Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-02-09
Peterby'e stormy Christmas.

Last year the IeterDy family had q
Christmas tree, as usual. Mrs. Peterby
is a very clever woman, hence The, ex-
pense for the tree was very light or
course, she did not use the same tree
that had done duty on previous Christ
masses, but all the ornaments were the
same ones that had gladdened the
hearts Of all the children from. tho old
est down. As soon as the joyous season
was over, Mrs. Peterby stripped the
tree and packed the ornaments away
for future use. On Christmas Eve the
entire family was excluded from the
parlor until the presents were all
arranged on the tree, then she called
the family into the parlor with grand
flourish
The eldest son, Frank. got a rnagnifi-
cently-bound book, Milton's Paradise
Lost. The boy was delighted. There
were tears OF gratitude In bis eyes as
he thanked his kind mother for her
beautiful present.
This is the very thing have been
wanting for years." he exclaimed.
''What magnificent illustrations! How
true il is that boy has got no friend
like his motherln
He was about TO examine the pictures
more critically when Mrs. Peterby
wrenched the book from his hand, ask
ing with amazement:
my son, have you lost your senses?"
II guess not, mother; what do you
mean?"
What do you mean by trying to
ruin that costly book by looking at it?"
why, mother don't You expect me
to read it?"
Expect you to read it!n replied
Mrs. Peterby, with wild snort Of
amazement; "of course not. II re-
mains on the centre-table, and if any of
you children dare to lay finger on it
I'll skin you alive. Dye hear? The
binding OF the book matches our wall
paper so nicely. That's why / bought
it Laura, where are you going with
your new Christmas present."
81 was going over to Uncle Toms
house to show his folks what beauti-
full present I've got"
Laura Peterby!" said Mrs. Peterby.
fixing her eagle glance on the unfor-
tunate girl. who hung her head and
covered before the impending storm,
are you going TO sneak out of the
house with that beautiful dollar and a
quarter umbrella, and expose it 10 the
action of the elements?n
but, mamma, it's raining"
''0f course it's raining. Is that the
kind Of weather 10 which you would ex-
pose costly new umbrella that has
been given as a token of esteem and
affection? Is that the kind of loving
daughter you are? If hadn't seen it
with my own eyes wouldn't have be-
lieFed you capable Of such base ingrati-
tude. Shame on you! You are no
longer child OF mine. Put that new
umbrella back in the corner. Why do
you seek TO mar the happiness of the
joyous and solemn anniversary by such
diabolism?n
Jim Peterby, ono of the younger
sons. had been thrown into spasm of
delight at having captured valuable
notebook and pencile, but he was
somewhat depressed when his mother
explained that the new notebook would
make a very appropriate present for
one Of his cousins, whose birthday
would occur at an early day. She took
the book away from the boy and locked
IL up in the bureau drawer.
lis there any relative OF yours going
TO have birthday pretty soon?n asked
Judge Peterby.
"Why do you ask?" she snorted in re-
ply.
o, nothing; except II this smokers
set belongs to me and it is not to be
used as birthday present for any out
slider, I'll make il useful" and he
knocked the ashes off the end of his
cigar into the receptacle intended for
the ashes.
A wild shrek of dispair, wall of
suppressed agony, startled the people
passing on the street.
That's TO go on the mantel-piece.
You shan't ruin it with the ashes from
your cigar while am in this house
and in my usual health. The ashes
will discolor the gliding, Do you think
that have got nothing TO do every day
of my life but to clean up after you?"
Judge Peterby subsidized with calm
ness. At last he ventured TO suggest
that the wine and cake be utilized in
dispelling the gloom that was becoming
dense and imprenetrable every minute.
'tAm mat.on of a private insane
asylumPn she asked, Tor the head of
family of reasonable human beingsp
Do you really want to gorge yourself
with the cake or guzzle the wine that
is dedicated to New York's callersp
Tommy, that pair of shoes is for Sum