Year: 1879

the first time he felt not only its absurdity
but its sin. Yet he was the first TO rally,
and commanded Martha TO remove the extra
plates and chairs.


The old servant looked questioningly at
the minister. He came TO her relief, saying


Now that they are placed. you might o.
well permit them to remain, my old friend.
Blessed are they that give, and"


"You promised me the girl should be
here" interrupted Mrs. Grey.


$50 l did, and if present she would Ali
one place."


"And her mother the other" said Martha.


She flung the door wide open and revealed
woman in the prime of life, holding a
beautiful girl by the hand and both looking
through tears, shrinking and afraid.


"Mary Oh God be praised, my daugh-
teri" exclaimed Mrs. Grey, springng for
ward and clasping the elder one in her arms,
and covering her face with kisses. any
daughter and your daughter Father in
heaven, | thank theel'


Job Grey stood as lion at bay and glared
fiercely around. He saw that a trap had
been sprung upon him that the minister he
revered, the wife he loved, the old servant
he felt kindly toward, had all conspired
against him.


"Go hence" he said, "vagabond and
wanderer that you are. Go, and take your
child with you. No daughter of mine are
you. Go, and quickly, before l turn you
out of DOORS"


1t was a terrible moment for all. The
old, silver-haired minister stood with hands
upraised TO heaven Susan Grey clung to
her child and grandchild as one clinging to
life; the wife of the minister sobbed pitt
fully; the daughter, driven from the home
of her childhood, grew pale as death, and
old Martha stood firm and waving her hands
as addressing unseen spirits
"Gow continued Job Grey. The home
stead won by honest toll shall never shelter
you or yours"


"For the sake of mercy, remember the
day. remember it as the holy Christmas
As you hope for forgiveness, show it to
| Others" pleaded the minister trembling be-
| fore the storm he had raised.
"Be still ~ commanded Job Grey him
self whittier than snow. "Had she only dis
obeyed me might have forgiven; but a
thief, never"


"Father," said the poor, heartbroken
widow, breaking silence for the first time,
as she rushed forward and threw herself a
supplicant at his feet, e never took aught
from you-not single penny. only fol-
lowed my heart"


"You speak falsely The very night you
fled hundreds of dollars went also. Go
you beg in vain"


| "Not one stepl" exclaimed Martha,
springing forward aud confronting the angry
man. "Hear me Your child is as inno-
cent as babe unborn. 1t was who stole
your money My son had to fly to escape
prison. stole your dollars to save him."


"Martha'


| d tha 10
Job Grey, work your will with me send m ,
to prison and let me rot there. care not
what becomes of me. / had hoped to save
and repay it, but that wretched boy took all
all. And had prayed to be spared this
The thought of proclaiming myself thief
in my old age nearly drove me mad. But
for the sake of her whom | carried in my
arms for her child, have told all-told the
truth"


Job Grey looked around as one dazed by
a sudden and vivid flash of lightning. Many
things before misunderstood were plain now.
Then human nature and a parents love
could no longer be restrained.


"Mary, my daughter, God forgive me-"
and opening his arms his long and sternly
condemned child was clasped within one Of
his arms and lay sobbing upon his breast,
her daughter within the other, and the wife
and mother hanging upon all.


For a little time heavy sobbiug could
alone be heard then silence settled upon
all. They felt that any ordinary speech
would be sacrilege, and it was as milestone
lifted from every heart when the minister
kneeled and said, in trembling voice.


"Let us pray"


1t was simple, loving petition he offered,
and acted as oil poured upon trembling
waters it accomplished what nothing else
could have done, and when finished joy
lighted every face as sunshine breaking
through black clouds.


There was the widest forgiveness for all,
even poor old Martha, and around no board
was gathered more happy, loving family
and from no home went up as glad halle
lujah and triumphant song of praise.