The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-12-22
A Christmas Tableau Vivant.
BY WILLIAM II. BUSHNELL.

1t was o iavorite eXplctiye Of good
Deacon Parks when excitement got the
better Of his usual placid way, and his
wife looked up III establishment rs he
came stamping into the house, slammed
the door after him and stirred up the fire
until the hickory blazed and roarcd like
all iucipient volcano.
"Gracious! What is the matter now,
Job?" she exclaimed, pausing in her
baking operations, wiping the flour from
her hands upon her huge NlTon and
lowering her glasses from her forehead to
her nose to obtain better look at her
husband and satisfy herself that he had
not suddenly lost his wits.
"Why, day after tomorrow is Christ
mas!"
Gas if didn't know that! Haven't /
been making preparations for it for
more than week? Catch me without
mince- pies and fried cakes and cranberry
Jelly and a great, bouncing turkey and
she smiled complUceutly at the thought
of the good things already prepared.
"And never thought Of it until just
now-been so busy, You know, he
apologized, rs if in reality he had been
guilty OF some great crime.
"Well, it don't matter, job; and |
wouldn't worry about it, for have taken
care Of 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 without a fcathcl-bcd
and
'Its all her own fault, Hannah. The
good Lord knows We have plenty for her
and half dozen more, and if she will
persist in wearing herself ont in teaching
other peoples brats, then
"What them" questioned merry
voice, as pretty, rosy piece Of mischief
came bounding into the room, shaking
the snow from her long, golden c,wls,
and running up 10 her father, fairly
smothcred him for a moment with kisses
and then darted away, laughing, 10 her
mother, twined her arms about her neck
and greeted her as warmly.
"Jerlsalem!" exclaimed the old man
as soon as he could regain his breath,
though with his honest face flushed with
Joy and his lips quiyering with emotion,
for his daughter was indeed as the apple
Of his eye and the one thing upon earth
altogether lovely.
"My dear, precious lamb whispered
the fond mother, through tears of happi,
ness, as with busy fingers she removed
the iarmty little cap, flus, cloak and
gloves, ''to think You have come safe
" back to me once more and"
Now" interrupted the girl, 81 should
like to know what father was talking
about when | came in.
$50 uneypected' said the mother.
eve did not look for you until to-mor-
row night
ooh, | had chance to rido home, -
replied the girl blushlng, "and got per
mission to let out school. But You were
talking about me- father"
"Wcll. yes, he answered with mcr-
nv twinkle in his eyes, "and | was about
to say when you came rushing IN ikea
young bcar-about to say, though mind
T didn't-that if you kept on teaching
other peoples brats you wouldn't have
strength to teach your own--when YOU
get them" and he laughed loudly at the
changed expression of her face.
"For shame" responded Minerva
'But I'll pay you for that, father Ike
member, am young lady now, ana you
can't joke with mo with IMMUNITY a
you once did.
"A young lady? Whew! And | sup
pose some young gentleman put him
self TO immense trouble to BRING Yol
home through the cold and storm an'
$ didn't forget to collect toll at all TIN
k bridges. Aren't your lips sore, daugh
: ter?'
Il The girl colored still more deeply, an'
y hustled around to help her mother Sc
: the table for dinner, that She might cs
/ cape the teasing: but her father enjoyc
y it too much, and asked:
> "Who was it, child? Some of ther
scape- grace clerks fro:n Beaverton,
y be bound. .,
"You know | never associate VII
> them" she responded Indignantly. M
: Frank Emmons brought me home.
. "O-h?" with low whistle. eye
\ he is nice and proper young man, al.
u has such pretty black hair and eyes, an
;, teeth and moustache, and such whit
Il hands, and sings like half dozen ang@,
:, and walks so gently" and the old genti'
? man arose and strutted mincingly arolul
- the room in burlesque imitation OF IL
j attendant Of his daughter.
y Minerva could not but laugh, yet pr
y tending 70 take no notice, Slided abo'
arranging the dishes, and her MOTH
asked where the young man was.
to ~ know" said her father, answerir
Of the question for her. "Our daught'
it has rolled him up in pink cotton al
st sprinkled him with cologne and put HI
es in bandbox for fear he will get mussed
o "He will be here Christmas Eve, i
es terrupted Minerva, with strong eiio
I'd at sobriety; che and number OF othef
FL IanNa q