Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-01


apples! Wont it be ics;iveP"
But instead of smiling, Mrs. Ann Kidder
sat down in the midst Of her sweeping,
took little Ned in her arms, hid her head,
swarthed with an old brown vail, in his
curls, and fell to weeping,
II can't 90. Ruthic, indeed cant.
The last time was in that house your
father was with me. 1t will be so pain
ful to 90 without him that really think
| must ask your Aunt Lucy TO excuse me-"
Mrs. Kiddcr might have added that she
had not courage enough to face unsup-
ported tho naughty glances of Mrs.
Davenport's friends. Little Ned would
have to be present perched in his high
chair, for it was a family dinner; and
what if he should happen TO sneezc, with
Mrs. Judge Lawrence in her velvet dress,
staring at him across the table,
'I Just endured those sistsr-in-ldc din
,.crS when had Edward to help me, but
now il is too hard. Is there no way of es'
cape?"
The gentle widow looked the picture of
the Mater Dolorosa" as she sat with her
boy in her lap lost in thought.
III could only invite some guests my
self before Mrs. Davenport has time to
ask me- But have not had company
since Edward died Can ! now? Isn't it
the least of two evils though? a fine dim
ncr is out of my power. Let's see-l
might manage n tapioca pudding and
mincc pics and buy n small turkey. Why
wouldn't that do very well' But whom
shall ask haven't relative in the
city except brother Richard, if he can be
counted ut all. when know Lucy has
frozen up his old affection for me. No
relations, not even cousin.
'Y'he poor yc hare dirayS ctM yoH.
What brought those words to my mind, /
wonder2 Strange how such passages will
creep in now and then?
The poor?" Let me see, not town
paupcrs--in rags and jags. Why, Mar
tina Hunt who does my sewing when
haven't strength to do it myself, she is
poor enough, and girl of some refine
mcnt too. The last heard OF her call
ed at Lime street, and that melancholy
Mrs Parker (shc's poor widow though,
and I'm the last one To throw stones y told
me they had been so unfortunate they
were obliged 10 remove to tenement
house inhabited by Irish, and glad to get
even that. There, know what I'll do,
I'll invite those poor souls heie to dinner.
Maybe they would consider it quite an
honor-for everything goes by comparl-
son. As the Davenports TO me. SO TO
the Parkers-that's new Rule of Three.
And who knows but in this way Christmas
will be little less dreary than expect
ed
That afternoon while Mrs. Parkers eyes
were still rod from the "good cry a
knock was heard at the door, and there
on the threshold stood golden haired
Ruthie, wrapped in white furs and look
inc in Martha's eyes like carricr-dove,
especially as she had n note in her mouth
both hands being needed to move the
rickcty door-latch.
Tell your mamma she is very klnd'
and we shall be delighted to CO." cried
Mrs. Jane, Frightening like the sky after
/, A shower. stop, dear, I'll write an an
swer. No, never mind" for Mrs. Jane
f suddenly remembered there was no de-
cent paper in the house.
George dear" pursued she, as the
door clio sed, you're going TO have the
taste OF a turkey for once in your life! Oh
Martha, who'd have thought it ?"
a live turkeym screamed George
, expanding with JOY I'LL he became SC
, LIGHT he was taken off his feet, and finally
, ,umbled into the clothes basket.
Martha. how will it do to for the chllo
| to wear this jacket if l patch the elbow
I | feel as if we are getting into respectable
society, and must make as good an ap
9 pearance rs possible"
Thank Heaven" thought Ma,tha,- -
..poor Jane is holding up her head once
" more"
Christmas morning was bright ano
r beautiful. There were goings to and ir'
5 and greetings from family to family; tu
no one in the city dreamed of the tcle
, graphic communication of these three
p houses, the mansion, the cottage, and The
tenement. Nevertheless 'thc eleotic core
with which we're darkly bound,' wa
G throbbing warmly from Mr.. Davenpor
I to sister Ann, and from sister Ann to poo
Jane Parker and Martha Hunt.
o 1T seems Ann can't come said Mrs
Davenport with ill-concealed satisfaction
0 Il am sorry for her sake, she sees SO liitl'
: of good society! But then it is just llk
g her to 90 and invite somebody outside th
o pale of civilization"
just like her, yes, bless herr though
:. Richard Davenport with a gush OF the oil
r affection he used to feel years ago 10
Gentle little Ann. 'And | wish from tn
|. bottom of my heart we could ENJOY Oh
" dinner to-day as well rs she and he
@ humble guests. If / could steal out AM
4 sit down with them it would be relief
n and l might forget had married al
d heiress. Silver and cut glass, and every
Y thing that shines l shall get-plenty @