, 1880-12-25
THE Sy0WDR0P AID THE HEATHER.


1rritttn for The Chicago Tribune.
1t was twilight On Christmas Eve. just
the time between daylight aud dark when
the llttlo folks have nothing TO to but long
fur the evenings festivities, and n very rest
less group was assembled In Aunt N[crry's
pleasant sitting-roo1n. Outside Il rnging
storm Of mingled sleet aud snow dashed
wildly against tho pines, and rntlllesly toro
the lust cllngfng leaves from tile desolate
branches, sel,dlng tllom whlr'lng down to the
cold, ttAlnp ground; Within 1t was q cozy,
pretty room, ilumtnetl only by tho tllcler-
Ing freight About the hearth was n ilst7
less quartet, whom tho storm had driven III
doors, a,ll who were Idly wishing tho lag
cling time away tilt after supper, wl,on tho
gas would be lighted anl tic Christmas Eve
sports would begin.
Stretched Mt full length on the rug In front
Of the blazing grate WIS 1lnl iIarcourt, the
eldest aud quietest OF tho circle; ctoso by
were Florence md Belle, his young cousins,
md at Ills feet was little Jack, the household
pet. Aunt Merry, dear, kind, mdthor1y soul
that slie wns, Ind not chick nor child of her
own, yet she lovcd to DO surrounded by
bright, young faces, ,nnd to her fond ears their
noise and nonsense was tho sweetest OF mol
olllcst on Christmas anl Thanksgiving, and
nll other holidays OIL which auy claim Whit
ever could bo laid, Merrlrlan Mansion flung
wido its hUspttable doors, md each little
cousin, or niece, or chil-frienl was VOL
coined with open arms. To spend n week ut
Aunt 3lerry's was, In tho eyes of llcr young
relatives the very climax Of cnrti,ly bliss, ,anl
her nalllo soon grew synonymous with Santa
Claus, st. Nicholas, and all other patron
saints Of girls and boys: her real laule, 10 1t
sald, was Mrs. lIarrtet Mcrrinlan, but nobody
| ever dreamed Of caltlug her anything but
"Aunt Merry" so aptly did that title seem
to suit Its genial. cherry, happy owner.
But to return to our t1reslle friends.
II wonder where auntte is?" Mcditated
Belle, yawnTngly. ''4tle l,asll't been visible
since dinner; how dull 1t Is without her
What In the world arc you dreaming about,
1ln19" slio questioned, SELLING upon anything
for diversion.
For answer 1Ial pointed to tho glowing
| Goals. "Do you sce that curious figure III tile
tlre9' lic askel; "wllat docs It look llko,
think you?"
"Whlch oncp'' quericl belle, leaning over.
40 sec! Why, how like mal,, It knight
III helmet md arlnor Oh horseback SEQ,
Florence, Isn't 1t perfectp''
At that moment tho doc: opened and Aunt
Merry entered. ".sVhat are my little folks
discussing SO eagerly HOW? Flrvligllt fan.
cles, or Christmas gifts, or what?"
40 Auntte, come and look ut this funny
soldier in tho Grc!' cried Jack. 1850 hllu
| there III The corner OH hOrSebackw
When she came forward to View tho mar.
| vol, sly HulIe drew ont tho big armchair md
ottoman; then scnting Aunt Merry gently In
It, slo suItl, conxingly, "ANutlp, dear, you're
going to stay with lis now Till supper-tlMe;
a,,,l rs we'ro 50 tired, with nothing 10 10,
don't you think It would bo nlco for-you to
tell us u st0ry"' coming to tho p0Ent all at
onco n1d rounding tho period with per-
suasive kiss,
"O YES, Auntle, do. do" cllinod in an
eager chorus.
IA story" she repeated, smiling on tho
earnest, uptarnel'faces; "wlty, bless youI
hearts. you've llearl my stuck OF stories
ovur aud oyor again, but "-unwll'ing to dis
appoint thoul-''perl,aps cat mako QUO uT
for the occasion; what shall 1t ho about! !
Ghosts and hobgob1lns 10 suit this graesone
night|' =.
Thore WAS silence q moment. and then Flor
cnce faltered. glanclng ti1norously Into tue
ltssky corners Of the y00pl, "No-O, guest
not TINT, Auntie."
"One about battles, alld guns, ard sol
dters," cried Jack, the 8-year-oller, sesx
Ing upon tho subjects dearest to his boyist
hrArt
"Qne Of knights and tournaments" sug
gcstel lla1, the bouk.wornl. ....
VA fairy tale please," began Dclla's
wheeling yolce.
"aut how can ever comply with suci
varied comnanAsy'' exclaimed Aunt Merry
laugh!ngly. "Alust !Mproylse story u
suit all these tAstcs? No, no. I'LL orlgtna
one would meyer do; tho bare Idea Of relat