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

The widow Winterpippin's wonderf.I
Dream.
This is Just how affairs stood in the
house in which we Hved-brother Ma
thaniel and lit was tenement house,
not what they call "first-class" one,
but very nice one--on the Christmas
Eve before that Christmas night.
In the basement the three little chit
dren Of Mrs. Rose, the janitor's wife,
were quietly PLAYING with their dolls for
the first time in several weeks. having
been sick nigh unto death. and their
poor, tired mother was lowering about
them, her thin, pale face lighted up with
thankfulness and JOY, albeit a cloud did
iii, across it, every now and then, as she
thought of the debts contracted during
their -ickness-debts which AZ the pres
ent moment--Mr. Rose having been out
~ work for three long months-she had
but the faintest hope Of ever being able
TO pay.
On the first floor Mrs. Nee hlly-old.
obstinate and well, TO speak plainly
stiagy Mrs. McChilly spectacles on
nose and head held close TO the lamp.
was looking over for tho tiftieth time the
bonds, willed her BY her brother, who
had lately died in San Francisco, and
received by her few days before, max
ing her already in comfortable, Uery
comfortable circumstances-wh in our
sphere If life would be considered rich.
Her girlish-looking granddaughter, by
marriage, was darning the old lady s
stockings, and thinking Of the dear.
merry, young brother-in-law, banished
from hi home half q year ago-a home
which had never been so sunshiny since
because he had dared to fall in love
without his grandmother's consent, and
the boyish-looking husband Of the grand
daughter, by marriage, was writing .
cheerful, affectionate letter to the ban
ished one, under cover Of the daily &C
cOunt-book.
Onthe second door pretty. grayed-cyed.
brown-haircd Mrs. Summer was hush
inc the baby to sleep, and dropping
tears on its little, golden head when
ever, which was very often, she glanced
at her husband who lay snoring on the
lounge, having left conviyial party
late that afternoon 10 stagger home. As
he had done many times during the last
unhappy year, with aching head and
empty pockets.
On the third floor jolly, plump, black
eyed, rvsy-cheeked, generous tout Of
her income Of q thousand year she
gave ANY, at least one-eighth) Widow
Winterpippin was calmly sleeping in her
bed, thoroughly tired out by hard
days work, and Mamie, her little maid.
with the cat in her lap, was doing in q
spasmodic manner in q rocking chair by
tho kitchen fire.
AID on the fourth floor brother Ma
thaniel and were taking late supper
because had been obliged TO remain
longer than usual at the store where
was clerk, il being the custom Of our
employer to exact extra service all holi-
day week (without, however, thinking Il
necessary 70 requite such service with
extra pay). and dear Nathan whom
there never could be u kinder brother
would not, though he might be ever 20
hungry, eat supper until was there TO
make and pour out the tea. 1t tastes
so much better from your hand, Sis
he used 10 say.
Nathaniel was printer, and had been
a fine, sialwart, singing, whisiling fell
low until that dreadful day ia Septcm-
Der when he met with the terrible acct
dent which resulted in the loss Of his
right arm.
Since then he had been on the invalid
list, and sang and whis,led and joked no
more. We had, fortunately, some mon
ey saved when this misfortune came
upon rs, but II was now almost exhaust
ed And Nat began to worry about
that, among other things; but IL never
lost heart. Why should IP / had
youth, health and strength, and twelve
dollars week. And VIC could manage