The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-12-24

hidden amid her golden hair and pulssted
upon her loyously thrObbing bosom.
For an hour there appeared to be cease
less Ginning Of segh-bels, and rosy laugh
ing loads 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 ''Jhe more the meTTier
principle, and kept every one busy and con
tented. ct for all the gaily dancing and
singing company, shade Of perplextty now
and then crossed his face. He had not
solved the mystery Of the tdbleuii, and il hung
upon him IS a troublesome nightmare.
For hours the house rang and trembled
upon its solid foundation. Il was veritable
beehive Of fun and frOlic, ana many a soft
cheek took on deeper roses from stolen kiss
es 4; many an innocent heart bounded more
swiftly from the encirclinE arm, and many
pair Of ears tinEled from the slaDpiug OF
white hands in payment for saucy jest or pill
feTed caress
But good, buxom dame Hannah had almost
as much pride in her cooking as in her one
dear lamb, and when the ancient clock made
its huge, heavy, c0fnn-like case throb with
the ringing Of ten, she whispered to her hus-
band, good, prudent soul that she was, that
the children must be getting hungry, and she
was going to see about the tables.
in response to Eer suggestion, he sought
their daughter ana told her they we're going
TO have supper, and that the yOung.fOlks had
better stop rOmping and cool of, or some Of
them would be certain 70 take their death OF
cold.
yes, father" she answered f'but we
must have the ta5le1U first, - and she looked
up blushiuC more deeply than a dsmask rose
IN June into the face Of NJ. Frank Emmous,
upon whose arm she happened TO be leaning
"All right" " responded the old man with
2 sigh of relief, for the burden would soon be
lifted from bis soul. DO you want NE to
help you ."
NO but tell mother, please, want her. d"
And Miss Minerva dRrted away to her own
10 Ia old FOL NnE q
dlerS to adjourn to the kitchen and make
themselves comfortable until wanted again.
Evidently some Of the girls understood
what was going on, if the Deacon did not, for
they cleared one end Of the hall, hunga great
patchwork bed-quilt across and marshalled
the company into something like order
Then, after brief pause, in which there was
much whispering, the impUovised curtain was
drawn aside and disclosed Miss Minerva
standing hand in nand with Mr.. Frank En-
mons, with a young lady and gentleman as
supporters, and the old minister before them.
Amazed, but silent, the Deacon looked or
lie did not comprehend the affair az all, had
no pracEc2t knowledge Of Clarades, but
when certain words had been spoken and a
ring passed, 4 sudden light broke in upon
the darkness OF his understanding, and he
exclaimed with an earnestnesS that startled
all:
"Je-ru- salem It looks like q marriage
The hearty laugh that followed suffced for
a full explanation, and il needed not the as
surance Of the minister TO convince him that
his daughter was honestly and legally mar
ried to the man of her choice. And yet at
first he was disposed to be angry. Then he
saw the fUoliShneSS OF such q proceeding
especially as he had previously given his as
sent to the selection Of MS daughter, and
entered heartily into the laugh against him
self.
That's what you call a-Jerusaleml l
can't speak the new tangled name-is it,
Yet it wasn't hardly fair to fool the old man
so, Minerva. l did expect You would find
something in your stockings tonight, child,
but not great, live man. However, it Is all
right (anything she could have done would
have been so) and well make the best OF it,
and your mother and 1 VIII have plenty to
do in getting things ready 10 ill the little
stockings that
a soft white hand stopped his words, red
and ripe lips were pressed upon his own, q
silben face was laid upon his wrinkled one,
few tears Of happiness were rajned down
upon his broad beast and with falteTinC
tOngDe the old man called the Young huS-
band to his side, gave him the hand of his
darling, aud said, Take her, and NAV God
bless you both, my children. If / have lost
daughter have found q son, and shall have
another arm TO lean upon when my ewes
grow dim and steps unsteady and"
More he would have said but a great ring
ing Of bells summoned them to supper-and
such supper 1t would have made grim
Famine commit suicide in despair to have
looked upon the tables, and Time throw
away his EouT-glass and sit blithely down
and enjoy the feast. The good mother had
known the secret from the first and with
her pride stimulated had distanced all for
mer efforts, even, to produce z Christmas
supper, and the only complaint was Of ex-
ccsSIye ful!ncsS, when again the yiCiins. sum
mOned the party to the hall.