Middletown transcript., 1883-12-21

of his way through the crowd whic
jostled him on every side. Now an
then he stopped at the best-filled STALL
and added relays of vegetables an
other articles to the contents of hi
Toomy basket.
Bunches of ripe bananas, dozens {
golden-rined oranges and lemons
"scuds'' of candies and cakes, an
other indigestible compounds, also dis
appeared in the same ample receptacle
"Humph | trust the little Roths
childs have well-seasoned stomachs t,
dispose of all that trash, ;" thought Mr.
Caleb, sarcasticaIly. Though nrealit.
he could not have told whether hi
brother was bachelor or a Benedict
so long had been the feud betweel
them. And then, Mr.. Caleb Chirrup'
humble abode was many, many block
removed from the aristocratic precincts
Of West End, where his brother re
sided.
The elder Chirrup-for Mr.. Roths
child 1Cas the elder-seemed at last tC
have completed his purchase of edibles
and paused in front of a aower-stall
where he selected a pot Of crimson and
white chrysanthemums.
g The very pot, :" thought Mr.. Caleb,
glumly, "that l picked out over a
month ago, as a Christmas present for
poor Patty
Poor Patty was Mr.. Caleb's wife.
Mr.. Rothschild, however, deposited
his purchase in the basket, and trudged
away, in blissful ignorance of the shah
billy dressed brother, glowering at him
from the window across the street.
" What-what's this ?''
Mr.. Caleb Chirrup had assembled to
the two second-story rooms he called
home, had kissed his wife and babies,
shook hands with his sister-in-law, and
had hung up his hat and overcoat, pre-
paratory to eating his supper.
There were no signs of guinness
here, for Mrs. Patty and her sister,
Miss Melissa, looked cheerful and smil-
ing, and wore their faded print dresses
as if they had come from the richest
silk-looms Of the East.
And the young Chirrups had clean
faces and pinafores, and looked as happy
as if Santa CLAUSE was not intending
to give their stockings the "go-by' on
that particular Christmas Eve.
But Mr.. Chirrup still felt a little
glum, as he thought Of the empty
stockings and other vexations, and he
turned to the tea-table in some impa-
tience. But" What's this ~ he de-
manded, starting back as if a snake
had bitten him. And no wonder he
started, for on the table lay a man.
moth turkey, plump and yellow
breasted, squads of vegetables, punches
Of celery, dozens of ripe bananas,
gOlden-rinded oranges and lemons, piles
Of candies and confectioneries, and,
and blooming, pot of Grim
son and white chrysanthemums ia
miliar-looking market-basket also stood
on chair by the table.
Mr.. Chirrup was about to pinch him
self, to see if he was awake, when
& Merry Christmas, brother Caleb,'
sounded in his ear, and forth from some
corner came Mr.. Rothschild
Chirrup himself, sleek and well-kept
hat, gold-headed cane
md all merry Christmas, brother
Caleb, F" he repeated, extending a we'll
Kept hand. 'I've been waiting all
.hese years for you to make some ad-
7ances towards truce. But since you
still remain adamant, l concluded to
make them myself. So let by-gones be
1y-gones, if you are willing, and let us
De friends hereafter, as well as broth
rs.
Then turning to the table, he held up
he fat turkey, turning it round and
'ound, just as he had done on the
market.
" A fine fellow, isn't he l got the
biggest could find in the market, on
purpose for ynu,' he added. And
he pot of flowers is a peace-offering to
ny sister-in-law, if she will accept it."
le added, while Caleb still looked on,
lalf dazed.
And the children's stockings were
lot destined to hang empty after all,
hat Christmas Eve.
And a better Christmas dinner, or a
ollier party to eat it, was not found
anywhere that Christmas Day. For
Mr. Rothschild Chirrup proved to be
IN old bachelor, and so very willingly
accepted an invitation to dine at his
1rother's. And Mrs. Chirrup's sister,
Miss Melissa, being an old maid, she
md Mr.. Rothschild very romanticaily
ell in love with each other, and when
mother Christmas Day came around
Mr. Rothschild was no longer bach
,lor, and Miss Melissa no longer an old
maid.
And when Lawyer Ledgerly grew
veil enough "to be seen" again, he
vas obliged to provide himself with
mother clerk, as Mr.. Caleb had gone
nto partnership with his brother in the
business. Frank LeSlie's.
Mr.. ALLERToN, whose S5,000,000
we're mades as cattle dealer, is men
ioned by his Chicago acquaintanees as