Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-12-25

the door beside tie trunk and took
the things out one By one, the stern
look in his face softening and bis
heart growing warmer.
Hes miied when be came to lit
tie white sunbonnet and remembers
ed just Low-Jenny hsd looked when
she came toddling out to meet him,
wearing it for the frat time.
II was nine o'clock when be vent
back to the kitchen. His wife look
ed up from the weekly paper ste
was reading and said
"Why Jason, you amt been up in
the attic all this timer / s'posed
you'd come down an gone 10 bed
long ago.
I'm goin' right away. Set ne
out some breakfast on the table and
fix the coffee SO kin make me 3
CUP lore I start
81 shall get up and get you q
good hot breakfast myself, Jason.'
"You needn' !, to, Marthy, it'll be
so.early.s
II shall get mp just the same.
How husky yonr voice is, Jason.
I'm afraid you took cold up there in
the attic. Whatever were you do
ing up there all ibis time r.
'Oh, just looking over ..some old
thines. I didnf take any cold. Bet
ter go 10 bed. Marthy, il you're bent
on gittin' up at four il the mornin'.'
"Why, Jason, how'd you happen
TO come in at ths front door,"
Il was nine o'clock at night, Bit
terly cold and stormy, and Christ
mas Eve.
Jason bad just come home from
Hebron. His wife had heard him
drive into tke barn yard and had
made haste with her supper that it
might be ready and hot when he
came in.
She had siso bathed her eyes has,
tily in cold water that he might not
know that she had been crying. But
he would know If be had any dis
cernment at all, for she had been
crying nearly all DAY. Her heart
had been so heavy with thoughts of
Jenny.
How'd you happen to come In at
the front door ~ she asked.
"You mustn't ask questions near
Christmas time,' be said In voice
50 light and joyous and joyial that
she looked up quickly. He picked
up a lamp and said
~ want to go into the parlor q
minnet before supper.
A moment later he called out
cheerily
,y"Comein here and see your Christ
mas gift, ma. It's such o beauty /
can't wait until morning
sBetter wait until after supper
anyhow. It's 81 on the table
"No; come in here fret"
When she reached the open door
of the parlor she saw her husband
on his knees between a little boy of
about four years and little girl of
two, his arms around their waists.
A little woman with thin pale tear.
stained face showing beneath her
cheap little mourning bonnet, was
standing behind Jason.
"Why-why-Jenny !"
"And this is Walter Jason, named
for me; and this Is Marthy Isabelle,
named four You," said Jason, joy.
ously.
"Come, come, ma stop huggin'
an cryin over Jenny an take look
at your grandchildren. What do you
say to them for Christmas gift7v
She knelt down and took them in
her arms, saying incoherently:
"Jenny-Jason--oh, dear-I-I--
you dear, dear little thingsl GRAM
mas babies You darlings! You
darlingsl You're the best gift, the
sweetest gift in all the world The
little peace child that came to Beth.
lehem was not dearer to his mother
than you are TO me. Kneel right
down here by me Jenny an Jason,
and let me thank the Christ who
was born on Christmas Day for this,
an for the beautiful Christmas
there!will be under this roof tomor-
row r.