Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
have have done it unto the least OF
these, ye have done it unto Mel"

The white pine floor had been washed
and secured within an inch of it's life;
the brightly polished window-panes
shone and shimmered, as if daring one to
look at them and not blink; the round
brass knobs on the old-fashiored walnut
sideboard beamed good naturally in
the slant rays of the morning sun; a
pot of bright yellow chrysanthemums
stood in one of the white curtained
windows, fragrant and full of bloom,
and handsome tortoise shell cat took
her morning nap on a braided rug be-
fore the fire.
The three housekeepers washed up
their breakfast service, and swept the
room and busted, and put to rights with
zeal worthy at least of more ex-
tended sphere of action.
Suddenly heavy numbering step was
heard on the stairs, and sounding rap
on the door caused momentary panic
in the little room.
Marian, rallying first opened the
door.
"a box, mum, for Miss Theo Clyde
expenses paid, num-"
The girls looked at each other in as
constituent.
"Theres no direction on the box"
said Marian, examining it closely.
cts a mistake-it's not for u.s." said
Theo.
"Let's open it," cried Madge. at
can't hurt us, anyway" and she produced
Ratchet.
They pounded and pried at the lid,
bruised their fingers, and finally got the
box open and exposed to view plump
turkey.
"And raisins!" cried Madge, pulling
open paper bag and filling her mouth
with the contents.
"And beefI And suet! And celery p
said Marian.
Theo looked up as if stupefed.
"Why, it's mine!" she exclaimed at
last.
"Of course it's yours, who said it
wasn't?" answered Madge, helping her
self plentifully to the raisins again.
"But it's what bought and gave to
the man!'' persisted Theo.
"But you didn't buy oranges and lem
ons and three big pineapples. did you?"
asked Marian, still incredulous.
mo; but I bought the other things
l know they are the same. And look,
Marian, look Madge, here's my purse
too, with the half dollar still in it What
can it mean?"
No one could tell. But wonders will
never cease. Another knock sounded
on the door. Theo opened it, her lips
and cheeks scarlet with excitement.
hn7s CT IN oil a1
hat and seedy overcoat, mufied up to
his chin. Theo recognized him.
Come in, she commanded, i'm
periously, "and tell us the meaning of
this" And she pointed to the open
box, where figs and raisins lay scattered
about, oranges and suet lay in close
proximity to pineaples and beef, and
the turkey had fallen helpless on his
back among the rosy pearmains that
lined the bottom Of the box, where he
held up one plump drum-stick, as if
beseeching the sympathy of the spec
tators.
The tramp walked obligingly in. He
pulled off the seedy overcoat he threw
down his slouched hat and there stood
a handsome, broad-shouldered young
man, with gray eyes and crisp chestnut
hair.
Cousin Toni" cried Marian, as
founded.
"Why, Cousin Toni" echoed Madge.
But Theo stood silent, with dropping
eyes and blushing cheeks.
And have you no greeting for me,
Theo?" asked Tom-who, by the way,
was only third or fourth cousin, after
all.
Theo shook her head.
Glow do I know but that you are an
imposter?" she asked.
Tom laughed.
Il had no intention of deceiving you.
L thought I recognized you on the
street, but it was so dark I followed
you into the fruit store in order to be
certain before venturing to speak"
But you said you hadn't tasted bread
for two days" pouted Theo, relenting a
little.
"Wcll, hadn't. You see our train
was showed up for nearly week, and
the bread all gave out; we had plenty
OF meat and pie, and cake, though so
we didn't miss the bread much"
But what a seedy old coat and hat"
said Maage, cycling the cast-of garment
suspiciously.
"They are rather seedy, to be sure"
said Tom. "The fact is, when we
changed cars I CHANGED to be taking a
nap, and when the conductor succeeded
in rouslng me that coat and hat were
the only ones left in the car; SO it was
Hobson's choice, as you see."
While Marian and Madge were fitting
about the room roasting the turkey,
chopping mincemeat, seasoning the
plum-pudding, and laying the table for
four, Theo, and Cousin Tom stood by
the window whispering together over
the yellow ohrysanthemums.
"And you'll never, never get jealous
any more?" asked Theo, with averted
face and tell tale cheeks.
"Never!" declared Tom. And he
slipped a plain gold ring on her finger,
and perhaps stole sly kiss, while the
two sisters discreetly basted the turkey