Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-12-23

Ihefe she Was-Granny WEIGH. Just
little old Irish woman--that was all; bu
to Mickey she was everything-fire an,
light, and dinners and suppers, aye, ant
jacket and trowsers, too. So it was n,
wonder that his face Frightened as sh,
appeared.
Granny WEIGH always went along tn,
streets with her eyes on the ground. I
she saw piece of wood large enough t.
make a blaze. she picked IL up. Ii really
seemed as if Santa Claus must hav.
strewn some nice bits in her way thi.
morning, her arms were so full. Among
others was bough OF an old elm, which
seemed almost like tree itself. IL was Sc
tall and had so many little branches
Mickey looked at ii with longing eyes.
Are We wantin' it, Michaely''
/ - am
"On yer back" inquired Granny
WEIGH, with a fierce oobbing of her
cap-border.
mo, sir" replied irreverent Mickey
| There's where ven get il, thin"
| Mickey laughed. He was very well &C.
quainted with Granny WEIGH.
"I'li take it from yer" he cried, glee-
fully. suiting the action to the word.
| Granny caught him in her arms, and
gravely administered few sounding
slaps, which didn't hurt him bit.
| Is it Christmas yen haves" she
asked, when her pretended wrath was APP
peased.
| Yes"
| She took down an old skillet from the
wall and put ii upon the stove, then she
| dropped into il handful of corn and
awaited the result.
Mickey listened for the popping, and at
| last it came. When the kernels were
all snapped OUT she took large needle
\ and some blue yarn and strung them
| thereon. Then she tied the string TO the
| old bough, winding ii in and out among
| the withered branches, whence il hung in
| long white loops.
There's yer ChristmS," SAID she
| with satisfied air. Look well now.
Don't break it,"
He took ii in his plump hand. He
| walked proudly up and down the room,
| the corn waving gracefully.
THAT'S nice Christmas" said Granny
WEIGH, the queer cap-border bobbing
| again.
| Yes"
"A nice Christmas Nice little boys
gets nice Christmasses,r
Mikey's stout figure Strengthened.
There's little Biddy Mclaughlin be-
yant, as cries wild the toot'ache. She gets
no Christmas at all. Mind that, now"
Mickey locked sober. The little girl
was his best beloved playmate and he wa,
very sorry for her. He thought Of her all
the while he was eating his dinner, hold
| ing his potato in one hand and grasping
his newly-acquired treasure in the other
| When the meal was over and his grand
mother was busy putting away the frag
ments he took to his little heels and ran
across the court TO Z" Biddy's part"
Poor Biddy looked upwith fearful eyes
| foot ache now" inquired Mickey.
IT'S stoppin'," replied Biddy, soberly
There are Glove in it."
| See my Christmas, Biddy."
| She looked admiringly.
| Come out Until the court, Biddy
Well have procession. Pretind its ban
J pers."
but have none" whined Biddy.
| Mickey broke his bough in two, scatter
| ing bits Of wood and kernels Of corn as
he did so. To arrange the two " ban
ners" gracefully was work OF time, but
the children did it, or thought they did IL
at last.
| The percession" had been in motion
| hardly five minutes when it was uncere
moniously ordered to halt.
"Stand still therei What do you cal
that? A string of snow flakes! Give vi
one, won't your"
The children stood still and looked ter
rified.
"Oh! Frank! Come here IA moment
| Frank came, merry faced boy, with
clear gray eyes.
what is it, Tom?"
Just look at those little rats. They've
q whole string OF snow fakes and they
won't give fellow one.n
| Nonsenser' laughed Frank. lie
'em alone"
ats my Christmas" faltered little
Mickey.
| Your whaty'
my Christmas.
Jerusalem exclaimed Tom, think
ing of the stately evergreeR, at which Ia
had managed to get peep, Ia his parlo
at home.
Don't you get any preaentss" inquired
Frank, kindly.
Pm TO get new coat" spoke ~
| Biddy. It's maxim out OF n lady,
dress--good an warm, wild quiltin' in it,
| Alas. there was need of IL, poor little
Biddy.
"I'm to have some shoes--some time
.said Mickey.
The gray eyes looked little less clear
| Something dimmed them.
For moment Frank seemed lost In
thought; then he suddenly pulled from his
pocket a small rule
! "Put your foot on this" said he 10
Mickey. won't hurt you (seeing that
the child hesitated). Just for a minute
| Comet"
Mikey did so, wonderingly; and Frank,
after examining it carefully, put the rule
in his pocket again, and the boys walked
/ off.
What are you going to do now,
| Frank 7" inquired Tom.
Z" | can't stand 1t, Tom" replied Mark,
earnestly. " Here am great man almost,
with everything want And just think
of those little chapsl 1t makes fellow
feel mean, somehow. Father gave one five
dollars yesterday. 1t was To go toward my
printing press; but that youngster shall
have some new shoes to-day or my Names
not Frank Wellington"
Tom made No reply. He also had
Il T.