Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-02-11
THE SHORTEST DAY.
And Yet How e-uch 1t Held for
One Poor Woman

How long is that Of most people.
wonder? Some perhaps can number
the full six hundred and thirteen thou
sand six hundred and eight hours Of
the allotted threescore years and ten,
while others outlast the pre-Adamic
day Of the geologist. and cover all
eternity. But mine was just the ordinary
daylight one, the shortest in the year,
too, for it was the twsnty-first Of De-
cember.
And even short as il was, had al
ready wasted some hours of it. Had /
thought it would have set so soon ]
might have been up at its dawning,
though usually hold, with Lever, that
the sun looks best-as every one else
does-when he's up and dressed for the
day. and that it's piece Of impertment
curiosity to peep at him when he's ris-
ing and at hss toilet; he has not rubbed
the clouds out of his eyes, or you dared
not lock at him. But when ones SUI
shines such little while as mine, might
not one be pardoned for rushing 10 the
levce at an questionable hour?
Yet il was noon before | was out in
the bright glow. trudging down the
lane with yesterdays fall Of snow crisp
ing under my feet, and last nights
sleet clashing overhead, as the wind
caught at the struggling, overgrown
hedge-row bougbs. and sent them ring
ing together, with such an icy-jeweled
fash and splendor of green and gold
and red and blue as summer, with all
her wealth of leaves and blossoms,
could not rival, The very splendor
promised the glittering mOckery but a
short life; the sun is a traitor with his
kisses, and the warmth of them would
soon wither away the snow wrea.hs,
making their delicate mimicry OF the
white May and the hawthorn in the
hedge. But meantime they were very
fair, and the snow lay light and white
under the great peach orchards that
had their icy sparkle too. as they swept
away, in gentle undulations, right and
left Of the still lane. And the blue sky
had the merest snowflake of q cloud
drifting along. and the sun was shining
full upon me, aud somehow n CLINT Of
IL had got into my heart, though there
was nothing in particular 10 bring it
there. Christmas was so near, the first
j had spent out Of my old home, so
empty now; and Father Christmas,
when he comes TO us with a changed
face, has the saddest Of all looks. Yet
j did not intend to NOPE. Aunt Mar
garet and the girls were friendly and
kind, and the least could do would be
TO put aside the shadow Of my Grape,
and show them a contented face. And
So
Perhaps something more than content
flashed into IL Just then, when that
thought of mine was broken short of
by sharper clatter of those hedge-row
boughs, and some one sprang down
through the gap. bringing with him
little clatter Of falling icicles into the
road before me. For. AS we shook hands,
there was a pleased look in his eyes,
and he said, with some abruptness:
"You are little glad 10 see me?
You won't mind my finishing yourwalk
with youP"
tried 10 answer carelessly, though
II WAS not so easy, under that gaze Of
his: ''Oh, II you are Of n geological turn
this morning, l am going in search Of
foxtail and crow-foot. 1 marked a
quite splendid bed down by tbs brook
in the woods la sheltered spot where
j dare say this light snow has not covered
g. The girls tell me they are not in the
habit Of putting Christmas eyergreens
about the house, but ! always did il at
home, and"
IIo understood me at once He said,
with his rare gentlencss; "And you are
trying hard to keep some Of the old
Christmas feeling about you. You
must forgive me II can not help seeing
something OF your brave struggle, and
yearning 10 help you Ia H. "
Yearningl II was strong word.
but his eyes made Il stronger, as ! could
not help glancing up 70 see. And be-
fore. in my confusi0ns i could drop
mine again. somehow my muf was on
the snow at our feet, and both my
hands wero In his.
Miss Deane-Annie--l can help you
with my whole life, Anniel'
And. after that, Is Il any wonder II
Tho sun shone straight into my hearth
don't think our researches would
have added much 10 tho cause OF either
noology on botany that day. On the
latter especially nay lover would have
made strange confusion. insisting that
we were passing under quite a number
Of mistloioo bou9hs. IL my superior
knowledge Of the science hid not set
him right We did hnd the crOw-fool.
l. 4.