The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-10-18

| DdRot tuThoy anu NoSetaDlcs VI every AAuu
with a desert Of mince pies, plum pud
ding and custards, would have been an in
suit to the memory Of our grand-mothers.
have often wondered where our Virgins
families got their company from on Christ
mas day, for every one thought it theil
bounden duty to remain at home on that
Of all days, in the year, and prepare I
big dinner.
And still every one had a houseful o
company. 1t was a custom with my father
to have all Of his relatives, with my moth
er, to spend that day with us, and | car
remember hearing my faYorite aunt, on
her last visit to us, before the important
day, say to my fathers invitation
''Oh, yon must spend Christmas day
with me. | expect my sons home from
the city, and cannot possibly leave home.
Still, never remember seeing her absent
on that day from our board.
Mrs. Lyle was to spend the rest of the
day with Mrs. Hinton, and that lady fell
called upon to have something Of every
thing" in her larder prepared for dinner.
Aunt Judy (the cook was very proud OF
her profession. and prided herself upon
her nicely dinners.
| ANU, you RWlne 10 Kill udI Otc RuD-
! Ter, Mlstis :" said she.
"Well, no, Aunt Judy, | reckon not
Col Hinton says we had better keep it a
year longer.
"As long as ole Master bin libin', don t
he knoN tbs best to turn out young
turkey Whar he git dem notion from, |
wonder Not from his blessed Mar,
know, for she used always to cum in de
kitchen an say, Judy. ! wants de ole
tucky gubler fur dinner
II will speak to Col Hinton about it
again"
81 thinks We ought to kill de ole one,
and | kin catch him, too," said young
Dick, rolling his eyes and lingering a pop
cracker in his pocket.
''An' who axed you fur you're 'pinion,
Mr.. Peart Don't you better den
to put in you mouth whaI Sc talkin' r.
said Aunt Judy, as she gave him cuff
over the head.
II les want ole Missie to let me catch
de tuckey, whimpered the boy.
"When We wants you're 'sistence we
will ak fur it, she replied, and followed
her mistress to the house to learn the re-
suit Of her interview with Col Hinton.
behead the monarch Of the turkey gang.
The old woman started back to send Dick
to druv up dem ar tuckeys Immediately. ="
But she could not pass Maud's room with
out peeping in at her ''chlle, as she called
her.
Maud was seated before glowing fire
Of hickory logs, her face buried in her
hands, and the slender form convulsed
BY sobs.
High, watts de matter, honey, said
Aunt Judy She had never been able to
realize that Maud was anything else but
the same little curly-headed girl, who had
begged NANNY" for sugar aud cakes.
is you sick, my chile, said she, laying
hand upon the girls head, and trying to
lift her face that she might see it.
No, Nanny. I am not sick. Please
don't lift my face, ! am in great deal Of
trouble
In trcable You amt got nothin' to
trouble you. Must Nanny bring you
some o dat cake you mar dun make fur
Christmas r.
''Oh, no indeed, | could not eat
mouthful to save my life | thank you
very much though"
"Well, tell me what's de matter wild
you. Il shake Of the head was her only
answer. 81 Is gwine to send you ma to
you maybe you will tell her your trouble, I"
and the faithful creature returned to the
parlor where her mistress was
81 think you had better 90 to Miss
Maud, Mistis she's a-cryin like her heart
was gwine to break
Mrs. Hinton started up in alarm
n
Aunt JudyT
''No, honey she jes say she was in
trouble"
A loud report from the kitchen started
Aunt Judy in a double-quick for that
place. A sight met her eye Fire Goals
and ashes covered the floor, while large
"ash-cake" was sticking TO the ceiling.
Hastily catching up broom, she swept
the fire back into the hearth then. with
a sign of relief, exclaimed
'Now, whar is dat boy know he
done it. He's bin run mad eber since ole
Mars car ed him to town aud guv him dem
ire-crackers. You, Dick" No answer.
sob Dick = at the top of her voice.
"Marm, said a faint voice ia corner
of the room.
|. You don't mean to say you was In
here, an | a-holerin' at de tip O nv voice
Come here to me. Is gwine to skin YOU.
How dem dar tire-coals git on de floor,
hey e.
81 was litiu pop-cracker, and drap de
pack in de fire; I; an dey was all ! had, too
oh oh T.
"You take dat" cuff, ian 20 an driv
up dem tuckeys an will ak ole Mars not
to give You any mo money to be a-byin'
fire implements to be a-burnin' de house
down wild"
With whoop Of joy at the prospect of
catching "dat ole tuckey," young Dick
jumped into the yard and made for the
barn.
When Mrs. Hinton reached the passage
leading to Maud's room, sobs from within
reached her ear, and she uuickened her
steps. Maud was still sitting as Aunt
Judy had left her, an open letter living on
the floor at her feet
my daughter, what is the matter with
you r. said the mother.
'Oh, mother, | am 80 unhappy. have
letter here ] want you to read. Mrs.
lyle sent it to me this morning."
"Whom is it from, George r
"Yes, mamma
Taxing the letter from the floor, Maud
handed it to her mother. Mrs. Hinton
seated herself in an arm chair, and pro.
ceeded to read the letter. Once or twice
an exclamation of surprise escaped her.
Maud threw herself at her mothers feet.
and buried her face in her lap.
MY child, said the lady, this is very
strange"
Qh, mamma, / do not know ,rhat to
think Of it..
(To BE cONTINUED.)