Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-01-12
THE CHRISTMAS GIFT THAT CAME
TO RUPERT.
A story for Little Soldiers.

1t was the Christmas season IN Cali
fornia-a season of falling rain and
springing grasses. There were inter
walls when, through driving clouds and
flying scud the sun visited the haggard
hills with a miracle, and death and re-
surrection were as one, and out OF the
very throes of decay joyous life strug-
gled outward and upward. Even the
storms that swept down the dead leaves
nurturad the tender buds that took their
places. There were episodes of snowy
silence over the qnickening fields the
farmers plowshare hard followed the
burrows left by the latest rains Perhaps
it was for this reason that the Christ
mas everqreens which decorated the
drawing room, took upon themselves
foreign aspect, and offered n wierd
contrast to the roses, seen dimly
through the windows, as the south
wind beat their soft faces against the
panes.
Now, - said the Doctor, drawing his
chair closer to the fire, and looking mild
ly but firmly at the semi-eircle of tlaxen
heads around him. q want 1t distinct
ly understood before | begin my story
that | am not to be interrupted by any
ridiculous questions. At the first one
/ shall stop. At the second, | shall
feel it my duty to administer n dose of
castor-oil all around The boy that
moves his legs or arms will be under
stood to invite amputation. | have
brought my Instruments with me, and
never allow pleasure to interfere with
my business. Do you promise2'
Yes, SIR said six small voices, 81
simultaneously. The volley was, howev-
or, followed by half dozen dropping
questions
"Silence | Bob, put your feet down
and stop rafting that sword. Flora
shall sit by my side, like little lady,
and be an example to the rest. Flung
Tang shall stay too, If he likes. Now,
turn down the gas a little; there, that
will do-iust enough to make the fire
look brighter and show of the Christ |
mas candles. Silence, everybody! The
boy who cracks an almond, or breathes
too loud over his raieins, viii be put ont
of the room.
There was a profound silence Bob
laid his sword tenderl y aside, and nurs-
ed his leg thoughtfully. Flora, after
coquettishly adjusting the pocket of her
little apron, put her arm upon the Doc
tors shoulder, and permitted herself to
be drawn beside him. Fung Tang, the
little heather page, whowas permitted,
on this rare occasion, TO share the Chris
tian reyels in the drawing-room, survey
ed the group with a smile that was at
once sweet and philosophical. The light
ticking Of French clock on the mantel
supported by young shepherless of
bronze complexion and great symmetry
of limb, was the only sound that dis
turbed the Chistmas-hke peace of the
apartment peace which held the
odors OF cvergrecns, new toys, cedar
boxes, glue, and vnrnish in n harmoni-
Gus combination that passed all under
standing,
about four years ago at this time,
began the Doctor, "latteuded a course
OF lectures In certain city. One of the
professors, who was n sociable, kindly
man-though somewhat practical and
hard -headed-invited me to his house
on Christmas night. | was very glad
to go, Us | was anxious to see one of
his sons, who, though only twelve years
old, was said to be very clever. | dare
not tell You how many Latin verses
this little fellow could recite, or how
many English ones he had composed
In the first place, you'd want me to re
peat them; secondly, Tn not a Judge
of poetry Latin or English But
there were Judges who said they were
wonderful for a boy, and everybody
predicted splendid future for him.
Everybody but his father, He shook
his head doubtfully, whenever it was
mentioned, for, rs have told you, he
was u practical, matter-of-fact man.
There was a pleasant party at the
Professors that night All the child
rem of tue neighborhood were there,
and among them the Professors clever
son, Rupert, rs they called nina thin
little chap, about us tall as Bobby there
and ~ fair and delicate rs Flora by my
side. His health WAS feeble, his
father said he seldom ran about and
played with other boys -preterlinG to
STAY at home and brood over his books,
and compose what he called his verses
"Well, we had Christmas tree just
like this, and We ba8 begn laughing
and talking, ealllng theuames of the
children who had III ats On tie tree,
and everybody WIS hr and Joyous,
when one of the efls'ga sn5dt oily TIT.
tered d cry Of ming, s7}r md
liiar.tF, aud said a1a Hs