Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-12-26

A short Christmas story with an Able
Bodied Moral
FINN T<ras cfyf,nos

:
Is very clever woman, hence the ex-
penses Of the tree was very light. OF
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 gladde ned the
hearts OF all the children from the old
est down. As soon as the joyous sea-
son 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 par
lor with a grand flourish.
The eldest son, Frank, got a magnii-
cently-bound book, Millions Paradise
Lost. The boy was delighted. There
were tears Of gratitude in his eyes as he
thanked his kind mother for her beau
tltul present.
This is the very thing 1 have been
wanting for years" he exclaimed.
What magnificent Illustrations How
true it Is that boy has got no friend
ike his mother!n
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?"
81 guess not, mother; what do you
mesn?"
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," replied Mrs.
Psterby, with wild snort OF amaze
ment; 'of course net. In remains on
the comfortable, and ii any of you chill
dren dare 10 lay a finger on il I'll skin
you alive. Dye hear? The binding of
the book matches our wallpaper so
nicely. That's why l bought it. Laura,
whore are you going with your new
Christmas present?"
Il was going over to Uncle Toms
house TO show his folks what beauti-
tul present I've got"
Laura Peterby!" said Mrs. PeterbY,
fixing her eagle glance on the uniortu-
nate girl, who hung her head and cow
cred before the impending storm, "are
you going TO sneak out of the house
with that beautiful dollar and quar-
ter umbrella, and expose II TO the ele-
ments?"
but, mamma, it's raining"
"Of course it'S raining. Is that the
kind OF weather TO which you would eX-
pose = costly new umbrella that has
been given you as a token of esteem and
affection? Is that the kind OF a loving
daughter you are? II hadn't seen il
with my own eyes l wouldn't have be-
lieved you capable of such base ingrati-
tude. Shame on you! You are NO
longer a 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?"
Jim Peterby, one Of the younger sons,
had been thrown into spasm Of delight
at having captured = valuable note
book and pencil, 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 from
the boy and locked it up in a bureau
drawer.
''Is there any relatives of yours going
to have a birthday pretty soOnY asked
Judge Peterby.
why do you ask?' she snorted in re-
ply.
20, nothing; except II this smokers
set belongs 10 me and It is not to be used
as a birthday present for any outsider,
IN make 10 useful, and he Knocked the
ashes of the end Of MS cigar into the
receptacle intended for the ashes.
A wild snriek OF despair, wall OF
suppressed agony, startled the people
passing on the street.
That's TO 90 on the mantel-piece.
You shan't ruin 10 with the ashes from
your cigar while l am in this house aud
i'm nv usual health. The ashes will dis
color the gliding. Do you think that
have got nothing to do every day OF my
life except 20 clean up after you?"
Judge Peterby subsidized with calm
ness. At last be ventured to suggest
that the wine and cake be utilized IN
diSpeIling the gloom that was becoming
dense and impsnetrable every minute.
IAN IamatroD OF private insane
asylum?" she asked, ''or the head Of q
family OF reasonable human beings:
Do you really want TO gorge yourself
with the cake and Euzzle the wine thai
is dedicated to New Years callers!
Tommy, that pair OF shoes is for Sun
day when the weather is fine. Take
them of, l say"
II don't see why we celebrate Christ
mas at all, II the presents are" said
Judge Peterby.
He paused. She was gazing at him.
"Did you say we haven't had a splen-
did Chrlstmss?" she asked.
mo; but"
Didn't you want smokers set, and
hasn't Frank been worrying me to
death for Millions Paradise Lost, and
hasn't Laura been wishing for an UNI
brells. and haven't you all got what
Won want? and yet you are kicking. A
moor woman can moll and toll and work
herself into her grave, and all the
thanks she ge5s is sneers and growS'
You are always doing something on
Christmas TO mar M happiness, and
sometimes wish 1t never come
Then the whole party reIapsed into
silent Joy. ALEA L. = " I-''''