St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-25

petites. the childer is. so we have the
rest of 'em."
Good grill That's the right way to
feel,'' said Whitway, feeling better him
self for the sentiment. There was a
moment of silence; then Nora said
abruptly:
II want Christmas present from We.
Mr.. Whitway, for old times, We know.
'Twon't cost we clint. It's only to let
me carry the basket for ye."
Bless you. girl said the man, with
a quick look as he Strengthened his fig
ure. 'do l look tired?"
mot bit of it. sir-but we don't
understand me. It's for mesilf Pm
askin' tits favor. | want to feel
like old times. just for bit. It's little
else Pve got but the childer an the old
times that's in me mind. Sure, an
ye're too fine gintieman TO say me no."
Looking down, under the glare of an
electric light, Whitway saw tears in the
woman's eyes; then he found that they
were contagious. Her hand was tug
ging at the basket, which he slowly re-
leased, as Nora continued.
walk as slow or as fast as We will,
sir-Pll be right behind ye."
During the next fifteen minutes the
spirit Of Christmas took full possession
of Whitway, driving out all gloom, fear
and apprehension. Some one. outside
of his family circle, still respected hun
and felt kindly toward him. Probably
there were many such; certainlyin his
prosperous days he never had forgotten
any Deedy acquaintance at the holiday
season. He wished Nora could know
how much good she had done him
probably she would, though, through
the spirit which had prompted her offer.
Still, twas outrageous that the woman,
not much younger than he, should be
carrying his load and her own, too.
He turned quickly. saying,
There, you good soul. your arms by
this time have paid dearly for your SEN
timent.H You shan't tug that basket an
other step. Besides, must stop in the
middle OF the next block for little busi-
ness. FL tell Mrs. Whitway about
meeting you, and about your old-time
spirit; it will do her a great deal of
good. Goodnight, and merry Christ
mas" -
"Thelblessin' of Heaven go with yer
basket,asir," Nora replied turning into
side street.
"What on earth did the women mean
by that, i wonder ?' WhitWay asked
SIS it an Irish expression, or does she
see in some way, how poor | am ? Well,
she's welcome to after tonight; | wish
[ hadn't been too proud to ask her to
come and see us; suppose she's dying
to-"
Then he stopped In front of candy
store, and looked in the window long
time before he could determine which
of the cheap mixtures would look best
on the table next day. Arriving at
home he was as cordially greeted as if
he were still rich; his children helped
him to remove his overcoar, and his
wife relieved him of the market basket,
returning in moment from the kitchen
to claim:
"alturkey! Why, for a whole day
we can forget that we are poor"
Turkey" exclaimed Whitway, with
WOnderstruck countenance.
"You dear old fellow" exclaimed
Mrs. Whitway. throwing her arms
around her husband and Nesting her
head in his breast, nothing can keep
you from being your dear old mischfev-
Gus self. Any one who doesn't know
you would imagine from your innocent
look that you can't imagine how the
turkey got into the basket"
IL do know, though" said Whltway,
breaking down suddenly, as even strong
men sometimes will. His wife hid his
face with ner own, but asked no ques
tons; meanwhile. the children, who did
not know what was going on, went to
the kitchen 10 inspect the bird, and the
older son soon returned with a package
and the remark that he didn't think
market basket was very safe place for
letters.
"Letters?' echoed Wbitway, taking
the package; "well, shouldn't wonder
at anything tonight. What can it be?'
What can it be?
Open and See,"
said small daughter, quoting a nurs-
cry rhyme.
perhaps it's bundle of money from
those hateful folks down town who
have been paying you so little for all
your hard work"
II hope So" said Whitway, looking
cufiously at the address; though l
wasn't aware that any of them wrote so
badly. Let's see what's inside; it's
rather too broad and long for green
backs, but about the right size for gov
eminent bonds folded in the usual man
ner A package of bonds as thick as
this would be quite fortune to poor
family, but-great heavenS!'
"What is it-quick!" exclaimed Mrs.
Whitway.
.sIt's the whole fortune 1 lost out
West" was the reply, as WhitWay
rapidly locked over the documents; sat
least, it's the papers which will get
that fortune back for me very quickly"
"Merciful heavensr' Mrs. Whitway
gasped.
"Quite right, my dear; that seems to
be exactly the state of the case" said
her husband, trying to pull himself to-
gether by examining the papers in de-
tail.
but how Gid the papers get into
your market-basket?''
'.As mysteriously as the turkey did,"
was the reply. "When | left the mar
ket there was nothing in my basket but
a piece Of corned beef"
Haven't you exchanged baskets by
mistake with some one?"
"No." Whitway replied; ''but a friend
of the family carried mine for ME mile
or more. l knew she did it for loyalty'S
sake, but didn't imagine how much it
meant"
"'She% did you say?''
eyes; Nora Caffrey, one of our serv-
ants in other times don't you remem-
Der her? She's now servant for Frapp."
II see; ana you told her Of the papers
you needed. and she got them for you?'
81 told her nothing; don't see how
she came to know that Frapp and ever
had any dealings together"
'How could she have thought it out,
then? She never was over smart"
Il don't know my dear; unless there's
something in one of her old sayings
The Lord is good to the Irish The
Lord shan't do it all hereafter. though,
SO far as that individual Irish person is
concerned"
What happened to the wicked Frapp
would be too long story to tell here,