The Red Cloud chief., 1881-01-27
THE NEW YEARS ERRAND.

WHAT are those children doIng!"
asked the clergyman Of his wife a few
days after Christmas.
81 really cannot tell you, James,"
was the reply, as his wife peered anx-
iOusly over his shoulder, and "a of the
window. "All that | know about it is
this: l was busy in the pantry, when
Rob put his head in, and asked if he
could have the Christmas tree, as near
ly everything had been taken off of it.;
SO | said Yes and there he goes with
1t, sure enough. 1 do hope the wax
from the candles has not spotted the
parlcr carpet"
Don't be anxious, wife; Christmas
comes but once a year, and when it
comes should bring good cheer"
YES" said the careful housewife,
81 suppose l do worry. But there! it is
showing again, and Bertha perched up
on that tree on Rob's sled, and she SO
subject to croup!'
The more she is out in the pure air,
the less likely she is to take cold; but
whc-c are they goingP"
IL really do not know, James. Did
you ever see q dog more devoted to any
n than Zip is to Rob? There he goes,
dancing beside him now; and l see
Rob has tied IN the scarf Bertha knit
for him: that is done to please her. She
did work so hard to get it finished in
time before he came home for the holi-
days"
''She is very like her own dear little
mother in Kindness and care for 9TH
ers," was the reply.
The mother gave a bright smile and
kiss for the compliment, but a little
wall from the nursery hurried her out
of the room.
Christmas at the parsonage had been
delightful, for, first of all, Bob's return
from bOarding-schOol was a pleasurable
event; he always came home in such
good spirits, was so full of his jokes and
nonsense. and had SO many funny things
to tell about the boys. Then there was
the dressing of the church with ever.
greens, and the decoration of the parlor
with wreaths of holly or running pine,
and the spicy smell of all the delicacies
which were in course of preparation,
for Sally wa a famous cook, and would
brook no interference when mince-pies
and plunl-pudding were to be con
cocted.
But the children thought the arrival
of a certain box, which was ALWAYS dis
patched IRON town. the very best of all
the Christmas delights. This box anne
from their rich aunts and uncles, who
seemed to think that the little parson-
age must be a dreary place i'm winter,
and SO, to make up to its inmates for
losing all the brightness of acity winter,
they sent everything they could think
OF in the way of beautiful pictures. gor-
geous books, games, sugar-plums, and
enough little glittering things for two
or three trees. Of course the clergy
man always laid aside some of these
things o other occasions, lest the
children should be surfeited.
And SO Christmas had passed happi-
ly, as usual. The school-children had
sung their carols and enjoyed their
feast, the poor had been carefully
looked after and made comfortable, and
there had come the usual lull after a
season of excitement. 1t was now the
day before the first of the new wear,
and the parson was writing a sermon.
he Was telling people what a good time
II was to try and turn over q new leaf;
to be nobler, truer, drawer, than they
had ever been before; to let the old
year carry away with it all ~selfshness,
all anger, envy, and u~nloving thoughts;
and as he wrote, he looked out of the
window at the falling snow, and won
dered where Rob and Bertha could have
gone.
Dinner-time came. Aunt Ellen,
mamma, and the parson sat down
alone. where are those children?"
repeated mamma.
Il do not think you need be worried,
thoughtful, he will take good care of
Bertha They have perhaps stopped
in at a neighbours, and been coaxed to
STAY"
Every likely" said the parson. And
then the baby came in, Growing and
chuckling, and claiming his privileges,
such as sitting in a high chair and feed
ing the cat, and mamma had enough to
do to keep the merry fellow in order.
or his fat little hands would have grasped
all the silver, and pulled over the
glasses.
After dinner. while the parson let the
baby twist his whiskers or creep about
his knees. mamma played some lovely
German music, and Aunt Ellen Gro
cheted. The short afternoon grew
dusky. Baby went off to the nursery;
the parson had lighted his cigar, and
was going out for a walk. but mamma
looked so anxious tina. he said:
81 will 60 look for the children.
Kate"
Really, 1 think you will have to
give Rob a little scolding, my dear. He
should have told us where he was 60
ing"
"Yes, 1 suppose ST." said the par
son; when just then there was q glee.
full cry-a merry chorus made up OF
Rob's, Bertha's and lips voices, and
there they were, Bertha on the sled, and
Rob was her horse.
where have you been, my son?"
said the parson, trying to be severe.
You should not have gone of in this
manner for the whole day without ask
ing permission"
Robs bright smile faded q little; but
Bertha said. quickly, Please, Papa. |
don't scold Rob. If you only knew"
"Hush, Berthar' said Rob; and red
rs his cheeks were, they grew redder.
II am sorry you are offended sir. /
did not mean to be SO long. We were
detained"
"What detained you?"
And where did you get your din
ner?" asked mamma.
\'Oh, we had plenty to eat"
- But Won don't infand us Tn know