Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-09-24
Breaking the News.
BY 8. BONNER.

lt was christmas eve, anu we were
getting ready for party.
To be sure, it was in war times, and
our larder was nearly empty. Besides,
father was away, and raid from the
enemy might interrupt the festivities;
but for all that, we were determined on
merry Christmas.
Some of "the boys" were home
from Virginia, on furlough, and the
dashing guerilla captain, who lowered
around Hollywell with his intrepid
"free lances," had promised to come,
escorted by half dozen of his hand
soonest privates.
In case they failed US, our small
brothers were always at hand, and
very serviceable we had already learned
to make them as knights and esquires.
In the pantry gran nanny" was
busy preparing such delicacies as the
times allowed, with mother and Aunt
Sarah to assist her.
Aunt Sarah Edmandson was an old
lady of sixty, whose home had been
burned the first year OF the war. and
who was living with US until the dawn
Of brighter days. Her two sons we're
in the army.
OF these sons, one-Herbert-was
dissipated young fellow-a constant
grief to his mother and friends; but
the other-Allen-was the pride of her
heart. Noble, generous and true, it
was not strange that upcn him her
every hope for the future should cen
ter.
He was in the Virginia army, and it
Was only at rare intervals that Aunt
Sarah heard from him, as Hollywell was
almost entirely cut of from communi-
cation with the outside world. It had
now been more than two months since
ietter-only few lines, written on
the eve OF an engagement-had been
received.
For long time past Aunt Sarah had
been SO low.spirited as to distress us
all; but to-day she seemed to have
laid asiae her gloomy thoughts, and
could hear her merry laugh mingling
with the soft tones of my mo.her's
voice, as they contrasted the somewhat
meager preparations for the coming
entertainment with the magnificent
ones of olden times.
"Jce' to think" heard gran nanny
say, Eat de housewarmin' when Miss
Mary was married, we was one solid
week a-bakin' an a.brewin', gittin'
ready for de company. Oar was poun'
cakes. an fruit cakes, an gold cakes,
an silver cakes, as big roun' as barrel
tops; an pigs, an turkeys, an chickens
-lo-, you couldn't begin to count EN-
AN as for de eyllabub, an custard,
AL egg-nog, why dey was jes' as COM
mon as water. Dat was q party with
talkin' about; but look a-here, now,
here's o loaf O. cake with dried cher.
ries IN it for raisins, an sliced apple
for citrou-he, he, he!"
could imagine how gran'mammy e
fat sides were shaking, as mother and
Aunt Sarah joined in her laugh.
IAN as for meats" she went on,
here's on'y jes' two rabbits dat blessed
boy Sam caught in his traps, an one
tough ole turkey an billed ham
Sakes alive SIGH times, sich times J.
In the sitting-room, Ruth, Sam and
l were busy with Christmas decora.
lions. Huge masses of evergreen had
been brought in, and long wreath,
hung in graceful festoons from the
walls. In vases and baskets were the
last flowers that the frost had spared
Chrysanthemums, purple, yellow
and white, were mixed with sprays Of
holly, whose red berries glowed like
blood-drops among the prickly leaves
There were Christmas roses. that had
grown in sunny corners, and violets, al
many as We could gather.
l had mounted high table between
the folding, doors to hang a fancy bas.
ket. when, looking towards the gate,
saw Mr.. Pennett coming in.
Mr.. Pennett was our minister, q tall
grave man, very dignfiied and learned
but with faculty of winning love thai
sudeared him to all.
Here comes Mr.. Pennett," cried
RIM and open the door for him
Rnth.'
"Just look, Mr.. Pennett," said I
gsyly. as he entered the room; "isn't
this gorgeous? We are to have 8
party tomorrow night. My arm isn't
quite long enough to hang this basket
Can't your reverence help me?"
Don't hang it now, my child,
said he, gravely.
Something in his voice startled me
] felt q quick thrill of apprehension al