Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-12-24

devour more than so many wolves. So
Hannah, fear you haven't provided one
quarter euough."
s'You are right,'' responded his wife;
since our pet told me about her plans and
how many would be here / have been cal
culating.''
''Well, they shan It 60 away hungry, if
there is enough in the land to feed them.
III have Mike kindle fire under the big
farm kettle, and kill lots of chickens and
turkeys, and send him for Mrs. Smith to
help dress them. and when I 60 over to
town tomorrow I II bring home some oys-
ters and any thing else you need to
have good time.''
sob! how much thank you, dear faith.
or, : said Minerva, impulsively springing
to his side and kissing him. you are
the kindest and best father in all the
worid.''
. All taiks he laughed though rare are
pleasure was visible in his face, land you u
get married some day and forget all about
me.''
married." exclaimed the girl, suddenly
growing ashy. pale. ''NeverI l mean, y
she continued, with her face flushing to
the deepest crimson, II mean that I'll new
or forget you"
"Whew." he whistled, 81 never saw the
wind chop around more suddenly. Catch
a girl saying she'll never get married!
They would as soon think of not being
handsome and having pretty dresses. But
you needn't blush so. It's all right and
proper, and the natural condition of wo-
mankind''
s'Then," asked she, archly and cog uettish.
~ standing before him with one little
finger thrust between her red lips in mock
modesty and bashfulness. ''You wouldn t
object to my getting married?'
mo, not to a good, honest, Industrious
man. Why should I? A human heart,
and especially of your sex. without love, is
as good as wrecked. No, my darling; find
good man whom you can love with your
whole heart, and who loves you the same.
for I am oid-tashioned enough to believe in
such things, and I'll not only give my con-
sent but my blessing, something worth
having for start in life. and such a we'd
ding as will make the old rafters ring"
"And suppose father" questioned the
blooming girl. half way between smiles
and tears, suppose it should happen to be
Frank-Mr. Emmons, 1 mean?"
''Humph! don't know. He is"
"Just as nice young fellow as ever
lived,'' interposed his wife.
Eyes, yes. can't say aught against
him, butt
II know" laughed Minerva at his con-
fusion, "when you really come to think of
giving me up it is too much. That's it,
II believe you are right, child. But I
must go and see about an extra supply of
provisions. Gracious! it will be fortunate
if we don't have famine"
He wiped away the mist from his old
eyes, brought there by the thought his
daughter had suggested; tried to whistle
bravely down the very situation he had
with the touch of rugged eloquenee de-
Tended, and fastened to call his man-of-
all-work and give him instructions. "Mi-
nerva has come back, Mike, I" he said, and
is going to have some kind of blowout
on Christmas Eve. She calls it a tabler
vevaught. or something of the kind.
"a what?" questioned the Irishman.
scratching his head in the most puzzled
manner.
''That's what sticks me, Mike. though
did not let her know it. Anyhow there
is to be some kind of female circus, and
the animals will want plenty to eat.''
Blessings on the bright eyes of her, and
its ivrything on the old farm I'll kill if she
wants it, the darlin'."
''Y es, believe you. That girl seems to
have faculty of twisting every one around
her finger, and"
''Divil a wan more thin her ould fayth-
err said Mike as he proceeded to obey tie
orders he had received, TAM murther lash
ms Of poultry" we'll knowing that his
share Of the feast would be no stinted one.
To late hour the making ready was
continued, and all went to bed tired but
happy. And the next day was continu-
al hustle. Extra help was summoned, and
the kitchen fires roared. and the immense
Dutch oven glowed and plenty ruled tri-
umphant, while the old deacon was in his
glory bringing supplies from town and
making himself useful as we'll as most
provokingly oficious.
so the day passed and the night came
with everything ready for the grand time.
Early the house began to be filled with a
merry company, who were welcomed by
father, mother and daughter, the latter
resplendent in robes of fleecy white, album
dainty trimmed with soft, floating laces
and Topped with artificial flowers, while
natural roses, fringed with myrtle and
smilax, were half hidden amid her golden
hair and pulsated upon her joyously throb-
bling bosom.
For an hour there appeared to be a
ceaseless Ginning of the slegh-bells, as rosy
laughing loads were deposited at the door.
Indeed, so many were the teams that Mike
was frantic to know what to do with them.
But the Deacon believed in "the more the
merrier" principle, and kept every one
busy and contented. Yet for all the gaily
dancing and singing company, shade of
perplexity now and then crossed his face.
He had not solved the mystery of the tab
leau, and it hung upon him as trouble
some nightmare.
For hours the house rang and trembled
upon its strong foundation. 1t was YER
liable beehive OF fun and frolic, and many
soft cheek took on deeper roses from
stolen kisses; many an innocent heart
bounded more swiftly from the encirclinq
arm and many pair of ears tingled from
the slapping of white hands in payment