The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1877-12-22
THE HAPprEsr CHR1srxAs.
BIZ MARY A. DENIsoN.

Snow on all the hedges. Over the
white waste of field and road it shon<
with the splendor of the sunshine, that
made every crystal q diamond. Inside
the windows of the old Rolf farm-h house
the frost-fowers had faded, leaving
clear ovals of stainless purity. Out.
side, the pretty little snow-birds, used
to being cared for by the sweet old
matron at the farm, hoped on the
window-sills, their puffy little breasts
catching the reflected splendor OF san
and snow.
1t was the day before Christmas.
John Rolf did not expect company. He
was therefore taken by surprise when
Deacon Stokes sent over young man
to share of his Christmas bounty.
$50 you're a minister, be ye, strang-
err" was his kindly greeting, as he
drew the great leathern armchair up to
the cracking hickory fire. "New to
these parts?"
swell, not new" was the reply.
have been here before.''
"You don't look much like folks
hereabouts. don't know but should
thought ministers want like folks
ginerally. There's sort Of setness
about their faces--though, seems's il
I'd seen yours somewheres. How long
hev you been . 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.
"Possible?' he queried, gazing stead.
ily from under his thick eyebrows.
''Why, l wouldn't think you more than
20! But looks is deceptive. You'd
call me 20, wouldn't youp Folks does
and I'm only Is. I've had q sight OF
trouble, though" He sighed and bent
his eyes on the fire.
Just then q beautiful girl of 16 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
blushing girl turned towards him, stake
the minister's bag up stairs, and then
hurry little with supper, that's a good
girl. Git up some of your best griddle-
cakes. Folks says they bring on dys-
pepsy but never had it-eat 'em all
my life, too.
81 see you noticed my Lizzy," he
added, as the girl left the room. ashes
on'y turned of 16, and l 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.
evil you allow me to 60 up stairs a
few minutes before tea?' asked the
young stranger, when Lizzie came
back.
Sartainly. Did you put a match
under the wood, Lizzy?" he asked, when
the door had closed.
"Yes, father" said the girl.
"Seems to be nice sort of man.
Lizzie didn't answer, only with a
smile.
"Not bit stuck up; some of 'em
are. That's right, get out the silver
spoons and the old cream-jug. 1 feel
like the old lady who said, want
nothing too good for minister Silly
feelin', mebby, but nat'ral. I'm glad
he come along" he continued, garru-
lousy, "for 1 was feelin' dretful low
sperrited. Don't like to be alone Christ
mas time-sets me thinkin':''
"Jim Bean brought over the chickens,
father. Hadn't we better have them in
a pie for breakfastP" asked Lizzie.
"Bless me, yes; and now we've got
somebody to help us with the turkey. l
guess I'll go out and get a little extra
wood. Looks like snow tomorrow !;
and the heart of the old log is almost
broke"
The old man pulled his knit cap over
his eyes, and went out. Lizzie paused
for moment, folding her hands on the
snowy table-linen, and smiled and
thought. Was the smile and the thought
for the young minister who had greeted
her SO warmly? When her father came
back, the table was set.
"Well, 1 never!" he exclaimed.
/" Don't that beat all? Why, the table
looks like a picter, child. Honey! I
thought that was all gone; and some of
mothers ounce SARGE! Poor Bill!
how he did love ounce SARGE, and SO did
Benny.
/" There! there's back log for ye!''
he cried, bending his back to the task,
s.beats the stars all hollow" Then he
stood off, alternately contemplating the
ruddy flames and the cheerful table.
81 do'no what's the matter with me, -
he said. "Somehow I feel like boy
tonight. Seems's if the fire never did
look so pleasant. I can remember how
me and Marcy-your Uncle Marcy, dead
long ACCUSED to set at this same fire.
placeSit was the kitchen then-and
watch the sparks crowd together on the
black jamb, and tell stories. Wonder
what makes me think of him tonight.
May be I'm going to him."
"Oh, father!' and Lizzie was cling
ing to him, her pretty curly head shin
ing against his old coat-sleeve. "You
shanf talk that way, father. Just go
on thinking you're a boy again, and
hang up your stocking tonight, for the
sake of old times"
evil you put an apple and some
doughnuts in it, Lizzie Dolly? Well,
I'll see, Bless us if here isn't mother!''
he almost shouted, as silver locks and a
sweet face appeared at the door. "Why,
old lady, l never was SO glad to see any
body before. So AIMS better, is she,
and you thought you'd keep Christmas
with your old man? Bless your dear
hearth"
Lizzie had taken off the gray silk bon.
net and wooden shawl, and seated her
mother in the old armchair, before
Mrs. Rolf noticed the extra splendor OF
the tea-table.
6 Ifia for the minister MN doar