The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-12-20

"
by the chairs; the case of jackstraws and
several other light articles. The veloci-
pede was borne in like manner upon the
left coat sleeve; them came the wheelbar-
row; the boxes of building blocks, the
balls, and on the top, held firmly in its
place by Mr.. Dryden's chin, was the doll.
In the right hand he carried the sled; in
:he other Dolly's carriage. The staid,
prosaic patcr- -familias would have made
no bad representation of the patron saint
of the anniversary, the suggestion of
whose existence Ne had secuted, a few
hours previously, as hesslowlye ascended
the stairs on tiptoe, his face radiant with
arch delight, despite the cowardly fear
tugging at his heart-strings, as to the re-
ception in store for him at the hands Of
his better half. Treading yet more deli
cately, in passing his sleeping roo
wherein, he had no doubt, Mrs. Dryden
was sound!y reposing, it being ten o'clock,
her invariable bedtime. he pushed open
the door of the smaller chamber beyond,
and entered. The gas was burning-not
brightly it enabled him to see with
terrible distlnctness the figure that start
ed up in the aisle between the beds and
confronted him with an excited air. 1t
was his wifel ff
Dropping the curtain upon tabieau
which the reader can picture to himself
better than I can describe, we will take a
step or two backward in our story.
"And it's sorry for the children am,
this blessed night" said Ellen, to the
cook, over. their dish of tea. 'sSorry a
bit of merry making will they. have to
morrow-and they such good, peaceful
little things, too. | was asking Miss Net
tie, just now, if I shouldn't hang up her
stockings, at a venture-like, for, sez |,
There's no knowing but the saint might
pop down the chimney, unbeknownst to
you and 'twould be a pity not to be ready
for him. For,you see my heart was that
tinder towards the lonesome craturs, that
I would step out myself presently, and
buy some candies and apples to put into
their poor, empty, desolate, little stock
ings. But, NO. says she, kinder pitiful,
L am afraid mamma might not like it, FL
len. She doesn't believe in Keeping
Christmas And wild that she gives a
sigh, like sorrowful woman, and Master
Ally growled over something cross to
himself"
"It's ra'al hard-that's what it is!' re-
sponded Biddy .They begged their
mamuIa sesdsysso 4et~me fry some dough-
nuts-'Just this once, mamma, says they,
because to morrow's Christmas and she
wouldn't hear word to it. Ahl no good
ever came of hating childer out of the
fun the Lord meant they should have
"There's the parlor bell!'' said Ellen
jumping up. whats wanted now, I
wouder?'
Her mistress stood upon the rug before
the fire in the parlor, hat and cloak on.
aEllen, if you have finished your sup
per, want you to get your bonnet and
shawl and go out with me. Take a bas
ket along. lam going to buy some things
for the children"
Her voice shook in uttering these few
sentences, and, although her face was
averted, the girl was positive that she hae
been weeping. Brimful of curiosity ane
excitement; she dashed up stairs for he:
wrappings, then down to the kitchen tt
ask Biddy to listen for sounds from the
nursery while she was out.
"For we are going a-Christmassing-
glory be to all the saints--St. Nicholas
in particular! for he must have putt int
her head to remember the swate limo
cents" ad a
tits not our purpose to follow them il
their tramp, as we have traced the cours'
Of the lady's husband. Suffice it to say
that Ellen's basket was heavily burdenet
when they re entered the house, and he
mistress bore sundry parcels in her hands
all of which were carefully deposited up
on the carpet beside the cots of the calm
lly sleeping children. Ellen was mad
happy, on her own account, by the pres
ent of bank-bill for her private spend
ing, and intrusted with another of tn,
same value for Biddy; then excused from
further service. If the maid had beer
mistaken in her surmise as to the tear
i she had seen in eyes which were general
Ily dry and bright, there was no doubt a.
to the melting mood that overlook tn
mother when she removed the four stock
iugs from the place where Nettie had lal
them. She even pressed them to he
lips before fastening the tops of each pal
together with stout pin, and hangin
them over the footboards of the beds. T
unpack the basket and undo papers. wit
as little rustling as was practicable, wa
her next act. She paused when every
thing was uncovered, to survey her acqui
; sitions. Her expenditures had been
scale far less grand than her husbands
but maternal tact had guided her in th
selection of acceptable gifts. here We.
cooking stove, with its assortment {
pans, griddles, and kettles; work box {
/ stainwood, lined with red velvet, and wei
, stocked; cradle with baby-doll aslee
under the muslin curtain, for Nettie. Fo
t Ally. she had provided bag Of beautifr
agate marbles; a fine hupming top; pain
box, and set--fve in number-of Mayn
Reid's inimitable books for boys. Sh
| had not forgotten the twins, as was ev
denced by couple of whips two pictul
, books, and two tin horses mounted upo
wheels; one attached to an express Wagon
!, the other to bakers cart. Nor had 81
: disdained to call upon the confectione
0 Her comieal bundles contained "Chris
t mas mixture;" plain sugar candy; pepper
mint lozenges and arances; more whole