St. Landry democrat., 1892-02-13

gave him barely food and the poorest
clothing.
Very sadly the son and his wife talked
Of the impossibility Of helping one who
would not let any appeal touch HIM, until
suddenly Margaret cried:
"Charles. | have an idea! Let me
try to win your father over. will send
him a Christmas card
"My dear, he would not open the en-
velope."
"But it will not go i'll an envelope.
Don't ask any questions. Let me try,
and see if your father does not dine with
US tomorrow.
"Dine with us! Margaret, you must
be crazyW
"Not bit of it. just let me have my
own way, dear
"Do you ever fail to get that?" was
the laughing query, for something in his
wife's face gave fresh hope to Charles
Austin's heart.
4
It was very mean room in a very
poor house where the sun OF a bright
Christmas morning wakened Simon Aus
tin, Every thing in the shabby place told
of the lack of woman's care and love.
Dust hung upon everything. disorder
reigned There were no dainty trities OF
needlework; the curtains were dingy and
crooked; the carpet torn and dirty.
Very YEARLY and slowly the old man
dressed himself, lit fire in the CRATE and
rang for the poor breakfast his landlady
provided. Dinner and tea he was sup
posed to buy outside, but very often this
muddy coffee, stale bread and tough chop
or steak were the sole repast OF the TWEEN
ty four hours.
1t was Christmas Day, and no business
took the old man abroad; so, after the
attempting tray was removed, he took a
newspaper and drew shiyeringly to the
fire. But before he had read one column
there came knock upon the door, and
then it opened wide and closed again be-
hind a child-a little girl in quaint
Mother Hubbard cloak and hat, with
large blue eyes and clustering golden
curls, and holding a large fat basket full
of fresh, beautiful flowers. While the
old man gazed at her in silent amazement
she said, in sweet, childish voice:
eff you please, dear grandpapa, | am
your Christmas card!''
"You-you are aUlaat 2'' he said, utter
ly bewildered.
eff you please, dear grandpapa, am
your Christmas card,'
"Who sent you here? What is your
name?"
Mamma brought me here! | am
Madge Austin, dear grandpapa-" and
then, half frightened at the strange face
and the poor room. the child's eyes filled
and her lips trembled. II want to go
home!" she whispered.
Don't cry!" Mr.. Austin said finding
his senses and taking her into his arms,
very tenderly. Don't cry, dear, will
take you home"
ooh, if you please, because my big
doll is there and all the toys Santa Claus
brought, and brother Harry. What did
Santa Claus bring you:'
"Nothing!"
"OhH' with very deep drawn sigh,
"was it because you are up SO many
stairs? But he always comes to our
house and mamma said perhaps, to-day he
would bring us our grandpapa! We
haven't got any now, you know, and
mamma said if he did come, we would
love him just the same as papa, and he
would love us. And please, grandpapa.
so we will" And here the child put her
little arms around the head bent low be-
fore her, and lifted the face quivering
and tear stained.
ooh, don't cry! Oh, please, men don t
cry; only naughty girls and boys! OH
and again the terror found voice in the
plea: II want to go home."
Eyes, yes! l will take you home.
Bring your flowers, child. This is no
place for flowers Christmas
cards.'
Down the crazy old stairs tie old man
led the child, tenderly watchful that the
little feet did not slip nor stumble
Through the sunny streets, unheeding
the cold, she walked beside him, pratt
fling Of her home and of the dear grand
papa that she had been taught to love
| That was the browning amazement
! No child in few short hours could have
been taught to talk of the estrangeC
parent as this child talked. She told the
old man Of the prayer she said night an(
morning, "Please, dear Lord. send my
grandpapa home.' of the talks of hen
mother about this unknown relative
whom she was to reverence and love
should he ever come home, opening +,
the hardened but, oh, such a lonely hear
a hope of rest and affection, that he fell
it would be bitter as death to thrust aside
now.
There was no need to pull the door-bel
Of the stately mansion to which Simon
Austin led his grandchild. Eager hand
were waiting to open its portals wide
eager eyes were watching for the coming
of the pair Tender arms and stron.
hands led Simon Austin into the paror
Margaret's kisses fell warm and caress
ing upon his wrinkled cheeks; Charlie
hands removed the shabby overcoat
baby Harold chung to his knees, shout
ing:
"Dandpa's tum! Santa Tlaus brlnge'
dandpa!"
There was no pride could stand agans
this loving, sincere welcome, SO prid
collapsed.
"Do you really want me, Charlie:
the old man faltered at is not mer'
charity"
"Hushv" whispered Margaret. "D'
not grieve him by such word. He vii
never be happy until you como home
dear father
And SO Christmas once again gathere'
up the tangled threads of estrangemen
and knit them into strong bands of home
love.
Take Care of Your Feet.
Some folks treat their feet as the7