Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1879-12-25
THE WIDOW WINTERPIPPIN'S WON
DERFUL DREAM.
A Christmas Story.


This is Just how affairs stood in the
house in which we lived-brother Ma.
thaniel and lit was atenement house,
not what they call a " "tirst-class" one,
but a very nice One-on the Christmas
Eve before that Christmas night.
In the basement the three little chill
dren of Mrs. Rose, the janitor's wife,
were quietly playing with their dolls
for the first time in several weeks, hay
ing 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 fit across it, every now and
then, as she thought of the debts con-
tracted during their sickness-debts
which at tbs present momentum.
Rose having been out of work for three
long months-she had but the faintest
hope of ever being able to pay.
On the first floor Mrs. McChilly-old,
obstinate and-well, to speak plainly
st6ngy Mrs. neutrality-suspicious. on
nose and head held close to the lamp,
was looking over for the fiftieth time
the bonds, willed her by her brother,
who had lately died in San Francisco,
and received by her few days before,
making her already in comfortable,
Very comfortable circumstances-wha
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 home which had never been so
sunshiny since-because he had dared
to fall in love without his grand
mothers consent, and the boyish-look-
ing husband of the granddaughter, by
marriage, was writing cheerful, af-
fectionate letter to the banished one,
under cover of the daily accoUnt-book.
On the second floor pretty, gray
eyed, brown-haired Mrs. Summer was
hushing the baby to sleep, and drop
ping tears on its little, golden head
whenever, which was very often, she
glanced at her husband, who lay snor-
ing on the lounge, having left con-
vivial party late that afternoon to stag
ger home, as he had done many times
during the last unhappy year, with ach-
ing head and empty pockets.
- On the third floor jolly, plump, black
eyed, rosy-cheeked, generous (out of
her income of a thousand year she
gave away at least one e-eighth) Widow
Winterpippin was calmly sleeping in
her bed, thoroughly tired out by a hard
days work, and Mamie, her little maid,
with the cat in her lap, was doing in a
spasmodic manner in q rocking chair
by the kitchen fire.
And on the fourth floor brother Ma
thaniel and / were taking a late supper
because / had been obliged to remain
longer than usual at the store where l
was clerk, it being the custom of our
employer to exact extra service all
holiday week without, however, think
ing it necessary to requite such service
with extra pay), and dear Nathan
whom there never could be kinder
not, though he might
be ever so hungry, eat supper until l
was there to make and pour out the tea.
g 1t tastes so much better from your
hand, Sis," he used to say.
Nathaniel was a printer, and had
been fine, stalwart, singing, whistling
fellow until that dreadful day in Sep
tember 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 this misfortune came
upon us, but it was now almost ex-
hausted. And Nat began to worry
about that, among other things; but l
never lost heart. Why should 1? l
had youth, health and strength and |
twelve dollars a week. And we could |
not to starve or freeze on
twelve dollars a week, and Mats over
coat and my cloak could both be |
turned, and-sOmebOdy was coming |
home soon.
Widow Winterpippin-God bless herl |
an angel Of goodness during |
our trouble, coming to sit with Nat her