The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-12-18

struck seven. First came Mr.. and Mrs.
Rose and the rosebuds, looking SO smil-
ing and happy that | said at once,
You have good news to tell me-
90 Mrs. McChilly-dear, kind Mrs.
McChilly--(Mrs. McChilly sat bolt up
right in her chair and closed her lips
firmly as her name was mentionedD, has
paid the doctors bill, Mrs. Rose began,
And promised, she having so many
business acquaintances, to look out for .
situation for me-, said Mr.. Rose. And
she is going to love us and be our friend
ALWAYS as long as we are good. said the
children, beginning to sing the Sweet
By-and-Bye SO loudly that we did not
hear Mr.. Aubrey come in; but there he
was. his face glowing and his eyes spark
ling (Mr. Aubrey was the grandson with
whom Mrs. McChilly had quarreled);
and he cried out, God bless her! my
mothers mother. ! knew she couldn't
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.l
"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
lemonade ready for her-and saying,
Dear, dear, what is little money to
gratitude and affection like thisp
Nothing answered Mr.. Summer,
who was there all of sudden, too,
with his wife and baby, looking a5
handsome as he did when / first s.w
him nearly two years ago, and IS for
Mrs. Summer, her eyes were IKE stars
and her cheeks like roses, anC she stole
softly to my side, while he vas tossing
the baby and singing merry song to
it. and whispered: A promise has been
my Christmas gift, a promise worth 'tll
the gold and ;avuqS- iii tile world. And
then Susie Bracket danced in and slyly
held up letter from somebody far
away, that I might see and rejoice with
her. And Nathaniel-what ridiculous
part of the dream that about Nathaniel
Bracket was. Really, | don't think
can tell it."
. "Oh, but you must, / cried.
Indeed you must" they all cried.
"Well, if l must, / must" said the
widow, with sweet, little nervous
laugh. Il thought Nathaniel followed
%into the d.ning-room, where had
gone to take last look at the supper
table-oh, it's too ridiculous"
Nothing of the sort" said Mr.. sum
mer. Il don't beliyye it. I've no doubt
it was the most sensible thing Nathaniel
ever did-in a dI cam
"And please go on" begged his wife.
And he took my hand" the widow
went on, "and said--oh! | can't tell you
all dreamed he said, but he ended by
saying: And so, Of course, | must
think of you no longer-a poor, Grip
pied fellow like me-" And | said"
"What did you say?" cried Nathaniel,
springin to his feet and looking eagerly
toward her, totally forgetful of the rest
of the company.
Nathaniel Bracket. you are an
idiot" ->' ~.
I..Tust rs / expected" murmured poor
Nat. sinking into hisvchair again.
"'If you have lost J our arm-your
right arm,'" the widow calmly pro-
ceeded, "' you haven't lost your head,
and that head, as happen to know, con-
tanned the usual, perhaps ~ little more
than the usual, amount of brains, and II,
as hear, Il thousand or two will give
YOU an interest in Tom Aliens business,
why what is to prevent me, having a lit
| tie money at my command and no one
TO take care of but myself, lending it to
you-for the sake of your sister, o.
whom am very fond? Or if you won't
look at it in that way. why can't | be.
come partner, a very silent one anc
you manage for me, taking fair equiva
lent for your services?" And that's th'
end"
"Neverm shouted Nat, springing from
| his chair once more and taking a few
steps toward her, "The dream ,nevel
ended in that way, Nathaniel made some
further remark, Pm sure he did"
/ \. la, III
knitting her pretty brows, though il
thought, while a rosy blush overspreac
her face, "but dreams grow so shadow,
at the last and this became SO very in
| distinct after | had spoken of going int
the printing business myself that | cal
scarcely remember"
THAT Nat Bracket said" prompted
Nathaniel, 80 God bless you for darl
ing! and I'll accept the offered load or
condition that you'll add TO it a Christ
mas gift-a gift above all price-you
precious self"
"Well, well, how did you eve
know?" exclaimed the widow in pre-
tended surprise.
Cant imagine" said Nat, his eye
sparkling with fun for a moment, ant
then, as she rose from her seat, he cam
and stood before her and said, entreat
ingly, "But l don't know what answe
you dreamed you made"
Nor T." laughed the widow.
"But do.n said Mrs. McChilly. wit
an emphatic rap of her cane;"l do
Mrs. Nathaniel Bracket"
And we all shouted and clapped on
hands like parcel of children, an
then we all (not one of u.s., I'm sure
could have told why) cried little an
were quietly feeling for our hnndkel
chiefs to wipe away the tears, when tn
old lady spoke again, looking down o
the Rosebuds, who were still sleeping
81 will be friend to these little one
and their parents" she said, "a goo
friend. That part of the dream sha
come true. AS for my grandson"
Here he is" screamed Mamie, wit
hysterical laugh, as she flung open IL
! door that led into the dining-room. =.
And there he was, to be sure, wit
his sweetheart on his arm, and in an il
, slant they were both kneeling befol
! their grandmother, with one of h
. wrinkled hands in blessing on eaC
bowed, young head.
; Mr.. Summer turned from the prett
tableau and bent and kissed his VII
!, and softly whispered something to h
that made her "eyes like stars indee
as sho exclaimed in a voice tremolil
= /, with Joy, "My part of the wonderi
!. dream has already come true"
! "And mine came true this morning
i said |, as / took the letter from n
e "And mine" stammered Nat, as
y only arm stole around the widow
. waist, " can it come trueP" .,