The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-12-19

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Susan did her share of the household
work with feverish haste; then, leav-
ing Lydia Maria to prepare the stuff
fng" for the turkey, she slipped into
the parlor, kindled a fire in the stove
and opened the shutters. What she
next did would have excited a suspicion
of insanity had it been observed by any
of the family. But she was certain that
her father and brother had gone again
to the barn, and, as she peered forth
from the window of the upper gable
room, there was nothing in sight except
covered vehicle on the road, half a
mile away.
Susan hung large towel Cor it may
have been a sheet from che window,
and let it slowly wave back and forth
against the brick wall. In a few min
utes her keen eyes detected something
like an answering signal from the APP
preaching vehicle. Thereupon she
fastened to her room, slipped on her
best dark silk dress, gave the last light,
quick touches to her hair and ribbons,
and went down stairs.
Jeremiah had harnessed the horse,
and was about to drive to the village
with his father; but Susan called them
both into the house, and summoned
Lydia Maria from the kitchen. Her ap-
pearance, the suppressed excitement in
her face, and something strange in the
tone of her voice, aroused their keenest
curiosity, but, as neither knew what to
say, they all waited for her to speak.
"Come into the parlor, pleased" she
stsmmered, leading the way.
The room was warm and sunny; the
fire cracked and hummed in the stove,
the saucer of violets perfumed the air,
and, in the contest place that could have
been picked out, stood-the third aston
ishment of the day. It was an armchair
of massive oak, cushioned and padded
with leather, with adjustable supports
for the head and feet, and an extra arm,
large enough to hold a book and news
paper, turning on a hinge-in short, the
perfection of solid workmanship and
physical comfort
"This is yours, fatherw said Susan,
p1ayfully pushing him into the seat.
Gideon, taken by surprise, sank down,
and did not Immediately rise. He had
reached the age when he could wholly
appreciate such a luxury, and there
seemed to be no end to the delight of
trying this or that quality, and finding
nothing wanting. Then Jeremiah tried
the chair, and finally Lydia Maria; and
thus fully ten minutes passed before
any one thought of asking: where did
you get it, Susan?" and, Chow under
the sun was it brought into the house?"
cts not my gift, father she said;
&C it comes from somebody else.''
"Not Gideon began; but he
hesitated to speak the name in his
mind.
The outer door opened and shut;
somebody had entered without knock
ing. The next moment bright-faced. |
SUM- burnt, bearded man, of 35, appeared
in the parlor.
William" they all cried in chorus.
eyes, father" said the younger son,
heartily shaking old Gideons hand.
He gave Jeremiah a cordial grasp,
kissed Lydia Maria and Susan, threw
off his over-coat, and cheerfully an
nounced: "I've come to eat my Christ
mas dinner with you"
"Ha!- my horse Bob!' cried Jere-
miah.
"And my cow Polly!" cried Lydia
Maria.
"And this arm-chair!" Gideon add
ed; :" it must have cost power O
money
Never mind how much" said Will