Ballou's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXVII, No. 1 — page 31: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Gideon Grinden's Christmas. oD A slight movement of the man in the bed cauced the woman to look up. “are you awake, George ?” she asked. “{ lave not been asleep, darling,” replied the man, sadly. “Icannot rest for thinking, and the knowledge that I am so helpless makes me wretched. Our fuel is out, and we cah get no more until the day after to-mor- row, and we shall freeze in this weather, and on Christmas day, too. I could bear it for myscli, Nellie; but when I think of you and our cuiliren—” iis vuice failed him, and he sobbed with bitter anguish. The woman dropped ler work and bent over him, trying to soothe him. “We must trust in God, George,” she whis- pered. “ He wiil not desert us.” “Tf your father was human, if he were not a fiend—” exclaimed her husband, fiercely ; but she interrupted him. “Tie is my father, George,” said the wife, softly. “I forgive him all the wrong he has done us, and I pray Ged to bless him and to soften his heart.” Gideon Grindem groaned, and turning to the figure, cried imploringly : “Let us go away! I cannot bear this!” The figure silently led him from the room, and down the long stairs, out into the street again. It was no longer night there, for the un was shining brightly, and the thorough- fares were thronged with busy crowds hurry- ing to their accustomed avocations. The air was keen and frosty, and the extra wrappings and comioriers which the people wore, assured the merchant that it was very cold. The figure led him into a large store on one of the business streets, and only stopped when they reached the counting-room, where sev- eral merchants were collected around the stove. Gideon Grindem and his companion paused beside them, but the gentlemen did not seem conscious of their presence. “What was that you said about Gideon Grindem ?” asked one. “JT said he isa heartless brute!” replied another. “What new thing has he done?” “He has killed his daughter, and her hus- band, and children. They froze to death yes- terday, in a miserable hovel near East River. Think of it—on Christmas day, too—and old Grindem rolling in wealth in his sumptuous home !” “Tie has a tough conscience,” said the first speaker; ‘but L would not like to be in his place when he comes to die.” Gideon Griudem’s heart stood still. “It is true,” said the figure, solemnly. “In the sight of God you have murdered your cuildren !” The merchant's brain seemed on fire, and he shrieked aloud with anguish, for the terri- ble words burnt into his soul like red-hot irons. The figure at his side was so stern, so terrible, that he could not bear to look at it. “Iiave mercy on me!’ he groaned. ‘ My heurt is breaking!” “Your heart, miserable man!” exclaimed the figure, sternly. “Would you see your heart?” And without waiting for a reply, the figure placed its hand heavily on the merchant’s head, and bowed it so that it seemed to turn his eyes inward. He could but look, and, to his horror, he saw in the place where his heart should have been, a hideous mass of corruption, so foul, so horri- ble, that he shuddered to look at it. “Tt has changed greatly since you gave it to your d.ad wife, Gideon Grindem,” said the figure, sadly. “TTave mercy on pleaded. “Were you merciful to your child?” asked Conscience, sterniy. “Have you kept the vow you made to your dead wife, to love and protect her child always?” The merchant was silent. been pitiless and cruel. “Come with me,” continued the figure, “and I will show you what shall be the end of all this.” Again the merchant felt himself borne swiftly along, and when he opened his eyes again, he found himself in his own home. He stood in his chamber, and involuntarily he marked the contrast between its luxurious comforts and the miserable garret in which his daughter had frozen to death. He saw, to his surprise, his desk, where he kept his private papers and a considerable sum of money, open, and one of his servants search- ing eagerly among the contents. He tried to spring forward to stop the man, but he could not move, and when he endeavored to speak, his voice failed him. The figure pointed silently to the bed, and Gideon Grindem looked helplessly in that direction. A man lay on the bed, silent and motion- less. His hands were clasped mutely on his breast, and his eyes were wide open and Staring blankly at the ceiling. Gideon Grindem bent over and gazed at the counte- me!’ the merchant He knew he had nance, but he shrank G@a@ita oo as aeonn