Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22
A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
by HELEN FORREST GRAVES

Fine oi-flehionod Christmas weather.
That was what Mr. Miggies, the tavern
Keeper, called It, "a he stood rubbing his hands
before the bazs Of the huge backlog, that had
upheld the tllsst pine in all the forests in
Maine but a few brief months ago.
A philosopher might have CLEANED yaluabl
matter ont OF this fact, but Mr.. Misgles was
not philosopher. He took heavens gifts as
they came, aud did not puzzle his head as 20
their why's and whereforos; and he liked q cold
wind and deep snow at Christmas, because IT,
was good for business.
dreadful weather." the stagc-dIiyer called
it, as he sat, driftod mp, on his box, like poiar
bear in the midst Of an avalanche; his head
down, his withorci hands 80 numb shat DE-
could hardly hold the rcins, aud the snow
prcking and tingling round his face, ike IS,
many needles with patent points.
"Cruel weather." as the Widow Pome 10y.
who had no wood eft, and whose barrel Of meal
was at the lowest possible obb, phras,d It,
''Superb weather !" az Miss st. John, up at st.
John Hall. who was "dying for Il good Old
fashioned coast down hili, >" declared.
People look at things through such different
lenses.
The stage brought in three or four guests fpr
the Rcd Owl Tavern that night-Mr. Jessup,
the drummer, who. with his bag of samples
mad intended b. make his way 30 Warwick the
next post office town, but VAS beated 10y tho
violence Of the storm; two ladies in tie dress nj
some Christian SistOrhHod, who were On route
for the new hospital at Piumsb1rO'; and Pelcg
Pepper, who had been numbering in Vow
Hampshire. with o gang Of other stawart
giants, and was now on ms way IN spend the
Christmas week at his home in the Mline
Wild, rnesSee.
Mr.. Pepper was a modern Herculcs, iu a
faded and ragged great-cuat red silk hand0s-
chief. tied brigand-Wise over his ears, and a
hat that was an outrage TO civilization. So worn,
battered and generally dilapidated was it. H.
hung back sheeplshly from the circle around
the fire.
II amt none Of your fine folk, squire" said
he, in reply b the landlords hOsptsblc en-
treaties. I'm a bacAwoodsman, | be I'd
rather set in tho bsck-htohen along of the
help, squire no oticnsc to you."
so honest Peleg was allowed to keep in the
background.
Sister Serenica looked with uneasy glances at
Sister Bertha.
u hope it is all right, said she
But be has vlllainous face whispered
Sister Bertha.
"There were highwaymen in the White
Mountains last summer suggested Sister
Serenica.
ooh, but this is such an out-of-thc-way
place. urged Sister Bertha; "and the land
lord has a good, honest face"
VERY true, said Sister SereniCa "But the
man may have confederates hid out in those
hemlock woods. I'm little uneasy about the
hundred dollars We are 10 deliver to the head
nurse at the hospital"
Dear, dearl' said Sister Bertha, with a
little shudder, I'm sorry you put the thing
into my head, Serenica Now you speak of it,
he has a hanSdog expression of countenance.
And do you observe how he chuckles to himself
every little while, as he sits out IN that back
kitchen and stares at the fire. You may depend
that it's because he thinks he has us az his
mercy
Mr. Jessup the travelling saleaman did not
exactly approve of the looks of the lumberman
either.
Il hope, landlord" said he, rubbing his
white, scented hands over the fire, that orr
friend out there is all right"
"Eh?' said, the Boniface. "Why shouldn't
he be all right? He's one o them New
Hampshire lumber fellows, comm home to
spend Christmas. They often come this way"
He looks rather shady to me-" suggested
Jessup.
The landlord, who did not understand city
slang, stared.
The guests were all at supper-a savory
supper 1t was, too, for the landlords wife was
the crack cook of the INTERCHANGEABLE in
rushed a snOw-powdered vision from the outer
world painting and breathless.
Have any Of YOU seen anything of little
glrl IN white plush dress land blue ribbonsY
said he. "The squire's little grand daughter is
lostm
Lost y shrieked the landlady, with the
coffee-pot in her hand.
"LOstm cried all the company, in chorus.
"A child lost In such storm as this Among
these lonely woods r.
"Only four years old A." said the messenger,
mutely accepting the glass of hot spiced ale
which mine host made haste TO hand him.
She ran out back of the wood, when the stage
stopped 10 the squire's to leave the letteI-bag,
and she amt been seen since And Mrs.
Sedley, she's in Mysteries, and the squire's over
toward Lindleyyille, and all the men are gone
in different directions 10 look for her"
"Wol, never I" said the landlord.
Poor little dear !" said the landady.
"Chldren are always in some scrape or
other, said the drummer, who was a single
man.
1--WE never know what tribulatiOn is in store
for us, said Sister Serenica, mildly.