The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1896-12-24

Is enough to cut you in two.
1T is hard lines for them who
obliged to be out in the fury Of
storm. Just the night to make on
feel thankful for a hearth and home
to say nothing about a bite and sup
BLESS me! You don't mean to sa!
so? Walked all the way from Kirk
wood, have you? I don't wonder tina
! you look about done up, with q sid
wind driving you all the way. and tn
snow-drifts lying along the road.
Eyes. sir. it's short cut in the sum
| mer time. to those who know the coun
try well, but even I should not like t.
attempt it on a night like this; and
| / have lived in the neighborhood, mar
and boy, for nigh upon seventy years
yes, seventy next birthday is the
number Of years I have been allowed
20 live, and fve-and-forty of them have
Seen spent in this house. All! I dare
say 1t does seem long time 20 young
fellow like you, but they haven't been
Yong in passing, and appear precious
little to look back upon.
1T is forty-five years ago last Sep
TENDER that l first brought my wife
through the door yonder, and here we
have lived in summer and winter, sun
shine and cl nd, ever since.
''Oh, yes. we have been blessed with
children. It is they that have done
much to bring the sunshine, although
they are linked with the cloudy days
as well, for three of them are lying up
in the chrrchyard on the hill. Three
out of five. Still. We are happy to think
two have been spared to us-the first
and the last-even If they are now
gone out into the world for themselves.
Tom is the captain Of a boat plying
between Cairo and New Orleans, and
Susie is living in Memphis. for she is
married, and has two little ones of her
own.
$50 we have been content to have
Just each other, as we did the year or
two before they were given to us, until
last year, when we had what may
call an addition to our family.
'You can sleep in the blue room.
That is what the wife calls 1t, but
tell her it will soon have to be called
the Christmas Eve bedroom. They
say the third time brings luck, and If
you accept our offer this will be the
third Christmas Eve that We have had
. sudden visitor to require 1t.
well. there is little story attach
ed to it. II you care to listen, while
my wife is preparing the supper, I will
try and tell it to you.
you see, it is a little room over
looking the orchard, and is about the
cosiest one in the house. I suppose
most women like to have what they
call a spare room ready. in case COM
pany should come unexpected.
II used to laugh at her, and tell
her it would be always ready and new
er wanted, because, don't you see, when |
Tom or little Sue come, they like to |
have the rooms where they used to |
sleep when they were children at home. |
But it is exactly three years ago |
tonight that We were glad to think
It was all ready for use.
Little Sue-we called her that to
distinguish her from her mother, al
.hough she is the taller of the two
vas here with her two little ones. They
lad come to spend Christmas with the
I'D folks.
I'VE were sitting in front of the
ire. just as you and are doing now,
md the women's tongues were chat
ing together, nineteen to the dozen,
or you see they had not seen each
ther for over two years, when all at
nee Sue stopped in the middle of a
and said: 'Hark! what was
hat?
I'VE listened, but could hear moth
ag.
"'What was it, child" said her moth
"It was like someone moaning out
lde the door. Listen-there It is
gain!
Il could not tell if there was any
ling or not, for my hearing was get
ng bit dull. but I went and opened
le door. and stood there for a minute
+ so. 1t was a lovely evening, 80
lin and still. No moon to speak of, ,
ut the stars were shining like so ,
any diamonds, and the snow made .
very light. Away across !.
le fields / could hear the church bells. 4.
1t that was the only sound, and =
as just about to close the door, when =
heard the noise myself, as she had !,
.scribed 1t, like a person moaning :.
pain. It seemed to come from close :
: the garden gate, and, sure enough !,
hen went to look. there lay q man ;,
huddled up in a heap.
Il managed to get him indoors and
Id him on the couch, and then began :.
take OF his wraps. He was wsSring :.
thick cloak and fu: cap, and when
Is was removed, I saw he was bleed
3 from q nasty cut at the back Of y
. head. He did not appear to have
It much blood, but he was perfect o
dazed for awhile.
Il knew who he was: Mr.. HUGH :,
MYERS, q nephew Of Squire Mar q
|. You arc q complete stranxer =.