Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-12-26

he became a total abstainer was to
have a great regard for truth Teetotal-
ism does not add much dignity to char
actcr when the more excellent virtues of
truthfulness and perfect honesty are
wanting.
So when Mrs. Cosnett said, "You don't
seem surprised at not seeing Polly" he
replied, "No, because saw her out with
the other children, but they did not see
me. Do you think it is safe for her to be
out?'
Il don't think she viii be hurt, John.
They are not gone far; and the air is
clear, though cold l wrapped her up
right well; and they promised to walk
fast"
YES, they were walking fast" said
John 81 hal better go and get dressed
up bit before they come back. l sup
pose you will want rs all after tea to help
get the things ready for the pnddings,
| Well, it will be pleasant bit of employ
ment, rather new to us"
Yes; ard the dear children are go glad
aboutit Ii would do your heart good to
hear them talk, John. They think they
are going to have the happicst Christmas
of any people under the sun! Pm sure it
will seem a reward for well doing. to see
how Joyful they are said Mrs Cosnett
with tears of delight glistening in her
eyes.
II don't doubt it," said John, as he
left the room to make ready for their re
turn home.
They came in while he was still engag-
ed in dressing; and the large package
which Arthur carried was put away in
the drawer out of sight Il wish you
could it over now, mother" he whisper
ed; lit is such beauty; ] think it must
be worth FIVE times the price we had to
pay"
Polly brought back such q color on her
cheeks, that her mother declared she
looked as if she had never been i'll at all.
And what radiant faces they all had
what sparkling eyesl
Mrs. Cosnett folded away their walk
inc clothes, and they stood around the
bright fire warming their hands, when
their father made his appearance; little
Susie, the youngest of the four, began
clappng her hands as her father came in,
and said mysteriously, "Ah, daddy you
don't know sometin'W
Arthur pulled Der frock to stop her
tongue.
"Dont pull so, Arthur" she said,
| III an lbJuACu boies I'm S'lhS w
tell"
This only made matters worse in Ar.
thurs opinion; his face colored, and he
proposed that Susie should go to bed if
She didn't keep quiet.
" You mustn't say anything 'cept what
you are told" said Polly.
At which Susie opened her eyes wide,
and said. "0h, can't talk about tea, and
all that by myself p
" Yes, but not about anything else"
said Polly, feeling very anxious about
their secret.
"Well, j." said Susie, I'VE shall talk after
| tea about--now, member, ! isn't going
| to tell what about"
| Mr. Cosnett burst out laughing, and
very considerably began talking about
something to divert Susie's eager mind
from the secret which they all wanted to
keep little longer.
| The little ones sat down to the fire with
! father, while Mrs Cosnett got the tea;
1 and meanwhile Arthur was busy in an
other room He had carried the Bible
away unnotiCed Ivy the others, and was
there inscribing within the cover words
| that thew had decided upon during the
! day. When that was done, Mrs. Cosnett
! brought beautiful book marker that she
| had worked in her young days, and put it
/ between the leaves Then they left it
! there, and went away to tea.
| ! must not dwell upon that happy tea
| time. You may imagine all about the
| cosy brightness Of the room, the CHATTER
| of The children and their enjoyment of
the good things provided in honor of
their fathers teetotal birthday.
| AS soon as the meal was over and all
cleared away, Susie said, "Now Arthur's
/ got to go and fetch somedn'. And lest
| the secret should suddenly burst the
bounds Of her rosy lips, Arthur went
and fetched the present. He brought it
with flushed face, and placed it on the
table in front of his father.
"There L ow, daddy" cried Susie, ives
bought that for you with our very own
money and | put sixpence TO i"
Did you, pussy :" said her father,
1 laughing. Then he opened the beautiful
/ book and read
ITO DEAR FATHER,
PROM
ARrnrR, MARY, willie AND srsR cosxErT
| ~ THANKFUL REMEMBRANCE or his PiRsr TEN
! PERASCE BIRTHDAY,
! Christmas, 1910"
! He read the words over more than once,
/ till at last they looked all blurred TO him,
and bright drop fell Just below the IN
scription.
"Chiidren,n he said, presently, in
rather unsteady voice, you are very good
to remember father so. | can't tell you
how much good your present has done
me, or how great blessing it may yet be
TO me and to all OF us. Come, must kiss
you all round for it, not forgetting Miss
Susie, who has put the noble sum Of six
pence toward buying daddy this beauti
! full book,
He got up and kissed each 81 them.
/ Polly's thin face was glowing with Joy
" You must kiss mother, too she said,
for she put good bit toward it.
father"
eyes III kiss mother " he said, merri-
| IL, though, till the last year, | must con,>
! fess Id almost forgotten how 10. TAafe
good lass p he added, after kissing faway
a tear that WAS rolling down her Ngce.
"And now let us look at two or three IA
miliar old texts in this book, and tAsn
we will ell look at the splendid pictures
together"
He turned over the leaves. and rtad:
when ! said, My foot slippeth thy
mercy, o Lord, held me up He turned
! the leaves over again, end read: hook
not thou upon the wine when il is fred,
! when it giveth his color in the cup, when
il moveth itself Alright. AT the Last i
biteth ike strpeut, and s,ingetA Akss an