Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-12-24

IA very red nose under it, and below tha
was long, bushy white beard that seem
ed to be holding the reins.
Peddy took it for granted that mar
was there somewhere, and she was not
scared a bit when a deep hoarse voic,
asked her:
What are you doing away out here il
the suow?'
We're doing some Christmas. Joe
Heidelberg is cutting down tree for it
and we're going to have it in the schoo
house
There was sort of a cough that made
Joe think of one of the wolf skins trying
to be alive and bark, and then the voice
went in under the tree, looking for him
and saying:
Joe, is all that tree to be for one Christ.
mas?
OF course it is. You see, we haven't
anything but some candles to put on it
and SO we're going to have a big one
Miss Hopkins she got the candles with
her own money, and she's cut 'em all in
two. Going to stick 'em on everywhere
and then we'll make the school house
good and dark, and light 'em up and have
a Christmas
Candy and presents and all sorts Of
thingsr' said the voice.
No, there won't, said Peddy, gravely
The candy and all the other things are
in Mr.. Crump's store. at the bridge. Ne.
body's got any money to buy 'em. Sc
we're going to have a big tree and some
candles. We're going to sing. too
Now, I'd like to hear that, and to SEE
the tree. Have you got any children to
Gomez
Stacks of EN- said Joe, all up and
down the timber. and some out on the
prairie. and they'll all be here, and all
the old folks. too, and the school house
will be jammed, and we'll have the big
gest kind of time
That's it. Going to have some cold
chicken and some pies.
Yes, SIR said Peddy, and there'll be
some apples. and Miss hopkins isn't sure
but what there'll be some coffee
Where does Miss Hopkins live? Who
is she?'
She's the school-ma'am, replied Peddy
and she lives down on the other side OF
the Fork
What's your name?'
I'm Peddy Nudge, and he's Joe Hell
delberg, and
Jump right in here with me, Peddy
and come along and show me where Miss
Hopkins lives. She's just the young
woman want to see.'
She isn't young at all, sir said Peddy
and I've got to stay and help Joe cut
down the tree and drag it to the school
house.
No, you haven't shouted Joe. &c
right along. Don't you miss good sleigh
ride. Besides, he wants to go and see
Miss Hopkins
That settled the matter, and Peddy at
once clambered into tie cutter. Joe
Heidelberg lost sight Of her then, except
that something about as large as small
wolf was on the seat beside the white
beard that was driving. and in moment
more he heard her call back to him
'Good-by, Joe. Hear the BELLS
He heard them, and peeped thrt ugh
the boughs of the tree after them, saying
to himself: 1T sounds kind o Christmas
If we had lot, we could hang 'em OF
the tree, and they'd make jingle If you
shook it.
Peddy Nudge held her breath for lit
tie distance, those two horses did spring
away with such a whiz. When she was
asked, Where is Mr.. Crump's stere?' bel
breath came out in great puff, and she
had to draw it in again before she could
answer:
Down by the bridge, this side, and the
school house just cross the bridge; and
Mrs. Crump feels real bad about it, and
SO does he.'
She was led right on to explain what
it all meant, and it was curious how very
much she knew about everybody.
You must have ears he said to her.
Yes, sIr.' And then the sleigh was
pulled up in front of Crump's store, and
its driver got out to hitch his horses tC
the hitching post.
Peddy was net one bit afraid Of him
but she did wish she coHld see more OF
his face. so she could feel sure of know
ing him again some other time. He was
short and fat, and he wore an overcOat
that came down to his feet. 1t had ful
collar that turned up around his neck
and the laps of bis fur cap turned down
over the collar and the front of the caI
came down to his nose. There was moth
ing OF the face to be seen but the nose
itself, big and red and booked, and pail
of great gray eyes, one on each side ot
the nose, like other mems; but then ht
wore glasses, and Peddy said they wert
all one twinkle
In minute more the furry man was
examining the toys and candies in Mr.
Crump's big window, and Mr.. Cruml
told him he could have the whole lot fol
what they cost him.
You don't sayP exclaimed the furry
man. All l want just now is pound
of candy for Peddy.'
Put it up in two papers. Mr.. Crump,
said Peddy-'one for me and one for Mi.
randa Adams
Two pounds said the furry man, in
two papers. I'd forgotten all about Mi
randa.'