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

SclO1S Ol Onl IIltnh "n'"'"'"'
wrestli ngs with his mother-tongue'
from which nc always retired |
worsted, having sad the very thing |
he didn't mean, pro ceeded TO ad- |
mire everything witE the most
naive and bewitching enthusiasm.
And truly, master and servant had
acquitted themselves with credit.
Festive garlands Of Christmas
greenery swung everywhere; the
scarlet shine of holly.berries light
ed them all with its Brightness
But no one guessed-not even
child May-of the stately Christ
mas tree that stood behind the
purple simmer Of the sllken
curtain.
II were idle to tell Of that days
dinner, or of all the singular feats
perpetrated by our friend during
all it's numerous cOurses-how no
called familiar dishes by the most
perplexlng epithets; how he began
a story IN the middle, and forgot
the ending; and how he persisted
at times in behaving as if he had
been acquainted with his three
guests all his lifetime.
When they came back to the
drawing-room. there was a brilliant
surprise for little May. There
stood a famous Christmas tree,
resplendent with lights, and bear
ing abundantly the fairy fru'tage
Of the season.
"That is for you, mignon,' says
our friend.
"For me "
Nav stood transfxed. Glanclng
from the tree to our friend, she
made a LITTLE run into his arms,
gave him a squeeze Of untold de
light, then pounced upon her treas
ures. Princess Alice came to the
rescue, and turning herself into
another child with laughing and
amazement, plundered the willing
tree. Bachelor Rogers, putting
forth his hand, led Mrs. Lee to a
seat. and took his place beside her.
81 have Christmas story to tell
YOU. will you listen ?" Bachelor
Rogers manner was quite coherent
now: but his eyes were wet, and
his voice trembled strangely.
~ will listen willingly
81 remember a lovely child, then,
, much like your May here-eyes the
, same. curls The same, rosebud
mouth Just the same. Your Alice
looks like her, only not quite so
beautiful. used to draw her then
} ON my boys sled across the
snow: Mrs. Lee was trembling
e 4 strong arm closed around her-a
, voice that held the music of youth
; sad, "Do not tremble the end Is
I coming. The boy almost man,
the girl very near a woman-but
), she was always that with her
j. gentle, owing ways-parted. lie
4 went to sea. The curl she gave
L him at parting, he keeps still"
D wThey said all on board perish
5 ed sobbed Mrs. Lee "but never
$ forgot him-never, never~
i 500 you love him still ?"
y Princess Alice and little May
y turn to look at the Outcry. What
It strange spectacle is this? TheiI
& mother sobblng on Bachelor Rog
o ers' breast F.
s At that moment there is a tap on
If the door. That excellent fellow
Z, John. fearing Jenny was "lone
IS some,n had felt it his duty to take
'r a run up to the little brown house
t. and escort her TO his masters
!, honse. TO his amaze. he found he
< setting forth with young man Sc
le handsome. so selt.posSeSSed, so al
RS together at home with her, that
ST John was posed.
to "Oh. Jenny" whispered poo
le John, "you never told me You wa
III keeping company
"No more | am," retorted that
)e damsel. saucily. "HIe's Miss Alice
)e husband that is to he. Do yol
d. think III lift my eyes to the like oi
IS him y
ar "Oh y
" So Jenny and her escorts arrive
and she taps on the door, The
II yanishes with one OF them to th'
~ realm beneath. Princess Alice
,v somewhat decoronsly shocked a
the mysterious conduct of he
NJ mamma, opens the door, cries.
n. "Cnthhert,r and follows her motl
,c er's example. Poor little May
~ looks from one couple to the other
10 then discerning in the last arrlv'
,rs n person upon whom she has
TO decided claim, precipitales hersel
IA. npon him, and insists upon sharin
on in his embrace.
Bachelor Rogers tells his story
Ia. winding it up with: "And 20
NJ never knew me, Alice' | kne
in Won at once-little May is you
70 childhood, Alice here your CIR
on hood, aud the woman beside mi
n your own dear self, my wife that
tc. to be-
I'D Mrs. Lee denies not
mo- Princess Alice, her tender mou'
nc in a quiver, cries
ey "Are you going to leave m
Cuthbert, and when they are
he happyT