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

Pile on the logs by all means; heap up
the blazing fire; do honor to the dainty
cheer, and pass round he rare old wine.
But little they know of Christmas who
think to win its magic gifts of light and
life md Joy by such means only. A sin
gle spark, lit by your bounty in poor
mans howell, shall shed warmth that the
roaring fire in your own mansion cannot
give--a warmth that goes straight to the
heart The frugal meal, spread by the
rich man in the poor mans house, shall
bring to the giver sweeter sense OF en-
joyment than the most sumptuous ban
Quet spread for self alone. Happy he who
has found the golden key-who knows,
and uses the knowledge that the treasures
of Christmas happiness are reached
through Christmas charity.
The whole Of the Todd family woke up
in thoroughly Christmas state of mind,
and the younger members las might, per-
haps, be expected, considering the nature
of their dreams), with a perfectly fero-
cous appetite two or three appetites
each, indeed. Breakfast over, the junior
branches were dispatched, under the care
of dear old Todd, to church, while Sister
her energies to the preparation of the an
ticipated banquet. am inclined to think
that Milly had never seen, much less
cooked, such dinner in her life; but
cooks, like poets, are born not made; and
with the aid of Miss Pinnifer, and the
simultaneous use of all the tireplaces in
the house, Mlly got on splendidly, and
astonished herself with her success 1t
was in moment of confidence, engen-
dered by the close and intimate relation in
watch they were thus placed, that Miss
~Ianifer impaired to Milly secret.
"Milly, my dear said Miss Pinniter, I
want your advice"
Hadn't you bette, ask father?" said
Milly, conceiving that his counsels would
probably be of greater value than her
own. .t
"No, my dear; no, | think not. In
case of-of this kind, don't think he
would be Judge want to know, dear,
whether | look best in my black satin
spencer and pink muslin skirt or in my
Stuart tartan. Take time to consider, my
dear"
"They're both very NICE" said Milly
"The tartan for choice think"
"Do you, dears Now was thinking,
do you know, that the tartan was rather
rather old-looking. One doesn't want
to make ones self quite middle.aged per-
son, you know, dear"
"0f course not" said Milly "but |
always thought the tartan so very becom-
ing. What makes you so particular to-
day."
"Well, dear, really hardly know how
to tell you. But We girls never can keep
our little secrets, can we?"-the dear
creature was fifty If she was day" the
fact is --it's-it's on account of Mr..
Brown, dear"
Milly looked at her inquiring'y, but with
roguish twinkle In her eyes. The old
lady continued
"The object of Mr.. Browns coming, my
dear, Is, as you are aware, enveloped In
mystery. He must have an object, you
know, and have reason to imagine
strong reason, | may say--that that object
is myself"
"You don't say so! " said Milly. "Pmy
accept my best congratulations. Has he
declared his Intentions
swell, no, dear, can't say he has ex-
actly declared himself in words al least
but If you had only seen how he looked
you couldn't mistake his expression, my
dear. He looked at me with positive
smile, quite lover-like, Iassure you. And
then he insisted on coming to dinner"
"Well, dear, I'm sure I'm very pleased"
said Milly. "We've 81 been puzzled to
account for his wanting to come and
dare say that's 1t. You won't forget old
friends when you are grand lady, will
your" t
II haven't accepted him yet, my DEAR
said Miss Pinnifer, "and | shan't either,
the first time Of asking. 1t doesn't do for
girl to make herself too cheap. He'll
have to be very attentive, l can tell him, if
he expects to have any chance with me-
0 dear o dear he's beginning to burn y
The last words referred to the turkey,
which was under Miss Pinnifer's especial
care, and which she forthwith began to
haste violently.
"Tve had good deal of attention in
my time, you see, my dear, 30 perhaps
think the less OF 1t on that account. 1t
isn't to be expected, you know, with my
experience, that I should be dazzled by a
Mr.. Brown. Isn't he fat, deary"
as hes" said Milly; ~ haven't seen
him, you know"
mot seen him - said Miss Pinnifer
"What do you meany My dear, was
speaking Of the turkey"
"Oh!" said Milly.
The conversation was interrupted by
the return of the party from church. The
younger Todds were found considerably in
the way OF the cookery, till Milly hit on the
happy expedient of sending them to the
bakers to fetch the pig. Forthwith they
! departed, with pig written plainly on their
countenanccs, and raced all the way to
the shop, upon the understanding that
the tail should be the prize of the winner
Johnny, the eldest, as might have been
expected, came in foremost, to the great
grief and encouragement of his brothers,
till he magnanimously promised them that
they should have the tail after he had
done with it, Rather more quietly than