Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-01-06
lEoNARDTOWN. MD. THURSDAY !

NSNAhDlOV N o ~ lJss
% With his face frightening wonder
fully. he gave the bell such : heart
pull that IL brought the scrssnts !
their feet IN weader.
'.Run quick, Thomas" aid the roo,
houseke~Per, ,settiDg down ber cup has4
ily. and looking . little fris .
the S15tfgy Of the SUMMONS. Tom
otksyuise Boots" needed no secon<
Ikiddi16s md went up The stairs ans
|iptQ the library ct . double quick rate
- full Of mischief, kis usually
= sppin1ea - s1sxGe&l
. you rascal. ask Nrs. Joue,
10 come to me, and don't lose . min.
ute."
Down the stairs, three at time, wen,
Boots" and burst into the kitchen like
IN avalanche.
"Master have got grin ike . Cbes.
hire cat 90 and be 10 wanting Mrs. Jones
on the minute"
"Stop your impudence, and give you,
message properly" said Mrs. Jones, u.
she gathered her voluminous skirts
around her, aud displaying large foot
and astout ankle, started upstairs With a
bewildered face. Never had such thing
happened before, and she feared that
the unusual might mean trouble. In
answer to her knock she received DER.
mission to enter; and with cap.ribbons
all awry from her haste in ascending
the stairs, she stood before her young
master. A glance at his face dispelled
her fears, and left her more mystified
than ever. A ringing laugh startled
what little composure was left in the
good dame, and gave her the terrible
suspicion that trouble had made him
crazy.
"Mrs. Jones are you free to give me
two or three hours this evening 2"
She fairly gasped for breath at his
courtesy, a she signified her
entire willingness to work all night for
him if necessary.
"But it il not question of work.
Some tricksy sprite has put it into my
head to give the servants presents; and
without your valuable assistance, shall
be at a stand-still. could never select
the proper articles; 90 If you will order
the carriage, and come out with me, we
will find pretty and useful things for all
my faithful household"
Between surprise and delight, she
was utterly unable to speak a word, and
at his request she FASTENED below to
give the order for the carriage. Ad-
niring glances the Maid servants cast
at her gorgecns bonnet G66s immenSe
I'D fashioned mrff, as she went out
proudly, and enjoyed the honor of be-
ing handed in by her master. The si-
|ence of the little group was broken BY
Boots" Who turned double somer-
sault and said
"Oh, my eye; I believe he has eloped
With her ~
He was assisted to an upright posi-.
tion 10 rather forcible manner, bv the
butler, and confined himself afterward
la sundry mysterious mods and winks,
Indicative of great private knowledge
and self-satisfaction.
Into and out Of the well-lighted stores
went the strange couple. drawing many
glances to themselves at their
dissimilaritv, and still more RI
iiculous purchases. Harry would in
sist upon buying everything that could
be Of no possible use to the recipient;
aud Mrs. Jones divided her attention
between exclamations of delight and
hearty laughter over his many mis-
lakes. Of what service real-lace hand
kercbief would lie to the kitchen maid
she could not tell; but he seemed to
think it perfectly appropriate, and sur
Veyed the gorgeous picture on the box
with visible satisfaction.
At last every one had heen remem.
bered and amply provided for, aud Mrs.
Jones attempted to get into the car.
rage. Easier said than done. They
had kept on putting into it packages of
rarious sizes, until there was literally
no room left for her portly form to oc.
,upy. After disembarking half of their
largo. Mrs. Jones crowded in, and Har.
~ piled parcels around her, until moth.
ing was visible but her round face and
yellow bonnet, and the huge muff
perched high above the bundle that
reached nearly to her chin.
mo use of nay trying to come" he
said, as he surveyed the In.
.erior with undisguised amusemeut.-
Have the things taken to the. library,
Ind will soon be home" And lifting
MS hat courteously to the old woman.
be drew his cloak tight around him and
walked away. A little farther up the
street he saw the flaming lights and
posters Of q circus, and as he
reared the entrance heard one little fel.
ow repeat to larger one his wish that
be might 60 in.
us SO in! amt had any supper,
Ind won't get none, 30 don't see as /
AN get in there" answered the bov. at
he same time looking wistfully at the
warmly dressed children who were crowd.
ng in the doorway.
Poor little fellow, are you hurcrxp"
md kind hand was laid gently ON the
bare head Of the urchin. He looked
aP, startled, and met the serious gaze
81 Harry Burns, with look a. serious
md honest.
Yes. sir, and Jack, too" came the
quick response. seconded by vigorous
pull Of the smaller boy to the 'front.'
Burns felt thrcb Of pain stir his heart
- he looked at them. Stooring down,
he put bis arms about ragged little
Jack, and raising him to q level with
bis face. looked steadily at the child.
Clear and blue the haby ewes stared