Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-12-22
One Christmas Eve.


1t was all such a pity, the cause so
trivial. A few angry words, then re-
proaches, and the mana good look
ing young fellow-lung sullenly out
Of the cottage door, and the woman
she was not much more than a girl
began, with flushed face, to put a
few things together as if for jour
ney. 1t was rainy day in December.
A thick mist overhung the little min
ing town, and hid the moors beyond.
1T was all so dreary without, and. so
comfortable within. The bright fire
shining on the pots and pans, the
clean hearth, the rough, homely fur
nlture, the two children sitting at the
table, half frightened-poor little lads
at the quarrel. Did Phoebe Hale
intend to leave all this and go out
in the chill December afternoon?
She waited till the children had fin
ished their dinner, and then telling
them to stay indoors till their father
came home, she put on her bonnet and
shawl and went out At the gate she
met her husband returning. He looked
at her in surprise, then his face
darkened.
I'm goin' home to mother" she
said. Thou tells me thou can do wi'out
me, an I've taken thee at thy word"
IF thou goes, lass, thou goes-mind
% thy own accord"
Aye, Tom, go o. my own accord. =
And with these words they parted
Phoebe's old home lay seven miles
away on the high moor. She toiled up
the muddy road in the falling rain,
still angry, still determined to carry
nut her intention of leaving her hus-
band and children, and resolved upon
persuading herself that she was not
road showed the smoky little town,
half-hidden in a murky lane She
looked down upon 1t, and the thought
crossed her mind, Would it not be
better to go back? But her husband
had been wrong; she would punish
him, and her face hardened as she
turned again to the moorland.
The days dragged on YEARLY at the
little farm on the moor. The old
people were glad to have their daugh-
ter-the mother especially, who APP
plauded Phoebe's spirit But to Phoebe
herself existence there seemed one
dull mechanical round. True, she
had been happy as a girl at home, but
the old times cannot come back.
Going out into the porch, in the
misty December days, she would look
along the winding road descending to
the town, with half-expectant hope
that she would not acknowledge to
herself. Would Tom come and fetch
her? Would he send any message?
She had left of her own will, but then
he had been to blame. Would she
never hear any news Of that cottage in
busy Irthdale?
9TH lass has a proper pride" said
the mother one day to her husband as
they sat by the fire in the cleaning.
But the old man refilled his pipe in
silence.
Then came the first snow. Phoebe
stood outside in the twilight, needless
of the falling snow. How desolate the
moorland looked in its white mantle.
And tomorrow was Christmas-eve.
The memory of the last Christmas
eve rose before her: the cheerful
'Oustle of the lighted streets, the ruddy
glow from every window, her own
home bright and happy, the children
playing with their toys, and her hus-
band stamping the snow off his boots,
and coming in with a branch OF Lolly
In his hand. Why had she made the
exchange? There was no good reason
for so doing, A ,trifing dispute. hasty
words, hot resentment, and-she was
here. The tears rushed TO her eyes,
she wiped them away and went in
doors. The short day was fading,
and the frost mist creeping up from
the horizon, when the carriers cart
drove up bo the door with some par
cells. Mrs. Brimlow-Phoebe' mother
rather looked forward to the car
rier's visits. He was never in a hurry,
and she liked to hear the news OF the
town, and any local gossip he might
have 30 retail
ITS a proper Chrlstmas-eye." she
said, as the man dived into the re-
cesses of his van for the packages.
AYE, 1t Is. like to see a bit OF
snow at Christmas. But it's a bad
Christmas-eve for many one down at
Trthdale." Jerking his head in the d.
rection OF the town.
For WHY" inquired Mrs. Brimlow.
her curiosity instantly awaken
ed, while Phoebe, her arms full
OF parcels, stopped 10 listen. her heart
beating wildly. What was the matter
In Irthdale?
Theirs been blow-up at the Og-
den Pit replied the carrier; IAN
they're bringing up tn men by tn
dozen. Eli. but It's bad Job"
The Ogden Pit? That was the mine
In which her husband worked. She
started forward.