The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-12-17
VIGG'S CHRISTM

The SNOW lay shining over the moor
land, and only one dwelling could be
seen on all its vast eXpanso--a little cot
tago, old and gray. Travellers who pass
ed over the moor often said, "1iow lone
ly the poor people must be who live
thero!'
But the cottage was a very nice one
of its kind. Moss grew all over the roof,
protecting it from the cold and wind.
The chimney was broad and strong, and
the roof, with its thatch of turf, looked
in summer like green velvet covered
with little rcd and yellow blossoms. At
the end of the house WAS tiny garden,
where grew potatoes carrots and cab.
bages, and by the fence We're peoples
and roses. Upon bank close by >toad
an aspen tree, and at the cottage Win.
dow hung little curtain. Tho whole
place was very neat and clean.
The cottage and the garden belonged
to Mother Gertrude, who lived there
alone with Il little boy named Vigg,
whom she had adopted.
Early i'll the morning of the day be-
fore Christmas Mother Gertrude had
started for the grocery in the village,
which lay at Il long distance over tho
moor. The sun WAS setting. but she WAS
not at home yet, and Nigg was very
lonely in the cottage, for there was per
feet silence amid the vast SNOW plain,
which was all that he could see. All
day long he had not heard the sound Of
a single horses bell.
1t is hard to tell how long he had been
sitting there when he heard the hell Of
horse dashing over the SHOW. He
sprang to the window and looked eager
" out To see who could DO coming, for
he knew Mother Gertrude would not
have any bells. The stars We're lighted
all over tho heavens, and they twinkled
and sparkled in tho darkness of the
night Far away there was something
very black on the snow. 1t came nearer
and nearer, and the bells rang out louder
and louder Suddenly sled drove up
to the cottage and stopped at the win
dow.
1t was sled with four horses, and
the horses were smaller than any ponies
Vigg had ever seen. The little man who
drove them had pulled hard on tho reins
to stop them, and they were jumping
and rearing and making the SNOW fly in
every direction.
keep quiet, Rapp! Be still, Snappl
Matt stand quiet Latt, keep i'll your
skinl' shouted the little man in the
sled as he jumped ont and camo to tho
window where Nigg was standing with
eyes dilated with wonder. Vigg had
never seen a man who looked like him,
but then he had never seen many men
He was IA little old man, just matching
his horses in size. His face was full Of
wrinkles, and his whiskers were like
white moss,
His clothes wero of fur from head to
foot, and in ono side OF his mouth he
held a pipe, while the smoke came out
of the other side.
Good evening, Pug Nose, F" he said
Vigg answered, with some dignity.
GOOD evening
"Oh, Mother Gertrude isn't homo
yet, and you are alone and have to be
for a good hour yet, Are you not
afraid"
Il am Swedish boy" answered
Vigg. Mother Gertrude had taught him
that Swedish boys were always brave
"Oh, you are a Swedish boy, are
youY' said the little old man. rubbing
his nose with his mittens and taking
the pipe from his mouth. "Do you know
who am?"
mo- said Vigg. "but do you know
who am
Tho old man took off his cap and made
the boy low bow,
az have the honor Of talking to
Vigg," said he. lyon are the great |
fighter of the country and have just |
put on your first pair Of trousers. You |