St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-10-10

fondneSS land | was thinking of turn
ing my back upon them Tonight. and
playing the traitor to home. May G0d
forgive me. and make me strong to dc
the right evelmOre.
CHAPTER III.
When John reached home he did moi
say anything at finding his wife alone
though she supposed he would when he
missed Polly. who had not been out fol
so long a time. Among other good
things which John had learned since he
| became Il total abStainer. was to have
great regard for truth. TeetOtalism
does not add much dignity to a charac-
ter when the more excellent virtues OF
truthfulness and perfect honesty are
wanting.
So when Mrs. Cosnett said. "GO on
don't seem surprised ut not seeing Pol
ly." 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 lie out r.
Il don't think she will hurt. John.
They are not gone far: and the air is
rlgnL "oiI ana tney promised to walk
fast
Yes: they were walking fast" said
John. Il had better go and get dressed
up hit before they come back. sup
pose you will want lis all after tea to
help get the things ready for the pud-
dlngS. Well. it will be pleasant bit
of enjoyment, rather new to us
"les; and the dear children are 50
glad about it. 1t would do your heart
good to hear them talk. John. They
think they are going to have the hap
picSt Christmas of any people under
the sun, I'm sure it will seem a re
ward for well-doing. to see how joyful
they are" said Mrs. Cosnett, with tears
of delight gli~tening in her eyes.
Il don't doubt it. said John. IA he
left the room to make ready for their
return home.
They came in while he was still en-
gagged ''dre>sing;" and the large pack
age which Arthur carried was put away
in il drawer ont of sight. Il wish y0u
could look over it now, mother. he
whispered: lit is such beauty: |
think it must he worth five times the
price we had To pay
Polly brought back such color ON
her checks. that her mother declared
she looked us if she had never been i'll
AT all And what radiant faces they all
had-a and what sparkling eyes,
Mrs. Cosnctt folded away their walk
ing 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
clapping her hands as her father came
in. aud said my>teriouSly. "Ah. dadda !,
Won don't know somctin
Arthur pulled at her frock to stop
her tongue.
Don't pull AZ. Arthur" she said. in
an injured tone. Il isn't going to tell.
This only made matters worse in Ar
thurs opinion; his face c"l"rcd. 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. '.Oh. oh can't talk about tea.
and all that. by mysclfT'
Yes. but not anything else. said
Polly. feeling very anxious about their
secret.
WELL" said Susie. I'VE shall talk
after tea about -now. member | lsn I
going to tell what about
AIr. Cosnctt burst ont laughing. and
very considerably began talking about
something To divert Susic'> 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
rca: and meanwhile Arthur was busy
IN another room. He had carried the
Bible away unnoticcd hy the others.
ard WAS there imScrihing within the
cover words that they had decided mp
"m during The day. When that WAS
done. Mrs. Co>Nrtt brought a beautiful
book mark that she had worked iI
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
tca-timc. IoU may imagine all about
the cosy brightness of the room. tn,
chatter of the children. and their en-
10y mclt of the good things provided in
honor of their fathers tectotal birth
day.
As soon us the meal was over and al
cleared away. Susie said. .joyfully, Nov
Arthur'S got to go and fetch sometin
And. lest the secret should suddenly
burst the bounds of her rosy lips. Ar
thur went and fetched the present. III,
/ brought it in with flushed face. nmc
/ placed it on the table in front of hi,
| father.
There now. dadda," cried Susie
ives bought that for you with our OWL
money. and put SiXpencc to it"
Did You. pussy p said her fathcl
| laughing. Then he opened the beauti
| full book and read,
ITO DEAR FATHER,
ARTHUR. MARY, WILLIE AND SUSIE cos
NETT. IN THANKFUL REMEMBRANCE
OF HIS FIRST TEMPERANCE BIRTHDAY.
CHRISTMAS, lS6S.
He read the words over more thai
once. till at last they looked all blurred
to him. and bright drop fell Just he
low the inscription.
"Children." he said, presently, in ;
rather unsteady voice. you are ver1
good to remember father so. | can
tell YOU how much good your presen
has done me, or how great Il blessing l
may yet be to me and to all of lis
Come. | must kiss yOu all round for it
not forgetting Miss Susie, who has pu
the noble sum of sixpence towards buy
ing dadda this beautiful Book :" II
got mp and kissed each one of them
Polly's thin face was glowing with joy.
"You must kiss mother, too," sh
said, .'for she put Il good bit towards il
father
"Yes; I'll kiss mother" he said mer
. | ,.il1- ..thnu.rh till rithin the Last ,e:Il