The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-12-24

and that would be very bad.
'But you wanted I'd know, and"
"You have told me sufficient to satisfy
any reasonable mortal man, he said a.
he took his place at the table and began
loading her plate as if she had been in
danger of starvation for month.
Dinner overt was one Of the sub
stantial, old-fashioned kind, though the
mother had added the richest Of dessert
delicacies to tempt her child, az If there
was no such thing as dyspepsia in the
land--and the Deacon took an easy chair
by the broad hearth, lighted his pipe,
and between the curling clouds of smoke
resumed the subject of the morning con-
versation
Glow many are you going to have,
daughter" he questioned.
''All the boys and girls.
'Boys first, every time with your sex,
and girls with the other he laughed,
''but all means how many?"
'Well (refectiyely,) from fifty to sew
enty-fve. .
"Graciousl the old house will scarcely
hold them, and viii be certain to be torn
down with their romping. But what
does mother say?
s"Oh, she is perfectly satisfied, aren't
you mother, dear? p and look Of under
standing passed between parent and
daughter.
''Then all T have to do is to help the
riot along, for riot it will be with so many
youngsters together. But what was il
you said you were going to have?'
"a tub'lo vevang," was answered with
the broadcast possible French accent
alton.
"Ah, yes, I remember, and no doubt
it will be grand"
Il think you win find it solemn,
father"
Eyes, yes" and fearful she should see
how much he was puzzled, he Instantly
changed the subject and continued !:
"Well, it will take lot to feed so many
boys and girls. They are always hungry,
and can devour more than so many
wolves. So, Hannah, fear you haven't
provided one quarter enough"
''You are right, " responded his wife;
''since our pet told me about her plans
and how many would be here I have
been calculating"
''Well, they shan't go away hungry,
1t there is enough in the land to feed
them. I'll have Mike kindle fire under
the big farm kettle, and kill lotsof chick
ems and turkeys, and send him for Mrs.
Smith to help dress them, and when
4 60 over to town tomorrow I'll bring
| home some oysters and--well, any thing
else you need to have good time"
sob! how much I thank you, dear
father, said Minerva, impulsively spring
ing to his side and kissing him. "You
are the kindest and best father in all the
world"
Gan talk" he laughed, though rare
you'll get married some day and forget
all about me-
Married r exclaimed the girl, sud-
denly growing ashy pale. Never! I
mean," she continued, with her face
flushing to the deepest crimson, 81 mean
that I'll never forget you"
''Whew," he whistled, 81 never saw
the wind chop around more suddenly.
Catch q 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 con-
dltion of womankind,
"Then," asked she, archly an coquet-
ishly standing before him with one little
finger thrust between herred lips in mock
modesty and bashfulness. You wouldn't
object to my getting married."
''No, not to 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 am old-fashioned enough to
believe in such things, and I'll not only
give my consent but my blessing, some
thing worth harrington start in life, and
such a wedding as will make the old
rafters ring.
Sand suppose, father" questioned the
blooming girl, half way between smiles
and tears, suppose it should happen to
be Frank-Mr. Emmons. mean?'
''Humph! / don't know. He is"
Just as nice young fellow as ever
lived. " interposed his wife.
''Yes, yes. Ican't say aught against
him, but.
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 /
must go and see about an extra supply OF
provisions Graciousl it will be fortu-
nate 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 eloquence de-
Tended, and hastened to call his man-of-
all-work and give him Instructions emf
nerva has come back, Mike" he said
land is going to have some kind Of a
blow-o on Christmas Eve. She calls tia
tabler vevaught, or something of the
kind.
"a fwhat p 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 a female circus, and
the animals viii 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'.
ayes, I believe You. That girl seems
to have faculty of twisting every one
around her finger, and"
''Divil q won more thin her ould fayth-
/ er, said Mike as he proceeded to obey
the orders he had received, san muther
lashins of poultry" well 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 a continual
hustle. Extra help was summoned, and
the kitchen fires roared, and the i'm
mense Dutch oven glowed and plenty
ruled triumphant, while the old deacon
was i'll 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.
1 Early the house began to be filledw with
a merry company, and were welcomed by
father, mother and daughter, the latter
resplendant in robes of fieecy white,
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