The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-01-12
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

bobbing in and out of peoples houses,
like fish everywhere, and cry
ing, wish you happy New Year, neigh
Dor, like an old Dutch colonist? | did
send cut few cards in the French fash
ion; but no, thank you, refuse the New
Years torture"
Torture? Why, l thought calling
was pleasure, said Miss Lisbeth, pa
thetically.
"No; it's an awful bore. Now don't
take offense, auuty, for this visit ism. a
New Years CALL
'Not New Years call.' repeated
Miss Lisbeth, hopelessly perplexed.
''Oh no; it's just sort of dropping in
to show you something. Congratulate
me ,aunty;" and he ran out to the sleigh,
then presently returned, bringing a
charming girl of seventeen, whom he in,
PRODUCED as MAUD Huyderveldt, my fu-
ture wife,
why, knew Darlington lluyder
veldt, exclaimed Miss Lisbeth.
THAT was grandpapa, Maud ex-
planned. 1--WE have his portrait, and it S
50 queer. His nose was big. and he had
such little eyes,
"He was a great friend Of my father, "
said Lisbeth, gravely.
'lndeed.' responded Maud, in her
fresh, fearless, irreverent way; and
wasn't his nose horrid? But how nice
this room $50 jollyl The mahogany
furniture is quite aesthetic
Trying to be calm, Miss Lisbeth asked,
"And don't you receive on New Year S
Day, my DEAR"
Receive? Oh no." cried Maud; Il
believe mamma did, ages ago, when we
were all babisS; but we've been in Ed
rope good deal, and really don't even
know what old-fashioned New Years
calling was like. 1t must have been an
awfully rude CUSTOM
"Your grandfather didn't think so, my
DEAR" replied Miss Lisbeth; nor did
Major Spuytenduyvil and other intelli
gent and superior persons. l trust to
see the major here this evening"
Hardly, sunty,' said Evart, i'll {
droll fashion; as he buttoned up hi!
ulster; that ancient gentleman will
hardly pay calls this year."
"Why not?" asked his aunt, with ;
little asperity.
'Well, circumstances over which h,
has no control as the theatre manager
say. You see," and Evart reached down
carelessly to secure the lowest button
lyon see. last night old Spuy tenduyvil-
died.
"Died!'
Yes: that lame ntable fact was printed
in this mornings paper. He was oil
enough. Phew! think of being eighty
But, aunt, we're trenching on your din
ner," as he looked toward the table il
the next room. I'VE must be off,
Miss Lisbeth couldn't explain; some
thing of pride held her back. something
of grief choked her; but Sylvia wa
bound that coffee should he tasted, an
she said, firmly:
Jess walk dis yere way, sir, ard hav
some 'freshments.
No, thanks" answered Evart
couldn't possibly. take anything befor
my regular dinner. Come. Maud" AND
gayly talking, the young couple hustle
away again.
Miss Lisbeth stood quite still in tn
middle of the parlor. There were gra
shadows on her face, and her eyes wer
CLASSY; yet, saying, Mamma Away
waited up until midnight-there Nigh
be late callers" she sat in state upo
the sofa again. Now and then sh
whispered, hoarsely, Dead, all dea
aud gone" Then her lips moved, as
to form the words, but no sound came
Sylvia, after long consultation, II
marked:
Il knowed de major would come eff h
could, but, yer see, he couldn 't-coul6n
nohow." Then she mumbled, peevishl.
Il wish we'd had jess one caller anywa.
Pears like it didn't pay ter set dat Ell
beautiful table,"
At the word there was a ghostly lit
tap at the parlor door.
The major" cried Lisbeth, startin
up; but, controlling herself, fell bac
again, one hand on her heart; and, wit
little hysterc laugh, she said: "Ho
foolish. OF course not"
Sylvia opened the door, and stoo
aghast before a sight as shocking to he
eyes as would have been the major
his cerements. There was Mr.. Toku
gawa, the japanese, evidently come t
pay his respects. He was in full ever
ing dless, aud entering with grea
gravity, and bowling low, he said to Mis-
Lisbeth:
Madam, | desire to pay my duty o
this ancient feast day. l wish you
happy New Year. | will partake of you
banquet. Thank YOU" He gently an
reverently advanced to the table, raise
glass of punch to his lips, and care
fully, as if repeating a lesson, calculated
''Long live the good old Knickerbockers
Wish you happy New Year"
7 Oh nv afa
drank with him; then barely foun'
breath to ask, "How did you know
where did you learn"
From Washington Irving's sacre,
writings, madam. After much research
have procured the right volume, and
have read the history of the Knicker
booker religion. But" he added, curl
ously observing the sugar bowl
''you no longer hang the lump G
sugar over the table and social,
pass it from mouth to mouth, as the grea
Irving has described. No: l see tn
rites have somewhat changed, but the
are still very solemn and very beautiful
He ate few mouthfuls with closed eye
and in sacramento silence; and agail
said, "Wish you happy New Year" ant
turning at the door, asked, Have
done all with propriety?-I hope So
wish you happy New Year." bowed lov
once more, and noiselessly passed up
stairs.
After he left, not word was spoken
Miss Lisbeth stood as one in n dream
and Sylvia's emotions SO overwhelmed
l. that bo onnlJ