The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-08-27
Written for the Democrat-Star.
TIME -tHRISTMAS NIGHT.
scene-Sea Shore Camp Ground.
BY ALPHA BETA.

lgnt, anu warm gIoweu the DeArth
on that wintry night as the blasts
swept along the shore. They made
bright one of the cottages that tao
ed the beach, just under Il line of
ancient oaks. s'WhO would have
thought of our being here OH Christ
mas night" said Guss.
"Not ], Pm sure,' answered Cal,
as she proceeded to pop All abun-
dant supply of corn "but one new
er can tell what may happen next.
What is that about 'The veil Of the
future our breath heedlessly flaps p"
"Pshaw, Cal, do leave Owen
Meredeth's veil alone, while there
are so many breaths Of old Boreas
Tapping aboard tonight. Why,
this old rattle trap will tumble
down abour our heads before morn
ing," yearned Jean as he leaned
back and helped himself to II sup
ply of CABS corn "what do we
care about the weather3 W ere in
the Sunny South"
"NOt so sunny, sonny" whistled
Jack from his corner, where a circu-
lar fish.net was in process OF con
struction, although many snarls
and much impdtlence had attended
it through its two days course"
"Don'T whistle in this ut.Shell /;
yOn will wake Aunt Delmaston and
then--," cbided Guss the digni-
fled young lady OF tire group, cast
ing Il mild reproOf toward Jack.
"GaciOus! | forgot her tor once"
returned Jack, looking around in
time 10 find a smile on Jeans face.
''Oh y said he, "no living tenant of
this rancho was ever known before
to forget our light SIumbered and
venerable relative. | can't see how
IL chap like you can make up your
mind to be pioneer, as it were, iii
such venture. |, for one, would
not awaken her before the yule log
burns ont for my whole interest in
her chinkI"
"Nor l." said Ned, as he caught
the corn chunked over TO him by
Jeau.
Ned was an unhealthy student,
and looked tired and unhappy as he
leaned his temples against his tall
chair. Two crutcheS stood near
him, telling their own story of
crippled life.
"You're are right, Jean, we're
into it now and must make he best
of a bad bargain. | should dislike
TO lose my chances of her favor,
hough | have done so little 10 gam
it,"
ga long lane that never turns"
said Jack, shut ours may turn down
hill.7
"HuSh, Jack, you have at last
a good time, forever out in the surf
with crab net, hook and line, or
sailing off in that hucker out of
sight," complained Cal, "fd enjoy
it, 100, if l could only get out on
the water a moment, but its awful
lull and pOky to sit all day long
with a sick aud cross old woman,
who can't be pleased with anything,
t l do get her money, | will have |
earned it,"
The five people we have before us
ire real, matter.of fact individuals,
1ne meets with daily on the high
way.
Miss Celeste Delmaston, their
lunt, who represented large es
ate and mauy trying pecularities,
Dy way of offset. 1t is her whim just
1t this time to bring together her
lephews and nIeces 10 make a Sc
ection for an inheritor of her trea-
'ured stores. She is to try them
or one year. Jean Vern. the sou
# an older sister, who was married
md spent her lite in Boston, dis
Dlayed true New England thrift,
lud took advantage of the invita-
ION at one.
Guss and Ned, from Virginia, son
md daughter of a asecond sister, who
lad died in Virginia, leaving her
only her blessing. Lastly,
anne Cal aud Jack, the last mem
,ers of a large family OF children
# a spendthuft brother, who had
lied IN Atlanta only two years be
ore. ln the summer of 'S5 Miss
)elmastOu had maturPd her plans
md taking a cottage at the camp
.round felt quite charitable to all
Ter race under the influence Of re-
,eated sermons, but feeling more
he inspiring balm FROM south winds
md loving the beauty OF the scene
he decided to remain. She declar.
ID that her ailments were fewer
Md she could better become ac-
luainted with her relatives than in
New Orleans. "There's nothing
lie living with people to find them
'at," was her favorite maxim.
just at present Cal was in high
avor with her aud as a conse.
Iuence gels the benefit Of ali her
hildish humoFs aud fi0dS life a
,urden. While Jack, her brother,
ails his boat and browns bis face
t will, and the others have hours
or study or fancy work or idle
though mostly In devising
'lans to keep Annt Del in q beara-
lie humOr until The year OF trial
ball have passed.
Bot this OF all nights Of the year