The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-12-21

more interested in Patty that ever be-
fore. Perhaps it was because she had
grown older, and could understand and
appreciate them better. She wonder.
ed why Aunt Janet should ever have
been terror to her and why Aunt
Katharine should have seemed tire
some. She told them the messages her
father and mother had sent. and the
bits of news, and what she had been
doing for Christmas, and what presents
she had had before she came away,
besides some that were yet unopened
in her trunk. Before anybody had an
idea of such Il thing, Statira came to
say that tea was ready, and to push
Miss katharine's chair out to the din.
ing-rocm. 1t was such a good supper,
and the aunts were SO amused and
pleased with their hungry niece, with
her bright eyes and red cheeks. They
were so interested in everything she
had to say. and sat a long time at the
table, and felt hungrier than usual
themselves, because Patty thought
everything was delicious. When they
went back to the parlor, and Miss
Katharine began to read the paper aloud
to Miss Janet. Patty went out into the
kitchen, to have a talk with Hannah
and Statira, while they washed the
china.
Haven't you new dress! Why,
it's just the color of mine And Han.
nah said 'sThere! to think of you
noticing that! Yes, l 'spose it is
new and she pulled aside her great
apron The dressmaker tried all
ways to make me have an overskirt
but | wouldn't. In too old to foller
the fashions. | tell EN-: Statiry,
she's younger. She didn't get time to
dress up tonight but her dress is
gave them to us Thanksgiving time
Then Patty asked about Statira's new
I gown, and heard the particulars with
great interest.
There y said Hannah, when Patty
said she must go back to the parlor,
Il N real pleased to see you. dear my
self. And your growing to be just
such dear woman us your mother.
do know but you will blame me when
| tell you that perhaps | was the means
OF fetching you down to spend Christ
mas. | thought perhaps you d rather
be with your mates. when | thought
about it afterward but | heard your
aunts speaking about you kind of visit
fui spell ago, and how you didn't
come along O your mother in the sum-
mer. and sayin it WASH natural you
should care about coming to stay with
two old women. And spoke right
out. Perhaps you would like it better
if they asked you special. And says,
says |, why don't you ask her to come
here and keep Christmas with ye
Il am ever SO glad | came. | am
truly. didn't know you cared so
much about seeing me. | could have
come with Papa any time, but never
thought of it.
Patty was enjoying the visit more
and more When she went back to
the parlor. the tall carcel lamp was
lighted and the newspaper was lying
on the table. Everything in that
room looked just as it did when Patty
was child. Even the dull-colored old
Turkey rugs were no nearer wearing
out than when she could first remem-
; Der. She looked up at the portraits,
and especially at her Grand aunt Pat.
ty S, who had been 4 beautiful girl
and had died long ago. The ewes in
the picture looked down with a smile
at her nalGesake. and Patty smiled
back again.
Miss Katharine was pleased because
she could hear Patty speak SO easily
and she did not scream at her. as most
people did. either. They had a long
I FOL, nd 1ft hi 10 hoy nf
being Christmas Eve and Aunt katha.
rine how pleasant it was to think how
manv happy people there were in the
world that night.
ASK her if she will not read the
Christmas Hymn now said Aunt
Janet. That is, if you like to heal
it. We have read it a great many
years on Christmas Eve
And Patty said she would like to
hear it. Papa had read it to her, ano
she thought some of the verses wore
|, beautiful. Papa said she would like
it more and more. So Miss Janet
brought the book, and Miss Katharine
who had not lost her gift Of reading
; aloud finely, began
II. was the winter Wild;
and by the time she had heard
''No war, nor battle-sound"
+ Patty found she cid like it better thar
before. and it was SO grand to hear il
!, on Christmas Eve. It made her think
) of the great organ in church and the
| soleman, sweet notes that make one
| shiver a little.
!, The wind had risen out-of-doors anc
ii walled little in the chimny. The
cinnamon rose-bushes cliked against
the windows, and one could hear The
, noise of the great elms blowing about
but indoors the freight hickeret
round the room. the old pussy hat
. come in and sat on the rug close Il
r the fender. and it was not in the leas
t lonely or even ..poky."
: After the reading. and when they
) had all been quiet little while, Patt,
. happened TO see the piano, ana asked
! her auats II she might play for them
| She had learned some new tunes lately
J do not think Patty had offered u
play for any one before, She was shy