Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-12-24

less she was little embarrassed by Old
Morocco's question. She didn't want to say
she had found ten cents in the golden palace
of the Duchess of East New York for fear of
being laughed at; so, after moments con-
sideration, she replied: +" A friend of mine,
Mrs. Homebody, requested me to hand 1t to
YOU" And, to make the thing complete, she
added what she had overheard her mother
saying: fon can give me receipted bill"
Old Morocco could scarcely believe his
ears; but his eyes kept saying to him that his
ears were not deceived, for there was X in his
hand. Yes, yes" he said, of course, of
course; we must go round 10 my room and I'll
receipt the bill. You are Mrs. Homebody's
little girl, l suppose"
But Sophy was not to be caught as easily
as that My name is Lady Gray she said,
with dignity; land ! call there occasion
ally"
Yes, yes, of course" said Old Morocco,
who was really thinking so much aboutwhat
he would buy with part of X that he would
scarcely have objected If Sophy had SAID she
was Queen Victoria or Elizabeth Fry; indeed,
his wits were wool gathering land oyster
gaiheringl to such an extent that 1 fear, If he
had been called upon suddenly to arrange the
Christmas celebration, he would have stewed
the mittens and put the oysters in the stock
ings! lnvoluntarily he FASTENED his steps,
SO that Sophy had some trouble to keep up
with HIM, particularly as neither her rank
nor her shawl permitted her 10 trot. When he
noticed this he stopped suddenly and picked
her up IN an absent-minded way, as If she
were one of his own children. II hurt her
pride little; but as il was very comfortable
10 be carried she concluded not TO object TO IL;
and truth requires the confession that, be-
fore they reached the bookbinder's house,
Lady Gray was actually smuggling TO Old
Morocco's shoulder!
Up the stairs he went, without stopping to
breathe or speak, threw open the door of the
taI .h., tKnsf ia aud .i,,...
hastily, Pye got an errand 10 do right away
the stores won't be open tomorrow, You
know" snatched tin pail and disappeared
When he returned, after about half an hour,
Sophy was in her glory, seated on his wife's
bed, and listened 10 with puzzled attention by
the family as she alternately asked questions
In patronizing way and dilated gorgeously
upon her own remarkable experiences. The
bookbinder's wife did not know what to make
Of her and waited for her husbands return 10
find out how this strange child had come In
his way. But the children, who knew by
instinct and experience the fun of making
believe" chose at once to accept her as Lady
Gray, with all the splendors attached to the
title. As Old Morocco entered she was just
describing the Homebody family as collee-
ton OF very nice people-particularly Sophy
Homebody, who was a perfectly lovely child
when she was dressed up, only her mother did
not understand her and did not dress her up
often enough.
The bookbinder brought with him bundle
and a dozen big oysters in the pail-which he
set away carefully where his wife could not
see 1t, for he meant the oyster-supper TO be
surprise-party. Then he bethought himself
more seriously of Sophy. She had probably
strayed from home and IL was already growing
dark. AT his request she finally consented to be
escorted as far as the Iiomebodys', saying
that she must call there, at all events, since
she had promised 10 see little Sophy Home
body put To bed. The bookbinder saw
through this transparent bit OF artitice, but
said nothing; nor did he doubt that, however
whimsical his little visitors story might be,
she had really been sent by Mrs. Homehody
10 pay him ten dollars. So he signed the re-
ceipt and tucked Ii under her glove, where
the greenback had been; and away they went
together, Sophy promising graciously to call
again soon When they reached the door
which bore Mr.. Joshua Homebody's name on
brass plate Sophy rang the bell. She
seemed slightly relieved when the cook came
instead of her mother. "Is II you IL Is, me
leddyw said the cook, as the child, after q
deep courtesy 10 Old Morocco, ran past her
into the house. Then the door was closed,
and the boukbinder fastened home, too happy
TO be puzzled over Lady Gray. Meanwhile,
that noble lady had tripped upstairs and put
everything away, according To the stern rule
Of Aunt Sophronia, Duchess Of East New
York, 81 just exactly rs she found it, even
going SO far as to poke the glove In the
stocking, and roll the stocking In the towel,
and tuck the towel under the fanncls.
yI-THE HEAD or DANIEL WEBSTER.
Doubtless great many people bought
oysters that Christmas Eve, after Old Moroc-
co; but the only one that concerns US Is
Joshua Homebody. This worthy gentleman
was feeling good deal more hopeful than
he had felt a few days before. The panic WAS
over, business was improving aud his salary,
VII oh do had I,at. az
a salesman, was not going to be reduced. On
the contrary, the head Of the firm had given
him u decided intimation that after the LIST OF
January, II nothing unforeseen occurred, IL
would be increased; and this pleasant hint
had been accompanied with a twenty dollar
note hs Christmas present. Some employ
ers really do such things! SO he came home
In generous mood and with a happy con-
seriousness that he would not be Obliged TO
go 10 the store tomorrow; and on the way
he stopped and ordered some oysters, paying
for them with the twenty dollar note, and re-
ceiving In change our old friend x and lot
Of smaller bills. After Sophy was abed he
thought Mrs. Homebody and he would quietly
slip out and buy present or two for the
child.
At supper everybody was good .natured;
Mr.. Homebody, for the reasons already given,
which he had also communicated 70 his wife;
Mrs. Homebody, for the additional reason
that tht Sbi intuho PiCn h"1 sSnsD "ae VI ehN
oven Just right; and Sophy, because she had
been Lady Gray for whole afternoon and
nobody had contradicted her. But she was
tired Of that nov; and so after supper, In her
own proper character, she climbed upon her
fathers knee and began TO tell him Of the
book binders family, where she had been
"making a CALI Her mother was busy
about some household matter when the story
began, but she came In while Sopby was In
the full tide Of description, telling partly what
her keen eyes had noted, partly what her
keen questions lad drawn out concerning the
accomplishing poverty of Old Morocco's
household.
"And only think, father; there weren't
chairs enough; and ] sat on the bed, and
Jane said a bed was ever SO much better than
| chair 10 sit on; and asked them what they
were going to have for Christmas; and they
said stockings, they hoped; and ! said, OF
course; everybody has stockings u put the
other things in;' and they said, No, not that
kind Of stockings, but warm stockings TO put
on and Willie said pretty loud, Yes, and
perhaps mitteps; think Of Datr aud the sick
lady said softly, Now, don't set your hearts
on anything, my dears. You know II de
pends-y and, father, she just turned her face
on the pillow and saw her cry tear; and
shouldn't wonder II she cried a whole lot;
but Of course / wouldn't look any more be-
I