Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-12-21
NO.51.

ted by herself all Of bright red as "bein'
more cheerin'" Nobody was forgotten in
that drawer, from the squire to the least
pckaninny in the quarters.
There was a vague idea throughout the
clarin that the day was one in which to be
friendly and to give old grudges the 20. by;
the Lord with whom Aunt Dilly was bet
ter acquainted than the rest was supposed,
for some reason, to be nearer at hand on
that day than usual, though not so near as
TO make anybody uncomfortable.
Father Ruggles, the Jolly old Methodist
| itinerant, was up in the mountains, and
had sent word that he was coming down
| for his Christmas dinner
He'll ask blessin' ON the meal, thank
Heaven ~ said Mrs Missoury with a de
vout sigh.
The squire hurried with the news to find
the colonel
"Itll be a big occasion" he said. tri-
umphantly. Father Ruggles II be equal
TO turkey himself. | depend on you foh
maxim de coffee, colonel Sans that egg-
sited now he doan know what he's about "
'Suhtenly suhtenly But really. Mrs.
Missoury d better double de supply of
mince-pie," he suggested anxiouslv.
Father Rugges is tahrible fond of mnce."
Preparations went ON with increasing
force and vigor They reached full com
pletion the day before Christmas Then
the station paused to take breath before
the great event.
Father Rugges arrived at noon, and in
five minutes had shaken hands with every
body, black and white, and put them all
in good humor with him, themselves, and
each other
II.
lowering his voice, when he and the colonel
and squire were seated together in high
cOnclave on the gallery shes blue n
peaked about the jaws. Old age, heh p
Not bit of it ." reioined Preston.
quickly. Shes young woman, compar-
atively. It's Jem. Colonel James She's
done tired out waitin' on that man These
last two year she's took to expectin' him
every day. She watches the train night n
mornin'. 1t I'D make yoh sick to see her
old face when it goes by
''Natuhlly," the colonel struck in pomp-
ously, I'VE want to make Miss Dilly happy
tomorrow, long o the rest. She doan for
get none of us in her knittin's and buyin's
I'll warrant | says to the squire hyah.
suppose de clarin' combine, n buv some
thin wuth whe-a cheer or new calico or
somethin'.' But he says, 'Whah's der use =
he says, she wants nothin' but her broth
er. Kin we give her her brother = So thahs
how it is y filling his pipe with a gloomy
nod
The men glanced furtively at Miss Dilly,
who, in her blue gown and white apron,
stood in the yard below feeding noisy
flock of chickens.
The sun going down through a frosty skv
threw red lights upon the vast white plains
and the cluster of little gray houses hud-
died closely together Their hoods of feath-
cred, crusted snow made them almost pic
turesque.
Across the road came a black paunchy
hgure; 1t was Mutt the carpenter, who
kept the post office in a box in his shop.
What ais Jabez = wondered the col
onel 'Somethin's happened"
Mutt hurried up the steps. Mails in.
gentlemen. Two circulars an this letter.
Fob Miss Dilly just run over with it
thought"
Quite right, quite right :" exclaimed
Father Ruggles. 1T may be"
The men all rose in their excitement
DO you give it to her, squire, - said the old
minister. You've been her best friend"
Miss Dilly came up the steps. The squire
handed her the letter without word. His
red pudgy face fell into queer grimaces as
he watched her
ioh illt \ leJJef ron
The blood stopped in her old BODY as she
took it, smiling but very pale. When She
saw the writing on the envelope she turned
and went to her own room and shut the
door
The news spread In ten minutes the
whole clarin was gathered on the gallery.
1T may not be from Colonel James at
ALL suggested Jabez 1T may be on bust
ness"
Business Doan he an ass, Jabez Mutt"
said the colonel
The station waited breathless
She came out at last, her face shining
with great inward peace.
"Jem, she said to them in a low, quiet
voice, has gone back to our house ON the
Old Black, an put it an the farm to rights
and him an me is to live thar together
He's comm to night on the train"
Nobody spoke. The tremendous tidings
took their breath.
"An'-an' when is yoh goin, Miss
Dilly ? gasped Sam, who was the first to
recover
Not jest rightaway. He'll stay hvar
week to see his old friends, " she said. '"An'
-thah's the train - Then she broke down
and began to tremble and cry. The women
gathered about her and cried too, while
they smoothed her hair and re pinned her
nanukefcnletS.
The men hurried down to meet the train
What an occasion to-morrerll be ~
painted Squire Barr. Its nothin' short of
providential that the colonel shud come on
this Christmas. Father Ruggles hvar n
all. The station kin give him suitable re-
ception. Eff the turkeys only hold out 1
count on you foh the coffee, Royal"
'Hou kin. But it isn't victuals I'm keer-
in foh, sab, said the colonel, with quaver
of genuine feeling in his voice. Its thet
pore soul yonder Godamighty hes sent her
her Christmas gift, shore Hyar's the
train, gentlemen :"
1t rolled up the track, stopped.
A short, heavy man, with gray hair and
a kind, resolute face, came out on the plat
form.
'Thet's him Thet's Jem :" shouted the
colonel Then they all broke into a rous-
ing cheer, pressing round him, waving their
hats, and shaking his hand, after the hearty
Southern fashion.
Shes up thah, colonel" " said the squire.
Go right away up, sab. She's been wait
in a long time. "-Rebecca Harding DaUis
IN Scribher'S Mdgdzi,e