Bridgeton pioneer., 1885-12-24


love them, and shall go back to cook
for the mess just as soon as learn tc
read and write, and keep house like 6
LADY, and she burst into a wild fit Of
weeping, and was only pacified by
many gentle words and sight of the
little curtained berth in the sleeping
car, which she was to occupy during
her trip.
The pain of parting over, however
Nugget became as happy as lark and
the pet and plaything of all on the
train. Her little red gown fluttered up
and down the narrow aisle, like some
bright tropical bird; her golden head
peered into every crack and corner,
and her Quaint speeches were a con-
stant fund of amusement, while her
brown eyes opened in surprise at all
the new things she was constantly see
ing and hearing, for she was as simple
and ignorant, as we'll as fresh and sweet,
as a prairie flower transported from
Western wilds. The great cities they
passed through were perpetual won
der, and she was never weary of gazing
out of the window, until just as they
left Chicago, heavy snow-storm set
in, so thick and dense as to shut out
all the scene.
1t was very strange, whirling along
through this white mist, and gradually
the train moved slower and slower, the
engine seeming to have to work its
way through deep drifts, until on ris-
ing one morning, the passengers found
themselves at rest, and were informed
that they had come to a stand still in
the dead country, and could go no
further until the snow-plows which
had been telegraphed for, should come
to dig them out.
I'VE should be in New York to-
night" said the conductor, but it
looks very much as though we should
spend our Christmas ON the road
"Oh! OH oh!' cried a chorus of dis
appointed voices, Tonight is Christ
mas Eve, sure enough said Mr..
Grundy, a jolly-faced old bachelor, and
then looked down to see dismayed
little face peering up into his, We'll,
Nugget, what is it?n
Isn't that the night Santa Claus
comes?"
Il believe it is! It's lucky he didn't
fra val on tbiS train -
But he won't know where to find
me y cried Nugget, in alarm; "he will
never think of looking Tor me in a
snow bank'-
Sure enough; but I guess Aunt
Hannah will tell him you are coming,
and have the stocking filed
mo, she won't; for she don't know
it herself l don't b'lieve she knows
there's such little gal as me in the
world. Pop said she didn't"
"Well, that's strange; but, never
mind, Nugget will be as merry as she
can, even if we are snow-bound I'm
going out now, to explore, and NAV be
I'll see a snow-bird, to send a message
to Santa Claus by" And the CHEEKY
old fellow tramped off, leaving his lit
tie friend somewhat comforted
He came back an hour later, with
his arms full of pine, laurel and holly.
and the ladies amused themselves in
decorating the parlor cars, hanging
wreaths in the windows, and festoon-
ing garlands along the sides, until it
was transformed into a perfect green
bower.
But Nugget was unusually quiet all
day, although she helped to bunch the
green's" and when she had hidden
her friends good night, and was tucked
away in her berth, sobbed herself to
sleep, overcome with disappointment
and homesickness.
See, isn't that pathetic!" 1t was
Mrs. Farnsworth who spoke, pointing
to little red stocking pinned to the
curtain of the child's bed, which she
had hung there in the faint hope that
the snow-birds might tell st. Nicholas
of her whereabouts
Cant we fill it with something?n
asked Mr.. Grundy. IN drop bright
silver dollar in the toe" And he suited
the action to the word.
''They gave Inc some rosy apples
and few nuts over at yonder farm
house today said Fred Howell, and
they ratified in after the silver.
The conductor, who was a Yankee,
and handy with the knife, carved some
funny animals out of wood, and
young lady contributed pretty blue
hair-ribbon, while, to crown all, Mrs.
Farnsworth made her way to the bag
gage car, and managed to open her
trunk, and bring out beautiful wax
doll that she was carrying to her own
niece. Il can buy Effie another, in
New York." she said, and fastened the
doll TO the ton of the StOckinp