Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-12-30

service As for my character, I'm mean,
cowardily, cruel--a regular tragedy uncle,
My dear uncle" said Milly," of course
we didn't know. And you were only in
joke, after ALL"
Well, my dear, I'm not so sure of that
but a man mayn't marry his grandmother
you know and l rather think there's a
similar foolish prejudice as regards nieces
So, on the whole, perhaps it's just as well
you didn't say yes" Ul
I'm sure heartily beg your pardon
brother-in-law," said Mr.. Todd. "You
won't bear malice for words said under a
mistake, I'm sure"
We'll, I'm not quite certain whether
will or | won't" said Mr.. Hawkina 81
should like to punch that young rascal's
head for calling me an old humbug, but
I'm afraid l should get the worst of It,"
:" I'm very sorry, SIR. began Charley.
mo, you're not, my dear boy; or il
you are, you needn't be-" said Mr.. Hawk.
ms. 1t was an Old mans joke, and
rather think | saw the fun of it better than
you did,
:" But ! had always heard you were dead
Hawkins" said Mr.. Todd. MANY a
time my poor wife used to talk and cry
over her only brother, who was thought
to have been drowned at sea"
II ought to have been, by rights" said
Uncle Tom. "Tve been in three ship
wrecks, but | was preserved, probably for
a higher and drier fate, I've been a dig.
ger, and a storel,eeper, and good many
other things besides. I'll tell you all my
adventures, one of these days. And now
I've made as much as | care to make
Yes, that twenty thousand pounds is fact,
Miss Milly, and I've come to England
to enjoy myself with my nephews and
nieces. So you won't marry me, eh. 2"
Milly shook her head saucily.
"Well, then, as I've set my heart on a
wedding, suppose you must marry some
body else. | think | know somebody
who'll find that security, Mr. Charley,
though you did call me canting old hum
bug. No thanks don't like 'em always
makes me feel as if I was being tickled
and wasn't allowed to laugh. Milly, little
woman, if you're very good, you and |
will take run out of town the very first
fine day, and see If we can't find that same
cottage we were talking about, small
garden in front, and the name Of John
Todd on the door, you know"
In spite of Uncle Toms objection TO
thanks, there was simultaneous outburst
of grateful joy,-the overflow of happy
hearts. John Todd squeezed his brother
in.law's left hand, while Charley Collins
violently shook his right, and Milly, with
both arms around his neck, kissed him re-
peatedly. Miss Pinnifer wept so violent
ly that her small cket-handkerchief
looked as if it had been recently washed,
and not recently dried.
The excitement rather increased than
diminished in intensity, and Uncle Tom
was in a fair way to be literally smothered
with caresses, when the door suddenly
opened, and Miss Pinnifers brother, in a
white and peculiarly airy costume, stalked
into the room. The unfortunate man had
walked from his first sleep with an uneasy
sense that the promised pudding, with the
hope of which he had been beguiled to
rest, had not been duly furnished; and he
had therefore risen at once, without the
formality OF dressing himself to claim his
due. There was an exclamation of aston
ishment, followed by shout of mex
tinguisbable laughter, and then Miss Pin
infer, with much presence of mind, seized
the table cover, and hurriedly draping it
round the intruder, march d him back to
bed.
For little while longer the little party
sat around the fire, talking of the hard
times past, and the pleasant times to come;
and hearing the story of the tempest,
tossed life, come to an anchor at last. And
then the time for good by" came, and
as with loving kisseS and hearty hand
shakes they said "good night" the
chimes from neighboring church tower
rang out midnight, and Christmas.day
was over. And Uncle TonL reverently
dotling his hat, said,-
Thank God for a merry Christmas"
"Amen!" said Charley Collins.
"Amen!" said John Todd, with all
our hearts, amen
Thank God for Christmas! So say we
all, ind God help him who cannot say
Amen! For peace and good will, tor
the quickened pulse of charity, tor quar-.
rels reconciled, and love renewed, the
golden gifts of Christmas, God be thanked,
Thanked, not alone with our lips, but
witt orr hands and our hearts, by spread
ing these golden gifts that others may
thank Him too. None is % poor but that,
once year at least, ne may be erich
uncle to somebody; none 50 joyless but
that he may catch reflected ray of hap.
niness nv doinp something. be Ii ever so
little, to make merry Christmas in tho
heart of another. Holiday No. Of London
Society