The Southern herald., 1886-01-23
MISS POLLY'S CHRISTMAS.
She Receives a Surprise" From
the Parson.

1t was the week before Christmas, and
Miss Polly Pritchard sat alone in her
little room, diligently at work.
So far, it had been a hard winter,
with the ground all iron-bound with
cruel frost; the river clad in steely links
of ice, the sky full of snow, and wind,
and tempest. But Miss Polly was very
comfortable in the little red farmhouse,
of which she occupied one wing, the
other being rented out to Farmer Crib
bage and his wife. There was always a
cheerful fire of logs blazing on the open
hearth, always plant at the window,
and a cat purring on the rug,
ITO be sure, it's rather lonely" said
tho little old maid to herself" never to
hate soul to speak to. But it is what
ore must expect when one outlives ones
family and fricndsr'
So she sat here on this gray winters
afternoon, singing some half forgotten
song, and plying her busy needle, when
Mrs. Gribbage, the farmers wife, came
.Dolls, / declared she exclaimed,
looking at the boxes on the table. And
as her quick eye fell on the work in
Miss Polly's hand, she added: 'And, as
true as / live, you're a-dressin' 'em. "
"Yes,' said Miss Polly, coloring a
soft, autumnal pink.
'sFor the toy shop?" said inqusitive
Mrs. Gribbage.
"Well-nor' acknowledged Miss Pol
ly. They are for the little girls in the
orphan asylum. They don't have any
one to think of their Christmas you
know!" .
sWell, declared reiterated Mrs.
Gribbage. "Why there's eighteen OF
'em. You don't mean to say that
you'r dressin' eighteen dolls?"
l"Yes" said Miss Polly, in deprecatins
"Humph! We'll, l just came in tc
tell you that I'm going up to Misi
Georgictta Fullerton's to tea"
Are youp" said Miss Polly.
Mrs. Gribbage nodded complacently
"Didn't they ask yoU?" said she.
Miss Polly shook her head.
.Well, it's your own fault" sale
Mrs. Gribbage, not without asperity
'Look at that old faded, turned dress o
yours. Miss Georgietta Fullerton il
very particular about her dress, Ant
now that she is engaged to be married
to the minister"
Miss Polly gave the least perceptibl
start at, these words, and asked:
'Is she engaged to be married t
himP"
s1"So folks say" complacently an
swered Mrs. Gribbage. "And | don
suppose he could have made u bette
match. Miss Fullerton is an excellen
housekeeper, and has got a little none
of her own. And it is high time ther
was some one at the parsonage to kee
those four noisy children in order"
And Mrs. Gribbage sailed away in he
rustling silk gown and red plumed ha
leaving Miss Polly alone with her doll
The parson sat alone, also, that gra.
threatening December afternoon in h
little study, with heap of sermon papt
in front Of him. He had sat down
write his Christmas sermon; but, SOM
how, the ideas refused to come. Thel
was q general aspect Of forlornness abol
the room which the poor man realize
but conld not explain.
.'It's all very uncomfortable, sa
Mr.. Mellen to himself, biting though
fully at the feather end of his quill-pe
..And,. somehow, / always feel it mo
AT Christmas time than at any othe
Heat those children scream! One won
think they might play without makil
gWite so much noise. But they are n
managed as they were when poor Isab
was alive. l suppose l am not a go'
disciplinarian, or perhaps should ha
them in better training. Really | dor
know but that the good ladies in n
congregation are right, and that oug
to-"
a"Get married againp' Robbie M
lens shrill, little voice uttered, just Il
moment. "Oh, like that! That's a pr
ty motel! Or father get married aga
Nonsense, Bell, some one has be
examining your ,,
''3ut it's true" retorted little Bt
full Of indignation, "and you need
LAUGH / heard old Miss Grampus
so 10 Miss Collycr, last week, when I'll
all thought was asleep on the bed,
Sewing Society-that papa was going
marry again."