The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-03-15

interval OF rubbing. Presently Johnn
again:
"Mar says that everywhere else bu
yer everybody gives things to everybod
Chrismiss, and then she jist waded inte
you. She seq there's a man they ca
Sandy Claws-not a white man, yo
know, but "A kind o Chinemin-come
down the chimbley night afore Chri,
miss and gives things to chillern-boy
like me. Puts 'em in their butes
That's what she tried to play upon me
Easy, now, pop, whar are you rubin
to--thet's mile from the place. Sh
jest made that up, didn't she, jess Z,
aggrewate me and you? Don't rul
thar. Why, dad"
In the great quiet that seemed I,
have fallen upon the house, the sigh O
the near pines and the drip Of leave
without was very distinct. JOHNNY
voice, too, was lowered as he went on
Don't you take on, now, fur I'm get
tin all right fast. Wot's the boys dom
out thar?''
The old man partly opened the doc,
and peered through. His guests were
sitting there sociably enough. and there
were few silver coins and lean buck
skin purse on the table. "Bettin' on
suthin'-some little game or mother.
They're all right he replied to Johnny,
and recommended his rubbing.
I'D like to take a hand and win
some money" said Johnny, reflectively,
after pause.
The Old Man glibly repeated what
was evidently familiar formula, that
if Johnny would wait until he struck il
rich in the tunnel he'd have lots of
money, ETC., etc.
Yes" said Johnny. but you don't.
And whether you strike it or win il,
it's about the same. It's all luck. But
it's mighty cur'o's about Chrismiss-
amt IL? Why do they call it Chris
miss?"
Perhaps from some instructive defer
ence to the overhearing of his guests,
or from some vague sense of incongrui-
ty, the Old Mans reply was so low as to
be inaudible beyond the room.
"Yes," said Johnny, with some slight
abatement of interest, "I've heard o.
him before. Thar, that'll do, dad. 1
ton't ache near so bad as did. Now
wrap me tight in this yer blanket. So.
Now" he added in muffied whisper.
sit down yer by me till 20 asleep
TO assure himself of obedience. he dis
engaged one hand from the blanket, and
his fathers sleeve again, COM
,osed himself to rest.
For some moments the Old Man wait
ID patiently. Then the unwonted still
less OF the house excited his curiosity,
nd without moving from the bed, he
opened the door with his
isengaged hand, and looked into the
main room. To his infinite surprise il
'as dark and deserted. But eve N then
smouldering log on the hearth broke,
nd by the upspringing blaze he saw
ne figure of Dick Bullen sitting by the
ying embers.
Hello!r
Dick started, rose, and came some
hat unsteadily toward him.
" Whar's the boys" said the Old
Ian.
"Gone up the canon on a little
1easr. They're coming back for me in
mint. I'm waitin' round for 'em.
hat are you starin' at, Old Man." he
ided with a forced laugh; "do you
link I'm drunk?'
The Old Man might have been par
oned the supposition, for Dicks eyes
ere humid and his face flushed. He
Uttered and lounged back to the chin
~, yawned, shook himself, buttoned
his coat, and laughed. Liquor
mt so plenty as that, Old Man. Now
mt you get up" he continued, as the
d Man made a movement to release
s sleeve from Johnny's hand. "Don't
III mind manners. Sit jest whar you
); I'm going in jiffy. Thar, that's
EN- now"
There was a low tap at the do.
ok Bullen opened it quickly, nodded :
iood night" to his host, and disap-
AIRED. The Old Man would have fol.
we'd him but for the hand that still !
consciously grasped his sleeve. He ,
uid easily have disengaged it; it was /,
lall, weak, and emaciated. But per. !
ps because it 1as small, weak, and
laciated he changed his nina, and
awning his chair closer to the bed, :,
'ted his head upon it. In this de. :
useless attitude the potency of his J,
rlier .potations surprised him. The {
nm fiickered and faded before his :
IS, reappeared, faded again, went out, I
left him-asleep. =
Meantime, Dick Bullen, closing the 5
Or, confronted his companions. s.Are n
! ready?" said Staples. Ready d
4 Dick; whats the timer "Past {"
: was the reply; "can you make it?
rs nigh on fifty miles, the round trip u
her and yon." ~ reckon" returned r
x shortly. Whar's the mare?r i
Ill and Jacks holdin' her at the q.
ssin'.' "Let 'em hold on mint n,
GER" said Dick. =,
lie turned and re-entered the house 81
.ly. BY the light of the gutterino fir