The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-01-11
Dob grintiug
DOLLY DRYDRNS CHRISTMAS.


ing no feminine Crunchers to uphold tn
claims Of fashionable nenage, Mr.. Gilber
listened to the voice of convenience ant
dyspepsia, partook Of civilized and Chris
tan dinner at noon and an orthodox sup
per at seven o'clock. ~ n .-
1t was very good supper quite wortl
the eating, and the table was draped will
the choicest of snowy linen, and glitterinG
with cut glass aud silver; stately silver, tina
from the tea-urn down to the salt-spoonl
was perfectly aware of its position, and re
hected the face of the m aster with a digni
ty,that was unapproachable.
Moreover the room was pleasant room
to look upon on winters night, gorgeous
with the coloring of its furniture and pic
lures, and the sweep of the drawn curtains
flashing back all it's spIendcrs of knick
knackery and gas lights from mirrored wallI
and turning the air into summer with the
glow of the Goals upon the CRATE
81 Besides, it was bitter night without; the
wind moaned past the curtained windows
and now and then drifts of sleet struck
! them sharply, like poor thin fingers, knock
ing to get in.
Therefore, Mr.. Gilbert Cruncher feeling
very comfortable, ate his supper, and thank
ed God he was not as other men, but a
member of an uptown church, with hun
bred thousand year. And then he asked
Grinders to hand him the wine.
| say, he felt very comfortable, but the
expression needle modification. | should
have said he felt as comfortable as Gilbert
Cruncher was ever known to feel How
much that is saying, you could Judge from
the face that the stately tea-urn reflected
A face somewhat thin, and darkly-tinged:
with eyes deep set aud kSSn; shaggy brows
overhanging in such InA1ner as to shut
out their changes of expressions; sharply
: outlined chin. and lips compressed till only
a line was left to mark their curving.
There were stories told about this man,
plenty of them; but whether true or false
his lips had never opened to say; only shut
ting tighter and tighter when he heard
them. Perhaps i'll the course of fifteen min
utes, he would inform Grinders that he
wished to hear no more gossip; it was vul-
gar and foolish; also a waste of time.
AS for the stories numerous enough and
varying with every repetition, they made
common ground on a few points. Being
mainly: this mans marriage years ago, be-
fore his hair was gray-the girl was pretty
enough, but it was her money he wanted,
not her love; love, by the way, not being
an article found in the Cruncher creed; the
young wife's death, and dying legacy of a
bit of walling baby, who never was seen
outside the house door; and concerning
whom Mr.. Cruncher never made mention
by so much as a sylable-they believed the
child was SICK or deformed, or something F;
also the disappearance of the little thing
one day when its age must have been three
or four years. having strayed from the nurse
and gone its own way. The cries were not
sent for Oh yes, certainly, they were out;
but how long the search continued, or how
faithfully the bereaved father seconded their
efforts, had been matter of some specula
ton. At any rate, that was the end of the
child; the nurse was dismissed, the nursery
shut up and Mr.. Cruncher had taken his
solitary dinners at one. and his solitary teas
at seven every day of every year since
then, precisely as he was doing this Christ
mas Eve And would continue to do, till
the last chicken-heart was eaten, the last
champagne-glass emptied the last pew rents
paid, and he had gone where the glittering
table and the luxurious room could not go
with him; for he was not a man to share
his hospitality with any one but Mr.. Crun-
cher-not he. rr.-. 81
This is quite storm, Grinders helping
himself to the butter. N
Quito a storm, SIR" observed Grinders,
with his eye upon the tea-urnl Whether
he was interested in the urn as a subject of
scientific investigation, or whether he form
ed the pleasing habit of studying his mas
ters face therein, might be a matter at
least open to consideration. Mr.. Chrunch
ers face, by the way, being pictured at that
moment upon the handle, had the appear
ance of full moon. afflicted with the
mumps fsz .a5 % Ee
Tomorrow is Christmas, ventured Mr..
Grinders land consequent, this, may say,
is Christmas Eve"
oh! yes All! 1 had forgotten so it
is Ft'I
Certainly there was no coming festivities,
no wondering, lad young hearts, no little
stockings hung upon the banister in Mr..
Cruucher's house. to remind Mr.. Crunch
er that it was Christmas-the beautiful
golden Christmas crowned with its memo.
ries ofthe Child who laid in the hands upon
the little child and blessed them.
Mr. Cruncher poured out another cup Of
OF coffee. lily -y.rr.,-.
Grinders looked in the tea-urn, abandon.
ed his hopes of half dollar, and heaved a
sigh.
.r 1t is really Uery cold; how the wind blows
Iplty the poor and improvident exposed to
the elements tonight observed Mr.
Cruncher devoutly. Grinders, won't you
pass the salad P
Just then there was little feeble pull al
the door-bell MIR. Cruncher laid down
his fork. rao5 2
who can this be, on such a night p
Grinders, you may go; it will not be heart
in the kitchen. | wish people would learn
to pull that bell properly, if they must come
at all
Grinders went. Such gust of wind
swept in as he opened the door, that il tool
away his breath. Hospitality shutting it Will
in an inch, he applied one eye tosthe inch, ant
looked out ts9r q aH sav
A little shivering object dripping from
its hair, it's face, its rags, its bare, chilled
hands; dripping. dripping on the grant
steps; it might have been bit of the storm
itself NJ.
Confound you'll said MIR Grinders cor
daily. What do you want p n ,-
i don't know said the object
'sConfound you = repeated Mr., Grinder
with tenderness. What did you come, for
then 2 |
Il don't know said the object staring i
at the light and warmth; dripping and drip
ping on the granite steps, kag
MIR. Grinders put out-one hand into th
storm, and pulled the object into the vest
bule, and shut the door.
Whew you bring in snow enough I
drown any respectable man! Now, whs
did you come for
l guess ! come to find Christmas, sal
the object, staring about at the light an
warmth, dripping and dripping on the ma
bic floor. lf.g s .-a- ~
Grinders = called his master, from Il
dining room. n &c
Grinders gave the object a little shak
for the curiosity of seeing the water dri
and then went in silent disgust to the dill
ing-room door.