Connecticut western news., 1884-12-03
shoulder at his dismayed sister as he

hk pAoAOA t~o AS went
 That night he sat before the open 'Franklin" in his great rocking chair, while Aunt Sally knitted in the corner, and Patty, on the floor, unlaced her shoes preparatory to going up stairs.
 'Ye like us here, don't ye, Patty 2" asked her uncle, finally, after long silence.
 "Yes, sir, O course do." laying her pink cheek against his knee.
 Uncle Joshua's hard hand was very light on the yellow head, as he stroked her hair.
 "An' would ye like to live with us ?" he asked again.
 s'An' not go home ever ?"
 "Why, yes-mebby-for visit. But live here"
 Patty raised her head to stare at him. "Oh, I couldn't, Uncle Joshua; not to live, ye know. I think lot O you an Aunt Sally. But ye know there's all the rest O tn folks-Unele Amasy and Aunt Polly and George; Georges my brother !"
 Uncle Joshua drew away his hand, and Aunt Sally, in her corner, drowned over her knitting.
 Innocent Patty went on, presently, in a musing tone: "This place is awful nice. but I like Uncle Amasy's jus ez we'll, I guess, if it wasn't fer-fer tn moggage.
 ''The what T"
 "Th' moggage we've got on our farm t home Mike said so, an George an me we've hunted for it lots O times" The child's voice had grown low and fearful, and she knitted her brows as she spoke. ''I'm scat of it, too; it's somethin' awful. George thought twas bear, mebby; but Mike he said twas more like a wolf. D ye ever see one, Uncle Joshua?'
 The old man did not answer, but be. gan raking down the. fire with great deal of noise.
 Joshua r called his sister, winding the clock.
 Wal r he snarled.
 "Amasy Andrews ez good a mans ever trod sole-leather. I declare fer it it's shame"
 ''Shet up. Sally Will ye?" MT. Andrews turned upon her. 'Amasy Andrews's shif'less creature. ain't no use fer i'm"
 Patty sprang to her feet, with her shoes in her hand. "You didn't oughter to talk so!' she cried, indignantly. Uncle Amasy's so good to me P and then she broke down and cried.
 ''Sally, take that child to bed P com handed her uncle, and disappeared.
 Patty went home soon after this; and when the stage stopped at the door, Aunt Sally held her fast, saying between her tears. "Ye mus come ag'in, darlin'. Promise us ye will" While uncle Joshua snapped in his crossest tones:
 70 course she'll come ag'in. Don't be fool. Here, Patty, come to me. That's somethin' to remember by" thrusting gold piece into her hand. ''An' this, holding up little package, Eye tell yer Aunt Polly to put in your stookin' C'ris'mus.
 And then he took her to the stage.
 When Patty showed her gifts to Aunt Polly, at night, that worthy woman took the money between her thumb and finger. Hands sake p she cried, "ef that don't beat all It's a 6ye-dollar piece, Amasy Andrews, as sure's yelive Who'd n thought tn oP man d acted so like folks ?'
 "He's real good p loyal Patty, in all her excitement. did not forget to say. II like Uncle Joshua fustrate. Oh, but Aunt Polly won't that buy my new shoes ?"
 The man and woman exchanged glances, and then Mrs. Andrews stopped and kissed her niece.
 The short winter days passed quickly. One night at dusk the two excited chil- dren hung their stockings in the chim. ney corner before they went up stairs to bed. The next morning, in the dark and cold, two little night-gowned figures crept down the back stairs, shivering and sleepy, but happy beyond words to describe.
 Don't ye look Don't ye dass to look till get the fire a-goin p commanded George, as he lighted the lamp. r t,1 ter promised, covering her eyes with her hands.
 "There; it's a-goin' I'm glad I fx'd it las night. Now, look, Patty. Oh, look, quick r
 "Mittens !" cried the boy, diving into his stocking.
 "Leggin's I" cried the girl.
 "Oh, Patty, look ere, won't vel A sled, true an honest sled p "Oh, Georgy! a doll A lovely great big doll Oh! ain't gladr'
 "That's good news," said Uncle Amasa, cheerfully. as he and his wife appeared at the door. 'Air ye satis fled, children?" But Patty had, at last, come to Uncle Joshua's box. "I'll cut the string witt my new knife," George cried. "Now less look; mebby it's a gold watch anG chain, Patty"
 "Tain't nothin' but writin'," said tn, child, bewildered.
 Uncle Amasa took the sheet witl trembling fingers. "Heaven an earth, he eiaculated, letting it fall the nex moment. "It's that moggage made ou to Patty. Listen here:
 " I send you what would please you most, child. Tell your Uncle Amasa man IS pretty good that raises such little girl. So, Merry Christmas t, you all. From
 CITE OLD DUFFER."
 'Bless the Lord [" whispered Ann