St. Landry democrat., 1892-02-13
A CHRISTMAS CARD.

n Cl11AlOx lu hO Ca1NDa
1t is at once painful and perplexing
to be answered with heavy sigh where
one expects an exclamation of pleasure
and admiration; SO it was not wonderful
that Mrs. Austin, under the exact con-
ditions, looked into her husbands face.
She was holding up for his inspection a
large wax doll, one of the treasures for
Madge, the blue-eyed darling of four
years, who was counting the days until
Santa Claus should come. Every stitch of
Miss Dollie's elaborate costume was the
work Of Mrs. Austin's busy fingers in
! ours when Madge was dreaming Of full
sto kings and Christmas trees, and the
last stitch set, t result was displayed
for "papa's' approval.
Now papa was quite as devoted par
emit to Madge and two-year- old Harold as
mamma, and took deep interest in all
nursery matters. 1t may be that the
memory Of two other curly heads and
baby faces that had frightened the nur-
sery for few brief months and then
been hidden by cofin-lids deepened the
love for the children who came later to
comfort the aching hearts. But it is very
certain that the little Austins were as
much loved and petted as children could
be, and did not dream more hopefully of
Christmas treasures than their parents
did lovingly Of supplying them.
So it was with some alarm, too, that
Mrs. Austin put aside her last triumph
| of needle-work and threw her arm around
her husbands neck.
"What is it, Charlie?' she asked.
He drew her into loving embrace be-
fore he said, sadly:
81 met my father again to-day. Mar
garet, it will kill me to have things go
on 80. He was downright shabby, feeble
and broken; looking so old and so sick
that could not keep the tears out of my
eyes. Bnt he would not speak to me. |
said all could say in the street, and
tried to follow him home; but he stopped
short and said: I do not know you, sir!
You will cease to annoy mel! And
could not make a scene in the street
There was choking sound in Charles
Austin's voice as he ceased speaking
but, being man. he kept back the sob
that would have followed. Mrs. Austin
tears were falling fast.
"At Christmas time, too, she said
1T is useless to send presents, Charlie;
he has sent them back every year.
The story this conversation referred tc
was an old one, true love marriage
made in the face of disinheritance ans
paternal displeasure. Mrs. Austin had
been poor girl, employed in the factory
of Simon Austin, then man of grea
wealth and good social position; mar
purse proud, arrogant and full of his
own Importance. When his OILY child
his idolized, INDUCED son and heir, tolt
him of his love for pretty Margaret Hay
a factory-girl, living in the factory
boarding house, wearing calico dresses
and earning mere living, the old mar
was maniac in his fury.
He would not see that the girl was
pleasing in manner, refined in taste, wei
educated and sweet-tempered, one tt
brighten any home and make any goot
man thoroughly happy. He gave fierce
command that the matter should end the1
and there. Charles Austin, utterly I'M
accustomed to be crossed in any fancy
refused obedience, never before exacted
and the conversation ended in stormy
quarrel and the young mans expulsion
from home.
But with good fortune that does no
often follow disobedient sons, Charlie.
was at once taken into the employ ant
favor of his mothers brother, an eccen
| twin old honhnlor h1 tho
couple home in his own luxurious
house. 1t was q new life to the OLE
| gentleman, and he took the keenest in
terest in all the household affairs al
Margaret managed them, loved ant
mourned the older children, and dying
when Madge was but year old, left hi
entire large estate to his "belovet
nephew, Charles Austin"
And while the sunshine Of prosperit,
had no clouds for this hayward son, tn,
fathers fortunes had gone all awry
Some commercial panic was the first blow
to Simon Austin, and an effort to repai
the loss by speculation only added to tn
disaster. He missed the cool, clear hea
of the son who had of late years been hi
active partner, the judgment he had frs
trained and then trusted to guide hi
large business. He was angry, and hi
angry impulses led him into dire blum
ders, until he grew SO involved, that ther
was no escape, and he failed for NOR
than his entire fortune.
AT once Charles fastened to him, offer
ing his entire wealth to save him, only
be met by proud, fierce refusal to b
under any obligation to disobedien
child or his beggar-wife.
| Over and over again, as poverty be
came more and more bitter to the ma
broken and aged, did his son implore hir
to allow him to help him, offer him
home, love, care, obedience even, onl
to be thrown back with angry scorn.
A proud man always, Simon Austi
cherished his wrath as the last remnar
of the old arrogance, and would not ben
| one inch. He found letters telling hin
anonymous sums of money were in til
bank in his name, and wrote back refus
ing to claim them. He mistrusted ever
offer Of service, as dictated by his sol
and returned to Charles every scrap {