Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-12-26
A Christmas Story.

Mary Genin folded the quilt over the baby
crib, and took up her sewing again. When Jo'
was baby, she used to linger over his cradle
kissing his soft cheek with tears in her eyes
and prayer in her heart. But there had beer
three or four babies since then. She hurried
them off to bed, and went back to her work, GLAD
the nuisance was at rest.
1t was Christmas Eve; the hail beat sharply
against the windows, the fire burned fercely, a:
it only does in frosty weather. She had baked
cakes, and bOaght turkey for the next days
dinner. There was little gift for each of the
children, too, and dressing-gown for George
to buy which she had saved money for months
before. They were all folded, and laid neatly
away.
But she had made no holiday out of the mat
ter for the little ones. How could she2 She
had been silent, or when she spoke, testy with
them all day; her strength was barely enough
to keep her from fit of hysterical weeping
She doubted whether this matter of Christmas
was not childish way of wasting money, after
all, unworthy of grown-up men and women,
Still.
George and she had been very like children
when they were married; there never was a
home so full of light-hearted affection and mer-
riment as theirs. Had it been her fault that
the home grew empty and bare; scant of car
pets, of food, of furniture; scant of laughter,
Ofthe little jests that keep purer warmth than
sunshine in house; that Georges face con-
tracted; with mOrose droOp in the corners OF
his mouth, and her own sharpened like those OF
the eager, hungry women whom she saw cheap
ening joints of meat at the butchers stalls2
The old, old story of want, of money, of debt
creeping in. George was, by profession, civil
engineer; but it was four years since he had
held any better position than of chain -bearer.in
his business, walking alongside of Jerry Toole,
who had carried hod before he got into this
work But what could he do? He had no in
fluence, had come to this town in Ohio q strsn-
ger, and appointments on railrOad-stars, like
kissing, assuredly go by favor.
He saw boys, without a knowledge of even the
rudiments of the business, set over his head. 1t
was no wonder that he came home sOured and
silent. But there was no help for it. Yester-
day he had met old John Huff, who had known
him when he was on the Baltimore and Ohio
road. That was bitter pill to swallow Huff
was riding out with the president of this new
road, which they were projecting to Cincinnatir
and when they came up abreast to Genin, had
refined up his horse suddenly.
why, Geninl How goes thisS Chain bearerf
Men usually go upi our profession, not down.
Shamel ShameP and then rode on.
Mary had drawn the whole: STORY out of George
at night. He tried to joke about it, but she saw
he was cut to the quick.
1T must he that there is nothing in me, Ma
ry,' ne said, duly. Other men can work their
way and fell into the moody silence, in which
he spent the evening; when she brought the
matter up again, telling her he had enough oft,
to let go. She did not believe that he even once
remembered that it was Christmas-eve. After
supper he went out, swearing at the noise ofthe
children.
Mary got up after awhile and looked out. There
were carriages rolling past to the ball which the
Hunts gave tonight. All the hacks from Ty-
sons stables were engaged. She caught sight
Of the face ofs lady in one, and her heart gave
sudden thrOb, and stood still. II was round,
pleasant face, not unlike her own; but the fair
hair was dressed with pearls, and the white