Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-12-19

her cherished household lares and peEates;
| they might even set fire to the buildings,
and she would return to heap of blaeken-
ed rubbish
One morning Mrs. Ditson, coming for
her daily chat. found Miss Liddy hard at
work undoing TIE wrappings from the
parlor furniture, and humIning an old tune
as she stepped briskly about the room.
Prince, perched upon the centre table, was
watching her with evident satisfaction.
''Why. Liddy! what's the matter Amt
you goin2" exclaimed Mrs Ditson.
Il don't know as be, and don't know
but be. Lisbeth's comm home" replied
Miss Liddy, giving vigorous whisk to her
feather -duster.
"Well, | neverl When's she COMMIT
Anythin' the matter with herip asked Mrs
Ditson, eager for a new bit of gossip.
''No. she's we'll enough, l guess, said
Miss Liddy, without stopping her work.
at seems she and Hiram came to port last
week. and he's goin off this time without
her. She writes she's tired out sailin' up
and down, and she wants to come here
with the children and rest a spell. She
calkerlates to get here day before Christ
mas; says she hasn't eat a New England
Christmas dinner for years, poor thing.v
Them turkeys II come in handy after
all, Ciddy," said Mrs. Ditson. with grin
Yes, they'll taste appetizin' to Lisbeth
As.I Il 81
cellar, lots Of 'em. II seems kinder like
the work Of Providence that ! didn't sell
'em off afore now, don't itl" replied Miss
Liddy, too happy at the turn of affairs to
ment of her neighbor.
Il should think you might go away easy
now Lisbeth's COMM" said Mrs. Ditson.
IF she's goin' to stay here she can take
care Of everythin, and keep it just as 'tis
After Christmas you can start and go right
out West as you was intendin'."
Now, Mis- Ditson, when haven't seen
Lisbeth for years do yol s'pose I'd go right
off and leave her like that" said Miss Lid
dy, her eyes swapping as she stopped her
work and faced her guest. "And then
Lisbeth never was good at managin'. This
house would be pretty lookin' place after
she'd had it awhile And then there's the
children. They're all girls, thank the Lord,
but for all that they might worry Prince,
which they'll not do if I'm rourd"
Miss Liddy gave an emphatic twist to
her head, which settled the fact that Prince
was safe from the touch of teasing hands
Christmas morning Mrs. Ditson stole
moment from the preparation of her dinner
to run over to Miss Liddy's and welcome
the new arrivals. She found Lisbeth and
Liddy renewing the ways of their youth by
setting the table together Their loud,
eager voices and laughter could be heard
before she reached the cottage. Lisbeth's
three little girls were jumping about the
room, examining every nook and corner
with the inquisitive eyes of childhood, STOP
ping from time to time to look with an
ticipation at the row of delicately Drowned
adorned the dresser. The air was redolent
with the fragrance of turkey and plum
pudding, and in the broad ray of sunshine
which streamed in upon the floor sat
Prince, licking his paws and preparing
himself for the coming feast.
When Mrs. Ditson, after giving Lisbeth
hearty welcome ami kissing and duly
adniring the children, started for home,
Miss Liddy followed her to the door
"Mis' Ditson, | 'ain't said nothin' to Lis
beth about my intendin' to go on journey
nor | amt goin' to-, she said. Eve been
thinkin' it all over in my mind, and come
to the belief that the Lord gives some
folks chance to roam up and down the
earth, and Others He just plants down
where they belong, and gives 'em a chance
to stay there. | amt sure but what that
last chance is the best; anyway, it's mine,
and Pm goin to be thankful and make
blessin' of it,