Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-12-24

John? Take back an invitation 10
ladies' ? No, John, they're coming
actually coming to brighten up |
these stilf rooms with their pres
ence. Coming in the place OF dull
Jokes. and stupid wine-dranghts,
and empty hilarity, that leaves the
heart and soul empty. How many |
are there of them, John|
"Well, there's a lady--you can't
call her old, but she's older than
the other one, which is her daueh-
ter; and there's little cne like
wise, the daughter Of the older Ia
DIV. and her name is May"
"a little child coming too p
ayes, sir; and her mother men,
toned that maybe YOU was gong
TO have a Christmas tree
swell, so l am, John, of course.
And if you think of anything else,
lust let me know
81 will, sir; goodnight, sir"
"Good-night, John-good might
| think-at least something seems
to tell me, that it's going to be a
lucky Christmas for you, john
And the master contemplates his
man with such an expression Oh
complete benevolence, that John re-
treats in frame Of mind sufficient
ly bewlldercd for Christmas Eve;
his last words being, as he takes a
thorough warming before the kitch-
entire:
"She certainly is the triggest
specimen I've seen this one while"
"Who's that ?" inquiries cook rub
bing her eyes.
"Not you, cook, says John, stalk
ing of to bed. This assertion is
not difficult of belief, as cook weighs
near two hundred pounds; and, ID
the way Of figure, gives the impress
sion of a stout feather pillow slight
lv compressed in the middle.
Cook, not at all nonpluSsed a.
the retort, rubs her nose, and says :;
oNot me! of course Though /
did have fgger once upon time,
and relapses again into slnmber.
The house falls asleep. The fires
burn deep into the night, and their
tall genii shadows come and co.
weaving mystic dances, while to
and fro through the brain OF one
sleeper wander thoughts Of long
ago. Joining hands with something
strange and sweet that was to oe,
vet never was-that yet shall be,
b the shadows promise in the mystic
dance. Once or twice, Bachelor
, Rogers wakes, and calculates:
wf my invitation had only been
) less brusque. They'll think I'm a
snappish. snarling old curmudgeon'
AudirI had only left out six o'clock
sharp, and signed myself 'yonr'
: faithfully or something of that
sort, you know"
l And then our friend falls asleep
I and dreams like child of Christ
e mas trees. and holly berries, anc
mistlctoe, and something sweet yet
to be. The little brown house OF
p the block above, where the mantlei
70 are wooden and not marble, iall'
' asleep also. And the princess tina
was sorrowful when awake, IS very
; happy in her dreams. Oh lovely
= dreams she has, wherein Cnthber
i her lover comes homo, and holding
her fast in his arms, says he Will g
away no more The mother dream
'' also-far back into the years o
IL childhood. \ slender STRIPPING
t who wears a girls bushes on hi
o cheek. ever rose.red when in he
, company, draws her, demure 1T
II tle maiden. on vermillon sled
barred with gilt, over a crisp eN
T. panse of snow-golden lights IN tn
J. horizon. Waking, Mrs. Lee hear
the tinkle Of snow.crystals agalnS
6 the window-pane, and Whispers I
3 her heart, ayes, he never cam
back. How could he, when all o
" board perished :"
As for child May. it would L
t. useless TO undertake to descrlb
t, her dreamings. The story OF Ala'
re din we're tame beside a child
C. dreams on Christmas Eve. Def
e old Santa Claus himself is the onl
H. one fit to rehearse them
IN awe have heaps of work to d
rs this morning, John,' remarked OF
friend the next day "andyou kno
G. the stores close early
Sc But a well-filled purse, accor
OF plishes wonders and at ten mi
m utcs before six our friend, enterir
to his drawing rooms, was almost sa
nd isGed with the result. Not quit
st. YOU know, for as Bachelor Roge
had remarked a number of times
. John, as they prosecuted their ]
bors, 81 am expecting ladies "
know, John"
ng "At six o'clock, sharp'-the
nd dies came. Jenny-demure'eye
mt smooth. haired JenDy-was WI
I'm them. John led the way mp stalI
and watched her as she, intent {
business, deity removed wra
of pings, set away overshoes, ct
pa. Mother, Princess Alice, and CHI
May, seemed the lovely and loviI
Ion spirits of Christmas time, bringll
hope and gladness wherever TN
he. might come.
~, When John, throwing open q