New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1879-01-29

making her-already IN comfortable,
Gerry comfortable circumstances what
in our sphere of life would be consid-
cred rich. Her girlish-looking grand
daughter, by marriage, was darning
the old lady's stockings, and thinking
Of the dear, merry, young brother-in-
law, banished from his home half a
year ago-a homo which had never
dared to fall in love without his grand
mothers q. consent, and the boyish-
looking husband of the grand-daugh-
ter, by marriage. was writing cheer.
full, atTcctionate letter to the banished
one, under cover of the daily account
book. t.' g..
On the second floor pretty, gray.eyed.
brown-haired Mrs. Summer was hush
ing the baby to sleep, and dropping
tears on its little, golden head whenev-
er, which was very often, she glanced
at her husband who lay snoring on the
lounge, having left a convivial party
late that afternoon to 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, rosy-chceked, generous
tout of her income of thousand a
year she gave away at least one
eighth) Widow Winterpippin was calm
~ sleeping in her bed, thoroughly tired
out by q hard days work, and Mamie,
her little maid, with the cat in her lap,
was doing in spasmodic manner in
rocking-chair by the kitchen fire.
And on the fourth floor Broth cr Ma
thaniel and I were takinga late supper,
because l had been obliged to remain
longer than usual at the store where |
was clerk, it being the custom of our
employer to exactextra service all holi-
day week (without, however, thinking
it necessary to requite such service with
extra pay, and dear Nathan whom
there never could be kinder brother
would not, though he might be ever
so hungry, eat supper until l was there
to make and pour out the tea. 1t
tastes 50 much better from your hand,
Sis," he used to say.
Nathaniel was printer, and had
been fine, stalwart, singing, whistling
fellow until that dreadful day in Sep
TENDER when he met with the terrible
accident which resulted in the loss of
his right arm.
Since then he had been on the invalid
list. and sang, and whistled, and joked
no more. We had, fortunately, some
money saved when the misfortune came
upon US, but it was now almost OK
hausted. And Nat began to worry
about that, among other things; but
never lost heart. Why should I?
had youth, health and strength and
twelve dollars week. And we could
manage not to starve or freeze on
twelve dollars q week, and Mats over
coat and my cloak could both be turned,
and-somebody was coming home soon.
Widow Winterpippin-(5od bless her!
proved an angel of goodness during
our trouble. coming to sit with Nat
herself when his arm was at the worst;
II had to 60 to the store after the first
few days, or the salary would have
ceased, though they did, for wonder.
give me an extra half-hour at noon
when / went home to Understanding
Mamie to wait on him when he was
getting better, and making all sorts of
nice dishes to tempt his appetite, and
lending him all the incest books and
keeping the room bright with beautiful
that made Nat fall in love with her.
Oh, no! for he had fallen in love with
her long before, and was on the point
of telling her so when that cruel ma
chinery grasped bis arm.
but l must give her up now, Susie, :"
he said to me-we had no secrets from
each other" though l love her more
than ever. 'Twould have been no
match, in worldly sense, for her, be-
fore "A printer with only what he
earned from week to week, and q pretty,
young widow, owning houses and
lands sufficient to give her an income
OF thousand year. But now it is
simply impossible. Disabled for life, I
must make up my mind to be burden
on you, and sec her marry
you'll do no such thing, Nathaniel, :"
cried I. "What has come over youp
1t seems to me that the people who are
the jolliest when they are jolly are the
bluest when they are blue. One would
think you'd lost both arms and legs to
hear you talk. Do you forget your
favorile motto, MI despera0d,lna,' to
say nothing OF Up, guards. and at
emp" s,r.r 4
But Nat continued very low in his
spirits, all I could do or say. And this
is how affairs stood in our house the
Christmas Eve before that Christmas
Day:
Tho kettle had just began to boil
next morning, and had just called out
:. Merry Christmas to Nat, hearing
him stir in his own room, when Widow
Winterpippin's blue-eyed little maid
shocked 1T the door, with q ...Merry
Christmas giggle and . note from
yer mistress. The note read:
Winifrcd Winterpippin sends her
I'VE to Susie and Nathaniel Bracket,
nd begs that they will, as great
. .vor, give her their company ic her
.ooms this evening at seven o clock
And I've got note for everyboll,
IN the house. and there's to be sup
per, miss. SO don't cook no dinner,
miss" said the little maid, laughing
outright. (This little maid was almost
always laughing. in which respect she
much rese,nbled her black-eyed mis-
tress.) "Say we'll come with pleas.
ure. Nannie.'' said I. !" Yes, MISS
md away she Jew.
And at seven precisely. tho invited
guests were assembled in the widows
pretty parlor Dear me! How pretty
it was. Christmas greens were fes-
tooncd al around the walls, and an.
chors, and wrcaths. and hearts. and
crosses were hung wherever they could
be hung, and above the mantel. :. Aer-
~ Christmas, " in large dark green
letters, frightened by crimson berries
greeted Us as we entered the door. And
there were stands filed with lovely
ssch Wndo snu ansnd nap e, -
IN rr,.,ck n I, q ~ Al