The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-12-23
What are yon going TO have Domino

"Oh, Just because l. Ike h1m, and h1S
wife is such dear old lady, and they
will be very lonely on such a day, with
their children all married and away from
home Sol 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 sakeI' ex-
claimed her father. "or 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 mortal man." he said as
he took his place at the table and began
loading her plate as if she had been in
danger of starvation for a month
Dinner over-it was one of the sub
stantial, old-fashioned kind, though the
mother had added the richest of dessert
delicacies to tempt her child, as if there
was no such thing as dyspepsia in 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 the morning con-
yersation.
Z" How many are you going to have,
daughter?" he questioned
''All the boys and girls. +"
''Boys first, every time with your sex,
and girls with the other" he laughed,
''but all means how many?"
'rWell (rehectively,) from fifty to sew
enty-fve.
''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 t
you mother, deaE?" and look of under
standing passed between parent and
daughter.
''Then all have to do is to help the
riot along, for riot it will be with so many
youngsters together But what was it
you said you were going to have?"
ga tub'lo vevang," was answered with
the broadest possible French accent
alton.
it will be grand"
81 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, 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 I have
been calculating"
''Well, they shan't go away hungry,
if there is enough in the land to feed
them. I'll have Mike kindle 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 a good time"
"Ohl how much L thank you, dear
father, 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
all about me-"
''MarriedI' exclaimed the girl, sud
denly growing ashy pale. ''Neverl 1
mean," she continued, with her face
flushing to the deepest crimson, 81 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 herred 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 rs wrecked. No, my darling;
find good man whom you can love with
your whole heart, and who loves you the
same, for I am old-fashioned enough to
believe in such things, and I'll not only
give my consent but my blessing, some
thing worth havingfor a 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
be Franklin. Emmons, mean?"
"Humphl don't know. He is"
Gust as nice n young fellow as ever
lived interposed his wife.
eyes, yes. l can't say aught against
him, but:
II know" laughed Minerva at his con-
fusion, when you really come to think
of giving me up it is too much. That's
it. '
'T believe you are right, child. But l
must go and see about an extra supply OF
provisions. Gracious! it will be fortu-
nate if we don't have famine"
He wiped away the mist from his old
eyes, brought there by the thought his
daughter had suggested; tried to whistle
bravely down the very situation he had
with the touch of rugged eloquence de
Tended, and hastened to call his man-of-
all-work and give him instructions. mi
nerva has come back, Mike" he said
"and is going to have some kind of
blowout on Christmas Eve. She calls it a
tabler vevaught, or something of the
kind.
"a fwhat ?" questioned the Irishman,
scratching his head in the most puzzled
manner.
''That's what sticks me, Mike, though
1 did not let her know it. Anyhow there
is to be some kind of female circus, and |
the animals will want plenty to eat"
BLESSINGS on the bright eyes of her, |
and its ivrything on the old farm I'll kill |
if she wants it, the darlin'."
"Yes, believe you. That girl seems
TO have faculty of twisting every one
around her finger, and"
''Divil n won more thin her ould fayth- |
err" said Mike as he proceeded to obey |
the orders he had received, ''an' muther
lashins of poultry" well knowing that |
his share of the feast would be no stinted |
one.
To late hour the making ready was
continued, and all went-to bed tired but |
happy. And the next day was a continual