The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-12-21
A CHRISTMAS CARD.

and admiration; 50 it was not wonder
1ul that Mrs. Austin, Under these exact
conditions, looked anxiously into her
husbands face. She was holding up for
his tnsp action a large wax doll, one Of
the treasures for Madge, the blue-eyed
darling Of four years, who was count
ing the days until Santa Claus should
come. Every stitch Of Miss Dollie's
cEhcTate costume was the work of
Mrs. Austin's busy fingers in hours
when Madge was dreaming of full
stockings and Christmas trees, and the
last stitch set, the result was displayed
for papa's approval.
Now papa was quite as devoted a par
ent to Madge and two-year-old Harold
as mamma, and took deep interest in
all nursery matters. It may be that
the memory Of two other curly heads
and baby faces that had frightened the
nursery for 4 few brief months and
then been hid by coffin-llds deepened
the love for the children who came
later to comfort the aching hearts.
But 1t is very certain that the little
Austins were as much loved and petted
as children could be, and did not dream
more hopefully Of Christmas treasures
than their parents did lovingly Of sup
plying them.
SO 1t was with some alarm, too, that
Mis- Austin put aside her last triumph
OF needlowork md threw her arm
around her husbands neck.
What is it, Charlie?" she asked.
He drew her into a loving embrace
before he said, sadly:
Il met my father again to-day. Mar
garct, it will kill me to have things go
OH SO. He was downright shabby,
so sick that could not keep the tears
out Of my eyes. But he would not
speak to me- I said all could say in
the street, and tried to follow him
home; but he stopped short and said:
I 90 not know YOU sir. You will cease
to annoy mel And could not make q
scene in the street.
There was a choking sound IN Charles
Austn's voice as he ceased speaking,
but, being Il man, he kept back the sob
that would have followed. Mrs. AIS
tins tears were falling fast.
AT Christmas time, tOO,' she SAID.
ut is useless to send presents, Charlie;
he has sent them back every year.
The story this conversation referred
to WAS an old one, a true love marriage
made in the face or disinhcritance and
patcra;,l displeasure. Mrs. Austin had
been IL poor girl, employed in the fac
tory Of Simon Austin. then 4 man OF
great wealth and good social position;
Il man purse-provu, arrogant ami full
of his own imp,,rtanc,. When his only
child, his idoliuod, indulged son and
heir, told him of his love for pretty
Margaret Hay, factory girl, living in
the factory boarding house, wearing
calico dresses, and earalg mere Nv
ing, the Old man WaS :, mo1liac II his
fury.
lie would not see that the girl was
pleasing in manner, refined III taste,
well educated and sWeet-tempered, one
to brighten any home and make any
good man thoroughly happy. He gave
:: fierce command that the matter
should end then and there. Charles
Austin, utterly unaccustoned to being
crossed in any fancy, refused obedience,
never before exacted, and the conversa-
ton ended in stormy quarrel and the
young mans expulsion from home.
often follow disobcdient sons, Charles
WAS at once taken into the employ and
favor of his mothers brother, an &C.
centric old bachelor. who gave the
young couple Il home in his own lllXu-
riOus house. It was 4 new life to the
old gentleman, and he took the keenest
interest in all the household affairs as
Margaret managed them, loved and
al >lI <.1,sllrnr I,-;p
when Madge was but "A year old, left
his entire large estate to his "belovcd
nephew. Charles AUSTIN
And while the sunshine Of prosperity
had no clouds for this maynard son,
the fathers fortunes had all gone awry
Some commercial panic was the first
blow to Simon Austin, and an effort to
repair the loss by speculation only
added to disaster He missed the cool,
clear head Of the son who had OF late
years been his active partner, the judg-
ment he had first trained and then
trusted to guide his large business. He
was angry. and his angry impulses led
him into dire plumbers, until he grew
10 involved that there was no ESCAPE.
and he failed for more than his entire
fortune.
offering his entire wealth to save him
only to be met by proud fierce re-
fusal to be under any obligation to 4
o'Sobedlent child or his beggar-wife.
over and over again. IA poverty be-
came more and more bitter to the man
nroken and aged. did his son implore
MN TO allow him to help him. offer him
nome love, care. obedience even. onlv
10 De thrown back with angry scorn.
"A proud man always, Simon Austin
cherished his wrath as the last rem-
aant or the old arrogance and would
not bend one inch. He found letters
telling him anonymous sums of money
were in the bank in his name. and
wrote back refusing to claim them He
nlstrusted every offer of service. "A
dictated by his son. and returned to
Charles every scrap Of aid sent to him
OFTEN perplexing his son by sending
what had not come from him. though
ne always refused to believe this.
And being old and broken in health
ne sank lower and lower, unable to fiji
lucrative POSITIONS and taking the work