Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1880-12-23
think of giving me up it is too much
that's it." -

Il believe you are right, child. But
| must 90 and see about an extra sup
ply of provisions. Gracious it will
he fortunate if we don't have fam
ine."
lie wiped away the mist from his
old eyes, brought there by the thought
his daughter had suggested; tried to
whistle bravely down the very situa-
tion he had with the touch of rugged
eloQuence defended, and FASTENED to
call the man-Of-all- and give him
instructions. minerva has come back.
Mike" he said, "and is going to have
some kind of blow ont on Christmas
Eve. She calls it a tablcr vevaught, or
something Of the kind.
"A fwhatg' questioned the irish
man, scratching his head in the most
puzzled manner.
"That's what sticks me, Mike, though
l did not let her know it. Anyhow
there is to he some kind of Il female
circus, and the animals will want plen-
ty to eat"
blessings on the bright eyes of her,
and its ivrything on the old farm III
kill if she wants it, the darlin'."
"Yes, believe you. That girl seems
to have faculty of twisting every one
around her finger and"
"Divil Il one more thin her ould
fayther," as he proceeded to obey the
orders he had received, "an' muthcr
lashings of poultry well knowing that
his share of the feast would he no
stintcd one.
To Il late hour the making ready was
continued, and all went to bed tired hut
happy. And the next day was Il con-
tinlal hustle. Extra help WIS sun
moned, and the kitchen fires roared, and
the immense Dutch oven glowcd and
plenty ruled triumphant, while the old
deacon was in his glory bringing sup
plies from town and making himself
useful as well as most provokingly Of
Iicious.
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, and were wei
coined by father, mother and daughter
the latter resplcNdant in robes Of lltccy
white, abmdantly trimmed with soft,
floating laces and lOopcd with artificial
flowers, while natural roses. fringcd
with myrtle and smilaX, were half hid
den amid her golden hair and pulsatcd
upon her joyously thrObbing bosom.
For an hour there appeared to he a
ceaseless Ginning of sleigh-bellS, and
rosy, laughing 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 be
lievcd in "the more the mcrrirr' prin-
ciplc and kept every one busy and con-
tented. Yet for all the gaily dancing
and singing company, Il shade of per-
plcXity now and then crossed his face
He had not solved the mystery of the
taJlemr, and it hung upon him as Il
troublesome nightmare.
For hours the house rang and trcm-
blcd upon its strong foundation. |.
was veritahle beehive of fun and
frolic, and many IA soft cheek took on
deeper roses from stolen kisses: many
an innocent heart bounded more swift
ly from the cncircling arm, and manya
pair Of ears tinglcd from the slapping
of white hands in payment for saucy
Jest or pilfcred carcss.
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
cotlin-like case throb with the ringing
of ten, she whispered to her husband,
good, prudent soul that she was, that
1.-THE children must be getting hungry,
and she was going to see about the ta-
blrs.'
In response to her suggestion, he
sought their daughter and told her they
were going to have supper, and that
the young folks had better stop romp-
ing and cool off, or some of them
would he certain to take their DEATH
"Yes, father" she answered; "bul
we must have the taJleaur first" and
she looked up, blushing more deeply
than a damask rose in June into the
face Of Mr.. Frank Emmons, upon
whose arm she happened to he leaning.
"All right" responded the old man
with IA sigh of relief for the burden
would soon be lifted from his soul.
"DO you want me to help yOu?'
mo; but tell mother, please, want
her" And Miss Minerva darted away
to her own private room, while the old
man told the fddlers to adjourn to the
kitchen and make themselves comfort.
able until wanted again.
Evidently some of the girls under
stood what was going on, if the Deacon
did not, for they cleared one end of the
hall, hung a great patchwork bcd-quilt
across and marshllled the company in.
to something like order. Then, after q
brief pause, in which there was mucl
Whispering, the improvsed curtain wa
drawn aside and disclosed Miss Miner
va standing hand in hand with Mr.
Frank Emmons, with young lady mt
gentleman as supporters, and the ole
minister before them.
Amazed, but silent, the Deacon look
n1 IIa did mot pAtn,Nrnl,n,,I tl,,
affair at all, had no practical knowl
edge of charades, but when certain
words had been spoken and ring pass
ed, sudden light broke in upon tn
darkness of his understanding, and h
exclaimed with an earnestness tha
startled all:
"Je-ru-sa-leml 1t looks like mar
riagew
The hearty laugh that followe
suficed for full explanation and
needed not the assurance of the minis
= ter to convince him that his daughte
= was honestly and legally married to tn
man of her choice. And yet at first h
: was disposed to be angry. Then h
saw the foolshness of such II proceed
ing, especially as he had previousl
given his assent to the selection of hi
daughter, and entered heartily into tn
laugh against himself.
"That's what you call a--Jerusalem
| can't speak the new tangled name-i
: it? Yet it wasn't hardly fair to foe
| the old man so, Minerva. | did eN
meet Won would find somethinp in vnu