The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1880-12-23
A Christmas TabIeau Vivant,
"Jerusalem!"
BY WILLIAM H. BUSHNELL.

'Jerusalem!"
1t was O favorite expletive of good
Deacon Parks when excitement qot the
better OF his usual placid way, and his
vile looked up In astonishment as he
came stamping into the house, slammed
the door after him and stirred up the fire
until the hickory blazed and roared like
an incipient volcano:
Gracious! What is the matter now.
Job?" she exclaimed, pausing in her
baking operations, wiping the flour from
her hands upon her huge apron and
lowering her glasses from her forehead to
her nose to obtain q better look at her
husband and satisfy herself that he had
not suddenly lost his wits.
"Why, day after tomorrow is Christ
mas!'
"As If [ didn't know thatl Haven't T
been making preparations for it for
more than week? Catch me without
mlnce-pies and fried cakes and cranberry
Jelly and great, bouncing turkey?" and
she smiled complacently at the thought
OF the good things already prepared
AND never thought of it until just
now-been so busy, you know" he
apologized, as if, in reality he had been
guilty of some great crime.
''Well, it don't matter, Job: and T
wouldn't worry about it, for T have taken
care of everything for the blessed day
and Minerva will be home from teachinoS
school. Poor child! how she must suffer
this weather, sleeping in cold rooms
and like as not without feather-bed
and" :.
Its oil her own fault, Hannah. The
good Lord knows we have plenty for her
and half dozen more, and if she will
persist in wearing herself out in teaching
other peoples brats. them
"What then?" questioned O merry
voice, as pretty, rosy piece Of mischief
came bounding into the room, shaking
the snow from her long, golden curls,
and running up to her father. fairly
smothered him for moment with kisses
and then darted away, laughing, to helr,
mother, twined her arms about her neck
and greeted her as warmly.
"Jerusalem!' exclaimed the old man
ns soon as he could regain his breath.
though with his honest face flushed with
Joy and his lips quivering with emotion,
for his daughter WAS indeed as the apple
OF his eye and the one thing upon earth
altogether lovely.
my dear, precious lamb" whispered
the fond mother, through tears of happi-
ness, as with busy fingers she removed
the Jaunty little cap, furs, cloak and
gloves, "to think you have como safe.
ly back to mo once more and"
Now" interrupted thegirl, ''I should
like to know what father was talking
about when I came in." -
so unexpected" said the mother.
eve did not look for you until to-mor-
row night" =.
"Oh, had chance to ride home"
replied the girl, blushing, "and got por-
mission to let out school. But you were
talking about me, father?"
"Well, yes," he answered, with ner-
ry twinkle in his eyes, "and was about
to say when you came rushing in like
young bear-about to say, though mind,
dldn't-that if you kept on teaching
other peoples brats you wouldn't have
strength to teach your own-when YOU
got them, and he laughed loudly ut the
changed expression of her face. g.,
"For shome," responded Minerva
member, am young ladynow, and you
can't joke with me with impunity, as
you once did" ."e, ""0"r. s,.,' .r..
ga young lady? Whewl And I sup
pose some young gentleman put him.
self to immense trouble to bring you
home through the cold and storm. and
didn't forget to collect toll ut all the
bridges. Aren't your lips sore, dahgh-
ter?" 9''7f 5f
The girl colored still more deeply, and
hustled around to help her mother set
the table for dinner, that she might es-
cape the teasing; but hex father enjoyed
lttoo much, and asked: 49,. q
"Who was it, childP Some Of them
scape-grace clerks from Beaverton, Ill
be bound"
''Yuu know never associate with
them, she responded Indignantly. "Mr.
Frank Emrnons brought me home"
"O--h?" with low whistle. eyes,
he is nice and proper young man, and
has such pretty black hair end eyes, and
teeth and moustaohe, and such white
hands, and sings like half dozen angels
and walks 80 gently" and the old gentle
man arose and strutted mincingly around