Evening star., 1896-07-04


entrance Of their fathers CONN; they never
for q moment doubted that It would be
used a. their father intended. Mrs. Tuttle
made her first complaint when the children
said they were afraid to 60 to the garret.
Afraid to 60 to the garrett she re-
psated. What new foolishness IL this7
Why should you be afraid to go to the gar
ret all Of a suddenr'
Mrs. Tuttle put the question. He had said
to each of his sons and to his young daugh-
ter that he didn't wish to hear any more
talk about the ooffln. It was little Andrew
Cause there's something up In the garret
That didn't use to be there" he said
Mr.. Tuttle burst into loud gufraw.
You see. it's a shame to have the thing
In the house." said Mrs. Tuttle; children
is such funny things"
They'll get Used to it," said Mr.. Tuttle
Put something in it; don't object to the
thing payih' for itself by bein' useful"
Andrew Tuttle was taken at his word
Mrs. Tuttle put the last crop of onions into
the pine coffin. She sent the children to
the garret regularly for the onions They
went all three together. stepping eau
tiously. running back every now and then
because the floor creaked, but by and by
they got partially used to 1t.
1t was the two colored men who made a
russ over the onion receptacle. As soon as
they discovered where the onions were kept
they refused to eat them and vet accord
Ing to their own testimony, they were so
''powerful'' fond of onions that thew
wouldn't work on a farm where they didn't t
have them three or four times a week
well. father" said Mrs. Tuttie. "the
hands won't eat our onions"
Wont eat our onions?" cried Tuttie
Why's that?"
Because they've been kept in the coffin ~
said Mrs. Tuttle.
STUFF and nonsense!' roared TuttIe
In order to keep his hands, however, Mr..
Iuttie was Obliged to purchase a fresh
supply OF onions, at a time. too, when onions
were scarce. He groaned when he paid out
81 for three bushels.
One day, Andrew Tuttle, coming into the
sltting room, as startled to see his coffin
occupying place by the stove. The baby s
blanket was hanging over the side
We'll. what's the meaning Of that,
mother?" he demanded
THE baby's cradles broke" said Mrs.
futile. and 1t was the only thing 1 could
find. Besides, the children is still a little
scared at 1t; they might as well get real
used to it, and i; needs airin' after holdin
| them onions
Mr. Tuttle shut his mouth firmly; he had
bidden Mrs. Tuttle make use of it. but
somehow, ne didn't relish the idea of goins
to his grave in the baby's cradle.
ITS gettin awful dirty. father" said
Anastasia one morning. with her eyes fixed
seriously upon the baby's cradle.
Yes 1t is getting dirty" said Mr. Tuttle
/ jumping at an excuse. You must push 1t
back in the garnet again, mother; usin' a
thing and abusin it are two different
things"
1T would have to be used a lot to pay for
itself and them onions" muttered Mrs
Tuttle. eXasperated at giving up the baby's
commodious cradle.
Upon the mantel in the Tuttle sitting
room We're three iron banks belonging re-
spectively to Anastasia, John and Andrew
Tuttfe. Christmas was coming. and even
MI futile was anxious to know now ihe
children were going to spend the none!
fai nod in, hrnn hn ~ La
''Mebbe we'll get a present. mother, he
said with twinkle in his eyes. there's a
heap Of money in them banks. I'm think
| in
But the little Tuttles did not like to be
! teased about the money in the banks They
| emptied the banks one day about two
weeks before Christmas. and went together
| to the village store. where they purchased
| a quart of re2dy-in.Xed white paint and
| paint brush. After that for several day:
whenever Mrs. Tutte called one Of tht
| children the answer was pretty sure tf
come from the region of the cold garret.
Laws, children is such funny things.
she said. ''Of all places in the world te
| choose the garret for play house at thi:
| time Of the year! It's heap warmer ir
| the barn.
Up in the garrett down on her knees
Anastasia Tuttle was taking her turn a
| painting the pine coffin.
| 1T won't look so awful bad If it's pain -et
| white" Stdsy had said to the little boys
|
| Christmas money; We will buy white pain
and paint brush and paint father:
| coffin"
! Mrs. Tuttle discovered in due time wha,
| 1t was that had kept the children in the
| cold garret and she remembered one nigh,
to tell Tuttle.
| ''Well! he said. with a great pride ir
/ is children showing itself in his honest
| face. well. 1 declare!' and he insisted
upon the two of them Instantly going te
the garnet.
| 'Well!' he cried agl lin. VIXEN he stood
beside the coffin with the lamp held un-
! stesGily in his hani Il declare IT'S 4
strange thing for feler to have water i,
| bis eyes ever his own coffin. 1t looks pret
ty good. Them children."
''Children is mighty funny things!' ex.
/ claimed the mother of four. "A body never
k, ows what they'll be At next
In each of the young Tuttle's stocking:
| that Christmas Santa Claus placed a let
ter. containing dollar gold piece. and h.
c. mmended them heartily for buying tn,
paint with the money from their bank!
| and painting their ia hers coffin. No
many little girls and boys would think o.
such thing, said d ,ar old Santa Claus
| Stasy read the letters aloud to her brother.
and then the three of them put :hei
| heads down on their stockings and cried
Other little girls and boys did not have {
| father with coff1r. Santa Claus was yer,
| Christmas.
Tuttle also thanked his children To-
painting the coffin and they cried again.
| 1T Is beautiful" said Tuttle. "sucl
paintln' 1 never seen!
When they wapt he tried to cheer then
by presenting each with another dolla
and saying cheerfully, 81 amt dead vet
fv,sN l~ \