The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-10-14
MIR. BLOSSOMS CHRISTMAS PARTY.

From London Society.
Il should like to do it, Tom" said the
genial plump old gentleman; your return
from India gives an excellent opportunity"
"Humph,' rejoined the brOnZed young
soldier, who was lazily smokingin an easy
lounge; "you'll find it a tough job expect"
Perhaps, but-ah-it would please me
greatly to see n reconciliation between your
aunts-the only living relatives have ex-
cept yourself. See?"
Il hear, sir which is much the same,
You were such boy when you
went away, You can hardly remember
them, j should say"
20 yes, l can. though. By JOve should
think SO! Aunt Maria Pringle on her way
to chapel with big Bible, and Aunt Jane
en- route for All Saints with large gold
cross on her prayer book, and the two pass
ing each other without nod, was too i'm
pressive to be forgotten"
MY dear boy" expostulated the kindly
old father, isn't it Just a little--ah-un-
charitable to remember-;,h sore pOint?'
They gave me nothing else to remember
them by, sir, replied the young man; "but
don't let me damp your ardor. shall be
only too glad to help on anything that
pleases you."
That's kind of you, Tom; and as you
offered to help me, perhaps you wouldn't
Misunderstanding the little-ah--invita-
tons for me, and adding a friendly word of
your OWN"
Tom acquiesced, and watched his father S
shiny bald head reddening with the warmth
of his feelings as he indicted the two notes
which were to bid the two belligerent sisters
to the Christmas dinner; and as he watched
this single hearted old gentleman he Won
dered how two such women as Mrs. Prin-
gle and Mrs. Mace could be his sisters.
There, Tom; no distance between the
two houses, you see, said Mr.. Blossom,
handing his son the notes.
''Old eats" soliloquised the young man
as he buttoned his great coat. They live
near to have an opportunity OF showing how
they hate each other daily. suppose"
1t is remarkable the influence Il returned
relative has when his sick-leave is the re-
suit of Il slight wound. and his face is q
handsome one. Tom Blossom got an ac-
| ceptance ont of the aunts before he left
them, and his fathers whole evening was
spent in continually rubbing his hands to
express satisfaction, and in adding sugges-
tons as 10 good dishes for the Christmas
| dinner.
The seldom fused drawing room was
brilliant with fire and candle light Mr.
Blossom stood on the hearth rug, ready with
| beaming smile and hearty greeting for the
! coming guests.
''AIr. and Mrs. Pringle," announced old
Mead, the butler.
Aunt Maria WAS very tall and angular, and
her high cap made her more imposing-she
quite eclipsed her husband, Il nervous little
sandy haired fellow.
A merry Christmas" cried the beaming
host.
THE same TO you, john" replied Mrs.
Pringle; and her husband wriggled about in
the endeavor to show that he was as merry
as anybody else.
"Mr. and Mrs. Mace"
Aunt Jane was q bustling little woman,
with sharp voice, and spectacles worn oven
very sharp eyes. She promptly responded
to her brothers and nephew's greeting, as
did her husband, and then came n pause,
during which little Mr.. Pringle's hands got
damp all over and tall good natured Mr..
Mace twiddled with the bow of his necktie.
| Tom felt the awful moment had come.
Mr.. Blossom coughed, and then with a
bow possessed himself of one of James and
one of Maria's hands, and standing as II link
between the two, he said:
You have both done me a great kind
ness. This season is SO full of peaceful
affectionate associations"
my dear brother. ! know my duty,
sOlemnly murmured Aunt Maria.
81 hope We both do" sharply corrected
Aunt Jane.
90, know you do; You are both most
excellent Christians; and all ask of you is
that You will shake each others hands in
friendliness before We sit down to oul
Christmas dinner"
Il never wished it otherwise" said aunt
Maria, in Il moumful tone, as she grudg-
ingly offered her hand.
"Nor /, I'm sure" added Aunt Jane, and
the cold hands met: and feeling relieved
from the burden of family feud, little
Pringle rushed mt Mr.. Mace and shook and
squeezed his fingers frantically.
| Dinners on the table, sir"
Who needs describe Christmas dinner?
May every one who reads this enjoy such
turkey such beef, such plumb pudding as
Mr.. Blossoms table boosted; and may every
one, as he did, carefully avoid all the small
and unnecessary fripperies which are sent
to the table in these days, and which, If
eaten, entirely spoil the glorious harmony
that follows indulgence i'll our time -honOred
Christmas fare.
where did you attend service this morn
ing, brother" inquired Aunt Maria, with
| interest.
go, just round the corner; quiet little
church, you know"
"Ah, you should have heard Mr.. Gowny
such passion, such fervor.'
Takes an hour, though, to show it in,
remarked Mr. Mace, stupidity good humored
himself, and unaware that he was treading
on anybodys toes.
Hush, my dear Henry" expostulated
his wife, putting her handkerchief to her
mouth as if much distressed, and then
apologetically continued:
Henry is spoilt, you know; our rector is
so very clever, and says so much in only
twenty minutes"
Superficial" remarked Aunt Maria, vi
olently cutting away at the wing of a turkey
on her plate. 81 hope, Tom, you have not
forgotten Mr.. Gowny; pray come there on
Sunday-he appeals SO to the feelings"
Nothing appeals to my feelings like
brevity, Aunt Maria" rejoined Tom
! thoughtlessly.