The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-25

the evergreens and wreaths with chi,a;..
delight. There was another intere.,.s
spectator that was ever with her-Nero-.
great, ugly-faced mastiff Hewa sever.
sort OF dog, having great regard for NJ.
personal dignity and allowing very e..
familiarities. But that blessed BABY NJ.
his tyrant. Size rode him. She pulled ~.
ears and tail she fell asleep with her eu,,r
blonde head pillowed on his side. and Ma,
bore all with a resigned stoicism wb;.s
was sublime. He constituted himself ha.
body guard and followed her constan,lv
1t was the day before Christmas. tn.
big house was upside down with confuso,
and hustle. Express packages and lett.,,
were coming and going the tree was bein,
decorated in the parlor. and in the ere,,
kitchen was such beating and poundin.
and stirring as never was before.
The baby was omnipresent, poking hs,
tiny fingers into everything, and at he,
side Nero solemniy stalked.
I'VE are not going TO have evergreen.
enough for the ceiling" announced Flea.
nore's pretty mamma. who was chair.
woman of the committee on decoration,
land you, Teddy. must go and get a fer
more. You are absolutely of no use here
and you might as well help us out"
l grumbled over leaving q glowing Oman
fire and an interesting novel. but there wa,
no help for me. | was Informed that
could not be an idler and cumberer of the
ground at such a time as this.
And you might as well take Eleanor
with YOU" suggested her mother: N.
ground Is smooth, and it will dc you good
to push baby carriage
so the child was wrapped in furs and Va
set out tor the woods, quite a mile from
the house. Nero started TO attend US
Go back, sir" | said, stamping my foot
Its bad enough to take TO the woods with
baby, but will not have you tagging
lie looked at me with an injured expires,
sion, but, preserving his dignity under
these trying circumstances. returned sadlv
to the house.
1t was clear. cold, bracing day. Thers
was no snow on the ground. only slight
powdering on fences, twigs and branchs,
The walk and the exercise of pushinv
EleanoreS carriage set my cheeks agIow
The baby cooed and prattled in delight
We entered the pine woods, whose resin.
Gus breath stole to my senses with refresh.
ing fragrance.
J gathered some evergreens, and then
suddenly recalling a spot where the red
teaberries we're wont to grow, tucked
the afghan closer about the child and
said:
Now, darling, sit still here a minus
while aunty goes TO get some booful ben
ries for the baby"
She laughed and nodded. left her, look
ing back and thinking what a picture shs
was, nestled among her cushions and fun
her dear little face peeping out from he
quaint little brown hood.
l couldn't have been away from her
more than ten minutes. When cana
back, my hands filled with teaberriea
laughing and calling to her, my heart gaw
great leap and then stood still-ths
carriage was empty
l have not a distinct remembrance q
what happened. l can only recall the
frantic rush through thew woods. scream
ing her name, looking everywhere, until
worn out and exhausted flung myself on
the ground and burst into tears.
What could do? How could ever
return to the house and the childs
mother? In despair pictured the scent,
the reproaches, the hunt. All! whers
would We find our darlingp How would
we find her?
In agony l started TO my feet, hurried
back to the empty baby carriage and SET A
out for home. 1 vaguely noticed that il
was nearly sunset. Night coming on, and
somewhere in those awful, dim, mysters
Gus woods was tender little child wan
dering alone, suffering, dying, perhaps.
staggered into the house was like dead
woman. 1 could not speak. but pointed
silently to the empty carriage. And then
some one--was it Eieanore's motheri-
mercifully took me by the hand and led I
me into the parlor. The tree was thing i
of beauty, a-glitter with dainty baubles
tapers and toys. They were all there in
group, surveying it--and there on the fur
rug, before the glowing, open fire, lays
big black, digniiied dog. and with her
head piilowed On his shoulder, fast asleep
-EIeanore!
why! why! howl" 1 stammered; and
then. as the room got black and everybody
seemed floating away, some one said:
Don't, Teddy dear 1t was all right
Nero brought her home. We were only
worried about you"
And someway L found myself on the !
rug. my arms about the baby and the dog 1
weeping like child from very happiness ]
and gratitude.
That was happy Christmas.
EDITH SESSIONS TuPPEl