Connecticut western news., 1897-12-23
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4astn5 4St " very much except themselves; but then they minded good deal, which made up for it.
 However, when the arrangement had lasted for whole fortnight-fully ten days beyond the usual period-their friends be came concerned; and as it drew near Christ mas day the batter was quite angry.
 Those two young fools might just as well make it up new as go moping about all through Christmas time and spelling every one else's fun," he grurnbled. And the dear little mater spoke of them with sorrowful shake of the head. Could not the batter give Tom hint that Aggie was fretting? Per. haps if he were to drop in one evening to see the children, now baby was growing so? But pater thought that, as Aggie was ma ter's sister, and ten years younger according to the unimpeachable testimony of the family Bible, 1t was rather matter for sisterly advice. So neither intervened, and the tenth Cor was it the eleventh ? parting for forever" had lasted three weeks on Christmas eve, At this point all the family agreed that something must be done.
 ''If you don't speak to Aggie, shall have to speak to her myself" said pater, firmly, as he put on the Santa Claus coat with the big pockets, to sally forth in the morning. "No, no, my dear, I really can't ask poor old Tom to eat humble-pie. l don't consider that he was to blame at all. He was prac- tically bound to go and play for his club that afternoon, and she could have gone to the show just as well in the evening. Women never will understand that men" "Oh, pater!" expostulated the mater, softly, "ex- cept you, my dear, always excepting you. But you are unique" Then mater laughed and he kissed her. "Oh, but hope you T1l- ~1< v,xIrr old Ag has been crying her eyes out all the time; but she's too proud to make overtures, though she owns she was partly to blame. If you could bring him round, now, to pay the compliments of the season to me, or to see the children?" "Umph!" said pater, rather shortly, T shall lose my train if I stop any longer; and ought to have caught the one before, really" Mater didn't bother him any further. She saw twinkle in his eye; and she had been married to him for nine years, and knew his ways, you see.
 But, presumably, he remembered when Tom (whose chief he was) looked into his private room about lunch time to pay his respects. You're coming round tomorrow afternoon, of course, old man?" said pater, in his most everyday tone. But Tom looked very glum and shook his head. "Nonsense!" calculated pater wrathfully, "you were the to live with us, the little minx. You'd never desert the youngsters on Christmas day Molly and Dot are always asking about Uncle Tom, and I'm sure the boy will re- member you. He's growing fine big chap now, and walks all over the place; he fell downstairs twice last week" "No, no, old man" replied Tom, miserably, 'T can't come; really can't. I've got a lot of things to send round for the kids, bless their little hearts! and thought you wouldn't mind if I sent something for the mater; you've al ways been awfully kind to me, both of you I've bought little present for Ag, to have it ready in case she-we-perhaps we shan't ever-but-" At this point the view