Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-12-24
DONNA CHRISTMAS.

through the enchanting scenery
breathing In the balsamic doors of the
pine woods, and chatting together Of
our varied experiences In the mission
airy field.
Strangers less than month pre-
viously, when we had met with the
other missionaries of our district In
conference at Chattanooga, the presl-
dent had assigned us to work together
In this part of the Lords Vineyard; and
never were brothers nearer and dearel
than we soon grew to each other.
There were the sublime principles OF
the Gospel to talk over. which we our
selves were Just beginning TO uppreci-
ate, and incidents of boyhood and man
hood In dear. distant Utah to recall
and interest each other with-though
our homes were In parts OF the state
considerably remote from each other.
The sun was Just sinking behind the
tall pines, and we had not seen single
human habitation since early in the
afternoon; SO we began to look around
for shelter for the night, and some
thing to refresh the Inner man," as
our breakfast and dinner had been
made OF the wild berries which
grew abundantly in some parts of this
region.
Just as the shades OF night We're
gathering we espied n smoke ascendins
at some little distance ahead, and upon
a nearer approach discovered u log
cabin, almost hidden among the trees,
with the door standing Hospitality open.
showing glimpse OF a blazing flre Of
logs in the open fireplace, and hot
supper smoking on the table.
with n nod ut me, half comic, half
serious. my companion stepped up to
the open door, and was met at the en-
trance by woman OF about flfty-five,
whose tall, angular figure stood out like
a silhouette against the rudy biaze'o OF
the IRE.
Her keen eyes scrutinlzed us atten-
lively while we made known our bus-
ness, and, seemingly satisfied with our
account of ourselves, invited us, with
hearty Southern hospitality, TO walk
right In and make yourselves to hum"
my ole man is out dom his chores,
he'll be In In jes' II jiffy," She volun-
TERED as she arranged weshbasin
and coarse towel for our aecomnloda-
tion, and set the steamng dishes from
the table back onto the hearth to keep
hot until we were all ready. Mormon
Elders from Utah. was her introduction
as her husband came in, with a couple
of dogs ut his heels.
He also greeted us kindly and mo-
toned us to take our places at the
table.
you see, we've darter who jined
the Mormons morn a year ago. and
went with her husband to the Mormon
colony In Coloraydo. We'uns Is
goin' out there too. Jeff he's sold his
saw mill an made all ready to clear
out: SO you see you'uns is right to hum,
and haint got no proselytin to do to-
night, though well be right smart glad
to hear you talk arter supper"
One Of the dogs, who had stretched
himself close to the fire with his nose
in his paws. whined uneasily during the
conversation, and finally got up and,
approaching the table. laid his head in
the old mans lap.
See that. now" exclaimed he. with
a knowing wink.
Every time Marthy or me has any
thing to say about movin' out that wise
ole coon jes kicks UP big fuss.
Don't you fret, ole MAZE. when we
goes you goes" and an assuring pat on
the head set Maje's nttenuated tail to
wagging furiously as he resumed his
place by the fire with every indication
of perfect trust and contentment.
"i'm q pretty good talker. myself"
said the old lady. laughing, but you
les git Jeff started about the tricks of
that doag an he can beat me all hol-
ler."
"Taint tricks exactly. Marthy, when
q dumd brute like him saves any
MAZE that 'ud make any homes man
love I'm, and sometime, when the gem
'lemens got time, Ill say somethin
about 1t, maybe"
How we did enjoy the homely hospi-
'tality and 'yarns' of these children
of the woods" for we rested here two
days; Sister Martha insisting upon
washing and mending our clothes,
while we wrote up our journals. read
talked and wrote letters home.
She brought out u photograph Of a
handsome young woman one evening
which she told us was her daughter.
Mighty fine looking gal, You say?
Well, ruther think she Is. Don't know
whether the balsamy breeaes that Dr.
Wharton used to talk about had any
thing to do with IL. fer was n likely
enough lookin' gal myself at her age
but you know Jeff an L have lived up
here In these pine woods for more'n
twenty years, and of course Donna was
born here.
"It was when Donna was n wee.
tiny mite of n baby that DR.. Wharton
first came to our little cabin in the
woods. late one summer afternoon, and
axed me II l couldn't manage another
boarder fer few weeks. Said he'd
been stlekin' to business ruther too
clost and had been obleeged TO git out
fer while or peg out altogether.
pore crltter. felt sorry for him,
He looked that pale and used up |
was actually afraid we'd have n funeral
over him II he did stay, or find him
dead som'ers in the woods II we sent
him TO find other housen thouses).
"Jeff hummed an hnwed bit, say
In ] had ruther too much on my hands
now, with the baby TO look nrter an
four of the mill hams to cook for. with
only -yeRr-or bay for ginerul
roustabout; hut I give JEFF the wink to
let him stay. and stay he did.
Z" 'ANhD tOfel Mn2' nNRl 1pff