The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-09
THE POTATO-CHILD
ID Little Christmas
WOODBURY..

softened as she remembered, and the
scalding tears fell.
She was only a child, not much
older than the one upstairs. when her
in her arms, saying:
He is all have to leave you,
Amanda. l know you love him.
Don't ever be harsh or unforgiving
! to him."
How had she kept her trust? She
had loved him. She had worked early
and late for him. She had given up
everything; but she had been ill-re-
paid.
I'LL do 1 say? Verify, is this not
true Of love, that it brings it's own
blessedness %
The fire burned low and the room
settled cold and still. She seemed to
feel pair of boyish arms about her
| neck and rough boys kiss upon her
| cheek.
When she was but a young woman
she had moved here to this big city,
and started her dressmaker's shop, so
that he could have better chance a.
school. What a loving boy he was;
So full LOT fun!
The wind whistled outside. She
thought it was he and she heard
itAAAi e@6tIAil. ou are my ndnUSOHle
sister. Not one of the fellows have
as handsome a sister as IT,
How proud she felt when she
started him off to college. ..It only
means few years of a little harder
work, and then TIL see my boy able
to take his stand with anybody
But now she weot and groaned
afresh. ooh, how could he treat me
so, how could he? The wretched dis
grace! He was expelled
She had hardly read his letter, but
she remembered he said it was only
boyish prank. He was so sorry; he
had never expected anything so seri-
Gus to come of it. AS for him, he de-
served the disgrace. 1t only hurt him
thru his love for her. But only for
give him, and he would show her
what love could yet do.
What had been his crime?
He had tied calf to the president s
door bell.
She remembered her answer to this
letter asking for her forgiveness 1t
stood before her written in characters
| of flame.
Had she in this been harsh to the
boy, the only legacy her dying mother
had to leave her?
Never speak to me, or see my face
again. You have disgraced yourself
and me-"
It was not so long ago but that she
could easily remember it.
Afterward, the president himself
had written to her.. He thought they
had been too hasty. 1t was truly a
boys prank. It was, of course, I'M
gentlemanly, but the trick was played
on All Fools Night, and that should
have had greater weight than it did.
fo will {r,or
er apologies were made, to excuse it.
and take her brother back.
Where was her brother? He could
not be found, and not one word had
she heard of him since she sent that
dreadful letter. He might be dead
Oh, how often she thought that. Now
she wrung her hands and covered
her wet cheeks with them. Her hair
fell about her shoulders, as she shook
in her agony of remorse.
What noise is this? the doorbell
pealing thru the silent house. Again
and again it rings.
She did not hear this bell. She
was listening to another, and how it
rang. Louder and louder, how it
rang, and we'll it might, with a calf
jumping about, trying to get away
from it. Even in all her misery-so
near together are the ecStacieS of
emotion-she laughed aloud and then
shuddered at the thought that she
should never again hear any noises
except those of the past
Then she felt in the silent, chill
room tattered presence, a little half
frozen hand upon her own. She
turned her streaming eyes, and they
were met by the sweet, quiet eyes of
Elsie.
Miss Amanda, didn't you hear the
I doorbell ringing? There is some one
waiting downstairs for you
Half-dazed, half-afraid, ashamed of
her tears, Miss Amanda left the room,
led by the child.
Who was this bearded man, that
folded her in his strong, true arms?
Elsie was again in her bed.
Il have so much to tell you, dear
child. I am such a happy little girl.
Miss Amanda's dear brother has come
home. She is SO happy, and she loves
him so much. And, oh, darling, they
both love me. And it was all you!
You did it all! Oh, there is no know
ing how much good one sweet, low
ing, contented potato-child can do in
q house."