The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1884-12-25

NHfN FHE A.
"Well, I'm blessedl we're adding 10
right up to the handle"
While sis lowered round the fire, for
fear OF an unruly coal upsetting the
cherished collee-pot, Joe drew from
some hidden resource a lemon and two
Jumps of sugar. After slicing the
lemon he dropped II along with tho
sugar into u tomato can full OF water,
and having stirred the beverage with
his p~en-knife grayely licked tho blade
TO see II ii was all right. Then, as he
turned the butter-tub into a table,
covering II with q piece OF sacklng
marked In large black lettersi "Ihis
Side Up" he remarked'
"There isn't another Teller as I'd in-
vite TO this air Christmas Eve shindy
but you, sis. There's lots on 'en as
'ud be glad to Gomez 1t isn't every day
NJ they gifts such a treat"
ooh, Joe, it's Jess lovely" answered
sis, with an admiring glance at the
spread that nearly resulted In the ool-
lapse of the collee-pot, which took a
notion lust then to execute q dip.
And Joe himself began TO feel rather
proud OF his treat when everything was
set forth, There was an apple cut into
four quarters and arranged upon u
broken bit of a blue china plate, whilst
an orange sliced into as many pieces
rs possible gracod half a wooden but
ter platter. The chief features, how
ever, were a very small plum cake and
a ditto mince pie, The cake, placed
upon the upturned bottom Of n red col
lar-box, occupied the middle OF the
table, a tiny American flag stuck In its
center. The lemonade, ilankod by
two oyster shells, was for want OF space
consigned TO the floor, while the candle
flickered itself into little gullies down
| the sides of the ginger beer bottle that
did duty as n candlestick, perhaps In
its anxiety for the feast TO begin.
Whether II should DO q pie or a cake
had been the important question, and
they had Mt last split the difference by
investing five OF the ten cents In q cake
and the other 1--WE In Il pie.
1t had been a large sum for Joe to
spend In luxuries, not many tens find
ing their way TO his pocket; In fact, II
was his last cent, but he was perfectly
satisfied with the result, and | do not
believe there were two happier children
In New York that night than they,
when tho coffee had been drunk 10 the
last drop and pronounced elegant
Gan old oyster can serving for u cup),
and the great event Of the evening the
cake was TO be cut,
"Ilere, sis, you cut II, women always
does" and Joe showed the pen-kniiC
toward his companion, and she, per,
fectly we'll aware OF the Importance OF
the occasion, knit her little brow and
measured OF the cake exactly with her
finger before placing the knife TO II,
"lIold on, Sis, I'LL | make u speech
ffhis rs sis was about TO help 10 the
/ dessert. "lt's always done when they
brings on the pie and cake" So say
ing Joe relilled the oyster Shells with
lemonade, and having placed the tat
tered remains of his hat firmly upon
the back Of his head, he struck an atti'
tude that drew from sis lips Il long
drawn obi and began withi
"LNdics and gentlcmen'-
"Why, Joe, there amt none-therc'S
only me and YOU" interrupted sis.
at don't make no odds, they Away,
say II II there amt no rich round
aud Joe, with don't bother" contin'
uGd with;
"We've met together ut this all
treat; now, sis (this In IN aside, YOU
must say, Hear, hear" which order
sis, her blue eyes full Of astonishmonl
Mt this new accomplishment In hol
friend, mcekly obeyed; Joe continuing
with. (Which Is nm out and outer, II
do say IL myself, a~nd-and-" Here
Joe stirred the lemonade, but not find
ing an idea there, but out with, "0h,
I'll cut II short; here's q Jolly Christ
mas and-a big hunk OF pudden,'
Dropping into his seat upon the llooI
he added, patroni2ingly, "Now, sis,
you must make n speech, too"
"0hl | couldn't, joe" exclaimed
the little girl,
Eyes, you can, too-it's easy enough,
lilly did ut Jim's Mrty, and she ain't
hall Us pretty rs YOU" replied Joe, on
couragingly.
"Did sheP" answered sis, "Then,
pcrhOps-l'll try II you promise not Ia
laugh"
"All right, 90 ahead. Here, take .
sip of lemonade; II will sort Of put the
pluck inter yer" and Joe pushed thI
tomato cun towards her,
Rising and shaking out her little
worn dress, sis placed her arms akin
DO. She remembered seeing II woman
doing IL once, who was talking 10 n biz
crowd.
Ladies' and gentlemen" said sis
al am so very much glad that wa
invited to this beauter.ful treat, will
such II lovely plum cake, hopes 10,
will have one next Christmas Eve"
"llearl heart called out Joe, there
by causing sis, In her confusion, to nd
hurriedly;
MANY happy returns OF tho day
amen"
"Hurrayl" shouted Joe, "it's bette
nor lily y lcH llHcS, w NHlVl NoIu
sis reseated herself, blushlng with pleas
ure and feeling, perhaps the least spec
pulled up at her success. Poor It'll
waif, II was something new for her B
receive praise.
The speeches having been given :
their entire satisfaction, Joe felt hi
duty Us host somewhat relaxed. and
leaning back against the side Of th
packing-cascs he remarked carelcssly
"What do you think OF my pictures
sisp"
They're Jess lovely, Joe; where dl
you get emp" replied sis, trying TO 3
the lemonade from her oyster shell, lu'
as she had seen ladies Of her acquain
ance take their saucors full Of tea.
"0h, | picked 'cm up round abou
Was you ever ut II circus, sisP"
"No;' and seeing that she had rath'
fallen In Joe's estimation Mt this col