The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-12-25
A Christmas TabIeau Vivant.
BY WILLIAM H. BUSHNELL.

''JerIisalem!''.
1t was fayorite cxpletive Of good
Deacon Parks when excitement got the
etter of his usual placid way, and his
life looked up in establishment as he
came stamping into the house, slammed
the door after him and stirred up the fire
ntil the hickory blazed and roared like
incipient volcano
"Gracieusl 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 a better look at her
husband and satisfy herself that he had
rot suddenly lost his wits.
"Why, day after tomorrow is Christ
masl.'
CAS- if | didn't know thatl Haven't I
been making preparations for il for
more than a week2 Catch me without
mince- pies and fried cakes and cranberry
jelly and great, bouncing turkey and
she smiled eomplacently 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
'fWell, it don't matter, Job; and I
wouldn't worry about it, for [ have taken
care of everything for the blessed day
and Minerva will be home from teaching
school. Poor child how she must suffer
this weather, sleeping in cold rooms
and like as not without feather-bed
and"
SITS all 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, then"
"What then?" questioned a merry
voice, as pretty, rosy piece of mischief
eame bounding into the room, shaking
the snow from her long, golden curls,
and running up to her father, fairly
snothered him for moment with kisses
and then darted away, laughing, to her
mother. twined her arms about her neck
and greeted her us warmly.
''Jerusalemi" exclaimed the old man
as 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 iaunty little cap, furs, cloak and
gloves, ''to think you have come safe
ly back to me once more and"
"Now," interrupted the girl. 81 should
like to know what father was talking
about when came in.
$50 unexpected" said the mother
1--WE did not look for you until to-mor.
row night"
"Oh, had o oEance to ride home"
replied the girl, blushing, ''and got per-
mission to let out school, But You were
talking about me, father"
s'Wel, yes, he answered, with a mer-
ry twinkle in his eyes, 'and was about
to say when you came rushing in like
young bear-about to say, though mind
didn't-that if You kept on teaching
other peoples brats you wouldn't have
strength to teach your own-whep Won
get them, and he laughed loudly at the
changed expression Of her face.
For shame" responded Minerva.
But I'll pay you for that, father. Re-.
member, l am young lady now, and you
cant joke with me with impunity, as
you once did"
"a young lady? Whewl And SUD-
pose some young gentleman put him
self to immense trouble to bring Won
home through tho cold and storm and
didn't forget to collect toll at all the
bridges. Aren't your lips sore, daugh-
ter?"
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 her father enjoyed
ittoo much, and asked:
sfWho was it, child? Some Of them
scape-g grace clerks from Beaverton, I'll
be bound"
you know ] never associate with
them" she responded indignantly "Mr.
Frank Emmons brought me home.
tO--h?" with low whistle. Eyes.
he is nice and proper young man, and
has such pretty black hair and eyes, and
teeth and moustaehe, and such white
haras, and sings like half a dozen angels
and walks SO gently" and the Old gentle
man arose and stratted mincingly around
the room in burlesque imitation Of the
attendant of his daughter.
Minerva could not but laugh, yet pre-
tending to take no notice, glided about
arranging the dishes, and her mother
asked where the young man was.
II know, said her father, answering
the question for her s'Our daughter
has rolled him mp in pink cotton and
sprinkied him with cologne and put him
in bandbox for fear he viii get nlussed "
HE will be here Christmas Eve" in
terrupted Minerva, with strong effort
at sobriety; 'she and number of others.
! knew you would not care, father, if /
invited them.