The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-12-20
THE HApPIEsT CHRISTMAS
BY MARY a. DESIsoN.
youths companion.l

snow on all the neugeS- over Tile
white waste of field and road it shone
with the splendor of the sunshine, that
made every crystal diamond.
Inside the windows of the old Rolf
farmhouse the frost-fowers had faded,
leaving clear ovals of stainless purity.
Outside, the pretty little snow-birds,
used to being cared for by the sweet old
matron at the farm, hoped on the win
dow-sills, their puffy little breasts catch
ing the reflected splendor of sun and
snow.
1t was the day before Christmas.
John Rolf did not expect company. He
was threfore taken by surprise when
Dea. Stokes sent over young man to
share of his Christmas bounty.
$50 you're a minister, be ye, stran-
gerP' was his kindly greeting, as he
drew the great leathern armchair up to
the cracking hickory fire. "New to
these partsP'
Well, not new," was the reply. Il
have been here before"
!" You don't look much like folks
hereabouts / don't know but l should
a. took you for furrinner. I've often
thought ministers want like folks giner-
ally. There's sort of setness
about their faces-though, seems if
I'd seen yours somewheres. How long
hev you been a Minister
"About two years." was the answer /;
and the low voice fell so full and rich
upon the ears attuned to ruder sounds,
that the old man looked up and smiled.
Possiblef' he uueried, gazing stead
lily from under his thick eyebrows.
"Why, 1 wouldn't think you more than
twentyI Blu. looks is deceptive. You'd
call me seventy, wouldn't you? Folks
does; and Pm only sixty-fve come next
Guy Fawkes day. I've had a sight of
trouble, though He sighed and bent
his eyes on the fire.
Just then a beautiful girl of sixteen
entered from the kitchen, and started at
sight of the stranger.
That's Lizzy, sir" said the old
farmer.
The young man rose, gave the girl a
strange glance, took her hand in both of
his, then, seeming to restrain his ardor,
let it drop, and sank back in his chair.
Lizzy," said her father, as the blush
ing girl turned towards him, take the
minister's bag up stairs, and then hurry
a little with supper, that's good girl.
Git up some of your best griddle-cakes.
Folks says they bring on dyspepsy, but l
never had it-eat 'em all my life, too" ]"
1 see you noticed my Lizzy," he
added, as the girl left the room. She's
on'y turned of sixteen, and ! can't tell
you what an amazin' help she is. Best
little housekeeper in all Bradford, and
she'll give you some bread for supper
that the queen couldn't beat"
"Will you allow me to go up stairs a
few minutes before teaf' asked the
young stranger, when Lizzie came back.
Sartainly Did you put a match
under the wood, LizzyT" he asked, when
the door had closed.
Yes, father" said the girl.
Seems to be nice sort of man."
Lizzy didn't answer, only with smile,
Not bit stuck-up; some of 'em are
That's right, get out the silver spoons
and the old cream-jug. I feel like the
old lady who said: Want nothing toe
good for a minister Silly feelin'
mebby, but nat'ra Pm glad he come
along" he continued, garrulously, "fol
/ was feelin' dretful low-sperited
Don't like to be alone Christmas time
setsme thinkin'."
Jim Bean brought over the chickens
father. Hadn't we better have them il
a pie for breakfastf' asked Lizzy.
Bless me, yes; and now we've got
somebody to help us with the turkey.
guess Pll go out and get little extra
wood. Looks like snow tomorrow; and
the heart of the old log is almost broke.
The old man pulled his knit cap ovel
his eyes, and went out. Lizzy paused
for a moment, folding her hands on tn,
snowy table-linen, and smiled ant
thought. Were the smile and tn,
thought for the young minister, VIII,
had greeted her so warmly? When he
father came back, the table was set.
"Well, l neverp he exclaimed
Don't that beat all? Why, the tabl
looks like pieter, child. Honey!
thought that was all gone; and some O
mothers ounce sarce! Poor Bill hoy
he did love ounce sarce, and so di,
Benny.
"There! there's back log for We =
he cried, bending his back to the task
" beats the stars all hollow" Then h
stood of, alternately contemplating tn
ruddy flames and the cheerful table.
" | do'no what's the matter with me,
he said. Somehow l feel like boy t.
night SEEMS if the fire never did loo
so pleasant. / can remember how m
and Marcy-your Uncle Marcy, dea
long ACCUSED to set at this same fir