Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-04-15

cfrcctually diverted his mind from the
dangerous subject of accounts. Georgia,
too, came brilliantly to the rescue, and
commenced her usual sparring and Joking
with her good naIwed brother-in law.
20, bye the bye, Georgia" he said
suddenly, "whom shall | invite TO sit
opposite you at the table 10. morrow? We
ought 10 have some one here 10 eat New
Years dinner with Us, and not leave a
whole side of the table empty. Shall |
ask Mr. HMtg'
mo, l thank you, said Georgia. making
n stately bow Il shall invite baby to be
my yisa-vis, and fasten herup in her high
chair to eat plum pudding"
"How different it was last year." said
Laura, thoughtlully; mamma was here
then, and Johns Uncle Gray with his two
boys and cousin Phil
The shutters were closed, the curtains
drawn, and rs the New Years eve passed
softly away, the Charitons did not know
how the snow clouds were filling all the
sky, and how fast AMI thick The flakes
were falling ON the whitcned streets and
roots.
Happy New Year, Happy New Year
The saluiations went round tmorning,
and even baby ccstatically shouted, 'appy
moo eer,n
But, o, John, just sec how il SHOWS -
exclaimed Mrs. Charlton, rs she lifted up
the curtain; "it is almost up to the horses
knees, aud ever so much deeper where it
has drined Come, here, baby, and see
the pretty white snowm
When they descended to the breakfast
room, there was Georgia with scarlet
shawl hugged tightly around her should
erS, her face close TO the window, pane,
looking out disconsolately at the falling,
twirling, dancing flakes.
"Now, do YOU suppose that postman Is
such coward rs 10 let storm like this
keep him from his rounds this morning?'
was the first question as her sister entered.
"Why, whats the matter now, Georgia
exclaimed Mrs Charlton laughing. "One
would think your whole fate depended
upon a letter this morning"
Perhaps it docs," said Georgia turn.
inc away from the window; "itis curious
to study in life how often the great things
are determined by the little ones"
The breakfast hour passed away
evenlcss Mr. Charlton mourned over
the latencss Of his morning paper, and
Mrs. Charlton silently wondered whether
the snow would keep the market man
from sending in his bill that day. II it
could be postponed till John gave her her
next quarters allowance, then her mis-
takes in reckoning might be easily man
aged. Or if she could only ind the lost
memorandum. Meanwhile her sister,
feeling low spirited and utterly at odds
with life. tried, nevertheless, to sip her
coffee with an air and TO wear brave
holiday smile.
Suddenly there was n grand excitement
orthe postman's well-known ring. Two
hours late" said Mr.. Charlton, lookinga at
his watch, and then Fastening to the door
for little news from the outside world.
Two letters, aud the newspaper, too, for
a wonder. The poStman said he had
found the newsboy up to his elbows in 4
drift ut the top of the hill, so he offered
to help by taking all the papers for this
street. The man looked like n polar bear
with his shaggy coat, and hat, and beard,
all white with the thick, cold snow. There
would be no more letters for that day, he
said. for trains we've all detained, and
there was no knowing when any of them
would get in. The horse cars had not
1un since midnight. and there were only
two or three omnibuses ont on runners.
''Is there letter for me?" asked Goor.
gia, looking at his hand
No, miss, But two for Laura perhaps
she will divide"
If Georgia had hoped to find any straw
to cling to in the postman's coming. ii
had been in vain. Had she hoped for
anything? She hardly knew herself,any-
way, it was all over now, and she started
rather aimlessly to leave the room.
Laura called alter her
Georgia, dear. would you mind stay
ing with the baby little while Tor me?
Nurse is half sick, and want to go down
in the kitchen to see about dinner. She
won't be much trouble, will she? If you
will only keep an eye on her, and see that
she IS happy with her playthings. Nurse
will be in the next room, and you can
take your work or your reading.
just what shouldlike," said Georgia,
frightening. 'I1l take care of her the
whole morning, Laura, and you need not
be disturbed about her at ALL" So away
she ran up stairs to find her little blue
eyed niece, who always shouted with
delight at any attention from her pretty
aunt Georgia.
.'Deordi, Deordi' cried the little one
gleefully, springing into her arms soon
as she entered the room, and then nurse
was sent off to try and get well of her
headache, and baby and her grave young
aunt began series of glorious romps that
ended only when both were thoroughly
tired cut
Tired Tot. are You2 So am | let's