The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-29

up. showing that Il was cooked, it was
raked out with 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 be 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 cabins 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 at 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
celebrate. Tell US if it be wrong, in
deed. it seems a goodly fashion, to re-
joice 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 at us this
wintry night? And can you remember
the garden of Eden. and Adam and
Eve, and Moses and Aaron-here you
sec namesake of his away in this
western wilderness"
''Oh, don't. 'Bial, dop'ti" whispered
Zanna, ''or judgment will surely come
upon us"
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 a soft, shaggy
skin that we can spread on our broad
hearthstone 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. 81
can see it, said 'BiaL al believe it is
a bear, ano if it should SO prove, oh
moon, we will give thee thanks for
showing it TO US and accept it as q 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 it apart as having more significance
thar other days"
If il is bear / shall take it as a
token that the making OF gifts at this
season is Christian duty" said Abial,
land by my good right arm l thinks
me it is bear"
''Oh, 'Bial, don't carry on So" sobbed
Zanna- 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?'
''The old gun is here. 1 will get It
We will leave the cabin door open and
all go up in the loft When he comes
in will reach down through and close
the door, that will be easy, and then
will shoot him The gun is now loaded
with powder and slugs for large game"
81 do not believe in its being bear"
said Zanna; II have heard that they
curl up and sleep all winter"