Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-12-30

lIe OiSSIuOoo, IIOI uISIlltl Itll away lIOm
her, and there remained but a wreck of
the severe teacher. She moved with a
spasmodic, automatic motion, as if she
was controlled by machidery within, of
which, it may be Surmised, her knob was
the key. She shook hands with rapid,
fiery jerk, swooping down upon visitor
with sldewiSe motion, not unlike the
pounce OF tish-hawk
The worthy lady was much afflicted
with neuralgia, for the relief of which
painful disease she had swallowed un-
heard-of quantities of anOdyne liniment,
until she seemed to be quite soaked full
of that odOriferous compound, and all
her garments, and her every breath shed
pungent fragrance on the breeze.
'She will never die like other folks
Sue said ''she will turn into CONCEALED
Notwithstanding like spermaceti. A
tree for the healing of the nations will
probably grow out of her grave. Her
breath grows stronger as she grows
weaker, and | don't think death will
ever be able to take it."
The lady had very strict notions of
propriety, and allowed her pupils very
little freedom. All their pocket-money
she took charge of; and, having been
told that her own ill-health was the re-
suit of too free indulgence in sweets in
her youth, she took good care that the
girls should escape like danger.
But while we have thus digressed to
tell of Tommy Twink and Miss Quigley,
Sue has concluded her arrangements
with the former, and has been promised
the best little tree in Mckeen woods.
The girls were busy all day, making
gifts or arranging for the festival.
81 say, Lou" Claire remarked, "if !
put on my Grape tie for you, will you
look astonished, and pretend that it is
new ?"
"Of course; only don't rob yourself"
"Oh, l can't wear it." answered the
other, with the utmost candor. 1T is
too much soiled."
Large was her bounty, and her soul
sincere" returned Lou, who was fOrev-
er quoting something.
Girls" said Joan, in her solemn voice,
which meant that something important
was coming. Lets ask Slayey."
"What?"
Invite Slavey"
"The Griffiness would tear her limb
from limb if she found it out" said Lou,
land probably devour her with liniment-
sauce afterward."
but she won't find it out" urged
Joan. at is Christmas, and Patty won't
have any good time if We don't invite
her."
Slavey was a tiny maid-Of-a all-worl,
with large eyes, apparently strained
open by the extremely tight braiding of
her hair; she moved with frightened
air, every step an apology for her presu-
ming to walk at all.
"Well, ask Slavey, then," Sue said, and
all save your cookies from supper.
They'll help make a show. If the Grif-
finess did not count them We might have
more"
"We must stop abusing old Quig," said
her sister. thoughtfully. at would
trouble mamma"
"'Old Quigp" laughed Claire. Whats
that but abuse?"
BLESSED little motherp sighed Sue.
"She'd never say harm of Il mosquito /;
and that take to be the pinn lcle of hu-
man meeknesS."
So the girls chatted. and the day wore
on. Supper was eaten, and they waited
with all patience for 9 o'clock, which
was regular bedtime. Sue, behind the
back of the mistress, occupied herself in
making candy-bags from tarletan, al
though the others couldn't imagine what
she expected to put in them.
The longest evening must close, and
at last the time came for them to take
up their candle and file solemnly to the
large square chamber, which for the va
cation they all occupied together.
"Hurrahp cried Lou, as soon as the
chamber door closed behind them. Now
for the tree! On with the dance, let the
joy be unconfned!"
And she threw open the window, and
began to pull vigorously at the string to
which the tree was attached.
"Be CAREFUL the string isn't very stout!
Sue spoke too late. Snapl The cord
was btoken, and the four girls stood
looking at each other in blank dismay.
"Oh, Lou"
"''Twas ever thus since childhood's
hour" quoted Lou, the incorrigible.
"I'm dreadfully sorry. Wouldn't do
for a tree?"
"Well," said Claire, dropping discon-
solately upon the bed, Il knew some
thing would happen"
Something will happen" retOrted Sue.
Cant we get a slip moose ON to it."
"I'll tell your cried John, more excl
tedly than was her wont; "see here!'
AS she spoke she dragged out of the
worsted shawl upon which she had been
knitting down stairs, one of the long
steel needles. Fortunately it was not
bl title, and she was able to bend it into
a very tolerable hook.
"'Simple Simon went a-fshing,'" sang
Lou. Won't it be hooking to get a
tree in this way?"
"The string won't hOldw Joan said;
and, before they knew what she was
doing she had the sheets off her bed, and
tied together at the corners:
To this the hook was fastened, and
Sue began to fish.
"Do you feel a bite?" asked Claire,
who was clinging to the anglers skirts
to prevent her from tumbling out of the
window.
"T've caught it! I've cavght itl Pull
away~
"Hush! Quigley will hear!"
ut must be whale!''
ats too cold for any ming but FROST
fish,"
"Or skate"
"Sh-h-h-hp
Amid such EXPLANATIONS the tree was
safely pulled in at the window, and the
girls stood flushed and painting round it.
A white paper parcel was fastened
amid the branches. Lou opened it with
an air of triumph.
CANDY said Claire, who was noted
for her love of sweets. Where in the
world did it come from?"
"From Mrs. Meffit's, of course"
"But the money!
Sue shook her head mysteriously.
81 know" exclaimed her sister. at
was that gold quarter you wore that
Loisy Burton gave you. You were 60
ing to keep it always.
"Well," answered Sue, heroically. L
didn't know then that l was coming to
spend Christmas in the cave of Grif-
finess."