Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-12-26
THE HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS

THE HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS
Snow On all the hedges. Over the
white waste of field and road it shone
with the splendor of the sunshine, that
made every crystal diamond.
Inside the windows of the old Rolf
farm house the frost-Aowers had faded,
leaving clear ovals Of stainless purity.
Outside the pretty, little snow-birds, used
to being cared Tor by the sweet old mat
ron at the farm, hoped on the window
stills, their putty little breasts catching
tho reflected splcndor Of sun and snow.
It was the drv before Christmas. John
Rolf did not expect company. He was,
therefore, taken by surprise when Dea.
Stokes sent over young man to share of
his Christmas bounty.
80 you're minister. be ye, stranger?"
was his kindly greeting, as he drew the
great leathern armchair up to the crack
ling hickory fire. "New to these parts?"
'Well, not new," was the reply. "I've
been here before
"You don't look much like folks here
abouts. don't know but / should "a
took you for a furriner I've often
thought ministers want like folks giner
ally. There's a sort of sctness about
their faces though seems if I'd seen you
somewheres. How long hev you been a
minister?''
'About two years." was the answer:
and the low voice fell so full and rich
upon the ears attuned to ruder sounds,
that the old man looked up and smiled.
ho 1oI
~ from under his thick eyebrows. "Why
wouldn't think you more than twenty!
But looks is deceptive. You'd call me
seventy, wouldn't you? Folks does; and
I'm only sixty-tive come next Guy
Fawkes' Day. I've had sight of trou-
bic, thought He sighed and bent his
eyes on the fire.
Just then beautiful girl Of sixteen en-
tered from the kitchen, and started at
sight of the stranger.
"That's Lizzie, sir" said the old farm
or.
The youn. man gave her q strange look,
took her hand in both of his, then, seem
ing to restrain his araor, let it drop, and
sank back i'll his chair.
"Llzzie," said her father, Us the blush
ing girl turned toward him, stake the
minister's bag upstairs, and then hurry
little with the supper, that's u good
girl. Git up some Of your best griddle-
cakes Folks say they bring on dyspepsy,
but I never had it-eat 'em all my life,
too.
III soc you noticed my Lizzie" he add
ed, as the girl lett the room. "She's on'y
turned of sixteen, and can't tell you
what I'M amazin' help she is. Best lit
tie hou ,ekecper in all Bradford, and she
will give you some bread tor supper that
tAe Queen couldn't beat"
"WiIl you allow me to go upstairs a
few minutes before teaa' asked tho young
strange r, when Lizzie came back.
"Sartainly. Did you put match under
the wood, Llzzie2" he asked when the
door had closed.
Yes. father" said the girl -
"Secms to he nice sort of man."
Lizzie didn't answer, only with u smile.
Mot bit stuck up; some of 'em are.
That's right, get out the silver spoons
and the old cream.jug. I feel like the
old lady who said, WANT nothing too
good for minister Silly feelin' meb.
Boy, but nat'ral. I'm glad he come along"
he continued, garrulously, "tor 1 was
ceelin' drettul low-sperited. Don't like
to be alone Christmas timc-set nae
thinkin'."
"Jim Bean brought over the chickens,
father. Hadn't we better have them in
pie for breakfast2' asked Lizzie.
"Bless rae, yes; and now we've got
somebody to help us with the turkey, l
guess I'll 60 out and get little extra
wood. Looks like snow tomorrow; and
the heart of the old log is almost
broke"
The old man pulled his knit cap over
his eyes and went out. Lizzie paused
for moment, folded her hands on the
snowy table-llnen, and smiled and
thong hit. Were the smile and thought
for the young minister, who had greeted
her so warmlys When her father came
back, the table was set
"Well, never!" he exclaimed. "Don't
that beat all9 Why, the table looks like
picter, child. Honey! thought that
was all gone; and some of mothers
ounce saree! Poor Bill! how he did
love ounce SARGE, and so did Benny:
"Therc! there's back log for ye!'' he
cried, bending his back to the task, "beats
the stars all hollow" Then he stood off,
alternately contemplating the ruddy
flames and the cheerful table.
II dot no what's the matter with me"
he said. '.Somehow I feel just like a
boy to night. Seems if the fire never did
look SO pleasant. Can remember how
me and Marcy-your uncle Marcy, dead
long ACCUSED to set at this fireplace
it was the kitchen then-and watch the
sparks crowd together on the black jamb
and toll stories. Wonder what makes
me think of him tonight. Maybe I'm
going to him." =
ooh, father" and Lizzie was clinging
to him, her pretty curly head shining
against his old coat sleeve. "You shan
talk that way, father. Just go on think
ing you're boy again, and hang up
your stocking tonight, Tor the sake Of
old timcs.''
"Win you put an apple and some dough
nuts in it, Lizzie Dolly? Well, I'll see.
Bless US If here isn't mother!" he almost
shouted, as silver locks and a sweet face
appeared at the door. Why old lady,
never was so glad to see anybody before.
So AIMS better is she and you thought
yOu hccp SuElSGludb VIII your OH
MANI Bless your dear heart!
Lizzy had taken off the gray silk bon
net and wooden shawl, and seated her
mother in the old arm chair, before Mrs
Rolf noticed the extra splendor OF the
tea table.
ats for the minister, my dear. We've
got u live minister up stairs-caught
him for Christmas. The deacon sent
him, he's so full, and glad enough was l,
though he didn't make up tor you, old
lady. Why here he is!'
The young man had entered softly, and
now stood by the door, like one idA a
dream.
"Come in, sir. This is mother. Didn',
expect such good luck, for she went tc
see our sick girl. I-why, what's the
matter, sir2" - s.,r.y.
The question was not untimely, for he
who staod by the door had turned almost
CHASTITY white, while the muscles of his
mouth twitched. 80. i.
"Cold, amt you sira" asked the far.
mer, going toward him. s'Come up to
the Ere. Lizzy, turn him a cup Of no,
tea. I've noticed that ministers amt gin.
orally . warm blooded people-not like
US, mean, who chop sna hoe, and plant
and dig" 3 De.
By this time the young man had near.
q II recovered his composure. He tool
his seat at the table, asked 8 blessing
= :,