The Portland daily press., 1873-12-24

cObwebS. II say, it's showing harder than
ever-there'd have been good skating by to-
morrow if it hadn't snowed!'
for moment.
i ssIt isn't so very bad," said Ruth, who al
ways looked on the bright side Of things.
There'll be splendid -balling,"
'fWho cares for snow-balling! cried little
Dickie, 'sskatin's the best" 80 eEkngTe
Everybody laughed at this, for Dickie was
only six years old, and couldn't skate stroke,
not even on roller skates
Suddenly, Wilbur cried "Ohp' and stood
motionless, looking steadily at the floor. Rob
few to him like good brother, as he was,
and gave him poke.
/ "What on earth's the matter, WilburT
'Nothing. Only bet we could Sure as l
live we couldv'
l. "Could aohat?" cried Tommy.
''Why, make skating pond here, right
here, in this very garret!'
| eyes, you could,'' sneered Tommy, who,
by the way, was the only fellow who had TAX
en- off his hat; Ruth had excused them be-
cause the garret was not very warm.
II tell you, could, man. say Ned, let's
do it We can have pond here before night.
Your bathroom is right on the next floor
isn't it? Here are pots and pans enough for
all of us,''
| All the eight stared at Wilbur, as if they
thought his wits were leaving him, but he
added eagerly, e vara
81 tell you, it will be grand. Wen have as
big circle as we can get here in the middle
of the garret, and make bank out of that
clay-clay holds water perfectly Then we'll
fill up the circle with water"
| Their eyes danced at this, but Tommy chilli
ed their ardor with sarcastic,
| "Ho! skate on water! ho?
| "Well open the scuttle and the windows,
and let the pond freeze over night" said Will
bur.
"Jiminyv' screamed Ned; $50 we can!
Come on here; we II have the bank in a jify p
"Hurrah!' cried the rest.
In an instant all hands were at work-all
but Ruth, who looked troubled, and begged
Dot to Ego down and ask Mamma" She
should have gone herself, for Dot was only
six years old, and very uncertain young
woman at carrying messages.
Soon Dot, clambering down two sets of
stairs, rushed into her mothers room with
Mamma, Ruth wants to know if we can do
/ it?'
'sDo what, Dot? (Mother, do look at that
child's cheeks-they' re just like roses.) Do
what, my pet 2" alNA 9G@
s'Why, play bank with the clay" painted
Dot.
80 suppose must" laughed the mother.
''Tell her yes, Dot" AS the little girl ran
/
eyes, yes, Mamma says you can do it," Mrs.
Brant said to Glaudma, 81 ought to 60 up, I
suppose. BIT they can't do more than make
a muss with it, and they can clear it all up to-
morrow
"You're too easy with those. children, Eli
za," sad Grandma, quietly, adding, as Mrs.
Brant hurriedly took up her sewing again,
''out they're such dear little things. don't
wonder you like to make 'em happy.''
l ssGoo6 y, oriod Nod uhon Dots honou N, NC.
sage was delivered. ssMothers splendid. +
say, we mu st fiji up all these cracks with the
'You're sure Mother said we could, Dot ?''
"Course she did," said Dot, decidedly.
'She laughed, too.''
Poor little Dot had no idea that she had
told her mother only half OF their plan. Her
own head was SO full of it that she thought
everyone else must know all about it, too.
) As for Ruth, she being three years older,
couldn't help being surprised at their moth
er's consent to such wild fun, but she never
dreamed but that her mother had consented.
1t was time of deep delight to her, for she
could work as hard as any of the boys.
i In little while the bank was made. "Many
hands make light work. 1t was fine af
fair, well packed and quite regular in shape,
for Wilbur had chalked a circle on the floor
for them s'to work by"
So Ned and Tommy took two pals that
were in corner of the garret, and ran to the
1 bath room for water. Ruth gave pilcher to
jamie, basin to Herbert, tub to Wilbur,
and, seizing big earthen jar for herself, gave
the word for all to follow.
It was hard work, but it passed for play,
and they all played with will. They let the
water run from both of the faucets into the
bath tub, so that after while some could fill
at the faucets, and some could dip out of the
/. /. tub. La AR IN AZ &E
Up and down, down and up, the laughing
children went, painting and putting, filling
: and pouring, bucketful, palful, pitcherful, ba-
sinful, crockful, over and over again, till at
y last the pond began to show in earnest, Will
bur seized an old spade out of broken era
die, and had as much as he could do to watch
the clay bank, and mend breaks, and beat it
!, solid with the back of the spade. ,aFsr&sa
'Keep onl keep onp' shouted Ned, still
leading the way, while the rest followed
"We'll have her full in less than no time"
4 ''Elizav' said Grandma. s'do hear the
y trampin'. What on earth can those children
be doing?'
co." laughed Mrs, Brant, sthey're playing
; some game or other Betsey'n look after
Z them. She's busy up stairs, for hear the
! "A
Il sIt's mighty queer" said Ned, dashing in
e pailful, as Ruth emptied her crock for the
K twentieth time-"mighty queer how long it
takes the thing to fll-but keep on fellows.
J. Don't stop."1 - HGANASga
r In few moments the street door opened,
and up went Mr. Brant to the sewing room.
al '.How dye do, how dye do?" said he, kiss
); ing Mrs. Brant and his mother. "Well, this
is busy party-pnt up your, work, my dear,
and come up to the library-I've something
:, to tell you and Mother. Ho! ho! here's baby
o1 awake. Well, we must take him up, too'
1t Baby shouted with delight to find himself
2 in papa's arms. Mrs, Brant put down hel
/ work, Grandma Etook her crochet basket in
= her hand, and they all went up to papa's
;, light, pleasant library on the floor above.
IL "Well, my dear, what is it? Some good
Ia lneRa. Pm apren said Mra Rrant "a Grand