The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-12-25


his broad palms he drew her tenderly t,
him and kissed the rosy and dimplet
cheeks. You are truly our one lamb
and everything will some day be yours
Yes, you did perfectly right, and it vii
be pleasant to have the house filed Will
young folks and have rousiHg, merr,
time. That is how Christmas ought t
be kept"
eve are going to have tableaua
piUdnts, and one of them will surprise
you, father"
He was that already, and had about a:
much conception of what was intended
as of the lucid (?) explanations of Her
bert Spencer of the DarNinian theory
and for him to have repeated the words
with the French accent given by his
child would have been an utter impossi
bility, so he pretended knowledge, shool
| his head sagely, gave very knowing
wink, but kept silent and soon found
that pressing business required l1iS all
sencc.
But the doting mother was taken into
full confidence and she and Minerva had
long, earnest and apparently deeply
interesting conversation upon the sub
indeed it had not concluded when the
old man returned, for lie caught the
name of the minister and asked:
"What are yon going to have Domino
Martin here for, child?'
ooh, just because | like him, and his
wife is such q dear old lady, and they
will be very lonely on such day, with
their children all married and away from
home. So thought you would like to
see them, and if he is here everything
will be sure to go right, and it is Christ
mas, you know, and"
Hold on, for mercy's sake!" ex.
claimed her father, cor you won't have
breath enough left to eat your dinner,
and that would be very bad"
" But you wanted to know, and"
You have told me sufficient to satisfy
any reasonable moltl MAJ F" he said as
he took his place ut the table and began
loading her plate as if she had been il
danger Of starvation for month
Dinner overt was one of the sub
stantial, old-fashioned kind. though the
mother had added the richest of dessert
delicacies to tempt her child, rs if there
was no such thing MS dyspepsia il the
land-and the Deacon took an easy chair
by the broad hearth lighted his pipe,
and between the curling clouds of smoke
resumed the subject of tie morning con
versation.
" How many ere you going to have,
tlaughter?" he questioned.
All the boys and girls.
Boys first, every time with your sex.
and girls with the other lie laughed,
but all means how mapy?"
"Well (rehectively,) from fifty to sew
enty-fgc."
"Gracious the old house will scarcely
hold them, and will be certain to be torn
down with their romping. But what
does mother say?"
"Oh, she is perfectly satisfied aren't
you mother, &c -" and look Of under.
standing passed between parent and
daughter
Then all lave to do is to help the
riot along, for riot it will be with so many
youngsters together But what was il
you said you were going to have?'
"a tub'lo vevang." was answered with
the broadcast possible French accent.
alton.
"Ah, yes. l remember, and no doubt
1t VIII he grand.
Il think you will find it solemn.
father"
Eyes, yes,' and fearful she should see
how much he was puzzled, he instantly
changed the subject and continued:
''Well, it will take lot to feed so many
boys and girls. They are always hungry,
and can devour more than so many
wolves. So, Hannah, l fear you haven't
provided one quarter enough"
you are right" responded his wife;
''since our pet told me about her plans
and how many would be here have
been calculating"
"Well, they shan't go away hungry,
If there Is enough in the land to feed
them. I'll have Mike Hndle fire under
the big farm. kettle, and kill lots of chick
ems and turkeys, and send him for Mrs
Smith to help dress them, and when I
go over to town tomorrow I'll bring
home some oysters and-well, any thing
else you need to have good time"
"Oh! how much / thank YOU, dear
father, y said Minerva, impulsively SPRING
ing to his side and kissing him. "You
are the kindest and best father in all the
world"
"All talk" he laughed, though rare
pleasure was visible in his face, ''and
you'll get married some day and forget
oil about me -
Married. exclaimed the girl, sud-
denly growing ashy pale. Never! 1
mean," she continued, with her face
flushing to the deepest crimson, II mean
that I'll never forget you"
"Whew," he whistled, 81 never saw
the wind chop around more suddenly.
Catch a girl saying she'll never get
married! They would as soon think of
not being handsome and having pretty
dresses. But you needn't blush so. It's
all right and proper, and the natural con-
dition of womankind.
''Then," asked she, archly an coquet-
ishly standing before him with one little
finger thrust between her red lips in mock
modesty and bashfulness "You wouldn t
object to my getting married?"
''No, not to good, honest, industrious
man. Why should 1? A human heart,
and especially of your sex, without love,
is as good as wrecked. No, my darling;
find good man whom you can love with
your whole heart, and who loves you the
same, for am old-fashioned enough to
believe in such things, and I'll not only
give my consent but my blessing, some
thing worth harrington start in life, and
such a wedding as will make the old
rafters ring"
"And suppose, father" questioned the
blooming girl, half way between smiles
and tears, suppose it should happen to
ri