The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-12-24
family Story.
Of knuckin Down.

was the day before Christmas an
bgon Christmas. IT had rained
tily at dawn; but at ten O'Clock
! clouds had,parted and moved away
!, uctantly. There was blue and
Killing sky overhead. The rain
ops still spark]ed on the windows
hd on tho green grass, and the last
eees end chrysanthemums hung their
autiful heads heavily beneath them ;
egon City's mighty barometer--the
lls Of the Willamette-was declar-
to her people by her softening
r that the morrow was to be fair.
Mrs. Orville Palmer was in the
- kitchen making preparations for
= Christmas dinner. She was q
Ire OF dainty loveliness In layen-
gingham dress made with o full
IT and shirred waist and leg-o'-
3tton sleeves. a white apron was
"a neatly around her waist.
Her husband came in, and paused to
81 ht his arm around her and kiss her.
)he was stirring something on the
tove, holding her dress aside with one
) hand.
Its goin' to be fine Christmas,
YEmarine," he said, and sighed uncon-
sciously. There was wlstful and
careworn look on his face.
Beautiful !" said Emarine, viva
Aciously. Coin down town, Orville 2"
"Yes. Want anything ?"
4 "Why, the cranberries amt come
yet. I'm 80 uneasy about 'em. They'd
Fought to "a been stooed long ago.
Hike 'em cooked down an strained to a
3jell. l don't see what ails them
get around some time before dooms-
day Then want-here, you'd best
set it down" She took pencil and
slip of paper from shelf over the
table and gave them to him. "Now,
'let me see." She commenced stirring
lagain, with two little wrinkles be-
tween her brows. +" A haJ u pound o.
|citron (; a ba'f q pound o. candied peel
two pounds o curnts; two pounds o.
raisins-git 'em stunned, Orville; a
pound o. sooet--mako 'em give you
Norther' Spy apples; ha'f a dozen
lemons; four-bi worth o. walnuts or
almonds, whichever's freshest; pint |
b. Puget Sound oysters fer the dressin,
and a bunch o. celry. You stop by an |
see about the turkey, Orvillo; an I |
wish you'd run In Is you go By mothers,
an tell her to come up as soon as she |
can. Shed ought to be here now"
Her husband smiled as he finished |
the list. You're a wonderful house
keeper, Ema"ine," he said
Then his face grew grave. "Got
'present for your mother yet, Ema-
zine ?"
ooh, yes, long ago. Igot ERA black
shawl down t. Charman's She's hen !
wantin' one"
He shuffled his feet about little.
"Unh- -hunh. Yuh-that isl reckon
you amt picked out any present fer
fer my mother, have yuh, Ema-
rine ?"
"No," she replied, with cold dis
tinetness. II amt"
There was a silence. Emarine
stirred briskly. The lines grew
spots came into her cheeks. So hope
the rain amt spoilt the chrysan-
thums," she said then, with an air of
Kidding herself Of disagreeable sub
ject.
Orville made no answer. He moved |
his feet again uneasily. Presently he
said F" L expect my mother needs
black shawl, too. Seemed to me her'n
looked kind o. rusty at church Sunday.
Notice it, Emarine?"
"No," said Emarine.
look otful old. Emarine "-nis voice
be the first Christmas dinner I ever
eat without my mother"
AShe drew back and looked at him. |
He knew the look that flashed into |
her eyes, and shrank from it,
% You don't have to eat this m with
out 'sr, Orville Farmer You go an
eat your dinner with your mother e.
you want l can get along alone. Are
you goin' to order them things, If
Bsea y iiist1' Ss.al' ! IN 50 .sa do It