The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-03-25
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
When John reached home, he did not
say anything at finding his wife alone,
though she supposed he would when he
missed Polly, who had not been out for
so long time. Among other good things
which John had learned since he became
a total abstainer, was to have great re-
gard for truth. Teetotalism does not add
much dignity to character when the
more excellent virtues of truthfulness
and perfect honesty are wanting. So |
when Mrs. Cosnett said, "You don't seem |
surprised at not seeing Polly" he replied,
"No, because / saw her out with the
other children; but they did not see me.
DO YOU think it is safe for her to be out?''
"I don't think she will be hurt, John.
They are 1ot gone far, and the air is clear,
though cold. / wrapped her up right
we'll; and they promised to walk fast"
eyes, they were walking fast" said
John. az had better 60 and get dressed
up bit before they come back. sup
pose you will want us all after tea to
help get the things ready for the .pud-
dings. Well, it will be pleasant bit of
EMPLOYMENT, rather new to U.S."
dyes and the dear children are so
glad about it. 1t would do your heart
good to hear them talk, John. They
think they are going to have the happi-
est Christmas of any people under the
sun! Pm sure it will seem reward for
well.doing, to see how joyful they are"
said Mrs. Cosnett, with tears OF delight
glistcning in her eyes.
at don't doubt it," said John, as he
left the room to make ready for their re-
turn home.
They came in while he was still en-
gagged in "dressing," and the large pack
age which Arthur carried was put away
in drawer, out of sight.
81 wish you would look over it now,
mother" he whispered, it is such
beauty, think it must be worth five
times the price we had to pay for it,
mother"
Polly brought back such a color on
her cheeks that her mother declared she
looked as if she had never been ill at all.
And what radiant faces they all had, and
what sparkling eyes!
Mrs. Cosnett folded away their walk
ing clothes, and they stood around the
bright fire warming their hands, when
their father made his appearance; little
Susie, the youngest of the four, began
clapping her hands as her father came
in, and said, mysteriously, "Ah, dadda,
you don't know somefin'!
Arthur pulled at her frock to stop her
tongue. -.
"Don't pull so, Arthur" she said in
an injured tone, 81 isn't going to tell
himw
This only made matters worse In Ar
thurs opinion; his face colored, and he
proposed that Susie 60 to bed if she did
not keep quiet.
"You mustn't say anything 'cePt what
you're told" said Polly.
At which Susie opened her eyes wide
and said, ooh, oh can't talk about tes
and all that BY myselfT Il.
eyes; but not about anything else,
said Polly, feeling very anxious about
their secret. .,
"Well," said Susie, "after tea we shall
talk 'bout-now, member, l shan't tel
what about"
Mr.. Cosnett burst out laughing, ant
, very considerably began talking abou
something that he thought would diver
Susie's eager mind from the secret whicl
! they all wanted to keep a little Will
longer.
The little ones sat down to the fir
with father while Mrs. Cosnett got tn
, tea, and meanwhile Arthur was busy i
: another room. He had carried the Bibl
' away unnoticed by the others, and wa
$ there inscribing within the cover word
l that they had decided upon during tn
| day. When that was done, Mrs. Cosnet
S brought a beautiful book-marker tha
Y she had worked in her young days. an
< put it between the leaves. Then the
t left it there, and went away to tea.
must not dwell upon that happy tel
I time. You may imagine all about tn
d cozy brightness of the room, the chattt
of the children, and their enjoyment I
n the good things provided in honor
t their fathers teetotal birthday.
t As soon as the meal was over and a
t cleared away, Susie said, joyfully:
# "Now Arthur's got to go and fetc
u somefin'."
G And. lest the secret should suddenl
d burst the bounds of her rosy lips, Arthl
: went and fetched the present. i
IS brought it in with flushed face, ar
If placed it on the table in front of h
X father.
" "There now, dadda," cried Susi,
f "we've bought that for you with Of
d very own money, and l put sixpen'
to it,"
n "Did you, pussy" said her fathe
: laughing. Then he opened the beau
IF full book and read:
!. "TO DEAR FATHER,
}; arthur, Polly, Mary, Vile and Su
It Cosnett, in Thankful Remembrance Of
His First Temperance birthday,
g Christmas, 1868"
le He read the words over more tn,
er once, till at last they looked all blurr
" to him, and bright drop fell just belC
the inscription.
m "Children," he said presently, in
~ rather unsteady voice, "you are We
IN good to remember father so. can't t
how much good your present has do
ne me, or how great blessing it may yet
I'd TO me and to all of u.s. Come, l mt
I'd kiss you all around for it, not forgetti
,n Miss Susie, who has put the noble sum
,y sixpence toward buying dadda this bes
he tiful book"
wv lie got up anu kisSeu oa0n y.
he Polly's thin face was glowing with j
ce "You must kiss mother, too," q
said, "for she put a good bit toward
he father"
er- "Yes, I'll kiss mother, too," he sa
Is, merrily, Though till within the U
e; year, / must confess, I'd almost forgot'
I'm how to. There, good lass" he add
ne after kissing away tear that was roll
ou down her face. "And now let us j
nd look at two or. three familiar old texts
t." this book, and then we will all look
the splendid pictures together"
"a He turned over the leaves and re
Ter "When ] said, My foot slippeth, I
,at mercy, o Lord, held me up" He turl
i've the leaves over again and read, "L'
ed not thou upon the wine when it is 7
to when it gfveth his color in the c
led when it moveth itself Alright. At
last IL biteth like a serpent and sting