The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-12-30
When The Wood Was Out
A New Years Story.

New England village. Outside, th'
snow falling silently and heavily; in
deor, a stove, Keeping all warm in :
tidy little parlor. A stone, with it.
black funnel stuck through the fire
board that covered the bread, deep
old-fashioned fireplace, where oul
grandfathers could afford to burr
great, cheerful logs, was not a very
enlivening object; but Bessie Paige
sitting by it and looking through the
open door of it at the little bright-eyed
Goals, couldn't have looked happier il
her eyes had rested on mounting
flames and cracking wood.
She sat with her head little on one
side, and a dreamy, faint smile on heI
lips, and in her eyes a wondrous depth
of joy.
Her brother, boy of ten years,
who was coming lesson-book at her
side, looked up into her face for a mo-
ment, and remembered verse the
clergyman had read that morning
"And they saw his face like the face
of an angel"
Bessie went 10 the window and
watched the snow. The boy came
quietly to her and stole his hand into
here.
'How thick it lies, Jim; and how
lnysteriously it comes, like our bless
ings from heaven and how it drifts,
fast, fast! 1t blows to the west, Jim.
Sometimes l would like to follow it
there, but not tonight. l can stay
here tonight, and wait SO gladly. The
pretty, soft-fingered snow!'
She seemed to be talking to herself,
not to the boy. He looked up little
wonderingly.
you didn't use to like the snow
! Bessie
She smiled and put her hand on the
boys head, looking into his face. Il
don't mind it tonight, dear. l have
such dear, good brother to clear the
path for me in the morning. l don't
know what should do without you,
Jim. You're such a comfort
Il shall be able to do more aud more
for you, as grow bigger, Bessie. i
could take such good care Of YOU
Il skan't ask you to do that always;
Sim,' she answered, with another lit
tie smile.
A sharp gust of wind blowing in
through the crack of the not very
tight window made the boy draw her
away from it to the stove again.
L can keep you from taking cold
now, Bessie
Bessie stood on tiptoe to look at
herself in the mirror that hung above
the high, eld-fashioned mantel-piece.
The late Mrs. Paige was a tall woman,
and the house had been refurnished
for her convenience when DR.. Paige
brought her home-his second wife.
DIR. Paige was one of those unprac-
tical men Of unstable talents, and by
some queer turn of fortunes wheel he
found himself and his books settled in
this little New England village, to
preach, for very small salary, SER
mons far beyond the appreciation of
his hearers, who, indeed, thought him
rather stupid preacher, but loyed
him and bore his sermons for the sake
Of his social qualities and charitable
heart. His first wife, Bessie's mother,
was city woman pretty, delicate and
cultivated, loving her husband SO de-
votedly as to make it a small sacrifice
to her to give up all society of her
equals but his and with broad hu-
manity and simplicity that made her
not hold herself aloof, but find many
warm friends among the excellent vii
lage people. And when, in a few
years. she passed away from among
them, leaving her little girl, only two
years old then, there was NOT one in
the village who did not count him or
herself chief mourner.
DIR. Paige's second wife was a vii
lage beauty. Ii was said that she mar
ried him, and that he had little TO do
with it except to refurnish his house
for her. BE that as it may, she was a
good wife to him, and taught Bessie
many household economy and house
wifery accomplishment, and gave her
the little brother she loved so dearly.
She was one of those restless, strong,
energetic women, who do more than
any one human being can do and live,
and suddenly she broke down and
died aud, last of all, her husband
died also. So Bessie and Jim lived
on the little money Bessie's mother
had left her, and found it enough for
her simple wants.
Let US return from our little digres-
looking al herself in the mirror hung
oyer the high mantel-piece. The mir
rer was decorated with green's, for it
was the day alter Christmas. Two
holidays together! Two whole days
in which Bessie had Neither darned
stockings nor mended Jim's trowsers,
and so had time to dream.
1t was a dear little face she saw in
the mirror, with calm, brown eyes,
and soft brown hair, and long brown
lashes q little face, with dimpled, pink
cheeks, very young, very sweet, but
very womanly.
! 'rwenty-twol Twenty-Five! Twen-
ty-twol said Bessie
'Whatr said Jim.
I said / was tWenty-tvo dear" sbo
answered, returning TO the stove.
'What little grandmother! More
than twice as old as L. said the bow,
making her sit down and jumping on
her knee. He had a way of returning
to .babyhood sometimes when they