Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-12-24

eve of all days in the year. The wind
ds enough to cut you In two.
1T is hard lines for them who's
obliged TO be out in the fury Of a
storm. Just the night to make one
feel thankful for hearth and home,
to say nothing about bite and sup.
BLESS me! You don't mean to say
SO? Walked all the way from Kirk
wood, have you? don't wonder that
you look about done up, with a side
wind driving you all the way, and the
snow-drifts lying along the road.
'Yes sir, it's a short cut in the sum-
mer time, to those who know the coun-
try well, burt even I should not like to
attempt it on a night like this; and
have lived in the neighborhood, man
and boy, for nigh upon seventy years,
\ Eyes, seventy next birthday is the
W2umber of years have been allowed
to live, and five-and-forty of them have
been spent in this house. All! | dare
say 1t does seem long time to a young
fellow like you, but they haven't been
long in passing, and appear precious
little to look back upon.
1T is forty-fve years ago last Sep
TENDER that I first brought my wife
through the door yonder and here we
have lived in summer and winter, sun
shine and cloud, ever since.
"Oh, yes, we have been blessed with
children. 1t is they that have done
much to bring the sunshine, although
they are linked with the cloudy days
as well, for three Of them are lying up
in the churchyard on the hill. Three
out Of five, Still, We are happy to think
two have been spared to us-the first
and the last-even If they are now
gone out into the world for themselves,
Tom is the captain of boat plying
between Cairo and New Orleans, and
Susie is living in Memphis, for she is
married, and has two little ones of her
own.
$50 we have been content to have
5ust each other, as we did the year or
two before they were given to us, until
AhDk year., WhOn WO Alebh NhehS q AANNS
call an addition to our family.
"You can sleep in the blue room.
That is what the wife calls 1t, but |
tell her it will soon have to be called
the Christmas Eve bedroom. They
say the third time brings luck, and if
4 you accept our offer this will be the
| third Christmas Eve that We have had
q sudden visitor to require it,
well, there is little story attach
cd to it. If you care to listen, while
my wife is preparing the supper, l will
try and tell it to you.
"You see, 1t is little room over
looking the orchard, and is about the
COsiest one in the house. suppose
most women like to have what they
call spare room ready, in case com
Dany should come unexpected
Il used to laugh at her, and tell
her 1t would be always ready and new
or wanted, because, don't you see, when
Tom or little Sue come, they like to
have the rooms where they used to
Rleep when they were children at home.
But 1t is exactly three years ago
tonight that We were glad to think
1t was all ready for use.
Little Sue-we called her that to
distinguish her from her mother, al
though she is the taller Of the two
was here with her two little ones. They
had come to spend Christmas with the
old folks.
I'VE were sitting in front Of the
fire, just as you and I are doing now,
and the wemen's tongues were chat
ting together, nineteen to the dozen,
for you see they had not seen each
other for over two years, when all at
once Sue stopped in the middle Of
sentence, and said: Hank! what was
that?
1--WE listened, but could hear moth
ping
"What was it, child?' said her moth
er.
at was like someone moaning out
side the door. Listen-there it is
again!
81 could not tell if there was any
thing or not, for nay hearing was get
ting bit dull, but went and opened
the door, and stood there for a minute
or so. 1t was lovely evening, so
calm and still. No moon to speak of,
but the stars were shining like so
many diamonds, and the snow made
everything very light. Away across
the fields l could hear the church bells,
but that was the only sound, and
was just about to close the door, when
2 heard the noise myself, as she had
described it, like a person moaning
In pain. 1t seemed to come from close
by the garden gate, and, sure enough
when went to look, there lay man
all huddled up in heap.
81 managed to get him indoors and
laid him on the couch, and then began
to take off his wraps. He was wearing
a thick cloak and fur cap, and when
this was removed, / saw he was bleed
ing from a nasty cut at the back of
the head. He did not appear to have
lost much blood, but he was perfect
ly dazed for awhile.
Il knew who he was: Mr.. Hugh |
DanYers, nephew of Squire Mar