The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-12-31

a blanket, in which he instantly en-
veloped ma. while Mr.. Scurry emptied
the ever over me and the cat, who in
stantly few up the dresser shelves,
miaouling madly and overseeing most
of the china.
Who's on fire." asked Ben. after
these proofs of promptitude in times
OF emergency had been exhibited. I
merely pointed to an array of dishes
which poor ma had dragged out Of the
ovens and plate-warmers, as she had
uttered the screams which had so
alarmed us. Nothing remained of our
splendid turkey, of the mince-pies over
which we had enthused, of the vege-
tables, of anything, but hideous Jumps
of charcoal and indescribable, sticky
masses, curling up on the centers of
their platters. There was no longer
any dinner to offer Uncle Scurry.
There is no use staring at it any
longer" | said, leading the way to the
parlor. 1--WE intended to give you a
good dinner, Uncle Scurry; but l shall
have to ask you to consider yourself
an idol, and accept a burnt Offering"
" Z hoN YOU Cdu laugh,
said ma; "it is all too dreadful: but,
Benjamin Franklin, after all. you have
endured, o need some refreshment.
At least, We have a slice Of cake and a
glass of fine old port to offer you"
Yes, get the port, ma said Ben,
from behind the towel, with which /
had again yelled him: Il know that
it is good"
Then, with her usual promptitude and
dispatch, mi placed the cake-basket
on the table and filled the glasses.
handing one with her own hand to IN
Gle Scurry, who whispered, "Oh, Aman-
da jane as he accepted it.
Many happy returns of the day"
he said, as he lifted it to his lips. The
next instant he uttered a howl Of
agony, dashed down the glass and be-
gan % rush wildly about the room,
shouting, Help! a doctor! an anti
dote! I'm poisoned! I'm dying! help
Great h~eavens!" cried ma, wringing
her hands; what have | done now?"
Ma" | said, solemnly, sit is a
dreadful thing to tell you, but what
=" 'A'fN NohS 10 " III lIS SiiooOo
from the decanter full of ~eradicator,
instead of that which holds the port
wine, and uncle has swallowed some OF
it," And | FASTENED to mix some mus
tard and water, while Ben ran pell-
nell for the doctor, even forgetting
his hat. Meanwhile Uncle Scurry
stretched himself upon the floor, while
ma held his head on her knee.
"Adieu, Amanda Jane" he said. "To
die thus repays me for all. Poison
from your hand is sweeter than nectar
from ~another's. Tell your boy that I
recognized him as the wheelman who
ran into me, but forgive him for your
sake. Bless you all. FAREWELL"
"Oh, don't die now, Benjamin
Franklin! moaned ma.
He's not going to-" said the doc
tor, whom Ben dragged in at that mo-
ment, and who felt Mr.. Scurry's pulse
and smelt of the bottle at the same
time. Very nasty, but not poison.
Gave him an emetic? All right-about
to act, | see. Good day." and he ran
back to his dinner.
hiibllCS idlSt VI 4 oSuIiy pIOIi-
ised to live for our sakes; and at eleven
o'clock that evening we all sat down
together to a cold collation., sent from
the nearest restaurant, and ate with an
appetite, drinking Happy Christmas to
each other, in the right port wine this
time, just as the midnight chimes from
a n~eighboring church rang out upon
the frosty air. And we knew as we'll
at that moment that ma and Mr.. Sour
ry would make a match of it, as we
did on the day the pastor of the very
church whose clock We listened to
stood before his pulpit and asked the
question:
Amanda Jane, wilt thou take Ben
jamin Franklin to be thy welded hus-
band?"-Peoples' Home Journal.