The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-12-23
Gbe Ginres, Mem Bloonrtelo, l1a.
he would have nothing to do with them

| So Mrs. Morrison bravsly commenced
her new life by taking possession Of her
portion Of the house early In the afternoon
of the day decided upon. Her servants
who had chosen to remain with her, sur
veyed the new scene of their labors with
undisguised contempt. But having ex-
pressed their disgust at the untidiness of
the house, and the small-sized rooms, they
began to make it more presentable and
comfortable.
The carpets and furniture were new, and
good in quality, and after some .iudicious
sweeping and busting they did themselves
justice. Uncle James had thoughtfully
absented himself. Edith and BERTHE lent
their assistance in having everything pleas
ant before papa should come home, and
Tommy and Ray followed mamma from
garret to cellar searching for Santa Claus,
and losing themselves in wonderful closets
and unexpected corners. Finding that
they were perfectly happy in the delusion
that the house belonged to Santa Claus,
Mrs. Morrison made no effort to undo
ceive them. Tired as she was with the
labors and excitement of the day, she un-
packed several boxes, and placed in the
dining-room many of the tasteful accesso-
ries to which her husbands eyes and hands
were accustomed, things unheard of in
Uncle James domestic economy.
Then she peeped into the kitchen, look
ed into the sauce-pans, complimented Jane
on her success in restoring order and clean
illness, and having arranged her pretty
hair and changed her dress, sat down with
the children around her, to welcome her
husband
Fortune favors the brave. The first
evening was on the whole a success Un-
Gle and nephew arrived together, both
hungry and absorbed in the business affairs
which had occupied their entire day. Mr..
Morrison kissed his wife and children, and
took in the surroundings in silence. Uncle
James shook hands with his niece, nodded
at Edith, and patted BERTHE on the head.
Tommy and Ray eyed him from safe dis
tance with undisguised admiration, and
exchanged condolences behind an arm
chair
His hair is white" said Tommy "but
where are the toys?"
"It is not Christmas" said Ray, con-
clusively.
"Wer know that" reflected Tom
my.
Either the well-prepared dinner, or the
children's faces around the table, affected
Uncle James so decidedly, that he looked
rather pleasant, and made several vain at
tempts to coax Ray on his knee
The little creature evaded every effort
with timid grace; and having taken refuge
behind her mothers chair, renewed her in
spection of the old gentlemans face.
"You don't know who am" he said
to her, intercepting one of her rapid
glances. ''
"Yet, me do" a
"No, you don't" nei
You is Santa Claus" persisted Ray.
| Old Mr.. Morrison looked pleased at the
odd fancy. "Come and tell Santa Claus
what you want him to bring you on Christ
mas Day." ho urged. 4
Tommy forgot his bashfulness instantly,
and perched on his granduncle's knee,
began breathless summing up of the
wants of the four children, but Rays tim
idity and awe were not to be overcome by
any visions Of toys or sugar-plums conjured
up by Tommy's vivid imagination.
| The week that intervened before Christ
mas-Day was trying one to Mrs. Norris
son. Her husband, however, seemed con-
tented in view Of his altered position with
regard to business, and this knowledge
mainly sustained her spirits and courage.
The plunge once taken, Mr.. Morrison
felt it the least; on his wife the heaviest
burden was laid. Uncle James tastes and
whims had to be consulted, and the SER
wants were disposed to be cross and pert,
acting as if comforting favor by living
with her. Perhaps the change from liber-
al supplies to the careful buying now 30
necessary, caused the alteration in them.
She had been so bountiful hitherto, pur-
chasing in quantities, and never restricting
or limiting the magnates Of the kitchen.
Now, matters were different. Mr.. Nor
risson had little money to give her, and
the old mans allowance, although sufficient
if carefully managed, would not provide for
any extravaganza in food or dress.
Besides, she was determined not to ask
her husband for money Her anxiety to
have all the claims on him settled, SO that
thav on,,ld raf,rn 10 tba;. oIJ ho,.,. .. -.