The Democratic advocate., 1896-12-12
The Mamma Who Slept Fifteen
Years.

80 dear dear + sighed Mamma Gra-
ham. what dreadful noise m g lad
Christmas doesn' come any oftener
No wonder the poor mamma said this,
for Harry was standing close by the bed
beating his new drum, and Charlie was
lust behind him blowing his new red
trumpet. and the baby sat up in bed suck
inc stick IF candy and pounding his
mamma over the head with Il tin rattle.
Alice. the eldest OF these little folks, was
trying the cry IN her new dolly, and was
begging the boys just to stop their noise
a minute and hear what beautiful cry it
had. Altogether, it WASH a very good
time to catch a comfortable morning nap,
although Mamma Graham was just as tired
rs she could be. Bridget had left the
day before, leaving her every thing to do
aud the Christmas dinner to get Pres
emily, papa, who had entirely given up
trying to sleep, finished dressing, and said
he would take the children down stairs, so
that mamma could have Il good rest.
Il wish could sleep about fifteen
wears said she, as she turned over and
tucked the pillow snugly under her head.
Was ever anything more unlucky? She
entirely forgot that it was Christmas morn
inc. and that Santa Claus was abroad, and
as full of mad pranks as Christmas pud-
ding is full of plums. Papa and the chill
iren were away down stairs with the doors
all shut between Nobody was there to
hinder. for mamma herself was already in
4 doze. So what should Santa Claus do
but whisk Mamma Graham away through
the roof after the manner Of fairies, and
putting her into his fairy sleigh drove off
with her into the famous Sleepy Hollow
in the White Cotton Night-Cap Country.
IF she wants to sleep fifteen years, let
her try it, said he, nodding his long
pointed red flannel cap in wicked sort OF
IA way Those youngsters will look out
for themselves, I'll be bound, and I'll
MIKE it ;Ill right with the father And
she have good nap, he added, wink
ing and rolling up his eyes and slapping
his fat sides.
Bless me How stiff Mamma Graham
did feel when she awoke at last in her own
bed at home. Santa Claus had faithfully
brought her back at the right time. As
If anybody wouldn't feel stiff who had
slept fifteen years straight through But
then she didn' know, of course, what
trick that wicked old Saint Nick had
PLAYED on her and that this WASH the
very same Christmas morning on which
she had gone to sleep So she only said,
as she got slowly out of the bed, and be-
gan to dress as fast as possible with such
stiff hands and arms
Il wonder how long have slept. 1t
must be very late Poor papa must be
dreadfully tired of taking care Of the chill
dren; and hungry, too, waiting for his
breakfast. =
When she opened the dining room door,
there sat papa reading the morning paper.
The children must have tired him, for he
certainly seemed great deal older as he
looked up and said with smile ''Well
mamma, have you had good nap ?
30 yes, indeed, said mamma, only
you oughtn't to have let me sleep so long
I'm afraid you are dreadful tired waiting
for your breakfast, though see you have
got the table set Where are the chill
dGen p she asked, as she walked on to
the kitchen without waiting for him to
answer.
How strange There was the turkey,
all stuffed and dressed, on the kitchen
table. the cranberries picked and in the
kettle ready to be set on the stove. and
the plum pudding all made
The coffee for breakfast was on the
stove, while before it stood a tall young
lady, in handsome brown merino dress
and pretty white apron, broiling beef
steak
Mamma began to feel rather bewildered.
Was this fine young lady new girl whom
papa had engaged while she was asleep ?
just .hon the ..new girl turned around
and saw her. Throwing down the knife
and fork she had in her hand, she ran to
her, and threw her arms around her neck
''Why, mamma, darling is that you 3?
Santa Claus said this was the morning for
you to wake up, and I've been getting
everything ready Do you feel rested ?''
Rested ? To be sure | do, said
mamma, staring at the fine young lady,
who acted so queerly. "But where are
the children p
Here Harry, said the young lady
as a tall Young fellow of about 20 entered.
"Hello if there isn't mamma, he
exclaimed, going up and giving her good
hug.
Charlie, here, say T. he called to some
one outside. ''Here' mamma worke up,
and then another great handsome fellow,
who seemed to be about 1S years old,
came up and kissed her rather bashfully
'What does all this mean? and where
are the children y asked mamma, putting
her hand up to her head, and feeling ready
to cry "Where's my baby?'
80, he's out snow-balling, said one
of the boys, carelessly.
My baby He'll catch his death of
cold, said the distracted mother, rushing
to the door. where she ran against another
great boy about 16 years old.
':Can you remember mamma, Frank p
asked the young lady.
'sNr. Graham, will you tell me what
this means p said mamma to her hus-
band 1Who are all these young people
kissing me, and where are my children r
well, Mary, this is Alice, % last
month this is Harry, just 20, in the
Junior class; this is Charles Is, and a
sophomore, studying like beaver; and
this is your l6 year-old baby, Frank, al