Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1879-12-25

And, while the Summer baby crOWed
itself to sleep in its mothers arms, and
the rosebuds, on the floor at their fa-
theirs feet-each with her new doll
clasped to her breast-drooped their
shining heads until they sank upon the
pillows Mamie had thoughtfully placed
near them, the chairs in the half circle
were drawn closer and all eyes were
fastened on the Widow Winterpippin' s
sunny face.
81 went to bed last night" began the
widow, in low voice, very tired"
81 should think so," said every wom-
an listener.
"And l began to dream directly.
And everybody in this house was in
that dream" the widow went on.
"Yes, children and all. / thought it
was Christmas night, just as it is now,
and Mamie and were waiting, just as
we did tonight, for the company to ar
rive. And they began to arrive as the
clock struck seven. First came Mr..
and Mrs. Rose and the rosebuds, look
ing so smiling and happy that said at
once: You have good news to tell
me-
Mrs. McChilly-dear, kind Mrs.
McChilly-(Mrs. McChilly sat bolt up
right in her chair and closed her lips
firmly as her name was mentioned),
has paid the DOCTORS bill Mrs. Rose
began. And promised, she having so,
many business acquaintance, to look
out for situation for me- said Mr..
Rose. 'And she says to-day is the
birthday of the Savior and He dearly
loved little children, and she is going
to love us for his sake and be our friend
always as long as we are good said
the children, beginning to sing the
Sweet By-and-By so loudly that we did
not hear Mr.. Aubrey come in; butthere
he was, his face glowing and his eyes
sparkling (Mr. Aubrey was the grand
son with whom Mrs. McChilly had quar-
reled); and he cried out: God bless
her! my mothers mother, / knew she
couldn'tstay 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).
"And all of sudden there was Mrs.
McChilly among them, being well
coined with loving words, and hugs and
smiles--the eldest rosebud had a 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 a sudden, too,
with his wife and the baby, looking as
handsome as he did when l first saw
him nearly two years ago, and as for
Mrs. Summer, her eyes were like stars
and her cheeks like roses, and she stole
softly to my side, while he was tossing
the baby and singing merry song to
it, and whispered: A promise has
been mey Christmas gift, a promise
worth all the gold and jewels in the
world And then Susie Bracket danced
in and slyly held up aletter from some
body far away, that l might see and
rejoice with her. And Nathaniel
what ridiculous part of the dream
that about Nathaniel Bracket was.
Really, l don't think 1 can tell it.
90, but you must" l cried.
"Indeed you must" they all cried.
"Well, if 1 must, must" said the
widow with a sweet, little nervous
augh. 81 thought Nathaniel followed
ne into the dining-room, where I had
rome to take a last look at the supper
it's too ridiculous"
Nothing of the Sort" said Mr.,
Summer. "I don't believe it. 'I've
10 doubt it was the most sensible thing
Nathaniel ever did-in a dream"
"And please 60 on" begged his
wife.
"And he took my hand" the widow
vent on, land said-oh! ! can't tell
,ou all / dreamed he said, but he ended
" saying: And so, of course, l must
hink of you no longer-a poor,
rippledfellOw likem And Isaid-"
" What did you sayP" cried Ma
haniel, springing to his feet and look
ng eagerly toward her, totally forget
ul of the rest of the company.
Nathaniel Bracket, you're an idiot?'
"Just as l expected" murmured
'oor Nat, sinking into his chair again.
"'If you bGVe lost your arm-yOur
light arm, -" the widow calmly pro-
eeded, "' you haven't lost your head,
nd that head, as 1 happen to know,
ontained the usual, perhaps little
1ore than the usual, amount of brains,
nd if, as l hear, a thousand or two will !
i've you an interest in Tom Aliens
usiness, why what is to prevent me, !
aving a little money at my command
nd no one to take care of but myself, J.,
ending it to you-for the sake Of your !
ister, of whom 1 am very fondP Or, J
you won't look at it in that way, why !
ant I become a partner, a very silent :
ne, and you manage for me, taking a :
air equivalent for your serVices" And /
lat's the end"
"Neverp' shouted Nat, springing
'om his chair once more and taking a
wv steps toward her, "the dream
ever ended in that way. Nathaniel
lade some further remark, I'm sure he :
i'd" y
q believe he did," said the widow, h
hitting her pretty brows, though in ]
lought, while rosy blush overspread q
er face, Sc but dreams grow shadowy +
the last, and this became so Very in =
istinct after had spoken of going into =
le printing business myself that | can h
,arcelV remember" =
That Nat Bracket saidn prOmpted y