The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-02-21
IN a SORE STRAIT.

= !
got up again, aud | says, Now, 1 tell
You what it is, lass, it's just two miles
to the town, and its SHOWS like Jury so
if YOU can think of anything else you
want, Just say so, and I'll get it same
time"
90, 'tisn't worth while to go if it
SHOWS" she says "never mind, and III
make shift without. But o" she cried,
all at once, " fathers coming tomorrow,
and you've no tobacco"
Well, I'd never thought about that,
for when I'd had my fingers in the little
jar there seemed enough for me, even il
next day was Christmas day; hut with |
company-why, there would not be half
enough. SO that settled it, and | got
my stick and hat; when Polly declared |
| couldn't 20 out night like that with
cut something round my neck, so she
tied comforter round twice, close up
to my nose and ears.
CHOW, don't be silly, SAM" she says.
"Why, wot's silly" l says.
Why, your being such an old goose,
and making SO much fuss af er being
married all these months. Now, let go,
do" she says. But | didn't, Of course,
but held her for just few moments
while | looked down in her laughing
eyes that seemed to have grown brighter
since we'd married ; and then | smooth
ed,-no, didn't, for no hair could have
been smoother,--l passed my rough,
choppcd.about old hand down the bright
shiny hair that / felt so proud of, aud
then kissed both her pink chee ks, and
felt somehow half glad, half sorrowiul,
for it seemed to me that | was too happy
for it to last.
"There, now" she says. at last, SNAKE
haste, theresa dear, good boy and get
back; PERHAPS shall be done by that
time, and then We'll have snug bit OF
supper" -
But | couldn't get away, somehow,
but watched her busy fingers getting
ready the things ior the next days din
ncr,--md chopping suct, ,st2ning plums,
mincing peal, and all in such IL nice,
neat, clean way, that it was quite enjoy
able
! "Now, do 90, SAM" she says, prcten-
! ding to pout, "ior | do want you back
so bad"
So / made a start Of il; unattached the
door, when the winl cane roaring in
laden with flakes Of snow, the sparks
/ rushed up the chimney, the candle flick
cred, while Polly gave nc just one
bright lock and nod, and then | shu
the door. But, there couldn't ge
: away even then, but went and stood by
the window for minute, whore the lii
!, tie branches OF holly were stuck, elist
cning green, and with scarlet berric
- amongst the pyickly leaves and there
!, stood looking in at the snug brighr
warm kitchen. with Polly making it lool
ten times more warm and bright |
). wasn't that, il Wa q handsome place q
well furnished, for those sort Of thing
don't always make happy home-bu
plain, humble, ana poor as it was,
seemed to me like palace; and aite
watching my lass ior ever,-uow frowu
e, ing, now making little face at her work
-now with bright light il her eye, a
=, something seemed to please her, | all q
~ once thought to myself, and what's more
| says to myself, " Sam Darrell" I.say
"a "why, what donkey you are not to &C
what YOU want, and n.ake haste back
which, when you consider that it wa
showing hard, blowing harder, and thu
- where | stood the snowdriit was over N
knees, while inside there was everythin
a reasonable working man could wis
for, you'll say was just about the truth
So | gives myself a pull togethe
ce bitches up my shoulders, set my hea
down to face the wind and the blindin
snow, and ;hen, with my hands right (
It. the bottom of my pockets, off | goes.
ng Now, we'd been together into the tow
p" that night to bring home a good basko
lu of Christmas cheer; for even if yo
do live in the black country among
or the coalmiucs and furnaces, and VOL
as pit carpenter at making bratJices al
nc the different wood work wauteu, that
"a no reason why you shouldn't spend
nut merry Christmas aud happy one, b
as now there was this tobacco and the lei
ons to get; and lrom where we live
right across the heath to the town, beir
rC two miles, and me being alone, nal
na up my mind to cut off a corner so as
RI get back sooner SO | turned out Of Il
Oh road as soon us | was out of the collie
rrr village, makes sure Of the town light
ICE and then. taking my stick under ms arr
TO set of at a trot at the left of the old pit
The wind was behind me now, al
m though the snow made it hard We
M walking, | wasn't long before | "
tudglnglke white statty right throu!
the town street, then thronged with p(
pie, when | goes into a shop, and, aft
u good deal Of waiting, gets my lemo
aud tobacco, pays for EN-, and starts
home.
Assoon as ! was out of the town aga
| gets out Of the road to take hat she