The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-12-24
A CHRIsTHAs TABLEAU yTvAyT.
EY WILLIAM x. BUSHNELL.

Jerusalem 20
1t was fayorite e1pleti7e OF good Deacon
iaTks when excitement got the better Of hi,
usual placid way, and his wife looked M IN
bbSColll'nhent b9,C as he came stamping into th5
mouse, slammed the door after him and stir
red up the fro until the hickory blazed and
roar ed Ike an iHciPient Volcano
GRACIOUS. W hat IS the matter now Jobo'
she exclaimed, pausjng in her la king opera
! tlonS, Wlplug tue flour from her hands nnon
her huge apron and lowering her glasses from
heT forehead 20 her nose to obtain better
/ look at her husband and satisfy herself that
ne had not suddenly lost his wits.
" Ry. DAY after tomorrow is ChTistmasf',
AS Il didnt know that! Haven't been
I making preparations for it FOR more than a
! week? Catch me without mince-pies and
1 irlsd cakes and cranberry Jelly and great
bouncing turkey?'' and she Smiled comma
Gently al the thought Of the good thinos p
/ ready prepared
And I never thought Of it until lust nov
-9een so busy, he spologlzed, IS II in real
ny ne @ hau peen guilty OF some great crime.
wen, 1t don't matter Job and l would
+. not worry about 1t, for / have taken care OF
everything for the blessed dav and Minerva
VII be home from teaching school. Poor
ehlld how she must suffer this weather.
out feather-bcd and"
1T s al Eer own fault Hannah. The good
Knows We have plenty for her and naIf a
ooZen more, and if She will persist in wear
1 q
Drats, then"
What then 2" questioned a merry voice.
- pretty, rosy piece Of mischief came
pounding INTO the room, shaking the snow
ta1ul Z 1ll heF iong golden curls, and running up
20 HcT Iatnef, IaITly SmOthered him for a mo-
ihehG Win kisses aud then darted ayAv
iauguing, 10 her mother. tWined her arms
aooqt ler neck and greeted her as warmly.
Jerusalem exclaimed the old man as
soon as ne could regain his breath though .
WIN his honest face flushed with Joy ans lis
ilPs qulyeTing with emotion, for his daughter 4
was indeed as tho apple of his eye and the I
one thlhg upon earth altogether lovely.
ay dear, precious lamb, whispered the .
Iond mother, through tears OF happiness, as
WIN busy fingers she removed the jaunty lit
tle cap, iurs, cloak and gloves, Ito think YOU
nave come safely back to mo once more
Now" interrupted the girl, 'T should like
came in"
SO unexpected said the mother.
night
''Oh, had chance 10 ride home, replied
ne girl, blushng, and got permission TO let
, 1uJ Ut school But you were talking about me,
''Well, yes" he answered, with a marry
.Tlnkis in his eyes, ''snd was about TO say
Nhen you came rushing in like a young bear
about to say, though mind, 1 didn't-thas
you Kept on teaching other peoples brats
"NtAAblt iicNb SlIellGiu TO t6GGn YOUR .
'Wn-when YOU get them,' and lie laughed ]
oudly ST the changed expression Of her face.
or shame responded Minerva. But {
II psy you for that, father Remember. I |
IN young lady now, and you can't Joke ]
vain me with impunity, as YOU once did. >"
4 young lady? Whew And suDpcse il
One young gentleman put himself to i'm :
lenss trouble to bring you homo through the
old and storm and didn't forget to collect b
ll at all The bridges Aren't your lips sore,
aughter2''
Ihe girl cOlored still more deeply, and bus :
ed around to holp her mother set the table b
)r dinner, that she might escape the teasing. .
sked A 20
WHO was it, child ? Some Of them scane- Il
rae clerks from Beaverton, III be bound. - 4
1 on know never associate with them. " ]
le responded Indignantly. MI Frank En- a
ons brought me home. - 2
Oh % with low whistle eyes he ia Il
nice ana proper young man. and has such D
,etty black hair and eyes, and teeth and q!
oustscHs, and such white hands and sings
Sc hsiI q dozen angels, and walks so gent o
,, ana the old gentleman arose and strut
q mlnclngiy around the room in burlesoue n,
ltatlon OF the attendant of his daughter ~
could DOT but laugh, vet pretend s.
3 70 sake no notice, glided about arranging tr
dishes, ard her mother asked where the "
Ung nan was. =.