Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-05-16

mittlc.
Wonderful, exclaimed Charley, what
is it,
Let's have Christmas tree
A Christmas tree,' echoed Willie,
while healthy glow momentarily suf-
| fused his cheek. .Eet
A Christmas tree,' shouted Charley
assentingly, and then followed a hurried
conference as to the ways and means, and
Charley fastened away to achieve his
part of the performance. While Matte
marshaled all her wits, and brought them
to bear upon the disorder and anarchy
which reigned in the housekeeping de-
partment.
In trice the fire was kndled, big
kettle of water warming, and then wha,
an array of disconsolate dishes, old tin
pans, and neglected knives and forks
how the dark corners yielded up their
long hidden treasures to Mattie's magic
wand-what coming to light there was
of dry crusts and dusty vials and bits OF
putty, and forgotten fever powders, and
stray eorks--there was that old Jack knife
that Willie had mourned over SO much
and Nelly's little old red morocco shoe,
tucked into mouse hole, how funny il
looked. How Mattie's brush and dustel
fourished in unheard of regions, even
disturbing the cob-web tapestry overhead
much to the dismay of an old blue bottle
spider. that shrunk into the smales
crevice and eyed suspiciously this en-.
croachment upon his dominions-and
then what securing and scrubbing, and
washing of windows, all after Susan s
most approved method. Then came
Charley with magnificent Christmas
tree, which was duly admired and set
aside to bide Its time
just as Matte had finished the securing
operations and wiped the floor for the
last time. in came her father, haggard
and worn from three DAYS spree he
rubbed his eyes and looked around, then
drawled out good naturedly, What you
here, Puss, glad to see you,' giving he,
a boisterous smack, good girl, take after
your father, eh, and muttering something
about 'hard business and tired to death,
threw himself upon the bed and was soon
sound asleep.
Noiselessly, Matte went round setting
everything to rights-pinning up clean
newspapers for curtains, arranging the
dishes with the best-looking ones outside,
giving an air of comfort to everything
which passed through her hands. Char
ley wound up the clock and started it,
and then Matte ran over to Patrick s
after her mother, who had promised to
remain till sent for ss
When Grey woke up late in the after
noon, he lay tor sometime coyertly watch
ing the scene before him. There in the
rocking chair, which Charley had con
trived to mend, sat his wife in her best
cap and gown, relics of by-gone days
knitting and musing, with an expression
of interest and pleasure on her counte-
nance which he had not seen for years.
What an altered light was diffused through
the room how clean, and bright, and
cheerful everything looked he never
before saw the cupboard appear so invi-
ting, or the hearth so tidy; there really
was music in the hum of the polished
leakettle that hung over the fire. How
1t reminded him of days gone by, when
he was a boy beside his mothers hearth
stone, light hearted, and happy, and
hopeful-should he ever be light-hearted
and happy again? Conscience whispered
he might, if he would only be steady and
sober. There was something so promis-
ing and cheerful in the aspect of the
room and its inmates, he almost resolved
to abjure forever the tempting cup.
just then Matte stepped out from
behind the Christmas tree, where she
and Charley had been hard at work
glided across the room like sunbeam as
she was-spread the cloth, made the tea,
set some nice fresh rolls on the table with
some of aunt Mary's sweet, yellow butter,
and calling her father with smile and a
kiss. the family sat down to supper.
How cheerily the evening passed off,
Notwithstanding Mr.. Grey's inward self
reproaches-how Willie, who could just
hobble about on crutches, fairly danced
at sight of Robinson Crusoe--how little
Nelly put on the air of queen in her
little red frock and white apron--how the
mother shed weak tears over aunt Mary's
presents, and some repentant ones over
duties long neglected-all this we leave
to the readers Imagination.
The next morning Charley took an
affecting leave of little sunbeam, and
turned his horses heads homeward Now
came Mattie's stern struggle with duty
to uphold her mothers sinking splits
and charm away her fretfulness when her
father again relapsed into his former
habits--to meet him ever with a smile,
and obey his commands with alacrity-
to strive, by all her little arts, to make
home attraclive-to cheer Willie's tedious
confinement with the play Of her lively
fancy; and read to him every evening
from that little bible, Charley's gift
These became Mattie's daily task, and
how bravely she went through them.
Nor was this all: Matte was ingenious
with her needle, and gradually drawing
her mother into all her schemes, they soon
succeeded in obtaining enough plain sew
ing to occupy their leisure time, and by
this means were enabled to procure many
4