The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-12-23

i"thcr, no.ner ana daughter, the latter
rcsplendant i'll robes of fleecy wl.ita.
abundantly trimmed with soft, floating
laces and looped with artificial flowers.
while natural roses, friDged with myrtle
ndsnnlax, were half hidden amid her
golden hair and pulsated upon her joy
ously throbbing bosom.
For IN hour there appeared to be a
ceaseless Ginning Of sleigh-bells, and
rosy, laughing loads deposited at the
| door. Indeed, SO many were the teams
that Mike was frantic to know what to
do with them. But the Deacon believed
In 'the more the merrier'' principle. end
kept every one busy and contented. YET
Tor oil the gaily dancing and singing
company, o shade Of perplexity now and
then crossed his face. He had not solved
the mystery Of the ta1leau, and il hunR
upon him as troublesome nightmare.
For hours the house rang and trembled
upon its strong foundation. It was q
veritable beehive of fun and frolic, and
many soft cheek took ON deeper roses
from stolen kisses; many ON innocent
heart bounded moro swiftly from the en-
circling arm and many pair OF ears
hngled from the stepping Of white hands
In payment for saucy jest or pilfered
caress.
But good, buxom dame Hannah had
almost as much pride in her cooking as
IN her ono dear lamb, and when the
ancient clock made its huge; heavy.
ceoffin,,like case throb with the ringing Of
ten, she whispered TO her husband. good.
prudent soul that she was, that 'the
children must be getting hungry. and
che was going to see about the tables"
In response to her suggestion, he
sought their dnughter and told her they
were going to have supper, and that the
| young folks had better stop romping and
| cool of, or some Of them would be cer-
tain to take their death.
Yes, fcther," she answered; "but wo
must have the tableau frat" and she
looked up. blushing moro deeply than
d,nlask rose in June into the face Of Mr..
; Frank Emmons, upon whose arm she
happened to be leaning.
"AH right" responded the old man
with Q sigh of relief. for the burden would
soon be lifted from his soul. do you
want mo to help you?"
mo; but tell mother, please, 1 want
her." And Miss Minerva dnrted away
man told the fddlers to adjourn to the
kitchen and make themselves comfortable
until wanted again.
Evidently some of the girls understood
what was going on, if the Beacon did not,
for they cleared one end of the hall.
hung s!vs ToTz s;;1 s;s.- quilt I'll. across
and marshalled the company into some
thing like order. Then, after brief
pause, In which there was much whis-
pering, tho improvised curtain was drawn
aside and disclosed Miss Minerva stand
! ing hand in hand with MIR. Frank EN-
mons, with o young lady and gentleman
as supporters, and the old minister be-
fore them.
! Amazed, but silent, the Deacon looked
on. He did not comprehend the affair
at all, had no practical knowledge Of
charades, but when certain words had
been spoken and o ring passed, sud-
den light broke in upon the darkness of
nus understanding, and he exclaimed
with an earnestness that startled oil
| 'Je-ru-sa-lem It looks like mnr-
| riage!"
The hearty laugh TINT followed sufficed
for full explanation and it needed not
the assurance of the minister to convince
him that his daughter was honestly and
legally married to the man of her choice.
And yet Mt first he was disposed to be an
| CRY. Then he sow the foolishness of
such q proceeding, especially rs he had
! previously given his assent to the se-
lection of his daughter, aud entered
heartily into the laugh against him
SELF
"That's what you call a-Ierusalemi
l can't spea]; the new tangled name--is
IT.? Yet it wasn't hardly fair to fool the
old man SO, Minerva. did expect you
would find something in your stockings
tonight, child, but not great, live man.
However it Is all right (anything sho
could have done would have been so) and
we'll make the best of it, and your moth
er and will have plenty to do in gettinu
things ready to fill the little stockings
that"
A soft wh,,e Sapd stopped hic 'xords,
red and ripe lips were pressed upon his
own, o silken face was laid upon his
( wr1nkled ono, o few tears OF happiness
| were rained down upon his broad breast.
and with faltering tongue the old man
called the young husband 10 his side.
! gave him tho hnnd Of his darling, and
eaid, "Take her and may God bless Won
both, my children. II I have lost q
daughter 7 have found sou and shall
have another arm to lean upon when NV
eyes grow dim and steps unsteady
and"
! Moro he would have said but great
ringing Of bells summoned them to sup
Per-anu buCn o supper. IL UOnld have
/ made grim Famine commit suicide in de-
spair to have looked upon the tables, and
Time throw away his hour-glass and sit
blythely down and enjoyed the feast.
The good mother had known the secret
from the first, and with her pride stimu-
lated had distanced all former efforts:
oven to produce Christmas supper, ED
the only complaint was Of excessive full.
ness, when ngain tho violins summoned
the party to tho hall.
few moro hours OF such happiness
ias rarely comes to earth and the old
house became silent The company had
departed, but not before the Deacon had
invited oil to be present that day year,
whispering ut the same time something
in the ear OF HE daughter that sent the
blood bounding to her cheeks and caused
her 10 iurn suddenly and shnmefaced
| away.
Was he right?
Come with me this Joyous, blessed
day. You will be welcomed right royal.
ly., Come and assist in the festivities
and taste to repletion of the good cheer.
and when the bright-eyed babe is christ.
encd, join with oil in wishing to him, ave
even to all upon earth, happy, merry,
bountful Christmas.