Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-01-04


sternness on the part of her father
came to her. Gradually the recollec-
ton of her own part in them came TO
her remembrance and she thought of
many times when she, full of wanton
mischief, had deceived and opposed
him, been stubborn and wilful, aud
given him false estimates of her char
acter. SO that his Judgment had been
wrong and harsh, ana then she, not
deigniDg explanation, rebelled because
she was misunderstood.
In that heart-searching the Christ
spirit came to her in It's true, tender
meaning, and she felt like fallingst her
parents feet and asking forgiveness.
With her lips pressed - her bsby's
soft cheek she whispered: 1T must
be that l understand better because of
you, darling, and sorrow brings the
stubborn will to reason. o, my baby
dear, he will forgive, his poor mother
for leaving him, when he understands,
won't hep
She laid him in the manger filed
sOundly, and did not waken when
she put him down. Then she picked
up the candle, blew it ont, and was
just going to lie down beside him,
when she saw what seemed like a dim
light flashing through the cracks of
the barn. She watched breathlessly.
1t vast came nearer-what could it
mean? She flew as fast as her weaken
ing limbs would let her to the horses
stall and leaned az rInst Bess for sup
port. Somebody was fumbling at the
latch-she looked through crack, the
door swung open-it was her fatherl
Grayer than when she saw him last.
She felt as If she should faint, and
chung to Bess's name. lie had the
lantern in his hand and, shading his
eyes, looked in the direction of the
oxen and cows. For an instant he
could not see, then he looked in won.
derment Mt Star. who was in the wrong
stall.
''Well," he muttered, ''that's curi-
ous- L could take my oath that l put
that creetur where she belongedI'
lie went up to investigate. The
noise of his heavy boots and the flash
ing of the lantern woke the baby; he
nestled and threw the shawl aside, un-
covering his little hands which he
reached in rapture for the beautiful
light. Josiah Bigelow leaned over the
maDger, pallor on his face. He un-
pinned the note from the shawl; his
hands trembled so he could scarcely
hold it. His eyes were dim and old
he spelled out with difficulty the
plainly written lines:
His name is George. Please keep him for
little while. I cannot get a situation with
him. Keep him until can make hoEe for
him. His father died month ago.
MILDRED.
l. f,,s
almost Inaudible. At last he said:
''A1ay God forgive me. He knows
how my heart has yearned for her, and
how my devilish pride has kept it
down. How her mother has sorrowed
for her. and who knows what she has
suffered through my stubborn pride?
O Milly, my little gal, where are you?
Can you ever forgive your poor old
father?"
She could restrain her sobs no longer,
but came slowly from her hiding place
and fell at his feet.
"Forgive me, father, l have not done
right. L did not mean that you should
see me, was going away before day
light oh, is my mother well?'
He caught her in his arms and kissed
her again and again. Eyes, your
u1olutI VIII bc u NOulhu uON.
Baby Alden objected in n loud
voice at this unseemly neglect. She
caught him in her arms to hush him.
your mother this. I'm almost afraid o.
the shock"
''lake Baby and go in first; will
wait in the shed
Carefully he took the little one, ex-
l.. ~. IL
to the house side by side, The storm
was over, the Christmas stars were
shining, and the star that led them was
the Star of Bethlehem, the Star of
Peace. Josiah Bigelow was very pale
when he entered the Kitchen
"What have yOu got there, father?"
asked Mrs. Bigelow. who was nodding
in her chair, ''dog-tired, as she said.
''Huldy," he said, aud his voice was
on a high strain, ''the Saviour has
come on earth again to me IN the form
of this innocent child; he has shoned
me the right way in an instant aGd
that's more'n preachin' has done.
Mother, come here, this is our Milly's
little boy"
Mrs. Bigelow grasped her chair for
support. "Where is my Milly?" she
drove her to death with your hard
ness?"
Then with glad ring in his deep
bass voice, Joshiah Bigelow called ex-
ultantly:
Mildred, your father and mother
want your"
"Mother, my dear motherr' she
cried, and their arms were about one
another.
Grandpa Bigelow sat on the old
sofa wiping his eyes. Baby Alden was
holding his great thumb with one little
hand and vainly endesvoring to put it
in his mouth.
''Take the baby Milly. Mother
you'd better set the tea DRAWN. Iii
go and get some milk; we'll need some
thin TO warm US up, and l'll make
fire in the best room, and set the bed
airin' for our little gal and boy"
1t was glad Christmas day that fol-
lowed, a day of deep meaning to item.
Each proud spirit humbled, each anx-
lous to make concessions to the other;
it is happy home where such abide.
Cousin Eben and family came to
dinner, and great was the rejoicing
over Milly. After an early supper
tney went nome. magnificent hre
burned IN the CRATE They sat round
it, and baby on grandma's lap spread
his pink toes to the blaze.
Josiah, it seems just as if l wanted
TO hear you and Milly sing"
He rose, took the key from his ring,
and unlocked the organ.
"Come, darter, vowed that no hand
but yours should ever touch these keys.
Many's the time ID the past two years
my heart has asked to bear your voice
but that all over now. Come"
She went to his side, brushed the
shaggy, gray locks behind his ears
caressingly.
"What shall We sing, father?"
"Sing that hymn, L forgit the name,
something about
Come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem"