The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1883-12-20

that weuld some day make his fortune
rs reporter for Chicago daily, ran IN
briskly, skates in hand, nose and cheeks
red with cold, aid absolutely bullying
with news:
Say, sis, schooner out there stuck in
the ice; men sticking to the masts. Folks
say it's the Merry Bell, and. by George,
Sis, | shouldn't wonder if Mr.. Culbertson
was one of 'em. Hope he amt though,
for he promised me new sled ii
would say nothing about the day l
caught him kissing you"
"JackW sternly interposed bis moth
er's voice.
where is it, Jack; quick, tell me?"
said Rose, in voice of trembling anxi-
ETY..
"Out there; from behind Dick Matt
lands house you can see her."
Then she had slipped away to see the
schooner and hear from others what
ground there was for her fears.
All dav she moaned anu grieved and
would not be- comtorted, for handsome
Fred Cnlbertson was her promised hus-
band, and she had given all her heart in
his keeping. When he bade her good
by q few weeks before he had called
back at the last, "l'll be home for Christ
Merry Bell and had intended coming
back on this her last trip for the season.
The cold continued to Increase. The
sky wore dull. leaden look-nature
itself seemed dead. Rose lay look,ng
out, and thought of other hearts sad
doned as hers was; other homes where
the light had gone out and made them
dreary and dark.
Mrs. Bell remained during the night
with her daughter, petting, soothing and
comforting, and as the sleepless hours
wore away mother and daughter grew
nearer together than they had ever been
be ore. Mrs. Bell talked Of the early
days of her married life; then of the
day when her husband had left her
bright and we'll in the morning. and at
evening had been brought TO her still
and dead. Rose realized, as she had
never done before. what her mother had
suffered. Poor mamma. how sad aud
lonely YOU have been" she icurnured
as she dropped into tired sleep.
The next day was Thursday, the day
before Christmas. Rose opened her
eyes to find the maid setting her break
fast on a table Ut her bedside.
Look, look. Miss Rose; see or tbs
window! Sure it's the cars intirely! Sure
it's the witches, it is. and Miss Rose.
dear, sure it's good luck it'll bring. Mr..
Cube rtson'll come yet. or We'll know it!
Frightening at the girls words, and
forgetting II be otfende at the freely
expressed opinion. Rose jumped up to
see the wonder of frost work. Sure
enough it'Sa veritable tram, locomotive
and all How strange!"
Il DON'T know what kind that is, Miss
Rose, bur it's cars, it is"
Get my wrapper, Ann, and bring my
breakias! 10 the fire. ri get up," said
Rose. cheered, she scarcely knew WHY.
"Will vGur ma have the tree, Miss
Rose? It's the childers IS on their heads
about 1t"
II forgot it." answered Rose, her face
cioudiug. ASK mamma to come up as
soon as she is through her breakfast.
"it has been over this hour. I'll 60
tell her; and shall bring up some more
cofee?"
mo; Just tell mamma"
And here she is herself" answered
Ann, as she opened the door and Mrs.
Bell came in.
Cup, Rose?"
YES; and oh, mamma look at the
window. Ann says 1t Is good luck"
Il hope il is, | am sure; ii is certainly
a strange freak of Jack Frost"
II have a telegram from Mr.. GILBERT
son, Rose. He got off at Milwaukee and
is we'll and safe"
Then hearty cry came to wash away
the last remnants of pent-up sorrow, and
Rose was soon bright and happy and
happy and busy, talking Of the evening
and the pramised tree. So surrounded
by love and happiness that she forgot
the homes which death had darkened,
or where grim want stared ct the empty
hearth, wnere Christmas was he sad
dest day OF all the year; forgot every
thing but happiness.
Christmas Eve gay party of children
and older people almost as bright as the
children were gathered in Mrs. Bells
front parlor. Presently the gas was
lowered and the sliding doors drawn
back, displaying a scene of fairy-like
beauty. At the farther end Of the room
was the tree lit with tapers and laden
with things of beauty. and in the back
ground of green aud flowers were scat
tered the things too large for the tree,
among them Jacks sled. How the chill
dren screamed when old Santa with
snowy beard and hair crept from out
the green plants about the chimney,
mutterng in low voice, From Ger
many l come; as l walk | jingle. jingle.
and the boys call me old Kris Kr.ngie."
Pretty notices or messages of love were
with all the gifts that old Kris scattered
among the happy group.
A brooch with its diamonds shining
like Rose Bells, eyes, were one OF the
many gifts the gods showered on the
tiny maid.
Later on, when the tree was stripped
of lis gifts, the young scion of the house,
little Tom Bell, whispered in sepuichrai
toues to his mother:
Il say ma, Santa Claus is in there and
he's got his arm around sister Rose, and
he kissed her. Will be take her up the
chimney with bim?"
81 reckon not" laughed Mrs. Bell;
"come into the other room and show
me your toys"
And santa whispered. II came back
for Christmas, Rose, darling. We're you