The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-12-24
A CHRISTIANS TABLEAU yIvANT.
BY WILLIAM 4. BUSHNELL.

Jerusalem ="
1t was q favorits expletiTe Of good Deacon
Parks when excitement got the better Of his
usual placid way, and his wife looked up in
a5tonishment as he came stamping into the
house, slammed the door after him and stir
red up the fra until the hickory blazed and
rOaTed like an incipient volcano.
Gracious. What is the matter now, JOb2'
she exclaimed, pauSjng in her baking opera
tiOns wipiug the flour from her hands upon
her huge apron and lowering her glasses from
her forehead So her nose to obtain a better
look at her husband and satisfy herself that
he had not suddenly lost his wits.
i Why, day after tomorrow is ChTistmas!'
"As Il l didn't know that Haven't been
making preparations for it for more than
week? Catch me without mince-pies and
frisd cakes and cranberry Jelly and grest,
bouncing tTkey2' and she smiled cOmpia-
Gently at the thought Of the good things Al
ready prepared.
And I never thought OF it until just now
Been 80 busy" no spoioglzed, 81 If IN real
ity he had been guilty OF some great crime.
We'll, it don't matter, job and would
not worry about It. for ] have taken care or
everything for the blessed day, and Minerva
will be home from teaching school. Poor
child how she must suffer this weather,
sleeping in cold rooms and like as not with
out featheT-bcd and"
Its all Ler own fault Hannah. The good
knows We have plenty for hsr and half
dozen mors, and II she will persist in wear
ing herself out in teaching other peoples
brats. then"
what then ?" questioned a merry voice,
as pretty rosy piece OF mischlet eame
bounding into the rooIn, shaking the snow
from her long, golden curls, and running up
to her father, fairly smOthered him for mo
/ ment with kisses aud then darted away,
laughing, TO her mother, tWincd her arms
T about her neck and greeted her as warmly.
Jerusalem - exclaimed the old man as
soon as he could regain his breath, though
with his honest face flushed with jos ans his
lips quiyeTing with emotion, for his daughter
WAS indeed as the apple Of his eye and tnh
( one thing upon earth altogether lovely.
my dear, precious lamb" whispered the
fond mother, through tears OF happiness, as
with busy fingers she removed the jaunty lit
tie cap, furs cloak and gloves, Ito think you
have come safely back to me once more
and -
"Now." interrupted the girl, 81 should ike
to know what father was talking about when
! / came In"
'We did not look for you until to- morrow
night
| "Oh, had chance to ride home, - replied
/ the girl, blushiHg, and got permission to let
out school. But you were talking about me,
I father?''
! ''Wen, yes" he answered, with a merry
/ twinkle III his eyes, 'snd | was about 20 say
! when you came rushing in like young bear
about to say, though mind, didn' n't-thaf
/ If you kept on teaching other people DraLs
/ you wouldn't have strength to teach your
I own-when YOU get them," and lie laughed
( loudly st the changed expression OF her face
For shame responded Minerva. but
/ I'll pay you for that, father. Remember, !
am young lady now, and you can't joke
/ with me with impunity, as you once did.
| "a young lady? Whew ! And suppose
/ some young gentleman put himself to I'M
Inense trouble to bring you homo through the
I cold and storm and didn't forget to collect
( toll at all the bridges Aren't your lips sore
daughter"
I The girl cOl0red still more deeply, and bus
/ tied around to holp her mother set the table
! for dinner, that she might escape the teasing;
! but her father enjoyed it too much, and lie
asked
"Who was it, child? Some Of them scape-
J grace clerks from Beaverton, I'll be bound -
You know 1 never associate with them, -
I she responded Indignantly. MI. Frank En-
/ mons brought me home. "
| oh ?" with low whistle. Eyes, he is
I a nice and proper young man, and has Euch
pretty black hair and eyes, and teeth and
| moustschs, and such white hands, and sings
! like half a dozen angels, and walks so gent
| ly," and the old gentleman arose and strut
I ted mincingly around the room in burlesque
| imitation of the attendant of his daughter.
Minerva could not but laugh, yet pretend
/ ing 10 take no notice glided about arranging
I the dishes, ard her mother asked where the
vcUng man was.