Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-10-25

relation will NOT induce you to cease your
weekly visit to my tiny parlor. Mr.. Fred,
said Miss Arabella Laurcntina Castleton.
looking at Fred over her linen crnlbric
pocket handkerchief edged with cotton
lace.
Il shall try to be as pnnctual as ever,
Miss Castlcton. said Fred.
'Ah no Mr.. Fred said Miss Roxanna
Drusilda Castlcton the older sister. in
deep. scpulcllral voice. 'as.. you said few
moments ago you should never forget old
friends. ,
Dinner was soon over. and the gentle
men returned to their business and to
my unpackinS.
had been at Mrs Linco,n's almost two
months. when one evening was sitting in
my little parlor alone. Fannie having gone
to see her cousin; Fred was in the habit
Of coming up into my little room in the
evening, sometimes three or Tour times in
the week. and could not help confessing
to myself that the evenings seemed long
when he was down town on business. or in
the common parlor with Gen, Will Living
ston. Twas not at all surprised when
heard his footsteps coming up the stairs,
and quickly hid the slippers that was
working, in the table drawer, and put the
key in my pocket. l then took up nnoth-
er pair Of slippers that I was working for
Mr. Hoyt (my guar"ian) and was at work
upon then when Fred knocked at the
door.
Come in. said I.
He opened the doo-, 'Oh Edith how
warm aud pleasant you are here. he said,
rubbing his isnds, IT'S as cold as barn
in my room. hut Mrs Lincoln has ust sent
Sebina up with some kiudlings believe.
Are YOU cold =
.YesI am, / must acknowledge said
Fred i didn't know that l was SO cold
Just week from tonight will he Christ.
was Eve. Did you know it, He contin-
ued wheeling the great armchair up be-
fore the little coal fire and sitting down i'll
it.
Mr.. IIoyt will know it when it comes, ;
said holding up the last slipper almost
finished.
what. so nearly done as that?' said
Fred, Oh don't envy Mr. lIoyt. though.
After Fred got over his chill, he turned
the chair round to the light. and took up
the last magazine. He read poem en-
titled Christmas Eve.' aloud,and then shut
up the book.
Edith said he it is no use
Tap tap tap.
Aud in walked Miss Arabella Laurcnti-
ma Castletnn.
oh! All what cosy little nest, and how
pleasant you look here, and this disagree
able little person seated herself in my fa-
,oritc little rocking chair.
.-Ah, and she took up the slippers had
been working on and examined them
All, Il pair Of slippers for christmas. l
can guess who for, and she pecpcd over
the top of them at Fred.
They are for my guardian. Miss Castle
ton, said !.
.Ah indeed, said the little bore compla-
Gently. Mr.. Fred isn't this our evening
for reading in my tiny room ,
Il think not said Fred.
.Ah, brt it must be said Miss Arabella,
and the little pest chartered away the
whole evening long. Fred never iorgayc
Miss Arabella for what she did that even
ing. Now she will poster us to death, he
whispered as he went out the door. Poor
little Miss Arabella,
Christina eve had at last arrived, Fred
had said. with a sly wink at me at the din
ncr table, that he did not think that lady
should give gentleman present on
Christmas, but that the gentlemen should
make the presents; so Miss Arahclla's
mind was at rest on that point.
had decided to spend Christmas Eve al
home. The Christmas before was alone
in the house. and two years before, had
! my father with me, and didno feel much
like gaiety. So after Fannie put on some
; coal on to the fire anl lit the gas, she went
to the house of her cousins to a party.
As sat there in my low rocking chai'
: before the fire, heard the door open soft
ly and some one come i'll.
: Fred, said astonished for he had moi
been up to my room since the evening thai
Miss Arabclla had called. Ia that you
Why thought you was going to Mrs
' Stcwart's ball.
4 would rather spend my Christmas Eve
with you Edith. said he sitting down il
my little sewing chair.
opened my table drawer and took on
the slippers which the shoe maker had fin
, ished that afternoon. Try them on said
} tossing them over to him. He kicked of
his old slippers. aud put them on. Just {
fit. ; said he, whose are they!' and Ii.
pulled his chair nearer mine. Yours
, believe, said laughing at his wide opcr
eyes /; at least made them for YOU.
.Oh Edith, said Fred ARE you in car
nest =
.Of course.
Edith there is one Christmas present
that no one can give me but YOU. ! mea,