yet he sdid not
seem stranger to the place
On through the snow clad lanes and
by the white fences no went his way.
finally turning up private walk through
the piled up drifts toward old Deacon
Marshall's homeste ad
"'Tis sweet to hear the honest watch
dogs bark, bay deep mouthed welcome
as we draw near home''-but this man
fervently prayed that no watch dog be
aroused by his noiseess approach to the
old home.
He saw the old farmhouse Us he had SO
often seen it in boyhood, with its red
walls and white capped roof, with the
candle light family shining through the
rime of the window panes.
Occasionally sigh so deep as to be
almost sob burst from the mans bosom.
The child was hushed and content in its
/ fathers arms.
| AS he passed through the trim yard
gate, past the old familiar butternut
glad to see her and love her; but oh,
God! it's hard to part with her."
When he reached the farmhouse door
he set the little one down on her feet in
the square, old fashioned porch.
Now, baby. remember never to be
afraid to do what papa tells you to do.
You are going to see grandpa and gland
ma, and when your visit is out papa will
come and bring you lots of swecties and
toys. Now you must go right in when
they open the door, and papa will go
away for a little while.n
The child chung to him for moment
"a terrible moment to him-and then
stood bravely quiet as he gave three
rousing blows to the old brass knoeker
and then swiftly retreated into the
shadow of the trees.
He saw the door open and an old white
haired man with a candle in his hand
look out. He saw the geam Of the fire
side in the old home for the first time in
many years. He saw the child, fearless
and confident OF welcome, enter, and
then-be still brave heart-he saw his
mother, tall, gentle faced old niatton
with snow white hair, advance, stoop
and lift the child in her arms and kiss it
as one who drinks after long thirsting.
The door closed, and few moments
later the man outside WAS in the return
coah for New York, on his way to be lost
among the unknown thousands OF the
great city.
Ten minutes before this scene Deacon
Marshall and his good wife sat before
the blazing fire in tue clean, snug old
fashioned kitchen, while the busy house,
maid, a stout, rosy Dutch lass of eight
cen, piled her evening tasks. The appe-
tizing smell of browning griddle cakes
and fragrant tea filled the room. The
bitter winds howled outside, enhancing
the blessed sense of home comfort and
warmth.
ITS mighty bad weather. I hope all
the children will git here tomorrow,
wife," said the deacon.
"All the children, Err az answered the
old lady in a tone of reproach. You
know one will not be here. l always
think of him in the holidays away out
yonder in Mexico Or Texas among them
outlandish people.
ooh. Ezra, he was % wild boy and head
strong, but there's more sorts of sin than
one, and you were worse than he when
you drove the boy out into the wide
world twenty years ago-twenty years
ago come New Years eve'
Had the deacon lived in this age he
would haye rung the "chestnut bell"
for he had heard sermons from his wife
on his sorely repented sin full many
time and Oft.
The best of women will preach.
81 have such a stran se feeling about
me this minute. l feel as if my boy was
right here by me" she went on, forget
ting that her hoy" was now man of
thirty>five or more.
At this instant three startling raps on
tho knocker sounded through the old
house.
cts that good fer nothin Jake Mellen
waiting till this time O. night to fetch
them groceries. Don't leave the SLAP
jacks, Katrine; I'll open the door"
And the deacon took up a candle an
stalked through the passage to Che frost
door, He opened it, What strau :.
sight to see!
Against the dark background of nj;
and storm the figure of cherub ci; f.
wee maid of five years, fair as a pc ~
with bright eager eyes of heavenly htl.v
and a soft feecy mass of pale gold e
Gaping from her blue satin hood eli,
falling over her white fur coat.
She advanced fearlessly and piped on;
Pm Baby Marshall, and papa's boa IN
me to damma My mammals dead ~,
time ago, and las summer my b.a :.
nanny, Oasy, die, too, and baby VIA;
| see damman
| Another moment and the grandmoth
err, with the thrilling cry OF woman s
soul to an answered prayer, lifted H.
| grandchild to her heart
| oh the 6aar onntaott VIZ