Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1895-12-24
CHRISTMAS AT PEERY'S.

yps,s of it swept ir at the cracks OF
doors and windows, making the people
inside edge up nearer to the brlgnt
flames hariug from three great logs ia'u
lengihvisc in the deep square oil INC
fireplace ,
The dingy room, with its implanted
raners. and walls strung with rows oil
scarlet peppsrpods and dried sweet
corn, was lt into an almost luxurious
ness Of comfort by the generous light
aud warmth OF the fire. and the sounu
Of the storm outside intensified i"
atmosphere Of cheer.
81 guess now ye wish ye'd done 8 ]
tot We, an got them chucks LAID over
with Stats" said Grandma Peery way
Ing back and forth comfortably 40 her
low rocker, and looking lcnicntIy at her
broad.shouldered son sitting in the
opposite corner Of the Fireplace.
Land sakesl-thc win comes under
that door like a hellus. knowed ye'd
be fooled by that spell o fine weather
tell the col storms WIZ right onto u.s.
cay'nt get anythin' done In this house
less do It myself anyway
'Ye needn't be iawin' Mam,' ans
wered her son good naturedly "l ben
busy uough stoppn' chucks in other
folks houses, 'thou't botherIn' round
home"
The others laughed. as they we're used
TO doing, a, Jake's iioucry and uneon-
ocrn. Ills readiness TO help others al
the expense Of his own interests was
as well Understood by the people round
the mountains as was his infinite good
humor. and the joke OF his mothers
intended severity at the habitual slack
ness Of her son In matters Of personal
concern.
Abe and Steve peery glanced over at
the girl sitting little outside the circle
at the further end Of the hearth. She
was about nineteen years OF age, her
rounded figure clothed in a neai'httng
wooden gown made In the simplest
fashion. The warmth Of the fire had
brought a crimson glow to her checks
and the color made her gray eyes show
almost black under their archcd bfows.
Her dark hair, parted and curled low on
her white forehead, gave her cOquettlsh
pfeltincss that Kept the eyes VI the two
Young men wandering towards her in
spite Of themselves Meeting their
ylances now, she dashed back q smile
at each with equal Partially.
81 other folks paid 3 much attention
to Pas comfort = he does to theirs we'd
had our house bull, new all over, she
said, bending a fond glance At her father.
They don't any Of 'cm seem TO be
takin' turns dom his chores fer him,
said Grandma Peery, zen n we're goin'
ter have that party Christmas we don't
want 4 ther company sittin' round In
shawls N mutll fs tkeep warm. Looks
II we wuz likely 4 have party pnight,"
she continued, suddenly turning from
the subject, and holding her hand to her
ear IN listening attitude. "Iherc's
some'un else comm up the road. /
don't see how folks kin be galliyantn'
round to other folks houses night like
ihis-I should think they'd rather b,
4 home"
Grandma Peery's sense Of hearing
was as sharp as her tongue and It's acute
ness was proven anew tonight By the
rap at the door which presently followed
her prediction.
"li il amt Dan Green" said lake, as
the door opened TO his ready summons.
"Wher'n thunder d ye hail rum, any.
way" he continued, dragging the new
conner into the room with a hearty hand.
shake and welcome. "a was down 10
loe's a couple OF hours ago n his folks
said III storm'd likely keep ye over T.
Pine Gulch Tor a week L come
81 started over at noon N thou't I'd
make It across Old Bar fore the snow
got here" said Dan. taking oil his buff.
alo-robe ovetcoat and shaking hand.
all around. 81 run right into the hear
o. Il top o. the divide, hoWsomever, a
les had tn liyeliust time We ever SEE
comm down that trail through thl
clouds In snow. Bout the closest call
'ecr had so lur as member"
''Set up n lets hear bout H." lake
said, giving the new clmera seat In the
circle. "Mhat sent ye across anyway
-smurt at weather sign 5 you pertendt
be1"
"Well Ter one thIng--l heef'n Their
wuE goin' 4 be a dance set up al lake
PeeN's Christmas night n come over
Z git n invite"
Jake struck Dams shoulder in hearty
glee.
al ben saw in one wrapped up N tissue
paper IN case yc come Ia time Uhe
laughed, 'n sc KIN count ON it tibet them
Fat comes ter their invites is goin' q hay
m choicest place reserved fur the'l
trouble"
81 cum most nigh goin = mother
kind o. party tryinp git here" sale
Dan.
"Slide struck the trail bout where
wuz ridin' long, ~ u / hadn't spurret
III ole nag up ter use her legs hk,
stfeaks o. lIghtnn I'd ben tn bottom
GA guleh packed up N SHOWS snug Z
oysters"
'll ye hadn't ben Dan Green ye,,
never lived 10 be setlin' here tellin
bout H. said lake,
"Oh, IL 'wi.t much more N some O
the loose snow slipped down. REPLIED
Dan modestly "uut twas 'nuugh 1,
kiver a man up clost an thaw.rms
What made me the maddust Wuz lo.in
the Christmas tree / wuz binglu' owe.
decorate yer party, ON. shucks
y want any ornary common tree. - IA,
said as lake pointed to the huge ever
green that had been huwu from ia,
mounlain-side that morning-"twas
tree ! discovered 'tlther side a. Oh
Bar that never see in en- region here
bouts before. don't know IN rcgula
O. d.