Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-12-24
Tbe Twins Christmas,

tue N% 'nc 10 creep over the pane, while
fs'. .,y ewes gazed into the gathering
w Clsn, The view without was not 50
iSI''s ,oing one might think, as to attract
s emu 'Tcndall for its own sake Passers-
N'N Wv -, very few, but Max scrutini2ed
4 @ WV" no heating his little foot against
e''" ,irscot, and idly hali-hearing the
uo hobind him, as his twin sisters
talk lad before the open coal CRATE.
cIo crow" roal Christmas at all, sighed
""What did you set your heart on,
Ditto" .,,. frr. ;, was fine l,conic
FP! don't believe we shall have one
I,oi thing, said Dot, disconsolately.
liO,", hen. we are no worse off than the
' ,3i, I"' and Rite. She never grumbles,"
'ImtSho,s Rite, not u.s." said Ditto.
n ~ mont by our old house to-day"
u not after little silence /" 1t made
aH I, Is 60 dingy. No wonder we cant
n,r ,S' any Christmas here.
ha ,Mi wc lived there we shouldn't have
,a now" said her sister softly.
P'EyL ax stopped his tattoo suddenly, hay
-. " iost this whispered sentence in his
;nissrest in the preceding remark.
",Mnot can't Santa Claus find rs here p"
Il bo asked wonderingly.
dpm afraid not, Max, my precious"
aid Dot, with a sorry little laugh.
'' The question on the boys lips was ar
..atsd as he turned to nod and smile at
,ome one fastening through the gloom
and up the steps.
aug SHere she is I" cried Max, hopping
lawn from his perch; and the next mo-
mont "she" was in the room.
aWel, twinnies, is it good cheer to-
n Law? All! my little knight, sister saw
YOU at your post from lar down the
a street"
mo caressing hands over the twins
brown brads, and bestowng Il skilliul
roke on the sullcn fire, Rite Kendall
u took off her wraps, and you saw why
Max was content to stare into the twi-
ligbt for her coming.
She was not beautiful; keen intelli-
yence shone in her clear, dark eyes her
n Ace mrrored candor, courage and the
tenderness Of strong heart. Her voice
n had CHEEKY ring, rs il used to encour-
. aging ieebler souls; and truly that had
4 been no small part OF Rite Kendall s
I work since her father died, nearly a year
\ Wo. From his grave she came back to
/ find herself the stay of an invalid mother,
4 the authority and guide Of four robust,
4 nlliCking children, and the contriver to
4 make Il sCanty income stretch over large
n needs \ move from the pretty, home
like home, Il settling into cheaper lodg-
lngs, picking up of music scholars here
4 and there, fortunate engagement as a
Soprano in church choir, and the new
\ life began-the new life that begins for
+ rs all when familiar face is shut away
and loved presence called from the
home, with, in this instance, the added
burden OF unaccustomed toll and UNI
wonted privations. The story is not I'M
common; perhaps that very fact makes
the more pitiful. Rites voice gave no
hint Of itas she greeted the children, and
askedltenderly for the invalid
GLOW is mother? Is Elsie her nurse
this evening"
Ese was, and proclaimed the fact by
coming down stairs TO say that
mammals nap was comforting, and had
given her y 'strordinary appetite"
At this Welcome news daintily APP.
pointed tray was carried up by Rites
hands, and presently she, with the chill
dren and aunt Theodosia, had tea in the
sitting.rOOm.
A cheerful meal she made it, with
pleasant talk Of things she had seen in
her round OF music lessons, and never &
suggestion OF her own WEAKNESS and dis
cOlragement so that the twins grew
merry, and said to each other that per
haps it would not be 50 dismal a Christ
mas after all, and Max and Elsie pratt
tied gleeiully OF past delights and ex
peCted pleasures.
How those children believe in tina
heathensh Santa Claus" said Aun
IheOdosla, as Rite came down from see
the four safely tucked up for the night
Isn't 1t time they had some idea o
things as they are ?"
ut pleased papa to have Max and FL
Sic believe in that legend" said Rit,
gently; "and they are not ignorant o
the best part Of Christmas. only wisl
there might be something to put in tn,
Stockings that they will hang up Will
such faith"
Aunt Theodosia sighed.
This is a crooked life; up hill all tn,
way"
But every hill climbed brings pill
gIms higher, said Rite with sad smile
Twill be great hill ii lose my place
NSt. Jude's; they talk of closing tn,
church awhile until the new recto
comes But perhaps-yes surely-ther
Will be way over it, will not los
"esrl and faith, as well as place"
Aunt Theodosia sighed again Rit,
0oked into the Goals and prayed Up
Halrs thei children dreamed of Santj
GIaus, and visions OF sugar-plums dance,
through their heads.
80 the Kendalls waited for Christmas
III village two hundred miles ava,
% %ne other people were thinking q
GnfIstlnas, The snow lay driited abou
ue mile blulI cottage; ruddy ligh
snueahed from the blazing wood fir
through uncurtained windows. upon tn
nnile path which no one watched long
~B'y' waiting Tor the coming OF dear foot
TTes' The elderly couple who sat b.
upe IRE had long ago passed the days q
io'eSs looking forward and eager reach
mlg ont toward future good; vet, wheI
Tue shrlll whistle proclaimed the bric
t"p 81 the train that whirled expires
" "om 'he distant city through the quie
IISIey} the woman stirred uneasily, an
% "INea up at her husband with eye
"" "J wlstlul language he answered.
Lo, 'uou'I look much for letter, wife
~u,1oeI shall 90 down first thing in tn
"Vg'rl'I''G' Kick don't write very often.
yoi, NO. with patientacquiescence in hc
G Ii,o But it's coming Christmas
% @r seems as il he must think W
wanted letter then. y
sn a"o oId man NODDED but did nc
htb be was born ON Christmas you know