Middletown transcript., 1892-12-22
ONE HAPPY REUNION.

Christmas eve, 1893, and bitterly cold
It had showed all the day before and al
the night, and had only held up abont
noon on the day which was now nearing
its close
In those days the distance from New
Yorkin tho direction of what is now the
town of Fordham was traversed by stage
coaches. drawn by spanking four 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 be-
fore wayside tavern in Winchester
county, bearing swinging and anti
revolutionary sign, the presentment Of
a scarlet clad and handsome cavalier.
and the inscription, Marquis Of Clare
mont Arms" There were but two pas
sengers in the coach that night-a tall
traveller in slouched hat and shaggy
overcoat. aud little girl whom he car
ried III his arms
AS the horses were DATED ana tne
coachman and groom went in for a
drop Of something hot" the traveller
alighting turned quickly up road lead
ing northward from the inn. The man
was good looking, though foreign and
sunburne,l of aspect. Yet he did not
seem a stranger to the place.
On through the snow clad lanes and
by the white fences he went his way.
finally turning upa private walk through
the piled mp drifts toward old Deacon
Marshall's homestead.
IT'S sweet to hear the honest watch.
dogs bark. bay deep mouthed welcome
as we draw near home"-but this maj,
fervently prayed that no watchdog be
aroused by his noiseless approach to the
old home.
He saw the old farmhouse as he had so
often seen it in boyhood, with its red
walls and white capped roof. with the
candle light family shining through the
ri1ne of the window panes.
Occasionally a sigh so deep as to be
almost a sob burst from the mans
bosom. The child was hushed and con
tent in its fathers arms.
As he passed through the trim yart
gate. past the old familiar butternui
tree. he said to himself. "They will b,
glad to see her and love her; but oh
Godl it's hard to part with her."
When he reached the farmhouse doc,
he set the little one down on her feet III
the square, old fashioned porch.
Nov. baby, remember never to be
afraid to do what papa tells you to dc
You are going to see grandpa and grand
ma, ana when your visit is out pap;
viii come and bring you lots of sweeties
AMI toys. Now you must 60 right il
when they open the door, and papa will
20 away for little while"
s The child clung to him for momeni
"a terrible moment to him-and thel
stood bravely quiet as he gave thre,
rousiny blows to the old brass knockel
and then swiftly retreated into tn,
shadow of the trees.
He saw the door open and an OIL,
white haired man with a candle in hi,
hand look ont. lie saw the CLEAN 0!
The firesi,le in the old home for the first
time III many years He saw the child.
fearless and confident of welcome, enter,
and then-be still. brave heart-he saw
his mother. "A tall. gentle faced old ma,
iron 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 Liam outside was in thu return
coach for New York, on his WY to be
lost among the unknown thousands Of
the great city.
Ten minrtes before this scene Deacon
Marshall aod his good wife sat before
the blazing fire in the clean, snug old
fashioned kitchen, while the busy house
maid, stout, rosy Dutch lass of eight
cen, piled her evening tasks. The ar
petizing smell Of browning griddlr
cakes and fragrant tea filled the room
The bitter winds howled outside, ell
hancing the blessed sense of home
warmth ard comforth.
"It's mighty bad weather. | hope all
the chi!iren will git here tomorrow.
wife, :;lil the deacon.
'.Al the children. EzraY" answered
the old lady i'll tone of reproach. "You
know one will not be here. / always
tilink of iliia in the holidays away out
yon,ier il Mexico CT Texas among them
outlandish people.
.'Oh, Ezra, he was wild boy and
but there's more sorts of sin
than ora. ar'i Won were worse than lie
when you drove the boy out into ia
wide world twenty years Ggo-twenty
years ago come New Years eve."
Had the deacon lived in this age lie
would have rung the chestnut bell"
for he had heard sermons from his wife
on his sorsly repented sin full many
time and oft.
The best of women will preach.
II have such a strange feeling about
me this minute. feel as if my boy was
right Lere by me" she went on, forget
ing that her hoy" was now man Of
.hirty-fve or more
At this instant three startling raps on
he knocker sounded through the old
mousse.
Its that good for nothin Jake Mellen
waiting till this time O. night to fetch
hem groceries. Don't leave the slap
acks, Katrine; I'll open the door.
And the deacon took up candle and |
talked through the passage to the front
loor. He opened it. What strange
light to seel
Against the dark background of night
nd storm the figure of cherub child.
wee maid of five years, fair as pearl |,
nth bright eager eyes of heavenly blue,
nd soft fieecy mass of pale gold es-
aping from her blue satin hood and
alling over her white fur coat.
She advanced fearlessly and pipsd out:
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