The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-12-18

ABOVE Ine mdnuel, " Merry llrlSLmaS,
in large dark green letters, frightened
by crimson berries, greeted us as we en-
tered the door. And there were stands
filled with love geraniums and begOnias,
and lilies in each window, and q SPLEEN
did fire in the CRATE and most charming
of all there was the widow herself in a
pearl-gray silk with scarlet ribbons at
her throat and scarlet flowers in her
hair.
When NathaRiel-poor fellow, how
his empty sleeve annoyed him-and l
arrived, Mrs. McChilly and her grand
children were already there-the old
lady in the easiest chair in the room,
nearest the fire, with a glass of lem
onade, of which she was very fond chow
did Widow Winterpippin manage to
find out every body's little weaknesses
in the way of eating and drinkingD, on
a small round table by her side, and the
grandson and his wife looking over the
photograph album in q coy corner.
Mr. and Mrs. Rose and the three Rose
buds, as we called the children, wee,
darling, auburn-haired girls, came in at
the same time we did, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Summer, he looking worn and haggard
and she with traces of tears around
her beautiful eyes-and the baby-made
their appearance a few moments later.
And now that we are almost all
here" said Widow Winterpippin-we
wondered who else was to eome-''we'll
have a dance to begin with. You will
play, Mrs. Summer? Mamie can hold
the baby"
But Mrs. Summer blushed and said
she never played, now.n
"But you cam" insisted the widow. in
her genial way. "You surely have not
forgotten. / used to hear you playing
so much and so well when you first
moved here, and Mr.. Summer sang
then, too. Many happy hour have l
passed listening to you both" And Mr..
Summer, with conscious contrite look
in his face, put his arm around his wife
and led her to the piano.
Then Nathaniel took the widow, and
Mr.. Summer Mrs. McChilly's grand
daughter 10y marriage, and Mrs. Me-
Chilly's grandson Mrs. Rose, and Mr..
Rose me, and we had an old-fashiOned
quadrille dance in the old-fashioned
way-and a JIG to end with. And Mrs.
declared it made her feel like
dancing herself, and she would have
danced, too, believe, if it hadn't been
for her rheumatic foot As it was, she
beat time to the jig tune with her cane
until her arm was so tired she couldn't
beat any longer, and Mamie and the
baby took it and beat away, utterly re-
CARELESS of time, until all the ladies had
made their final curtseys to their part
ners.
After the dance we had a lovely bal
lad from Mr.. Summer, who had fine
tenor voice, and a comic song from Mr..
Rose, who had a voice suited for it. The
romic song had a silly, rollicking chorus
in which the company all joined with as
much earnestness as though their lives
depended upon their doing so.
Ira la la ira Ia la lu
Ira a-la-li-and that Will do.
And then supper. Such supper.
Roast turkey, cranberry sauce, mince
pie, crisp celery, homemade bread,
pickles, tongue, stewed oysters, candies
and wax dolls (the dolls beside the chill
iren's plates). And when we were all
through and back to the parlor again,
sitting in a half-circle around the great
ire, cup of fragrant tea or coffee in
Every hand, Widow Winterpipin, who |
;at in the center of the half-circle, said |
= And now, if no one has any objection,
would like to tell you wonderful |
lream | had last night"
Amy objection!'' "No, indeed"
. Delighted to hear it," from all sides. |
And, while the Summer baby crowed |
tself to sleep in its mothers arms, and the |
Rosebuds, on the floor at their fathers |
with. her new doll clasped to |
Ter breast-drooped their shining heads |
Until they sank upon the pillows Nan |
lie had thoughtfully placed near them,
he chairs in the haf-circle were drawn |
loser and all eyes were fastened on
he Widow Winterpippin' sunny face.
81 went to bed last night, " began the
widow, in a low voice, every tired"
81 should think So" said every
woman listener.
And | began to dream directly. |
And every body in this house was in ,
hat dream - the widow went on. ayes,
children and all. l thought it was
christmas night, just as it is now, and |
Mamie and were waiting, just rs we !
lid tonight, for the company to arrive. !
And they began to arrive as the clock |
truck seven. First came MIR. and Mrs. |
Rose and the Rosebuds, looking so smil- /
NO and happy that | said at once, You
lave good news to tell me-
80 Mrs. McChilly-dear, kind Mrs.
(Mrs. McChilly sat bolt up
light in her chair and closed her lips
irmly as her name was mentiOned) |
las paid the doctors bill, Mrs. Rose
'egau. And promised, she having so
many business acquaintance, to look
ut for situation for me- said Mr..
lose. And she says to-day is the
birthday of the Savior and He dearly
owed little children, and she is going to
owe us for His sake and be our friend
lways as long as we are good, said the
hildren, beginning to sing the Sweet
Iy-and-By so loudly that we did not
ear Mr.. Aubrey come in; but there he
7as, his face glowing and his eyes
parking (Nlr. Aubrey was the grand
on with whom Mrs. McChiIlv had
uarreled) and he cried out, God bless
er! nay mothers mother. / knew she
ould'nt stay mad long. She's forgiven
he and kissed Alice (Alice was the
Dung girl with whom he had fallen in
,ve without the old lady's permission.)
90 And all of sudden there was Mrs.
lcChilly among them, being welcomed
nth loving words and hugs and smiles
the eldest Rosebud had glass of lem
made ready for her-and saying,
Dear, dear, what is little money to
and affection like this?' /.
:" Nothing answered Mr.. Summer,
he was there all of sudden, too, with
is wife and the baby, looking as hand
nme As he did when | first saw him. !