The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1856-12-25

silver bells: one omibus, with six fresh
horses and deeper toned music, besides
several family sleighs overfowing with
rosy little children. They were all GO
ing to the large farm house beyond,
where in the ample hall they were to
have music and dancing. In the kitchen
they were to be treated to hot coffee,
mince pies, doughnuts, pop corn, and
sandry her country dainties in an ANA
zing jumble, but from which city taste
could choose what would have fne rel
liSh.
As a sleigh full of boys passed John,
they began to hoot and sro~u, vry1ug.
"Miserl miser!'' "Working on Christ
mas!" Don't on want job? Scrape
my pig and you may have the bristles.-
I'm engage you-6p week. Three
groans for Johnny Scrape!" They stop
ped maliciously in the narrow road to
taunt him, and at the same time deri-
sive laugh burst from sleigh filled with
young girls which was detained by them.
John changed color. He dropped his
hatchet, threw himself proudly up, look
ed savagely at the boys. and de6antly at
the grls-then flushed up handsomely
and grew enthusiastically proud as he
said.
Laugh awayl The best of the laugh
is on my side, for not one of you is worth
half what | am. Good for nothings!-
which of you has an arm like that, or the
energy to make it do what mine does?"
"We said you were miser and Of
course we are not worth what you are.
after saving sol" cried a girls shrill voice.
But just as the sleigh drove on. he caught
one kind look, and heard an earnest ex
postulationl Lois Rs pretty face
was all excitement as she said, ''Oh,
don't, don't lis good John West!''
His anger vanished. His pride also.
His eyes grew dim as he lifted his cap.
and held it off until the sleigh had jingled
out Of hearing. But this was not the end
of his Christmas trials, which seemed
sent to him instead of presents.
A gentleman with a dashing sleigh
drove up and tied his horse. Then en-
tered the house. John promptly follow
ed him. He was greeted by,
"Well, boy. as I am passing this out
of the way place, l thought I'd better
stop for my interest. Have you it ready?"
"Not quite, SIR" John answered, with
blush of shame.
"Why not, sir" the gentleman sharp
ly retorted. "It was due month ago"
"I'ye never been behind hand before,
sir. You have been punctually paid for
two years on the very day. But cur ap-
Piles and potatoes both failed this year,
and I. can't have your money made up
for month yet. Sorry, STRIP
"An old story. If not with you, with
others, and can't swallow such stuff As
that. Il has gone for beef and pies and
Christmas trees, I'll be bound. I must
take measures to get what / have righ1
to, ii you don't pay up at once. Of course
your mother has her private hoard. Out
with that, and done with it,"
my mother has nothing, sir. tel
you truly that have done my best te
earn the interest on the mortgage, and
can have it ready by next month. but
can't do more. ! have indeed done my
best night and day. I have worked al
day long at the hill-farm-f for Mr.. Will
lard, then here about the place until long
after dark-then perhaps until twelve
O'Clock at night doing odd jobs for mother
whoi is very feeble. Besides, sir, I've
saved until tie boys shout miser after nj
land the girls, even the towns folks
sneer and laugh at me. I've stood it all
and though a gentleman born, I've no
hesitated to do any kind of work tina
would turn an honest penny. SO as to pa,
what owe, and not have true cause 70
shame. But, sir, have to say, after at
that l can't pay"
"My poor fellow cried the gentleman
astonished and warmed, II didn't kno1
that was the way of it. Never mind th
money, l won't take cent. 1t is nc
much at any rate. You may have it fo
Christmas present. Put it out at in
terest. I remember now that Mr.. r.
! and his little daughter told me some:hin
9 of you. Yes, yes, you shall have tn
quarters interest for nest egg. 1t
we'll to encourage the worthy poor"
"Thank you. sir. But don't want
e 1t shall be all paid by next month, ever
cent of it."
d "Come, don't be proud my boy. I
r. thankful for little-it's the way to G
.e MORE"
cit shall be paid, sir. / must go {
d piling that wood, SIR" He touched /
; cap and went to his work.
D. The gentleman stared after hil
le but when he passed him to go to /
s, sleigh, gave him pleasant nod, whi
= John returned and was again left alor
Id Though all who approached the b