St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-12-23

eve and Christmas day with them But,
much to their disappointment, tele-
gram, which had been delayed for sew
eral hours for some reason connected
with the severe snow storm, was handed
to them at half-past nine O clock, saying
that the baby was not well enough to
travel and the visit must be postponed
until New Years day.
1t was too bad; Tor there stood the
dining table just as it had stood since
six clock that afternoon, loaded down
with cakes and grapes, and apples and
oranges, and six kinds of preserves, and
cold tongue, and roast chicken, and
cheese, and home made bread and in
one of the closets We're hidden away, all
ready to be brought out at the proper
time, and be put into stockings of
various sizes, gold rings in velvet cases,
dolls in the prettiest baby clothes neck
ties of gay colors, china cups, delight
full books, bon-bon boxes filled with the
most delicious bon-bons, and smanv
other things too numerous to mention, y
as the store-keepers say in their adyer-
tisements.
well, well, am disappointed, .
said Mr. Bush-that was the old gen
tleman's name; g for it will be the first
time in many years that we have not
had Christmas party. y
s.And so am t. said Grandmalnma
Bush; ..but OF course the dear baby's
health must not be endangered bless
its little heart! Wen let the table stand
as it is until tomorrow morning, for /
am too tired to attend to it tonight,
and then we must find some one with
whom to share the eatables that will
not keep. As for the presents, they
will all keep. But Mary she called
to the servant maid, take a look at
the roof-door before you go to bed.
There was a man up there to-day
brushing off the snow. and don't know
whether he fastened it or not. =
Mary ran up the stairs that led to
the small room or cupola in which
there was door from which you could
step out on the roof, and which she found
the man had not bolted as he should
have done.
II wonder if it's snowin' ag'in, she
said to herself, opening it far enough to
peep oat. But she slammed it and
screamed, and reached the landing be-
low with flying leap, all in the next
moment.
why, Mary, what in the world is the
matter?n asked her mistress, hurrying
out of the dining groom, followed by her
husband with Stout walking stick.
.sOh. there somethin' by the chin
bly,, ma am somethin' all black"
"a manp'' said the old lady in a
trembling voice.
No, ma am, it's too small, ma am.
One of the good people I do be think
in. ma am, kind of fairies they be,
though they do be bigger
Nonsense! there's nothing of the
Sort said Mr.. Bush.
Begin your pardon, sir, there's
plenty in Ireland, and maybe some Of
them has immigrated, sir. Don't go
out, sir, or they may turn you into a
goose or somethin', sir, as they mostly
does thin that's bold enough to look
upon thim.n
But the old gentleman put her aside
with a smile, and in a moment more
was bending over the somethin' all
black" by the chimney.
foor little girl! she was still fast
asleep, and almost frozen. He lifted
her in his arms and carried her down to
his wife, waiting for him on the plat
form from which few steps more led to
the hall, to which Mary, in her fear of
the "good people" had retreated.
"Good gracious!'' said Grandmamma
Bush, 'sWhere did the child come
from?n And she began slapping the
icy-cold hands; but she had only
slapped them half dozen times when
Ginevra Alveretta opened her big eyes
and her not small mouth, and out OF
the latter gurgled the rest OF the laugh
that had been cut short when she so
suddenly fell asleep. And before it was
ended came a loud and joyful chorus of
laughter from above, and looking up
in great surprise, Mr.. and Mrs. Bush
saw a crowd of dusky faces looking
down.
Mommy Pie had been awakened BY
the cold air blowing in upon her from
the opened scuttle; and wondering how
it came open. she got up to close it and
found Gineyra Alveretta gone.
More frightened than she had ever
been in all her life before, she aroused
the whole family, each and every mem
Der Of which began to laugh as soon as
he or she Enclosed his or here es But
they became as serious as Mrs Reliable
Pie herself when they heard the alarm
ing news she had to tell. They dressed
themselves in haste, and. guided by Mr..
Reliable Pie, who went ahead with a
lantern, they followed the chitd's foot
steps in the snow until they reached the
chimney of the fat house, and from
there some larger footsteps led them to
the roof-door, which, it having been left
slightly aiar. the wind had blown wide
open, and stepping into the cupola they
looked down the stairs and saw with