Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-12-24
HER LAST CHRISTMAS.
BY MRS. T.. V. WILSON.

BY MRS. +. V. WILSON.
''Does any one wish to use the carriage
to-day p" asked Grandmother Garth of
her sons family as they all sat around
the breakfast table one cold morning in
December.
II think not" answered Mrs. John
Garth, the pleasant-faced matron who
presided at the Widespread board.
"Why, were you wanting it 2"
es, the sun shines SO brightly / am
tempted to do little shopping to-day"
replied the old lady, "and, John" adj
dressing her son, who laid down the
newspaper as his mother spoke, ''could
you make it convenient to lunch with
me at rs at o'clock? If you can
will call at the store for you"
why, yes, mother, [ shall be de-
lighted. 1t is not often [ am invited to
lunch at rs, especially with lady"
said Mr.. Garth, as he rose from the
table.
Grandma" said Willie. boy of 10,
the youngest of the household, don't
you want somebody to 60 with you?"
Everybody laughed. But grandma
shook her head. "Not to-day, Willie; l
want to 60 by myself" Then, seeing
the child's look of disappointment, she
added: You and / will have a lunch
at rs during the holidays, dear, if
nothing happens" Willie's face
frightened. "Oh, grandma, he cried,
<'you are the best grandma in the
world. Can't / tell Johnny Saunders?
you ?' Grandma nodded, and, spring
ing from his chair, the boy ran off to get
ready for school, and soon the rest of
the family dispersed and went about
their various duties or pleasures.
4 couple of hours later Grandmother
Garth, in her out-of-doors costume,
came slowly down stairs and entered
the family sitting-room. Mrs. John
Garth, with an open letter in her hand,
sat alone before the fire. She looked
up with a troubled face as her mother
in-law approached her, and said:
Il intended to help you dress, moth
er, but this letter came just after break
fast, and | am so worried [ forgot you"
Il did not need you, DEAR" replied
the old lady; ''Nellie helped me, and
the child is SO handy; but tell me your
trouble; maybe | can do something for
you"
II fear not" said Mrs. John, with
sigh; "but, of course, will tell you; the
letter concerns you as well as the rest
Of US. 1t is from Philips wife. She
dren expect to spend Christmas with
as. Now you know, mother, how glad
we will be to see them, but what will
they think when they find out, as of
course they will, that we are not on good
terms with Lucy's folks? ''
Won't say 'Lucy's folks DEAR" said
Grandmother Garth; '.just say what is
the fact, that your husband, John
Garth, snd his sisters husband, Andrew
Saunders, have acted like school boys.
I have no patience with them; quarrel
ing about politics at their age; they
onght to be ashamed, setting their chill
dren such an example. John especial
Ii lin. J never "0u'u nave Os''eSeo II OF
.'But, MOTHER" said Mrs. John, "I
think Andrew ought to have known how
quick Johns temper isl
"Oh. yes" interrupted grandmother,
A'you are Johns wife; of course you
don't blame John; it's all Andrews
fault. And there's Lucy, poor girl,
says with tears in her eyes, Mother,
I'm sure Andrew never meant to hurt
Johns feelings, but John never gives
anybody a chance to explain Oh, we
women" grandmother went on, shak-
ing her head, "always blame somebody
else; our men are always right"
Grandmother" called d glrIish voice.
Patrick says the carriage is waiting"
Eyes, yes, Nellie, I'm coming" said
the old lady "WelI, Sarah" she con-
tinued, addressing her daughter-in-law,
who had risen from her seat, "don't
worry any more; | guess it will all
come out right and turning she
walked into the hall where her grand
daughter, pretty girl of IS or 20 years,
was waiting to assist her. Mrs. John
Garth followed her mother-in-law out
and gave the coachman many injunc-
tons respecting his charge. "Remem-
Der. Patrick" she said ''to be careful;
drive slowly, and see to Mrs. Garth
when she wants to get out; you know
she is not strong"
s'Shure, it's meself will take the best
of care, num- said Patrick, as he
mounted to the drivers seat. Don't
know the preshus load I've got? There,
Miss Nellie, you need not bother your
purity head; that dure's all right" as
Nellie opened and closed the carriage
door to be certain it fastened firmly,
and, cracking his whip in the air, Pat
rick drove from the house, while Mrs.
John Garth and her daughter re-en-
tered
Patrick" said Mrs. Garth, as soon
as they had turned the corner of the
street, Patrick, drive first to Mr..
Saunders business house" "All right"
said Patrick, and in little while re
drew up in front of the commission
house of Saunders & Co., on
Street.
On being summoned, out came Mr..
Andrew Saunders, a portly, good nat-
ured, blue-eyed, sandy bearded man of
about 40. s"Why, mother" he ex-
claimed as he saw the occupant Of the
carriage, who ever expected to see you
this cold morning? Let me help you
out. The office is nice and warm"
'No, no, Andrew, | am doing my Christ
left home, you know. Pm going to
lunch at T-'s, Andrew, at O'Clock,