The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1921-12-22

Wy JuSt4 uCpdItiuS. Lie
fence was tied the latest, sleekest
calf they had ever seen.
why, what is this? y inquired Mr..
Marvin, staring vaguely.
Cant You see--fatted calf! It will
do for Christmas, Ell? You'll need IT.
I'll be over later; good bye till then
and Merry Christmas 4"
He went his way waving his hand
mysteriously and chuckling and shak-
ing with half suppressed jol1ity.
He must mean the boys. oh, Seth,
can It be that they + coming homer
palpitated Mrs. Marvin.
II don't know, but there Is some
hidden mystery Ii the actions Of our
relative. You know he always liked
Bob and Tom and Ned. Perhaps he
hass kept track. Of thems
HI. Marvin signed and he had reason
10 do %. And his loving loyal help
meet chssrlessiy echoed the aspiration.
Then eyes met and there were mutual
tears IN them. Then Seth. went to the
woodshed and came forth again hold
inE 4 Ratchet and a saw.
"vWhere <are you going7" inquired
Esther curiously.
"Over to the woods. I'm going to
got some evergreen and holly. It Is
% well to be prepared for q surprise"
Just as fall had set In the three.
sons Of the worthy couple had left
home secretly n night after writing
a note, honest and respectful, announc-
ing that they had heard Of positions
In a distant factory, and realizing that
a mortgage OF the home and hard
times, were distressing the dear old
father they felt it their duty to do
something toward the family support.
For three months regularly there
had come a draft. for quite an amount,
but no other word from the runaways.
And now-On Christmas eve-there
were three glad, grateful visitors to
the little cottage: Tom, Bob and Ned
once more rested under the dear old
home roof. The news got about town.
The lads were popular and had many
true friends. Three, particularly, ar
rived with their sisters just as the
prodigals wished and hoped. And In
the evening the same welcome coterie
made the old home CHEEKY. with their
chatter at the supper table. Then
appeared Uncle Gregory. He winked
and blinked at his three prime
favorites, the boys, and brought two
turkeys for the holiday feast.
'tBut the fatted calf for the prodi-
gals" he queried chucklihgly. $50
appropriate, and II will last a week."
And an hour later Uncle Gregory
blossomed forth In his most felicitous
style. He handed a folded legal look
Ing document to Mrs. Marvin.
what is this, Uncle Gregory" she
inquired.
Release, of the mortgage these dear
lads hoped to pay through their own
exertions, but they are only boys, If
good ones, and the task was too heavy
for them. And, by the way lads,
here's q bank book. / consider you q
good Investment and l have donated
what will take you through college
and prepare you for battling with the
wOrld-well educated men."
81 declared" nurmured Mr.. Marvin
and there was a catch in his throat.
AS to Mrs. Marvin she came up to
the old man and placed her loving arm
about him and kissed him ~fervently.
Eyes it is a genuine surprise, indeed"
voiced Mr.. Marvin. BLESSINGS come
thickly when we. most need them"
And the three charming girls were
more beautiful to the returned prodi-
gals than ever, and old Uncle Gregory
seemed to renew his youth amid the
glowing happiness Of that gloriously
happy Yuletide hour.
at viii be mistletoe and kisses next
Christmas" he %insinnated, with a
chlickle for the three lovely girls Whe
each sat close to their admiring lover
and who felt that the Christmas bells
we're ringing especially to celebratf
their Christmas haDpiness.
{ s1Prodigals returnedi' murinured
Uncle. Gregory sraptly, "but practical
ones Dear. me truly this IS peace or
earth, good will toward all men, ant
he left for home smiling through bis
happy fears, .aniisinging the refrain q
! happy, merry old Christmas soDg
! "A Holiday \
n Rnrnanca yI.