Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-09

pectation OF the coming event, been very me-
thodical as regards the execution OF her work
with her employment that now demanded the
immediate attention of her husband.
LET me see, Tim," che said, after . few mo-
nents' consideration. !" The Smiths had their
jim took back the Browns last night. There's
. collar Of Mr.. Robinson's got into somebody
else's basket, my dear; but think that must re-
IT. L am afraid, if you have anything tn do
with Il, the confusion will only be greater"
IWnkleton looked very much as though he
was quite OF his wifes opinion, and did not enter
Whose is that basket of things by the clock?"
he asked, when he found that Mrs. I. made no
+" on, my dear. I'd almost forgotten that: It's
the Chelmsford washing, she replied. ..
els Ii all mangied?"
sighed Mrs. T. "Its all right, and only wants
to be taken to the station"
s-IfI was to make haste, dare say could
one about twelve O'Clock on SUNDAYS, and tie
Christmas-day trains is just like Sundays, Amt
they"
with it, it'd be of our hands, without fear Of the
children tumbling the clothes, wouldn't it?'
Mr.. Twinkleton acknowledged that 1t would.
and at once ran down stairs to see how long it
wanted to the hour. He was no sooner down,
however, than he was up again, with the intima-
ton that II only wanted twenty minutes; 80 he
ought to be Oft directly. Kissing his wife with
much effusiOn, he hurried from the room, and.
in his haste. almost stumbled over the nurse.
who was on her way to Mrs. It's bedside, and
good ministering angel as she was,-bearing the
orthodox basin OF Cruel before her.
Where's the twins" inquired the anxious
father, seeing the abigail was free from any in
eumbrance save the comforting preparation be-
ooh, they're all right the good creature re
piled. . I've just hushed 'em of, and I've left
,em down stairs, sleeping like tops. All, sir,
they're as beautiful babes as ever L set ewes on
And though I've had good bit of experience in
nv time-having had a large family myself, as
you know-yet I never see two more like their
father"
Naturally enough. Mr.. I. IS eyes beamed even
with greater pleasure than before at hearing
such gratifying intelligence from one who vas
FASTENED down the stairs With even greater ce-
lerity than previously. On again looking at the
cleck he found that, IL he wanted to catch the
mid-dsy train, he would have to run with his ut
most speed. Luckily the washing to be car
red to the station did not require any looking
at; for had not Mrs. TwinkletOn sand 1t was ssaii
right? and the positive assertion OF such wo-
man did not leave the smallest scope for doubt.
The little tailor therefore wound wooden scarf
about his neck-fOr there was a sharp east wind
blowing-and without removing the Oil-cleth
stretched over the basket of clothes, set OFF at
good round trOt on his way to the station.
In this place it lould be recorded that Mrs.
TwinkletOns clean illness. combined with a skin
in the matters OF lear-starching and managing
bringing to her such a quantity of work that shc
was, in a measure, enabled to choose her custo-
mers. Among those favored by Mrs. L. was the
family OF a tradesman formerly carrying Ou
business in ShOreditch, but now retired. and resi-
dent at Chelmsford. 1t was somewhat OF an
inconvenience to get the clothes up to town, and
then to send them back a distance OF thirty
miles; but As the young ladies OF the family d.
clared that nobody starched like Mrs. Tim, aud
almost begged that that estimable woman wOhld
still consent to employ her skill on their apparel
ne ia liz all.l IN.
acquiesce in an arrangement that caused her DC
casionally some extra trouble, but for which She
fOund compensation in charging a fraction more
for every article than any other aundress, to der
knowledge. ever ventured to do.
With a merry heart, and whistling the chorus
of a catching song, Mr.. Twinkleton ran through
the streets OF Whitechapel at q sharp trot until
the heavy pile of building known As Shorediech
Station doomed before him. He had not male
bit too much haste Tor a. he entered the
booking-office the clerk was about to close the
doors.
:. Now then, where's that washing to 20 ~ In
1uired the clerk, whose business for the day was
over "a soon as the Chelmsford train was dis
patched, and who was therefore determined that
on that occasion the train should not be late lin
starting
The oficial, indeed, hesitated for NOM ut
take the place of courtesy; bat his Ill humor was
quickly dissipated when he saw Twinkletoas
rosy face and CHEEKY smile beaming upon him.
We'll. as a special favor, don't mind book
goose in the air, and was afraid his own might
be overdone if he didn't hasten home.
However, Twinkleton was in such a happy
mood that he didn't care whether the clerk
made IT special favor or merely q matter OF
business, so long the clothes were dispatched:
therefore, without being in the least disturbed
him the customary Christmas salutation, and
made his way homeward Just as the church folk
were issuing from their places of worship.
"Now that little matters OF my mind" OBJ
serv d IT hero, in reference to the Chelmsford
washing, as the whistle of the departing train
rarg through the frosty air, almost before he
emerged from the yard of the station. "Only
inst in time, though; but, after making such an
appointed"
Streams of people passed him as he made his
way back to his humble dwelling; but he knew
well enough that none could be happier than
he. and his heart rose in thankfulness to the
bounteous Creator, whose care and goodness i,
exerc S d over rich and poor alike On ain sides
were to be heard the CHEEKY words. Merry
Christmas! and his joyous spirits responded
with glad " Hear. hear" He witnessed the
meeting Of old folks grown gray headed In
friendship, but whose hearts beat with as much
warmth as ever; and noted the modest, down
cast looks Of maidenhoOd, blushingly replying
to the good wishes so Ilentifully showersd
around. Ever one seemed to have shaken obi
worldly cares and petty differences, and to meet
on one common ground Of hesrtiness and good
Tim was not by nature an obseryant man. and
was able to bestOw but scant attention to mat
tiers to which many OF his fellOw-workers in tile
shop where he was employed devoted no incon-
siderable portion of their time. The industrious
little tailor didn't care fig about trades unions
or political meetings, but found, with his rapid
ly increasing family, that if he wished to retain
the prestige always belonging to his trim hab-
itation in Pipeclay Alley, he must attend to his
business and naught else. Tim had noticed that
those who were most strenuous in their adve-
caey of the rights of labor generally sought their
REQ uirements in the cheapest market, and some
times obtained them at a price which could not
possibly compensate those engaged in their map
ufacture; while he had also thought it strange
that occasionally those who, when in O humble
capacity, had been the first to complain OF AFRO
gance and lack Of consideration on the part OF
their superiors, were, when chance elevated
them in position, far more tyrannical and sell
fish than those whom they had erstwhile calum-
mated. So long Tim obtained a fair days
pay for far days work, he did not wish to
trouble himself with any doctrines OF political
economy.
Direct from his labor to his home, the dwell
ers in Pipeclay Alley knew to a moment when
Mr.. Twinkleton would make his appearance,
and remarked, Ii a fortune had depended on his
lunctuality, lie could not have been mere eK-
act. But though he paid little attention to what
took place outside his home, Tins ewes were
not shut 10 the benefcent influence exercised by
the advent of Christmas.
Proud men, whose austerity never relaxed on