Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-12-23
NEW YEARS CALLS.

ClCui tlCDltot anu viz AOuotob Vi thChi
added
"sGoing to make calls to-day, Uncle
FredPn a.. tlt. 81 f. T,
"Of course am, Johnny" responded
the rosy, frosty-whiskered, middle-aged
gentleman they were talking to, as he
opened the door of his carriage.
A"What are you and your friends going
to doP'
."We're going to make calls, too"
sang out one of Johnny's comrades
"he and / and Tracy Plumb"
"What, is Tom Fitch going with your
Where are you going to callP"
J Everywhere" sturdily replied Tom
Fitch, with hitch at his neck-tie. "All
around the block"
"You are, are you! Have you any
cards, for places where they're not at
homep''
"Yes, sir, we've cards for every
body"
Indeed! Let me see them"
N Uncle Fred's good-humored face was
all a broad grin as he held out his hand,
for the two smaller boys could not have
been much more than eight years old,
and johnny Cook himself, their head
man, was barely ten.
81 wrote my own cards." said John
ny, with proud dissatisfaction, as he
dragged q handful of bits of white PASTE
board from his coat-pocket.
"Tip-topr' exclaimed Uncle Fred;
=" /" only you should always spell your
name in one way. J-o-n-n-i isn't nearly
as good rs J-h-o-n-y, and that ones
J-o-n-e. But they'll all do.''
90 Mine are better than his" said
Tom. "Mother gave me some of her
old ones; and so did sister Belle; and
Tracy Plumb has some of his own
fathers. Show 'em to him, Tracy"
.tThat is grand!' said Uncle Fred
"Now you must always send your cards
in ahead of you, SO they'll know who's
coming
He was getting very red in the face
Just then, and the boys did not hear
him mutter, as he hurriedly stepped in
to the carriage and drove off:
Mustn't let them see me laugh.
Might scare 'em out of it and spoil the
fun. But shouldn't 1 like to be some
{ where when those three come IMP"
( There were no signs of laughter on
: the faces of Johnny Cook, Tracy
Plumb and Tom Fitch. 1t was decid-
edly serious business for them, and
they marched steadily away up the
street.
~ "Where'll we call firstP" said Tom.
"Let Johnny tell. He knows" said
Tracy.
"fhere's basket on Mr.. Jones'
door-bell, boys. Wen go there first.
That's to put our cards i'm
Up the steps they went, and the bell
was duly rung, but it had to be pulled
again before any one came to the door.
"Well, thin, what is it? What do yi2
wantP''
- "Why, Biddy," exclaimed Tom
''we're calling! Didn't you know il
was New Years DayP'
It's calm We arep An didn't yt
see the baskite Mrs. Jones isn't a
home the day."
"Ohr' said Johnny; "she's out max
ing her own calls. Give Biddy YOU
cards, boys"
.r How'd on, thin, livery wan of viz
till show her them cards"
II thought You said she wasn't Al
homeP"
"'Dade and she isn't; but I'd rather
lose me place than not have her LUX a
thin. Shtand where viz are till
come"
The Jones family were too near neigh
bors for Biddy not to know those three
young gentlemen; and in a momen
more nice-looking lady upstairs wa
saying to herself:
.J-o-n-n-y, Johnny, C-o-o-o-k-e, Cook
and Miss Arabella Fitch and Mr.. Marina
duke Plumb -"
"Its the three b'yes, mum!'' ex
claimed Biddy, with her plump side
shaking with fun. "Sure, an it 8 call
they're maxim"
Bring them in, Biddy. Call up tn
children, and bring a plate of cake
Quick as ever you can. I'll come righ
down to the parlor."
She was there, sure enough, just il
time to hear Tracy say: There, Tom,
told you Johnny Cook knew. And Mrs
Jones wouldn't let Biddy tell stOrie
about her."
"Wish you happy New Year, young
gentlemen. Have chair, Mr.. Cook
Please be seated, Mr.. Plumb and MI
Fitch. Our young people will be her
in moment"
"We're not calling on the children
to-day" said Johnny, "but you nigh
let them come in"
And in they came, round half doze
of little Joneses, and Biddy after with
big plate of cake.
7.Tom," whispered Tracy, "Johnn
said we mustn't eat too much in any on
place"
"pl put the rest of mine in my pocl
et.''
And so he did; but it was a good whil
before Mrs. Jones got through askin
them about their plans for the day, an
after that it was hard work to keep Be
Jones from going with them. In fac
the moment they were out of door
again, Ben sat down in a corner an
began to howl over it, so that he had
stay in the corner till dinner-time.
"Where'll we go now, johnny"
"Judge Curtin's is the biggest hous
on the block, boys, and he hasn't an
children"
"That's the place. They'll have ic'
cream there, see If they don't"
But the moment the bell of Judg
Curtin's door was pulled, the door swun
open wide, and there stood his bi
waiter, in swallow-tailed coat an
white cravat, looking down in wondt
oh hio uiihihutifO Bhcoto' Ao Voc
vain for Johnny Cook to look big an
hold his head up as he handed out ii
cards, and Tom and Tracy edged lit
behind him.
"vot is disp You poys want SOM
tingsp'
SNew Years calls" explained Johl
ny. "Are the ladies at homep'
"Sop Very goot. Walk right in.
dake in dose card, too. De madam
will be proud to see you. Walk in"
johnny knows" muttered Tom
Tracy. They'll have cream here"
MAY be some candy. too"
But the big waiter was bowing the
into the parlor now, where Mrs. Curt
and her grown-up daughters were O
tertaining quite an array of their gent
men friends. and Johnny whispers
back;
Hush. boysl There's table, al
it's FULL
A very large and stately lady was Mr.