The Portland daily press., 1884-12-25

est of The group, tenderly and gently remon-
strant in her oldish, motherly way; show
can you be so unfeelingP"
"Well, returned Mark, shamefacedly, 81
know she's got good reason to cry; but ma
needn't make such fuss, just cause pas
off to Rio. Ain't he our dad as well as hern
I'd like to know? We don't cry"
"Last year we went over to Aunt Annie's
and had lots of presents, and pa said they
should come here this year; but now Aunt
Annie's sick, and nobody else amt asked us,
and we can't have a bit of fun" incurred lit
tie Nan, hoarsely between sigh and sob.
''Now, now, dearv' said Priscilla, child
ingly. ''Surely you would not have them
make festival for us while they are feeling
so sad-like. Think, Nan,-and you, too,
boys-how dreadful it is for them to meet
this Christmas, so different from the last,
when we were all together and full of JOY.
Don't be selfish, Nanny"
''She amt selfish" cried boy with big
voice, humping on the woodbox by way of
emphasis: we all want some fun. Christ
mas don't come but once a year. I don't
want to bother Belle, nor ma neither-let
'em cry if they want to; but if nobody don't
give us an invitation, think we might have
somebody here"
Isabelle opened the door wide and went in
Boys" she said, ''do you think you de-
serve lots of fun-you who won't obey your
mother, and take advantage of yeur sisters
neglect to laze about the fire when you
ought to be out at work. Who's to do the
chores-ma or I?'
81 was making path to the well, and
came in to warm my hands," hastily ex-
planned Phin, springing TO his feet and but
toning his jacket; while Mark piped up, 81
was just going to feed the hogs when you
came in.''
sNow, that is nonsense" said their sister,
biting her lips tosuppress the smile that rose
to them; ''you are telling falsehood, Mark
Morgan; and, Phineas, it doesn't take many
minutes to warm cold hands. Wen have
no more Sinking, if you please. You ought
to be thankful that we're not showed up like
other folks. Nanny, dear, don't you want
to help sister pick raisins? Come, Prissy."
81 say, Belle, Phin cried, confusedly,
blushing scarlet and looking sheepish; 81
didn't--we didn't, mean to make you mad,
you know. Of course we're sorry for YOU"
eyes," Mark chimed in, more boldly,
though no less repentant 81 hope you amt
'hoppin' about what we said. 'Tain't as if
you was US, you know
81 understand. am not angry about
that at all, and have no right to be SO, since
listened; it is your bad behavior that an
gers me.''
After sending them away, Isabelle stayed
a moment to think and to twist her hair
tighter. 'Tain't as if you was u.s., she re-
peated with melancholy amusement; s'no.
indeed, it isn't, poor children. Aunt s. lomy
is right,-they do need me, and they must
have some fun" Then she went out to the
kitchen.
''It's good idea, and I'm glad you've
made up your mind to be resigned" replied
Mrs. Morgan, when Isabelle consulted her.
"Your pa will be pleased to hear it, and No
el, too, likely, if he was alive. But the or
naments for the tree are over to your aunt's.
80 no, ma, not tree! not just like last
year! Can't we have the other children over
to supper or dinner, and let them play games
in the sitting room?"
Eyes, that will be better. But while we're
about it, we might as well have all the folks
over for the day." And she added, triumph
antly, 81 knew Providence didn't put it into
my head to do that great cooking for moth
ing''
Isabelle gave tact assent to this unex-
pected Imposition on her good will, though
she qualled before the prospect. Experience
at former ia mily gath erings had taught her
hat the difficulties and anxieties attending
suc n exercise OF hospitality would devove
upon her; that to her would fall the work
and VERY of getting dinner and supper and
the task of providing varied entertainment
for old as well as young. Harder then all else
would be th ordeal of thoughtless scrutiny
from one and another of her sympathzng
vet curious relatives. But she was stronger
than she knew. 'Though she could not ac-
cept the proposal with favor, she mustered
sufficient grace to give it silent considera-
tion, and took up her yoke with only in
ward shrinking
Three busy days before lChristmasN were
both trial and a blessing, providing her
with active and mental employment and
preparing her for the greater triaR to follow
even while the occupation, SO like, SO unlike
that of happier time. kept her heartstrings
tuned to sOrrowful reflection.
The others, also, worked hard, and with
cheerful energy, and when, at length, every
thing was in readiness for The invited
guests, the Morgans were a merrier family
than they bad been for many weeks, and
Isabele's smile, as she received Aunt Sa-
lome's Christmas benediction was not a
mere surface brightness, bat the gleam of
an inner light.
''Pm going to bed early, tonight" said
Mrs, Morgan. on Christmas Eve, preparing
to follow the children, who, tired out with
their days work, had, soon after supper,
taken themselves up stairs, and were now
sound asleep. "Look over the house before
you come, Belle, to see if anything is forgot
ten; don't want Aunt Sarah Morgan to
have chance to talk behind my back. See
if the bread has riz any, aud be sure you
shut the cat in the she'd"
sspl look after eyerythingn answered her