The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-12-30

up, showing that it was cooked, it was
raked out with a long wooden fork,
and Zanna ate roast potato and salt
faster than her brothers could brush off
the ashes and pare them for her.
When the coat of one was not in just
the right condition to be eaten they
would throw it back upon the fire.
"Oh, boys, don't he so wasteful," Zanna
would say. You should throw all the
crumbs and morsels out for Gods dear
little BIRDS
They topped off their meal with corn
parched in the ashes, and as this was a
never-failing diversion they kept it up
until the full moon arose and looked in
at the log ca bins one window, narrow
sash with small glass panes that grand
father had brought in his arms all the
way from Massachusetts,.
Now, as Zanna looked sad again,
Abial began talking to the moon.
"You look bright and beautiful, for
all you are so DID," he said. "Will you
not tell us what you can see ut this
moment? This is the first day of the
new year, and Christmas is not far be-
hind us; tell us what they are doing in
merry England, where we are told that
friends remember each other with gifts
at Christmastide and sing carols to
cele brate. Tell us if it be wrong, in
deed it seems II goodly fashion, to re-
joce over the birth of the newborn
King, the Prince of Peace. Do you re-
member Him, oh, moon? Did you
smile down at Him on the plains of
Judea as you are smiling ut us this
wintry night? And can you remember
the garden of Eden, and Adam and
Eve, and Moses and Aaron-here you
see namesal1e of his away in this
western wilderness"
"Oh, don't. 'Bial, DON'T" whispered
Zanna, ''or judgment will surely come
upon u.s."
Let it come in the form of bear,
we pray thee, moon, and with thy
wondrous light show us how to catch
and kill him; let him be fat and not too
old, and let him have soft, shaggy
skin that we can spread on our broad
hcarthstone here for our own COM
fort"
"There is something coming through
the clearing" said silent Aaron, who
stood by the window. 81 saw it as it
came out from the shadow of the
wood"
The others ran to the window. II
can see it," said Bal. ~ believe it is
bear, and il 1t should SO prove, oh
moon, we will give thee thanks for
showing it to us and accept it as gift
from: God at Christmastide.
1T will be New Years gift, and
that our mother says is right and
proper" said Zanna; "but she says also
that all good gifts are from God, and
that it is unseemly to select day and
set 1t apart as having more significance
than other days"
If it is bear shall take it as a
token that the making Of gifts at this
season IL Christian duty" said Abial,
'and by my good right arm thinks
me 1t is bear"
"Oh, 'Bial, don't carry on 30" sobbed
Zanua. Are you not afraid?"
"By no means, although he is doubt
less a very hungry bear. The smell OF
the burning potato skins tempted him
to come out We must kill him."
but how, 'Bial?"
Aue oiu Kuu II mere. ! Will Ret H.
We will leave the cabin door open and
all 70 up in the loft When he comes
In will reach down through and close
the door, that will be easy, snd then I
will shoot him. The gun Il now oadcd
with powder and slugs for large game +"
u do not believe In IL being . bear" !"
said Zsuns; II have heard that they
ouxl mn and alan Al wint0R.n