Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-12-03

oiuSi.
The elder Chirrup-for Mr.. Roths-
child was the elder seemed at last to
have completed his purchase of edibles'
and paused in front Of tlower-stall,
where he selected apot of crimson and
white chrysanthemums.
"The very pot" thought Mr. Caleb,
glumly, "that I 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
shabbily dressed brother, glowering at
him from the window across the street,
X X X
"What-what this?"
Mr.. Caleb Chirrup had ascended 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'
preparatory 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 il 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 Claus" was not in
tending 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 vexatlons, and he
turned to the tea-table in some i'm
patience. But -."What's this" he de-
manded, starting back as If snake
had bitten him. And no wonder he
started, for on the table lay NAM
moth turkey, plump and yellow breast
ed, squads of vegetables, punches OF
celery, dozens Of ripe bananas, golden
rinded oranges and lemons, piles OF
candies and confectioneries, and,
fragrant and blooming, a pot of GRIM
son and white chyrsanthemums; g
familiar-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
"NIerry Christmas, brother Caleb,
sounded in his ear, and forth from
some mysterious corner came Mr.
Rothschild Chirrup himself, sleek and
well-kept looking--nobby hat, gold
headed cane and all merry Christ
mas, brother Caleb" he repeated, ex
tending well-kept hand. "I've beer
been waiting all these years for you tt
make some advances towards truce
But since you still remain adamant,
concluded to make them myself, 81
let by:gones be by-gones, if you art
willing, and let us be friends hereafter
as well as brothers"
Then turning to the table, he helc
up the fat turkey, turning 1T rounc
and round, just as he had done on th'
market.
"a fine fellow, isn't he? got tn,
biggest I could find in the market, OF
purpose for you," he added. IAN,
the pot of flowers apeace-OlferingtO to IN,
sister-in-law, if she will accept it" HI
added, while Caleb still looked on, hal
dazed.
And the children's stockings wer
not destined to hang empty after al
that Christmas Eve,
And better Christmas dinner, or
party to eat it, was not found anywher
that Christmas Day. For Mr.. Roths
child Chirrup proved to be an ol
bachelor, and so very willingly accept
ed an invitation to dine at his brother
: And Miss Chirrup's sister, Mis-
Melissa, being an old maid, she an
Mr.. Rothschild very romantically fe
in love with each other, and whe
$ another Christmas Day came aroun
l Mr.. Rothschild was no longer a bacl
Y clor, and Miss Melissa no longer a
old maid.
And when Lawyer Ledgerly gre
well enough ito be seen" again, /
was obliged to provide himself wit
- another clerk, as Mr.. Caleb had goI
G into partnership with his brother
!, the mercantile business. Helen VIII
IL DeU Clark,