Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-12-23

vaughan homestead, idcalizing everything
| with its quiet, soothing tints, Rubcn's
mother ended long sickness and her
spirit passed away. He had received her
last kiss. and, as he saw her dear eyes
closed In death, be left her side with
convulsive sob, and went out into the soft,
mellow summer air. The dying light re
vealed to him thousand childish memo
ries and filled his mind with mementoes
of his mothers handiwork. He felt like
cursing the power that had removed her
from him. His soul was full Of wild re-
bellious emotions. The very perfumes
OF the rose BUSH and magnolia were re-
pugnant He paced rapidly up and down
the gravel walk, and seating himself on
rustic bench under the darkening shadows
Of the old China tree he gave himself up
to his anguish. For few moments he
sobbed on unrestrained. then he felt two
soft arms around his neck and sweet,
childish face looked into his. Drawing
down the tea stained cheek he kissed the
noistenod eyelids and asked Jean TO be
his wife.
II was sweet courtshlp, made up Of
sorrow and JOY, filed with the tints Of
blue and grey. crimson and gold. They
were married the next year and went to
the old Vaughan homestead to live. Three
boys and one girl blessed their union,
and their married life seemed but con-
tinuation Of their courtship. Then the
war broke out and Ruben kissed them
manfully good bye and led the village
company 10 the front For four years he
fought for what the God Of battles decided
to be Lost Cause" He returned only
TO ind his house mass OF charred ruins
his negroes gone--his farm grown up
TO weeds, With heart full of thankful
ness tor the safety Of his little family, he
set about to repair and rebuild II was
slow work indeed without means, so when
company OF his neighbors and old CON-
radcs alarms begged him to go In search
Of gold In the new btates and Territories
Of the great Northwest, no did so with a
sad heart, but mind filled with bright
dreams OF shielding his little ones from
want, aud, perhaps of restoring the dcai
old homestead TO Its ante-bellum grandeur.
Five yaass had passed since the day Of
porting, and has last letter intimated his
return. On this day before Christmas,
1870, Jean Vaughan choked back the
thoughts that kept rising and made pre-
par ations to celebrate for the children's
sake. Al she tied on her apron and went
to the pantry, little Rube came rushing
In, covered with snow, his eyes dancing,
his body all aglow with motion and life.
!" Mamma, letter from papa. Old Uncle
Wicks just gave It to me. Said he reck-
oncd II would be Christmas present for
you" Jean took the missive in her eager
hand while she inwardly prayed that II
would bring news Of her husbands speedy
return. Her prayer was gratifed; It was
but . note written on the fiy-leaf of his
bible and read as follows;
ELMIRA MINES, BANNER, IDAHO,
December 8, 1870.
DEAREST WIFE I'll am now ON my way
home. Enclosed money order on Wells,
Fargo q Co.'S express. II am not with
you on Christmas night give the little
ones merry Christmas for me
With love, RUBEN.
And merry Christmas II was. Soon
all The little town knew that Cap'en Rube
was coming homo and that he had sent a
money order ahead Of over fifteen thou.
sand dollars, which amount Uncle Wicks,
the postmaster, declared, with knowing
wink. was but small part of what Ruben
had with him, n statement that In no way
detracted from the interest already mani
Tested Every few moments some good.
hearted neighbor aud old comrade set step
at the door Of jeans home to say kind
word, or black face would peer in and
ask In an awed tones Missus Jean,
Missus jean, am dat de truff what her
say dat Massa Cap'en am coming home '
Youth don't say so. Fur dc land, Use
glad" The relatives came from miles
around to bring turkeys and sweetmeats,
and Jean felt almost happy. All 1t needed
WAS her husbands actual presence. and
she could have imagined herself back In
ante bellum days.
When sight at last came and the dinner
had been eaten, all gathered around the
great arch fire and frolicked and played
In its many colored scintillations. A
score OF joyous little ones were CROPPED
about IT. roasting apples, frying doughnuts
and toasting cheese, while little farther
removed, just outside the radius of the fire,
were score OF faces that were older only
in years, all united and animated by the
one thought that II was Christ's birthday,
and that Ruben was coming home
Yet, after all were gone and the young
mother had heard the last sweet: Nov
lay me down to sleep" from her loved
ones. u strange feeling Of unrest and for
b6ding came over her. Going to the win
dow and pressing her face to the pane, she
looked out upon the thickly falling snow
and wondered If her husband.lover was as
comfortably housed as she Then drop
ping beside the window, stlll gazing out
into the night, she confded him to the
care OF Him, who hath said: Come unto
me. all sc that are weary and heavy laden,
and will give you rest"
The full Deeemhsr moon rose maiest,.