The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-12-20

of his very plain statement that q kind
friend had advanced him considerable.
sum.
"Who could that friend be?" was the
puzzling question, which no one could
answer but his unremitting attention to
business, the punctuality of his payments
and other evidences of his prosperity,
suffice to insure him general respect,
though certain envious busybodies would
venture now and then to hint significant
ly, that call is not gold that glistens."
So matters went on pleasantly with
the Wags, till winter, when Tom and his
three sisters came home for the holidays,
and the latter assisted their mother in
preparing for the festivities of the season
1t was Christmas eve, and the whole of
the family were congregated in the little
back parlor, when young Jerry started
up at the well-known sound of custom
er at the shop door at which he arrived
with hop, step and jump; and, jerking
it open, beheld little old gentleman
wrapped in large cloak
"Please to walk in, sir" said Jerry
Wag
" Hush !" whispered the stranger, pla-
eing his forefnger on his mouth; " L
want to surprise them. You're altogeth-
er tonight, / suppose 2"
eyes, sir" replied Jerry, smiling, for
he thought he knew to whom he was
speaking.
"That's all right" said the odd elderly
gentleman, advancing cautiously towards
the darkest part of the shop and throw
ing off his cloak "Now for Christ
mas frolic Come here, you rogue! Why
you've grown taller than me. That's
right! thriving Wag! Now, mind,
you 90 back as if nothing had happened,
and give me hold of your coat-tail, so
that can't be seen. That'll do. No
laughing, you young monkey. There,
step along"
Jerry did as he was bid, save that,
though he bit his lips numerically, his
risible muscles would not remain inactive,
and thus the oddly joined pair made their
way into the family apartment just as the
eldest daughter had exclaimed, Now,
mamma, it's your turn to wish y
They were sitting in a semi-clrcle be-
fore the fire, and the stranger and his
shield, of course, stood behind them
Heighhow said Mrs. Wag;" there's
only one thing wish for tonight, and
that is the addition of one more to our
party"
"Name name You must name your
wish !" cried three or four juvenile vol
ces, in full glee.
4" | wish I could tell you his name, T"
said Mrs. Wag, but your father knows
who / mean. Don't you, my dear p
g can't mistake you my love-" replied
Jeremiah, affectionately, and ] wish he
could see how happy we are. 1t would
do his heart good, really think"
"Who can he be p exclaimed the eld-
est daughter
Perhaps it's somebody like me u
cried the little odd gentleman, stepping
briskly forward.
alt is it is p shrieked mamma, and
up jumped the whole party, and down
went Mrs Wag upon her knees, while
utterly unconscious of what she did, hel
arms were clasped round the neck of hel
benefactor, whose bodily frame being un
able to sustain her matronly weight gave
way, and SC they rolled together on the
floor.
Ha, hs, ha p laughed the eccentric
elderly gentleman, as soon as he recover
ed breath, but without attempting to rise
"This is Christmas gambol, eh Maste
Wag ?-eh my merry little Ways ?
Needn't ask you all how you are"
" MY dear sir p exclaimed Jeremiah
allow me to assist you. hope you ar
not hurt"
Hurt p cried the little gentlemen
jumping up, and Offering his hand t
Mrs. Wag. "Hurt," why, | feel mysel
twenty years younger than | did fv
minutes ago. Never mind, ma'am.-
Like Christmas gambols. Always did
Happen to have such thing as buncl
of mistletoe, eh?"
81 am sure, sir" whimpered Mrs
Wag, ~ shall never forgive myself. 4