Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-01-15
Willow VmtGrpippin'S Wonderful Dream.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

This is just how affairs stood in the
house in which we lived-brother Ma
thaniel and lit was tenement house,
hut very nice one-on the Christmas
Eve before that Christmas night.
In the basement the three little chill
dren of Mrs. Rose, the janitor's wife,
were quietly playing with their dolls
for the first time in several weeks, hav-
ing been sick nigh unto death, and their
poor, tired mother was lowering about
them, her thin, pale face lighted up
with thankfulness and JOY, albeit n
cloud did fit across it. every now and
then, as she thought of the debts con-
tracted during their sickness-debts
which at the present momentum. Rose
having been out of work for three long
months-she had but the faintest hope
of ever being able to pay.
On the first floor Mrs. McChilly-old.
obstinate and-well, to speak plainly
stingy Mrs. neutrality-suspicious. on
nose and head held close to the lamp.
was looking over for the fiftieth time
the bonds, willed her by her brother,
who had lately died in San Francisco
and received by her a few days before.
making her already in comfortable. very
comfortable circumstances - what in
our sphere of life would be considered
rich. Her girlish-looking granddaugh-
ter, by marriage, was darning the old
lady's stockiI ~. and thinking of the
dear, merry, young brother-in-law,
banished from his home half year ago
-ahome which had never been SO sun
shiny since-because he had dared to
fall in love without his grandmother's
consent, and the boyish-looking hus-
band ofthe granddaughter. by marriage.
was writing cheerful, affectionate
letter to the banished one, under cover
oil the daily account-book.
On the second floor pretty, gray-eyed,
brown-haired Mrs. Summer was hush
ing the baby to sleep. and dropping
tears on its little, golden head when
eveI, which was very often, she glanced
at her husband who lay snoring on the
lounge, having left convivial party
late that afternoon to stagger home, rs
he bad done mAny times during the last
unhappy year, with aching head and
empty pockets.
On the third floor jolly, plump, black
eyed, rosy-cbeeked, generous tout of her
income of thousand year she gave
away at least onc-eighth) Widow Win
terpippin was calmly sleeping in her
bed, thoroughly tired out by hard
days work, and Mamie, her little maid.
with the cat in her lap, was dozing in
a spasmodic manner in rocking chair
by the kitchen fire.
And on the fourth floor brother Ma
thani.I and were taking late supper
because I had been Obliged to remain
longer than usual at the store where
was clerk, 1t being the custom Of our
employer TO exact extra service all holi-
day week (without, however, thinking
1t necessary TO requite such services with
extra pay), and dear Eat--than whom
there never could be kinder brother
would not, though he be ever so hungry,
eat supper until was there to make
and pour out the tea. ut tastes so
much better from your hand, SIS" he
used TO say.
Nathaniel was printer, and had
been fine, stalwart, singing, whistling
fellow until that dreadful day in Sep
tcmber when he met with Che terrible
accident which resulted In the loss OF
his right arm.
Since then ha bad been on the invalid
list. and sang and wliistled and ioked no
more. We had, fortunately, some
money saved when this misfortune
came upon Us, but 1t was now almost
exhausted. And Nat began to worry
about that, among other things; but
never lost heart. Why should I9
had youth, health and strength and
twelve dollars n week. And we could
manage not to ststrve or freeze on twelve
dollars a week, and Mats overcoat and
TJy cloak could both be turned, and
somebody was coming home soon.
Widow Winterpippin--G God bless her
--~nrcved en- angel nf gooduesa during
our trouble. coming to sit with Nat her
self when his arm was at the worst:--
Ind TO 90 to the store after the first few
days, or the salary would lave ceased.