Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-12-24
q gleasamt Story.
HER CHRISTMAS DINNER.

Mrs. Abbie Livingston is good hearted,
lively soul, who always takes things as they
come, provided they come at time when
she can find it convenient to take them.
She has one lovely daughter and a very
good husband, provided he takes a notion to
be good.
He is always wide awake when he does
not go to sleep; but very sleepy when he
once gets his head upon pillow and closes
his eyes. At such time he is not very wide
awake, but his amiable wife generally hap
pens to be SO; and this is period above all
Others that she delights in taking things as
they come provided there happens to be
anything to take when she observes her hus-
bands wardrobe hanging untenanted in the
room.
The reason of this is, that Mr.. Livingston
ty, unless it be to somebody on the outside
at least so his darling wife and daughter have
found out, through his forgetfulness some
times, if not oftener, to furnish them with
"pin-money," or money Of any other kind
This neglect on his part to provide "pin-
money" has established an idea in Abbie's
mind that she ought to "pin" all money
found after dark without an owner, in the
pockets of such male attire that may be dis
covered in her room when her husband is
well covered in bed and asleep.
In fact it is kind Of "after dark" amuse-
ment with her all the year round but at
Christmas time it becomes a kind of duty on
her part to see that she and her lovely daugh-
ter have Christmas dinner as well as he.
To illustrate the workings of this interest
ing family of three, we will let them have "a
few words to say for themselves.
"Well, Frank, have you brought home any
money tonight for Nellie and | toget some
thsng to eat9 We have been starving for
nearly three days now, while you have been
enjoying yourself, and coming home tight
almost every night" warbled Mrs Living
ston, into the attentive ear Of her adorable
Frank.
"Not darned cent? muttered the neg
lected Frank, as his weary head rested on
his manly bosom, counting sweet sleep
natures sweet restorer."
"Oh, dear me, Frank, was in hopes you
would bring home a little change. 1t is not
very nice, tell you, to be always hungry
like this" angelicaly chimed the long-suf-
fering Abbie.
"Wel, who keeps you hungry? Why
don't you get something's ] swear can't
leave my business TO feed you like two doves
What do You want man TO doY-don't
bother me, want TO 60 to Sleep" replied
the considerate, loving Frank, as he nestled
his head to the oak table and commenced
his second courtship of "balmy sleep"
1--WE don't want 10 be fed like doves,
Frank; II you would feed us even like hogs
we would be thankful but this waking and
sleeping day after day and night after night
on empty stomachs is enough to wear out
an elephant"
"Wel, be an elephant If you want 10, and
go to Barnum, he'll feed you" responded
Frank, no doubt dreaming the Hippodrome
was in fourishing condition.
Poor Abbie sat and looked at her CON
tented husband with sad expression Of
countenance, which indicated almost any
thing but admiration, while her daughter
Nellie feasted her mind on an old newspaper
as q substitute for feasting her stomach on
something more nourishing 10 her body,
The hour of ten had just tolled, and the
neighbors' children had been hushed TO sleep
with promises that Santa Claus would soon
come and leave them something good. But
poor Abbic sat pensiycly gazing FIRST at her
halfdruken husband and then at her only
child.
sNo Santa Claus will come 10 you, my
child" murmured Abbie to her daughter,
with a sigh, which was responded 10 by the
lovely little Nellie, as she lifted her dark
brown eyes 20 her mothers face, and said
"NeVer mind, mother, / don't care for
Santa Claus; only wish he or somebody
else would come 10 you and give you some
thing 10 relieve your sorrow. Father does
not seem 70 care for us any more, and can
not toll Tic reason. lie can always find
money 10 buy his drinks and entertain
friendsJ but when you ask him for a little
change, he never has any. only wish come
visitor would conc, then we might get some
thing to eat IIealways finds money 10 give
you when there is any one 10 entertain, or
no wanna ANYTHING hifnaelfW