Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-12-30
.Inoptinued from THIRD Page !

uaOet before Nariey ndu Ooeh A"i h"'J ="
troduccd, Miss Pinnifer came upon the
socnc. dressed in the black satin spencer,
and mix muslin skirt, with little blue
bpws pinned on all over her, and leading
Nv the hand a solemn looking individual
whon, abe introduced in tragedy tone as
aNy brother" The individual thus al
Ivdcd to did not trouble himself to salute
the company, but dropped into the first
chair in his way, and fixed his eyes with
a strong glare upon Mr.. Brown. The
Marty arranged themselves round the
ub1e. and began to do full justice to the
good cheer. For some time there was
bet little conversation, everybody being
TOO busiy employed to talk. when
suddenly Miss Pinnifer's brother
passcd in the very act of convey
ing large piece of turkey to his mouth,
and pointing with his fork, and the
rnorscl still on it, at Mr.. Brown, said
'Halloa /" Mr.. Brown looked little un.
comfortable, when Miss Pinnifer fastened
to explain, =" You'll excuse my brother,
sir. he's of unsound mind" And then
leaning over two of the little Todds, and
scixing her brother by the collar of his
coal, she shook him violently, and said In
AN impressive voice, Robert, behave! !"
Whcreupon Robert became much de-
pressed and behaved accordingly. After
the excitement caused by this little Incl
dent had subsidized the dinner proceeded
with great smoothness, and the little par
", which at first had felt some little con-
straint, was rapidly unbending under the
genial influence of the Christmas cheer.
AT last came the browning glory, in the
shape of the pudding. And such pud-
ding II was the very largest-sized pud-
ding within the memory OF the Oldest in.
habitant so big, indeed, that Milly
couldn't bring il in herself, but had to ask
Charley Collins 10 help her. And rich
should rather think it was! 1t was a
regular millionaire Of pudding Miss
Pinnifer's brother again created little
confusion by insisting on eating pepper
with it, and shedding tears when the cruet
was taken away from him; but when at
last he was prevailed upon to try it with
ont seasoning, he sent up his plate three
times, from which | infer that he was by
no means such an idiot as was generally
supposed.
nv ldSl Vic ululltI Cdillb W all
dinners will, the more's the pity--and the
parry drew round the fire In cosy semi
circle, and set to work regularly to enjoy
themselves. The kettle was put on the fire,
The spirits and lemons and sugar were
brought out, and Mr.. Brown volunteered
10 brew some punch (Which he did as
though punch had been his daily drink
from his youth up), and then, when every
body was served, the pipes and tobacco
were brought out, and Mr.. Brown called
upon John Todd for song. And John
sang song, and another, and another
after that, to the most tremendous
applause, even the blackbird drop
ping his critical airs for once and
apphuding as loudly as anybody.
And then Mr.. Brown sang song; after
which Charley Collins sang song with a
remarkable chorus, which was sung by
thu whole strength of the company with
such good will that the people next door
couldn't hearthemselves talk, and knocked
NJ The wall with poker as gentle hint
ios peace and quictness. And M.lly her
ah sang a song, and then Miss Pinnlfer's
brother murmured something which was
understood to mean that he also would
favor the company but being asked the
n1mc of the song, he replied, after much
consideration, ''More pudding" SO to
make up for his shortcomings Miss Pinni
Ger volunteered, and after repeating five
times that she had cold (Which wasn't
true) and that she hadn't a note in her
voice (Which was), she began, with intense
expression, "Will you love me then as
nowp' The direction of her chances made
il quite personal matter between herself
and Mr.. Brown, who should by every
rulc Of propriety have sung in reply
dearest, then III love the more But
he didn't. Probably he didn't know the
song, or still more probably, he wouldn't
have sung il II he kaeg II ! HayIy9Ba
Asa slight protection against the too
oppressive glances of Miss Pinniter, Mr.
Brown entered into conversation with
Charley Collins, who had by this time
col rid of his bashfulness, and APP
pcsrcd, MS he really was, lightheart
cd, manly young fellow, Charley had
conceived a great liking to Mr.. Brown
and was very confidential with him; so
that MIR. Brown was speedy made aware
that his young friend was clerk at the
moderate salary of eighteen shillings a
week that he had had an offer OF situa.
ton where he could earn two pounds, but
that security to The amount of three hun
drcd pounds was required which put it
out OF the question. Charley Collins could
moi help halt sigh as he stated What
might be, and yet could not be, and Mr.,
Brown could easily understand that the
situation so temptingly offered, only to be
pcrtorce refused, was just enough 70 give
Milly and her lover the start in lie FOR
which they were waiting .........
The merriment by no means tagged as
the evening wore on. Mr.. Brown was
tho lite aud soul of the party, cracked
Jokes asked riddles. told stories, kissed
Milly and Miss Pinniter under the mistle-
toe, and generally proved himself the
prince OF good fellows Forfets were
p,syed and'blind mans buff, at which lat
Ter game Miss Pinniter gave rise to grave
suspicious as to her fair play by persist.
pntlX rpfucinu IN catch aDVbody but Mr.