The colored patriot., 1882-06-08

= MA&MmhfAfL
enjoying the novelty and exchanoine
greetings, comments and criticisms.
Dear me, said an old LADY IN /.
linsey shawl. who earned a scanty livina
by knitting socks, =" if there amt Jam
Higgs, and looking as il she thought IN.
was as good as nybody."
- And just see old Daddy Skifkin.
with his wall-eyes and bristles! know
he II spoil my appetite. " remarked Mrs.
Baker, who was almost helpless with
dropsy. Il do think he might have
sense enough to stay away"
But Daddy Skifkins, far fnom ma.
pecting himself of being an object ~
aversion. was bent on makinC himsalI
agreeable to all, and trotted about from
the fire to the dining-room door with
gleeful exclamations of-'-Crikey, what
a jolly fire! She's an angel, Miss Puo
is! There's turkey bigger than I
wash tub. Bless her heart! don't L
just make a fellow feel like going 10
church? What cakel Amt II 1
screamerP' ETC., until Mrs. Baker rc.
queSted him TO shut his mouth and MOI
make fool of himself. !.
Miss Prue felt that she had an amplo
reward in the happiness she had the mean,
of bestowing upon these poor creatures.
into whose lives so few such CLEANS q
lhese had fallen.
:" If people would only seek happines,
in this manner they would find it often.
er,' she thought
Meg, who was helping her aunt lay
the table, found the affair rather an in
interesting experiment. and even Mrs.
Potter conceded thatlending TO the Lord
was not bad investment.
Miss Merriweather was Just finishinn
of her table arrangements with q greal
glass dish of oranges, when Daddy Skif.
kins came skipping out, in much excite
ment.
miss Prue," he exclaimed. there,
fellow outside says can he come In,
because it is showing very faste And
Mrs. Baker and Granny Larkins says he
shan't come in; but it seems rather
rough on fellow that he has no place
to go to, and dom Z think he has. and
"Of course he can come in.n said
Miss Prue, settling the last orange.
"Wait-Pll let him in myself"
AS she opened the door tall form il
rough gray overcoat, all dappled with
snow, walked in.
"Pruer' exclaimed deep voice Just
little tremulous.
And without further notice the tai
and saucy stranger gave Miss Prne
very snowy hug
Jim--Jim Griggs-is it really youg
cried Miss Prue, returning the hug, In
the face of all the guests, who had
trooped into the hall, with Mrs. Potter
and Meg close behind.
Its Jim Griggs and nobody eisc,"
returned the stranger cheerily. And
every year for the past ten it's been
my intention 10 come home on this very
day of this very month. because it's the
anniversary of that day / promised 70
come, when | got all but killed and
robbed afterwards, and when | got into
n travelling condition, come back
wouldn't, with never penny. when
had made fortune; and / vowed vow
not to come till had IL back-which
I've done at last-and 10 come this
night when | did. Letters We poor
wretches couldn't send oftener than
once in six months. and then they most
" went astray; so / wouldn't risk II.
not being any hand to write anyway.
and | always said next year Ill 20 sure.
| knew you'd walt for me, Prue, my
darling. and here you are, with every
thing and everybody to welcome back
the prodigal.
Mr. Griggs finished his explanation
before the bounteous fire, with Daddy
Skifkins revolving around him IN per
feet ecstasy, and everybody talking -
once.
Miss Prue took the opportunity 70 IN.
dulge in thankful little cry behind the
dining room door.
But it somehow happened that while
the guests were enjoying their banqnei
for which Mrs. Bakers appetite va
not found TO be seriously impaired BY
Daddy Snifkins' presence-Mr. Griggs
persuaded Miss Prue 10 take little
walk with him as far as the ministers
residence.
1T appears like II was her wedding.
dinner she was cooking. after all. said
Miss Jonquil, when she heard the news
But. law sakesr' she added. With :
litter. ''it wasn't very stylish anAir' !
wouldn't have such . wedding.
Which remark did not trouble the late
Miss Merriweather in the least