The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-14

\ che received the stiff reply to her TREND
iv letter. but the invitation had peen ac-
ccptcd, and that was the man point
| What she was TO do with her guest VINO
was al prickles. no petals, she olu III.
know. but she kept up brave heart anu
told The children that they might safely
| continue their preparations
| Early in the morning Of Christmas-LVe
| tho consplrators started for the Woous'
! Codfricd could not go, he had iannel MS
! foot buf his goat was IN fine CONDITION
| Tor tho DAVIS work and Franz and Eva
| and Koch, the omnibus driver, were IN
| excellent spirits Working for others Is
| as stimulating as wine, and much DetleF
| for the constitution.
| The air was crisp and inyigoraune' inc
| snow cracked under their feet and fell In
showers from the green branches win
which they loaded the patient goat hoch
| cut down "A fine tree, just the right size
ard p good shape. he actually began TO
feel a real affection for his old enemy.
Soon they had cut enough evergreen for
their purpose and started home with thelr
spoils, The goat bounded through the
snow with his precious load. the call
| dren running beside him, Koch carrying
| his Christmas tree. Every one that they
yassad an the road smiled In greeting. for
| the Mot had leaked out In the town ana
| tho neople were curious 10 hear the re-
| suits.
! Fraulein shack's little maid-of-all work
| had been let into the secret, and sminhEy
opened the house door against her ms
! tress's express commands, 10 the intrud-
| ers. 49,,
Then what a time there was putting up
the greens great branches still giistehlhg
with snow which had to be fastened up
over doors and windows and pictures
/ cd
| eto,,t box. brcr ght for that purpose, ana
after that the candles went on, and me
ornaments. and the gifts. Pretty tribes
ueeful rifles. and solid. substantial pres
onts. From Eva and Franz and trin
! Philbert. and Frau Muller, and GndlTied'
- etc Such fun as they had trimming
:. scaai,fre all the time in whispers ana
J fin-toeing about as II Fraulein Schack wa
| liable 10 appear at any mlhute-"heH
| on the time she was sitting IN an arm
ohoir - Frau Muler's by the fire. slipping
~, ood utterly unconscious Of the
| horde OF barbarians let loose upon hei
| premises. nu.o,+ worry acrea
obIe and the frosty little woman srdu'
uollv thawed under the genial influence
aid rocked gently 10 and fro ana laiheu
| O. IA times. when she was a girl ana
| ,1a.ore her brother had taken her money
or her sister married her betroihed. She
/ was proud little body, and had KEEP
| her troubles bravely 10 nersell' put 'ne!
| hod almost eaten out her heart. 30 ths
as,ernoon and evening slipped away, and
| tbe time for disclosing the great plot wa
AZ hand. Franz and Eva ran excitediS
! from room TO room. Everything was.
/ ready. the floor swept and the tree reduy
/ - ,igbt al n moments notice What If II
should be a failure. and Fraulein Bertha
angry instead Of pleased!
"Welch elm Jubel,
WEIGH Elm Leben"
sang GOdfried, TO keep up his Spirits ana
the Others joined IN. The goat alone OF all
the conspirators was calnl-"More than
usual calm'-as he munched a bundle OF
| newspapers he had found on an ash Pile
| He didn't even know, poor beast, that the
next day was Christmas, and that "An
men everywhere should rejoice The
Surprise Party was held on Christmas
Eve, so as not 70 interfere with the home
celebrations. in which, If all turned out
right. Frauiein Setback was 20 be included.
The little maid listened nervously at the
window She knew her mistresss Kind
heart, but she also knew her pecuiiarities,
and IL seemed such n strange, bold plot
II think il you don't mind, shall Ike
TO walk home with YOU" said Grand
mother Muller to her guest. as she stood
with bonnet and shawl in hand, ready TO
start.
Certainly" smiled frauiein Setback;
81 shall be glad of your company
Frau Muller found it suddenly hard 10
talk, and old as she was, and somewhat
lame with rheumatism. she must walk
fast, so brisk little Bertha Setback was
hurried unconsciously TO her fate.
! As they approached the house, Frau
Muller looked up nervously. and then
| drew Iong bi eath OF relief. The blinds
I were down. and the house as dark as could
! be desired. Goodbye" said Fraulen
! Setback, stopping at the steps and holding
out her hand; goodbye, and thank you
! for very pleasant day"
1T think-I think'-stammered Frau
Muller, weakly-'I should like TO go IN
and sit down a moment-I am very tired"
concluded this arch deceiver.
"By all means" answered Fraulein
Bertha, little surprised and she went
up and rang the bell. There was a few
minutes pause. and then the door flew
open with a jerk. and q blaze Of light
met her bewildered eyes.
'What-what does this meanT she
calculated els Sophia gone crazyT' And
then upon her incredulous ears fell the
sound of fresh, young voices:
"Stlle nacht, heilige nacht."
the children sang.
"Alles schlaft, einsam wacht
Nur das uaute hoch heilige paar.
Das i'm stille "a Bethlehem war.
] Bel dem himmischen kind
Bel dem himmlischen kind"
Fraulein Setback gasped and clutched the
door in nervous horror, for the sounds
sweet as they were-came distinctly from
p, the next room-her sitting rooml
Bertha" said the old lady, gently
taking her hand; Il think the children
have prepared little surprise for you.
VIII you come. dear. and see? Ii was
their own thought. They wanted you
TO have happy Christmas like them
selves" So they opened the door and
went In together, and there, surrounded
! by the unmistakable proofs OF their guilt,
F, the eulprdts were caught.
They stood beside tie brilliantly light
ed Christmas tree. tAelr faces curious
mixture # pr.d" AID alarm.
Fr&ulein ScLack sazed around hei hep
| iessly al the Green, tAe berries, ana TIE
beautiful. blazing tree, and for once her
| spirit failed her
Il don't understand she stammered.
"What.-." Then Eva went forward.
Dear Fraulein Bertha" she said timid-
ly. don't be angry We want you so
much to like 1t; We have tried so hard 10
make il pretty for you
FOR meg' exclaimed Fraulein Setback
in a week, dazed voice-"For me?" Sure
| =. ~ doft<. fCrrncutor ehA