The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-12-26

Ted looked at Nan with a grimance of
unutterable delight; if the father had seen
it, it is doubtful whether duty even could
have urged him from home, certainly not
without administering spanking all roand.
''Get my things ready as soon as you
can" he resumed, 'lor want to catch the
three o'clock train, sure, and you, Ted, get
the hoss harnessed so'st to take me to the
depot. -
sYess'r" replied Ted; no danger but
that Ted would do his share, and be on
time, too.
Nan was on hand ike Jack-in-the
box, to spring at every call, and bring the
soap and the towel, the blacking-brush and
whisk broom, for Joseph Rexford loved to
be waited on and his toilet for journey,
long or short, was the signal for series of
gymnastics, participated in by the whole
family.
Half-past two came, and Doll was at the
door, and Ted, with very unbeeoming
shade of happiness on his cOuntenanee,
held the reins.
you'll want some money, [ s'pose?
said Mr. Rexford, graciously, for him, as
he drew on his overcoat. "There's five
dollars" and he passed the precious NOR
sci out from roll of greenbacks, gingerly;
he was not poor man, by any means, and
could have given her twenty-five just as
easily.
"Yes, Joseph, she replied, meekly, as
she tucked away the bill; she did not in
tend he should ever see it again, or an ex-
haustive report of the uses made of it,
either
,'Wall, goodbye, Jane" (he drew on
his gloves 'don't let the young ones run
over you while I'm gone.
"No, Joseph" she replied, demurely,
with an inward smile
He went out; there was no silly demon
stration of affection at parting. A kiss
from those stern lips would have been an
establishment that the family would not
have recovered from in week, and get
ting into the waiting sleigh, old Doll moved
away
Nan turned somersauit; she was fine,
loving child, and would have been as happy
as lark, under favorable circumstances.
@Oh, goody, goody, gOodyl" she ex-
claimed, in a glad soliloquy.
"Hush, Mamie" said the mother re-
provingly, though in her secret heart she
could not blame the child for the ebulli-
ton.
Ted returned in due time, and the de-
parture was au assured thing, and the boy
already held up his head with an accession
of self-respect, as he teok his place as man
of the house. One week was but short
time to plan in, but judicious effort can &C.
complish much in even weeks time, and
Mrs. Rexford's plans were chiefly in the
line of merry-making, such one as they
had never been allowed to have.
Her first move was letter to sister,
living twenty miles away, with an invita-
ton to spend Christmas.
A visit from Aunt Nan was rare treat
to the children at any time, one which
they rarely enjoyed, however, for Aunt
Nan and Joseph Rexford were not congo
NAL spirits, she not being able to bottle up
her indignant wrath when he exercised his
peculiar gift of government in her pres
ence; he did not relish her "meddlin, as
he designated her rather free use of heI
tongue on occasions, and so she wisely con
cluded that it was best to see as little OF
the domestic economy as possible, and kept
away, to Mrs. Rexford's mingled grief and
relief.
Teddy's heart, in the meantime, wa'
filled with great longing; he wanted tC
make the patient little mother whom he
loved with tender, chivalrous devotion, &
Christmas present
In the thirteen years of his life he had
no remembrance of her receiving Christ
mas gift, and he was in brown study the
greater part of his time, planning and con
triving some way to surprise her with ;
present, but as yet no way had opened.
Harness Doll, Teddy, and we'll 60 tt
the village today" said the mother one
morning Teddy smiled knowingly as ht
hurried away to obey her request, and in !
short time they were on the way. "NoV
you mustn't follow me around" she said
with a smile, as they neared the village
Ted answered her with knowing, ye
longing look He wanted to ask her for
bit Of spending money for himself, yet
fearing she would suspect, and, knowing
that she had little with which to carry ou
her own plans, he wisely forbode
II am going to the station to meet tn
ten o'clock train, Teddy she said, as h
was hilching Doll, "qpd you may meet m
there with the sleigh
Father isn't coming home, is he |" salt
Ted, in CONSERVATION.
"No, DEAR replied the mother, laughins
at his alarm" but think there will b.
somebody there, and she darted into dr.,
goods store, without explaining the mys
terry.
Ted went into another store to get warm
and then amused himself wandering up AM
down the street, looking into the shop win
dows, which were gay with Christmas goods
and thinking what he would buy if he ha,