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

tenor voice. and q comic song from Mr..
Rose. who had voice suited for IL. The
comic song had silly, rollicking chorus
in which the company all joined with as
much carnestness as though their lives
depended upon their doing so.
Ira la tra. In .ialu
Tra la-ia li-and that will do"
And then supper. Such a supper.
Roast turkey, cranberry sance, mince
pie, crisp celery, homemade bread,
pickles, tongue, stewed oysters, candies
and wax dolls (the dolls beside the chill
dren's plates). And when we were all
through and back 10 the parlor again.
sitting in half-circle around the great
fire, cup Of fragrant tea or coffee in
every hand, Widow Winterpipin, who
sat in the center Of the half-circle, said !:
And now, il no one has any objection,
would like to tell you a wonderful
dream had last night"
I" ANY objectionr " No, indeed"
" Delighted To hear it," from all sides
And, while the Summer baby crowed
itself TO sleep in its mothers arms, and the
Rosebuds, on the floor at their fathers
feet--each with her new doll clasped 10
her breast dropped their shining heads
until they sank upon the pillows Nan
ME had thoughtfully placed near them,
the chairs in the half-circle were drawn
closer and all eyes were fastened on
the Widow Winterpippin's sunny face.
q. went to bed last night" began the
widow, in low voice, Every tired"
II should think So" said every
woman listener.
"And l began to dream directly.
And every body in this house was in
that Dream" the widow went on. ayes,
children and all. l thought it was
Christmas night, just as il Is now, and
Mamie and | were waiting, just as we
did tonight, for the company to arrive.
And they began to arrive as the clock
struck seven. First came Mr.. and Mrs.
Rose and the Rosebuds, looking 50 smil-
ing and happy that ! said At once, You
have good news TO tell me-
".Mrs. McChilly kind Mrs.
McChilly- (Mrs. McChilly sat bolt up
right in her chair and closed her lips
4 mly as her name was mentioned)
has paid the doctors bill, Mrs Rose
began. And promised, she having so
many business acquaintance, 10 look
out for situation for me- said Mr..
Rose. And she says to-day i the
birthday of the Savior and He dearly
loved little children, and she is going to
love US for His sake and be our friend
always as long as we are good, said the
children. beginning TO sing the Sweet
By-and-By 50 loudly that we did not
hear Mr.. Aubrey come in but there he
was, his face glowing and his eyes
sparkling (Alr. Aubrey was the grand
son with whom Mrs. McChilly had
quarreled) and he cried out, GOD bless
her. my mothers mother. knew she
could mt stay mad long. She's forgiven
me and kissed Alice. (Alice was the
young girl with whom he had fallen in
love without the old lady's permission.)
. And all Of sudden there was Mrs
McChilly among them, being welcomed
with loving words, and hugs and smiles
the eldest Rosebud had glass Of lem
onade ready for her-and saving,
Dear, dear, what Is little money 10
gratitude and affection like this?'
g. Nothing answered Mr.. Summer,
who was there all Of sudden, too, with
his wife and the baby, looking a hand
some as he did when first saw him,
nearly two years ago, and as for Mrs.
Summer, her eyes were like stars and
her cheeks like roses, and she stole soft
" TO my side while he was kissing the
baby and singing a merry song to it,
and whispered "a promise has been
my Christmas gift, a promise worth all
the gold and jewels in the world And
then Susie Bracket danced in, and slyly
held up a letter from somebody far
away, that ! might see and rejoice with
her. And Nathaniel-whnt a ridiculous
part Of the dream that about Nathaniel
Bracket was. Really, don't think
can tell it,
"Oh, but you must,r l cried.
"Indeed you must" they all cried.
"Well, if | must, I must,r said the
widow, with sweet, little nervous
laugh. II thought Nathaniel followed
me into the dining-room, where ! had
gone 70 take last look at the supper
table-oh, it's too ridiculous.
Nothing of the sort" said Mr.. Sum-
mer. al don't believe it. I've no doubt
il was the most sensible thing Nathaniel
ever did--in Dream
"And please 20 on" begged his wife.
"And he took my hand" the widow
went on, ssand said--oh, cant tell
you all dreamed he said, but he ended
BY saying: And so, Of course, I must
think Of you no ionger--a poor, crippled
fellow like me- And | said
{" What did you say ~ cried Nathaniel,
springing to his feet and looking eager
" toward her, totally forgetful Of the
rest Of the company.
Nathaniel Bracket, you're an IDIOT"
"Just as expected murmured
poor Nat, sinking into his chair again.
ssIf you hare lost your arm--your
right arm, the widow calmly proceed
ed, "you haven't lost your head, and