Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-12-27
mIs CELIAHEous
CHRISTMAS BEAR STORY.

81 was Christmas Eve, and Uncle Bob sat
- before blazing fire, little ephew on
one knee and little nieco on the other,
while Aunt Katie sat quietly knitting in her
own particular coraer.
Unole Bob has two ehiIdrea OF his own
now, aud that made his heart all the warmer
toward every child he met.
"Tell US story, unclc," said little Dan,
looking up from UuOle Bob's left knee.
"l know pretty good bear story )" replied
Uuce Bob, with sly glance at Aunt Katie.
"Oh, tell us that. please" cried little Fan.
ME, from Uncle Bob's othOr knee, her pretty
face all aglow with eager curiosity.
Thirty years ago" Uuolo Bob began, sit
was wild country ont here. The woods
were full of bears aud woIves, not to speak
of otbor yarmeuts, aod tho settlers had to
keep sharp lookout, I toll you.
81 was n young man then, and reetoned
tho best looking chap in those parts" Uuole
Bob continued, with another glance at Aunt
Katie.
The latter looked back at Uncle Bob with
her usual quiet smile
"You know it yourself, Katie" returned
Uncle Bob, "Ieastways you thought 80 once. ;"
Aunt Katie blushed and won't on with her
knitting.
"Whateyer may be said Of me-" Upols Bob
resumed, "thcrc was gal iu the ueighbor-
hood as hadn't her mstch for ffty miles
around" !"
CHOW, Robert" expostul.ted Aunt K .tie,
whist. put such nonsense in your head to-
night7"
"I.'s only the sacred truth" Upols Bob
protested ':she was my FIRST sweetheart, and
her name was Katie"
The came as saunIie's," interrupted little
Dan.
"Jest So" said Uncle Bob. "That's what
they call coincidence"
The big word reduced little Dan to silence
and Uncle Bob continued:
"Kstie's father was the riohost man in the
settlement. BE had moved ont early. had
helped fight the Indians, had been sent to
the Legislature, was Justice Of the Peace,
and owned more than a thousand acres Of
land. We called him the Squire.
Katie aud me had been ns good as on :.
gagged for couple of years bat, you see, I
was too sheepish to speak to the Squire. 1
wanted Katie to do it, but she said it wasn't
mono of her place, and SO matters stood.
cat last sniptious looking chsp-his
nane was Sam Tibbets-cone out and started
a store aud grocery at the cross roads. He
wore store clothes and had long curly bair,
which he kept oiled TO such an extent r. dis
6ustsu Eh ING 4sHoRs auu enoaanteo all the
gals.
"None of US had any chance When he was
about. 1t was nobody but Mr. Tibbits. He
cut us all out BY turns. II you took gal to
meetin' or to siogin' school, e1pectin' 10 see
her home, jest as you slept up at the close OF
the exercises to offer her Jonr arm, ten to
one but Mr.. Tibbits would scrouge in ahead
and Jour gal would walk of with him, lsay,
| ing you the mitten
"He came it over the Squire by agreeing
with him in politics, especially on the wolf.
scalp bounty question so't when he beg AZ
to pay attention to Katie the Squire locke
pleased Ike.
81 don't know if Katie vsuted to max,
me jealous, SOS to bring me to the pin.
anyway, she seemed to take shine 10 Mr.
Tibbets, which drove me half mad. I'd .
thrashsd that gentle youth outsn his pa,en
leather boots, but he was alIus SO polite ther,
wasn't no decent way O. qua'Iin' with him ,
"But you're long while comm to th,
bear. Uncle" put in little Dan.
"We're Almost at him nou," said Uncl,
! Nancy Hopkins gave quiitiu' and every