The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-12-25

to put them in last of all, perhaps by tolera-
bly, thorough acquaintance with Laddy's pecu.
| larities
There is no burglar in the business lie
said calmly, "and there is no need Of SO much
noise. This is some Of Master Lawrence's
work"
In spite of the wonder and alarm of the mo.
ment then, Tom and Johnny could not hinder
thrill of pride and envy that shot through
them,-Laddy to be the caCse of all this routl
NOW Michael said his master, 'what is
the matter with you?'
"Begorra, sor," said the man, trying to hold
his shaking chin on his face, 'sure it'sthe onld
boy, an no other, do he in the chimney closet
yander"
"Humph!" said his master. "The old bow?
1 shouldn't wonder if it was the young one.''
And then broad grin spread over Michael's
countenance. 1.-THE spalpeen bimselfln he
cried. And he seized the sunken ring and
wrenched open the door, and there Law the III
tie wretch in his dead swoon among all these
gay and precious objects.
In spite of the CONSERVATION and ;rd;ona-
ton and marvelling, one and all thew conld
not but commiserate the little fellow there
Indeed, Katharine aud Rosy, unable TO under.
stand 1t now, were loud in their EXPLANATIONS
concerning the foussbreakers who could be 50
cruel as to take their Laddy and sbut him in
tnere' while bis father lifted him in his arms
and carried him away.
ana SO, as | was saying, when he came to
himself lady was lying on the bed in his own
room, and his mother was on one side of him
with cologne, her long black hair streaming
around her, and his Aunt Mat on the other
SIDE with eamphor, her.nightca,o all askew on
her head, and grandmother WIS running with
not hannels; and Johnny hing over the Foot
board, as If he wanted to break his neck; and
Lucy and Sadie and Katharine and Rosy were
huddled in the windo.y seat. Opening his
eyes slowly, and CHANGING from one to another
1t gradually stole owe, him, as life stole back
TO MIN, that the house had not been on fire al
an ana ne had made great fool of himself.
ne was SICK, dizzy, faint; no drum sticks. or
a'noe pies, or raisin, or cranberry sauce, OF
plum pudding for him to-day! He knew Just
what they would do,-they would keep him on
cruel, perhaps they would give him castor oil,
ana when he got we'll they would scold him.
'fsstty sort of Christmas for a fellowl,'
vailed Laddy.
Noh, he's alivel he's alive!'' cried his moth
or, ciasping her hands in thankfulness.
He's breathingl' cried Aunt Mat.
m talkingt" cried Laddy
AND then, for rlinute, the room seemed TO
turn upside down, whether because Johnny
turned semersa' alt, or because Tom came rid
ing IN on great silent bicycle that looked
70 i4%ddy's eyes as he lay there on the bed.
iike one OF t@ wheels 10 Ezekiel that grand
motfer read about to them on Sundays, some
times.
Il don't think you deserve it, said his faith
er, little severely, following Tom in again,
while Sophia shook her head at him in the
doorway, with the diamonds sparkling in her
ears. "But bought it for you-and you have
been already well punshed-and so-as long
as it's Christmas''
sis it miner" interrupted Laddy.
yours said his father.
GAS long as its Christmas, repeated Tom.
grandly, from his lofty perch
'Then, ETom," cried Laddy. standing up
in bed, "I'll stump you to ride down stairs on
it'll"
II guess he'll live," said his father.
"And We'll have pretty sort of Christmas,
after ALL" said Laddy. "For there really was
house-breaker, and ( really puthim to flight
And it was mighty careless in you-apd now
III tell you all about itl''