The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-12-24

tne pressure qI tue smlling rosy lips!
Where is papa? Oh, my dear, where
is papag" she cried, while the deacon
looked on as one raised from the dead,
and Katrine gazed on the new found
treasure and thought Of the stories she
had read in Dutch folklore Of the angel
of the Christmastide.
"Papa don, cooed the little one. "He
tum for baby affer while. Take dis
and searching the recesses Of her little
pockets she produced letter.
The grandfather with shaking hands
and faltering tones read:
MOTHER, DEAR MOTHu,-l have brought
you my mOtherless and ouly child ! know
that you will love and care for her as your
own, and | don't think even father will be
hard TO her When want her | will come for
her, but II may be long years first, II ever.
lead an honest but n wild life and a Texan
ranch or a Rio Grande campfis not the place
for her. For my child's sake part from her.
BE good to her, mother. Your loving son,
WILLIAM f.. MARSHALL
A moment later an old man was
struggling through the mowdrifts to-
ward the village as fast as his rheumatic
legs could carry him. Too late! He
only heard the echo of the coachman's
horn as the horses tore down the turn
pike to New York.
Baby Marshall was in her grandmoth-
er's lap and smiling brightly in her face.
Katrins piled the table with hot grid
die cakes, fragrant tea, sweet butter aud
golden honey
Farther sRd farther the stage carried
the wanderer from the old home,
Christmas bells ringing over the landi
Christmas sunshine glinting the far
reaching carpet Of snow, and picturesque
tree boughs hung with icy diamonds.
In the churches music and song swelling
ont on the clear, frosty air
Unto us a son Is born.
Unto MS king is given,
Christ, the Lord!
Old Mrs. Marshall always walked TO
church Christmas morning, and as she
listened to the sweet tide Of song her
head bent lowly down and n prayer
welled up from the poor old mothers
soul: Lord | have waited so long.
Let me see my boys face again before /
der
In that moment the church clock
chimed 19 meridian.
In that moment. AS she recalled after
ward, peace spread its white wings
above her, and an angel voice seemed TO
whisper. "All is we'll" When she re-
turned the family had assembled for the
Christmas dinner.
There was Rube, who had good
farm in the highlsnds-Rubs. the steady
going "a broad shouldered, sturdy
Saxon, with his pretty, dark eyed wife.
dressed in new black silk with a real
lace collar and cuffs; Marianne, the belle
of the family, and the youngest, a lass Of
eighteen, blond, Gebonair and roguish,
with her good looking fiance lowering
beside her, the son Of q well to do farmer
in the vicinity, whose daughter Marianns
had just been visiting for few days.
There, too, was Alfred, the doctor, q
portly, well meaning man, and a little
of dandy in his dress, rs became a
physician and bachelor popular among
the invalid ladies Of Westchester.
The deacon trudged in from his own
meeting house, where minister and dea-
con had been holding private session
VI wv AAbuAo ONEA luz bhNhaAluAllH vi
some poor soul predoomed according to
their belief to damnation. There was a
general handshaking of fnther and kiss
ing of mother. The deacon did not be-
lieve in kissing or indulging in the
profane luxury Of smile on the Sab
bath day, but Christmas, even accord
ing to his creed. was made for rejoicing.
Among all tue family that day a
queen had been enthrOned-the wait
who had arrived the night before. A
big box had come for her by Sam Dolan,
the carrier, and its contents showed that
the wild Texan rover had not spared
expense on his little daughter. Gay in
blue silk and lace and ribbons, the little
thing tossed her rur!s and beamed de-
hghtedly, first on one. then ON another,
conscious Of being the object of every
body's admiration.
At last she cuddled up in her grand
mothers arms and fell softly asleep
Poor grandma! She felt repaid for those
years OF waiting and WEAKNESS as she
Graded the ,tttle ones head on her
breast and brushed her pale face against
the fluffy, silken hair. Just as every
body grew Eeenly hungry Katrine rang
forth welcome peal from the dinner
bell.
After the deacon's grace what chorus
of praises went up! Was there ever such
adel!ciouS, fat brown turkey as mother'sl
Whoever made such clear jelly? And
the tiny pig-roasted whole-with the
apple in It's mouth! And the mince pies,
and whole pitchers of rnsset cider, ice
| cOld
The perfumes Of Ar.,hy the blest arose
from the banquet.
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