Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-25

! intensity the bitterness. Shut GU
from oil society on account
home duties and because she ha'
nothing ft to wear away frou, home
Neglected by her only sister Every
thing crowded down upon her with a.
almost unsupportable weight. Sn
tried to pray, but that box full OF a!
conceivable shades Of silk handkerchief
seemed to crowd in between her sou
and any good thought ; SO at early COCK
growing she arose, repienished the hre'
and at last, all unrefeshed as she was
conclu led her cares were easier to bea'
while at work than when lying sleep
less in bed, so she dressed and wen
about the weeks ironing.
The dawn was long in coming, but a.
last showed itself chill and gray. A
frozen mist hung over the pond and
crystalired the bare limbs Of the ns'
pies. The snow, that all day long yes.
ierday and half the long night had filled
the air, had now ceased to fall, the
weather had moderated, and there was
every sign Of drilling rain.
Christmas should be bright and crisp
and frosty and sparkling, she thought
as at last she extinguished the burning
lamp, and stepping lightly fetched the
one from the sick mans room and set
them both ready to be filled aud
cleaned-sigbing as she lately had a
habit of doing at every detail of family
work that should be pleasure to every
housekeeper, and is to most, unless as
in this case the time seems to be so I'M
duly filed.
II will not awaken any one" she
said to herself. They may all sleep
as Tong as they choose. The day will
be long enough and dreary enough for
them all without my calling them to
begin it sooner and taking her mend
ipg-basket she sat down by the east
window and proceeded to ravel the leg
Of a worn stocking to get yarn for
darning.
IL declare" she said aloud, L" have
a good mind to patch the holes in the
heels of the children's stockings with
pieces cut from that silk handkerchief
that came yesterday. | most certainly
would if | supposed there was any pos
sibility of IIarriet's coming to see them
doing service. Dear me . What is that?
| should think some one was blowing a
horn. and there are sleigh-bells. Who
can be coming to mill as early as this
in the morning? They are not going
to the mill the team is driving into
the door-yard. | certainly cannot look
presentsble after such night as | have
had; | will not 60 to the door, and
whoever they may be they will go on,
thinking we are not up"
merry Christmas ~" Merry Christ
mas ;" came in a shout from the yard,
and the horn blew again on the low,
broad piazza-stoop that in summer was
an outdoor sitting-room, but now as I'M
slightly place as could well be imagin-
ed, with its accumulation Of garden
tools, baskets, and barrels.
merry Christmas Merry Christ
mas " came from the kitchen now.
There was jingle of toy-bells, mu-
sic-box was playing lively air, there
was a regular chorus.
Where are they all?" some one
said. "They must be up, or there
would not be such jolly rouser of a
fire as this"
Where are they all, sure enough?
You are making noise enough to waken
the Seven Sleepers," said sweet, even
voice, and the dairy-room door was
thrown open by that much-traduced
sister Harriet, with her three boys
standing close behind her.
Dear ZEE ," was Mrs. Hollis first
inward suggestion, " if this isn't just
after a piece with all Of Harriet's
thoughtlessness What under the light
of the sun shall do about dinner? /
was intending to have hasty pudding
and milk"
But before she could open her lips to
say a word her sisters arms were most
lovingly about her and she said in her
charming, half saucy way that capti-
waited every one
"You dear old sis You are not
very glad to see us, are you: Very
well, we do not mind if you are not;
we are here and we shall spend the
day and night, and you cannot help
yourself"
81 don't believe she wants to help
herself" said Mr.. Holt, in hasty toilet
appearing from the bedroom. "You
have stolen a march on us this time.
Have you been trsmping all night? l
don't know when ] was ever caught in
bed before by the daylight, but 1t was
worth while for the sake Of seeing a
smiling face. We are growing to be
very sombre family, am afraid"
81 don't see why you need to be, |
am sure" spoke up Harriet quickly
and cheerfully; "you all have excel
lent health, and l don't see why you
should not have everything to make
you happy. think cheerful company
would do father more good than all the
drugs that were ever compounded. You
had all better begin this morning and
turn over a new leaf"
"Just like Harriet" sobbed Mrs.
Holt in the seclusion of the pantry,
whittier she had fed; but she wiped
away the tears and had to smile little
to see the children come struggling
down. stairs in their night-gowns, sur
prised that there could be so much
noise in their quiet home, and not know
ing what to make Of it to see their
cousins dancing about, and their Aunt
Harriet, who had taken off her warm
cloth cloak and sensible hood, and was
now proceeding to stew oysters taken
from 9 good-sized tin can the boys had
brought in from the sleigh.
:" thought we might as well bring
our breakfast with u.s." she explained,
for We were sure to he furnishing af-
ter our fifteen-miles' drive across the
country"
Ii was q jolly breakfast. after all.
Grandpa took his at tho same time that
the others did, in bed, Of course, but
Aunt Harriet had first covered up his
head with warm shawl and thorough
ly aired his room and then set the door
wide open, where the invalid could look
at the bright-faced group about the
! sahla and tcfa, 20 ~ a., ~ u.-ci III