Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-12-22

Nancy Fearnought made two neat
rag dolls-yes pretty rag dolls; little
city girls don't believe this, but they
were quite as pretty and much more
durable than the dolls bought in toy
shops; at least so little maidens
thought them, and they were quite in
expensive also. Well, these rag ba-
bies were for little Bess and Maud
Digger, and there were cake babies.
too, and various sorts of birds, all Of
cake, to please little and big folk.
After dinner large homemade
basket was packed full ofs' Christmas
ixins,' and young Davy Fearnought
and Bennie Bloxham, a boy of his
own age, were to ''tote' it over to
Mrs. Digger, for Mr.. Digger had been
seen to leave home with his gun late
in the day; and as he often stayed
away all night, they supposed him to
be still absent.
The boys were not 10th to go, for
the creek was frozen over, and they
purposed to skate on their return
home, having their parents consent.
Everything went on merrily at the
millhouse. Cakes, nuts, apples and
cider with many other nice things
were discussed the amusements
the young folks could think of were
tried the three quilts, all finished,
were laid aside after due admiration
from the men, and like decorous peo-
pie, preparations were being made
for the night by ''bundling," for,
large as the house was, it had not
sufficient bedroom capacity to make
comfortable the present number of
guests.
AS some may not know what the
term "bnndling" means, we will ex-
plain: 1t is a common thing in new
settlements, where inns are few and
far between, to accommodate any and
all travellers that call for lodging no
one is inhospitable enough to refuse.
When gusets are many the largest
room is selected and quilts, blankets,
and comforters spread across the en-
tire length of the floor; pillows are
arranged along the side, and some
times it becomes necessary to make
the foor-bed of sufficient width to
arrange pillows on each side, so that
the feet of the two rows of sleepers
can be in the center. When all are
ready a man and his wife lie down
in the midway between each end of
the bed. The men all arrange them
selves side by side, beginning with
him. The women then fill out the
row-beginning with the married
lady.
Preparations were nearly complet-
ed for the night, when loud shouting
was heard outside, followed by the
dogs barking furiously. Many of the
men rushed for their guns, which
they never went without, thinking of
| Indians, as rumor had reached them
lately that a tribe of Wyandottes
were on the war-path. Every one
hurried to look out, and when the
doors were cautiously opened, a bright
light towards the south attracted at
once all eyes. A large fire was evil
IDENTIFY in progress. In the midst of
| the wonder and indecision how to
act, the two boys, who had not been
| missed, on account of the parents
pre-occupatoin of mind ''on hospit-
able thoughts INTENT" were seen CON-
ing up the slope from the river bear
ing between them the large basket,
and in it seemed to be something
about which they were very solicit
Gus. and from time to time they hal
looed for aid. This was promptly
furnished, and on opening the basket
wee baby girl about four months
old was found nearly smothered by
not only clothes wrapped around by
persons unknown, but by overcoats
from both of the boys, who had strip
ped themselves to protect the child
from the severe cold.
Wonder and almost awe stole over
| the countenances of the women pres
ent ssIs it not the little Christ child %
some said others hastened to relieve
and resuscitate it, as it seemed to be in
almost an unconscious state; and
while the men, leaving a small guard
| behind, rushed on to ascetain the
cause of the fire, the women over
whelmed the boys with questions as
to the little foundling. The boys, it
seems, had delivered their Christmas
basket to Mrs. Digger, and had stay
little while to enjoy the little girls
looks of surprise and joy over its con-
tents; then with the empty basket
proceeded to the creek to skate. Leav-
ing the basket on the shore, they
were skating for several hours, un-
/ mindful of how time was passing
At last strange light attracted their
attention, and remembering the ru-
NOR about the Indians, they snatched
up the basket in haste to depart.
Bennle Bloxham, fearful of Indians,
ran along the skirt of the forest shad
ows, while Davy, with the big basket
thrown over his shoulder, kept to the
road in the moonlight, thinking tc
get along better thus. Suddenly he
came upon some dark object like {
dog coiled up, and before he conlc
lessen his speed he struck his foo
against If and fell. AS he did so, ht