The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-12-26

den behind a picture in the pref
~ parlor. and In the water was grow
ing a sturdy ivy vine. which had climbed
up and caught hold Of the cord that
held the picture. and in its JOY AZ reach
ing 20 great height. had thrown out
two cheerful, glossy. light green leaves
that looked smilingly down on the larger.
darker leaves below.
/. The children had all gone 10 bed !.
Their stockings were hanging in a row
under the mantcl in the dining-room.
Four Of them. One pink and white,
and very short in the leg-that was the
2-year-old baby's: one red and black
that was 5-year-old Toms; one striped
with buff and purple--that was 7-year-
old Mays; and one checked in blue
and gray--that was 9-year-old Maud's.
The grown people were upstairs
dressing the spare -grandmam-
ma-the dear old lady,-was coming
from her cottage in the country TO spend
holiday week-with Christmas greens.
The parlor was already dressed. Fes-
toons Of Jolly, cold-defying winter vines
dotted with bright red berries hung from
the ceiling and enwreathed the gilt chan
ttiiTt> Witdtu-s -AllAiiur< anu tTO1ct- Oh
autumn leaves Frightened the gray
walls, and punches Of slender dried
grasses nodded from quaint. small white
pitchers and pretty little vases.
How lovely the parlor looks
tonight" said delicate voice from
one corner of the room. and a tall,
feathery spear Of grass bent gracefully
forward.
Lovely." repeated bunch Of au-
tumn leaves from the opposite corner.
And how happy re should be- said
the ivy, ito think that IRE help 10 make
it so, And vet when was first taken
from my parent yine-twas in last De-
tober Il thought never should cease to
regret the outer life But have been
sheltered from winters cruel winds and
heavy SHOWS, and rendered with kindly
care and tender love. and We no doubt.
if remain here during the summer,
shall find il just a pleasant to look
At the sweet faces and hear
the happy voices Of the dear children
as TO see the gay butterflies and listen 10
the songs Of the birds But you. Bot
tle"-looking down at the bottle which
held her and the water that gave her
life aren't you rather lonely? Shut
in between the back Of the picture and
the wall, You can see nothing"
- can see you, dear IVY answered
the bottle, in clear. ripping voice,
: and you are very pleasant thing 70
look upon; and in the mornings can
sec long sunbeam on the wall. and
that i a very pleasant thing 70 look up
on. And as for being lonely-not bit
Of ii; I'm as happy a. can be. And
you would say / ought 10 be happy if
you but knew the life used 70 lead be-
fore | had the honor and pleasure Of
supporting you
.Tell u all about it-pray do, :" beg
ged many little voices.
"Hear, hear, heart barked the
bronze dog that stood on the top ~ the
marble clock. "A story from the bot
fle.'
:. A story from the bottle,'' repeated
the feather buster. As it hoped quickly
in, on its one wooden leg. from the hall,
where it had been lying on the mat.
- must hear IL. too Clock. couldn't
you stop ticking for little whilc?''
!. Sorry can't oblige you.r said the
clock. in fairy-bell-likc tone; \. but |
was wound up this afternoon. and 80
must 20 on for week; but Ill tick a.
softly As possible, and You won't notice
il a. socn a. the story begins.
Now, Bottle barked the small
bronze dog, sswe'rc AL ready"
/" Yes, 90 ahead called the drum
mer-boy from the lid Of the match-safe.
"Well, If yon insist upon il, and il
really will give you pleasure" said the
bottle. modestly, although had no
intention Of telling story when spoke
Of my past life. | riu 90 ahead Ill
begin with the time just after | left the
mandatory
Mandatory? said the ivy.
!" Manwacforg,- explained the bottle
So place where they make bottles.'
"Oh," said the ivy. . You see,
didn't know, cause there's no place
where they make ivies. Ivies grow"
II left the mandatory. continued
the bottle, - with a number Of other
bottles enough like me 10 have been my
brothers and sisters"
perhaps they were,'' barked the
bronze dog.
"yery likely said the bottle. Sand
we were all carried down into dismal
place called cellar, and filled with
some dark-looking stuff that both tasted
and smelled very
Unpleasantly." hintcd the ivy.
..Unpleasantly. YES: thank you,
that's the word said the bottle.
n. Then corks were forced into our
mouths. and we were taken 20 a large |
store. where we were ranged around on
shelves in company with hundreds Of
other bottles Of All shapes and sizes.
OF course we couldn't speak TO each I
other: but for all that. we didn't lead a /
quiet life, for the store was always full
Of men from morning until night. and
thirsty crowd as they were, always