Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-01-07


sank lower and lower. unable to fill lucra-
tive positions, and taking the work that
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 Christmas card"
"My dear, he would not open the en-
velope.r
"But it will not 60 in an envelope.
Don't ask any questions. Let me try.
and sec il your father does not dine with
us Tomorrow"
'Dine with u.s. Margaret. you must
be crazyw
mot 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
wifes face gave fresh hope to Charles
Austin's heart.
1t was very mean room in a very
poor house where the sun of a bright
Christmas morning wakened Simon Aus
tin Everything in the shabby place told
of the lack of woman's care and love.
Dust hung upon everything, disorder
reigned There were no dainty trihes 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 tho 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 q
newspaper md drew shiveringly to tho
fire. But before he had read one column
there came knock upon the door, and
then it opened wide and closed again be-
hind child-a little girl in quaint
Mother Hubbard cloak and hat, with
large blue eyes and clustering golden
curs, and holding large fiat basket full
of fresh, beautiful flowers. While the
old man gazed at her in silent amazement
she said, in sweet, childish voice:
"If you please, dear grandpapa, am
your Christmas card"
"You-you arc ,olat ?" he said, utter
ly bewildered.
eff you please. dear grandpapa, am
your Christmas card!'
"Who sent you here? What is your
name?"
ssMonnu,o bro,oht no bo.ot -
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 60
.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"
"Oh, if you please, because my big
doll is there and oil the toys Santa Claus
brought, and brother Harry. What did
Santa Claus bring you?"
Nothing!
"Oh!" with very deep drawn sigh,
twas 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.
"Oh, don't cry! Oh, please, men don't
cry; only naughty girls and boys! Oh!'
and again the terror found voice in the
plea: IL want to 60 home"
Eyes, yes! l will take you home.
Bring your flowers, child. This is no
place for flowers or-or-Christmas
cards."
Down the crazy old stairs the 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
thing 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 10 talk of the estrangeC
parent as this child talked. She told the
old man of the prayer she said night anC
morning, "Pleasc, dear Lord, send my
grandpapa home!" of the talks of hcr
l.mother about this unknown relative
whom she was TO reverence and love
should he ever come home, opening tC
the hardened but, oh, such lonely heart
hope of rest and affection, that he felt
it would be bitter as death to thrust aside
now.
There was no need to pull tho door-bel
of the stately mansion to which Simon
Austin lod his grandchild. Eager hand,
were waiting to open its portals wide
eager eyes were watching for the coming
of the pair. Tender arms and strong
hands led Simon Austin into the parlor
Margaret's kisses fell warm and caress
ing upon his wrinkled cheeks; Charlie Z
hands removed the shabby overcoat
baby Harold chung to his knees, shout
ing:
"Dandpa's tum! Santa Tlaus bringct
dandpa"
There was no pride could stand agains
this loving. sincere welcome, so pride
collapsed.
"Do you really want me, Charlie?'
the old man faltered alt is not mer,
charity!
Hush" whispered Margaret. "Dc
not grievo him by such word. He will
never be happy until you come home
dear father"
And so Christmas once again gathered
up tho tangled threads of estrangemen
and knit them into strong bands of home
love.
|
TaEa Cara Of Vour Eoaf