The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-12-23
From whittaker's Monthly Magazine, Milwaukee.
THEIR CHRISTMAS.
CHAPTER I.

L.
Yes, THEIR Christmas I suspect the
big world didn't know or care very
much about it, 1t didn't get into the
newspapers. 1t wasn't gossiped about
as a magnificent affair at the breakfast
tables of their neighbors. But for all
this it was diamond day to them as
containing more splendor and beauty
and Joy, than Duke Alexis, in all the
glory of his visit to this hOnOred coun-
try, ever experienced.
Life's highest happiness doesn't al
ways blossom on the topmost boughs
of wealth and royalty. Much oftener,
indeed, it blooms underfoot, like the
violets of April, waiting fragrant and
beautiful for the eyes that can see and
the hands that can gather.
Their little cottage asserted itself,
modestly, yet firmly, III the neighbor-
hood of far statelier homes that seemed
to look down on it frowningly. Seem
ed L say; for hardly think the houses
really meant to frown. A frown is the
natural expression of lofty brick and
marble mansions. Doubtless they
would like to look pleasanter if they
could.
The little cottage, on its part, didn't
seem to mind its lofty neighbors. 1t
had its southern exposure, its patch of
garden, its coat of clean stone-colored
paint, its neatly curtained windows, and
a general air of unassuming self pos
session and content. Best of all, a
noble elm grew beside it kingly tree,
that stretched it's boughs over the roof
of f--l nd
affectionate protection that said
Here, I'll take care of this
little house If you please, I'll ses
biting winter wind visit it gently
and if necessary, I viii stand be
tween it ana the very lghtnings of
heaven. [ watched it grow up from a
pile of lumber and stones and disagree
able mortar, into the present neat,
pleasant little nest you see. 7 was the
first to welcome the two people
who took possession of it. [ like them.
They poured barrels of water on my
thirsty roots during the great drouth
last summer, and guarded my robins
nest from the attacks of a freckled boy
They appreciate tree, and [ intend to
stand by them"
The place had the fault of being very
"new," to be sure Bnt David Hen
derson and his wife, Edna, though
they disliked the smell of the paint,
and the starched, bandboxy air of the
just finished house, agreed it was bet
ter than going into a house haunted by
unknown associations.
eve want no associations but our
own, you know, Ed" said David, tax
ing his wife's face in his hands, as if
it were a bowl, and drinking a kiss
from it.
"And we'll soon enough take the
newness ont of it-once let us get the
fires going and our plants, and birds,
and books settled, Edna responded.
They had lived in the cottage two
years, and the newness aUds taken out
of it An ivy had grown about the bay
window. A pleasant air of use had
crept over the furniture. Graceful and
artistic nick nacks, that come only with
time to those homes where things have
to be worked for, appeared here and
there. And a baby-a wonderful
baby, with his mothers eyes, and his
fathers amiable disposition-ha come
6 to give little purpose and dignity"
to their housekeeping, Edna remarked,
and " to add to the jollity of life in
general, said David in the inane Ian
guage of happy fatherhood.
[ doubt the truth of the rather pop-
ular idea that the Inhabitants of stately
houses are always more or less wretch
ed. But at the same time [ doubt if
In square mile of this fashionable
quarter of the city could be found
pleasanter home, jollier pair of COM
rades-to borrow David's phrase-than
existed under the big Elm. No gang
of servants to bother them mo demands
of society in the form of senseless calls
and devastating dinner parties; a paying
berth in the sanctum of the mighty
Herald house of their own; out of
debt; land no relatives, David would
boast with a triumphant flourish,
within five hundred miles - They
had health and brains and love- Why
should they not behappy2 They lived
and worked for each other. They could
not avoid being happy.
But Edna's work, she disconsolately
affirmed, was the silliest trifing. 1t
must be wonderful help-iust seeing
that mans house was in order. his
meals decently served and his buttons
sewed on
Wonderful - she sarcastically re-
peated, 81 don't see, dear D. H., .
she often called him by his initials be-
cause she liked to call him what no one
else called him-''I don't see how you
existed in the dark ages of your life be
fore yon knew Me -
"Nor do T. he answered in sober
earnest, "my life dates from the time
| came to know you. Dear Ed
how can you deride your work in such
g heartless wayl I am your work
Don't you see that you are at the root
Of all this happiness-all this brilliant
success of living this home, in a
word3 Reflect upon what I should be,
and where / should be, without you,
my comrade "a miserable Bohemian,
floating about, tiresideless as well as
buttonless
"And 1 without yOu 1 should be
teaching primary school, somewhere,
with the corners of my mouth drawn
down, and learning to make cynical re-