The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-12-19
FLORENCE MAHAN.
CHRISTMAS EVE HOMECOMING
George M. A. Cain. in Extension.

There was not window in all the row of flats on
the north side of Fifth street that did not have
wreaths of green in it. Even the top windows
next the big church the corner had their laurel
and red paper, though the family had moved in
only that very day.
And, II there were great many happy fami-
lies the north side of Fifth street that night
none were more happy than the one that was still
busy Strengthening its meager household goods
about that particular floor behind those particular
windows For this was to be their new home-the
finest they had ever lived in. Here there were five
big rooms. They had Just moved from two Here
the front windows looked out on the gay street
where the many children played. The old home
had looked into dismal back yards where the gen
eral dinginess was relieved only by lines of wash
ing.
Last Christmas they had been thankful that the
payment for the wife and mothers washing had
purchased few second-g grade pork chops Tomor-
there to be real turkey with all its trim
mings. year ago Mrs Morrow had been ashamed
to go to the first Mass, even in the church of the
poverty stricken community where she lived. Now
she had clothes which would at least, pass in the
crowd at o'clock Then she had not been able
TO take the children at all. Their garments were
too thin for the cold. Tomorrow they too would be
dressed like other peoples children.
What had brought about the change? The an
swer is very simple Tom Morrow had kept the
pledge for two months. thoroughly good work
man. he had easily secured work At the end of
each Of those months he had brought home his
wages-the high wages of an expert craftsman
The first month most of the 500 had to go for the
payment Of bills. This month-well, they were
moved up here.
Tom was gone out to get the things for the
dinner. Mrs Morrow stayed at home to look after
the babies The two last were too small to trust
in the house alone. To be sure. they were Sleep
ing soundly In the new crib but they might wake
nm ar heir 10Th
first month of their affluence the woman had taken
the check for her husbands labor. cashed it. and
paid the bills herself But Tom had done so well
had kept straight long that she felt it was safe
to trust him with it now.
Full of that hope which springs eternal in the
breast of the wife of reforming drunkard, she
went about, putting things to rights. the refrain
Of Christmas carol rising spontaneously to her
lips. And then the little brass clock struck ten
times.
Mrs Morrow looked up with surprise. Tom had
been gone two hours and half for that turkey
and few other things to go with it. She tried 70
90 on with the carol. but it soon went flat, then
stopped altogether. She did keep on with the set
lement of things for a while, but her eyes con-
stantly reverted TO the face of the brass time
piece. Time had passed so swiftly she did not note
its flight before. Now she wondered why it took
The big hand long TO creep half way down the
Roman figures.
When at length it reached the enameled she
topped her work and sat down Her chair faced
he mantel and the brass clock. Somehow the
brightness had gone out Of her eyes. The lines
hat had we-ngh faded from their corners took
heir place again, growing deeper and deeper as
he slow hand crossed over the swift little second
and at the bottom and gradually reached for the
IL
She was trying hard enough to be cheerful. She
ad gone to confession that afternoon and she
trove to keep away the bitter thoughts the suspi-
ions that crowded ever closer. She hung onto the
sst straw of hope long as hope could endure.
he tried to convince herself that the stores and
he market were crowded with customers; she cal
ulated the ossible delays for each purchase. She
egan by allowing twenty minutes to each shop:
hen made it half an hour; heightened it to three
uarters-it might have kept him till half-past
inc No. she could not stretch it farther.
Still the little clock licked merrily
Iough each little beat were not falling like a blow
pom woman's heart. The children in the other
1om stirred. She went to see that they were all
eht When she returned the big hand had
cached almost to XT and was covering the little
and entirely Then she stretched her arms across
ne old wooden table that waiting another
.onth to be replaced. She laid her face between
ZEN on the dark, hard board. Sobs shook her fral
ody Tears wet the rough wood.