Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-12-25

very much except themselves: but then
they minded 4 good deal, which made up
for it.
However, when the enlargement had
lasted for a whole fortnisht-.uIly ten days
beyond the usual pciiod-thei, friends be
came concerned; and as it drew near Christ
mas day the patcr was quite angry.
CHOSE two young fools might just as well
make il up now rs 90 moping abu,u all
Through Christmas time and spelling every
one c.se's fun, he gvumbled. And The dear
little mater spoke OF them with a sorroWiul
shake OF the head. Could not the pater give
Tom hint that Agge was fretting: Per
i.aps il he We're to drop in one evening 10 seq
the children, now baby was growing 50:
But pate, thought that, as -iggic was ma
tcr's sister, and ten years younger according
to the unimpcachablc testimony of The
family Bible, it was rather a matter ior
sisteriy advice. So neither interviewed, and
the tenth Tor was ii the clcvcnth3 parting
for forever" had lasted three weeks oil
Christmas eve. NJ this point all the family
agreed that something must be done.
eff you don't speak to Aggie. shall have
to speak to her myself said patcr. firmly,
as he put OF the Santa Claus coat with the
big pockets, 10 sally forth in the morning
NO, no, my dear. 1 really cant asl. poor old
Tom TO eat hunblc-pc. ] don't consider
that he was to blame at all. lie was prac
tical!y bound to go and play for his club
that afternoon, and she could have gone to
the show just as we'll in the evening. Women
never will understand that men ooh,
pater!" eXpostulated the mater, softly, SEX
cept yon, my dear, always excepting You.
Tut you are unique" Then mater laughed
and he kissed her. "Oh, hut ] hope you
wont, john" she said. coaNingy. Poor
old Ag has been crying her eyes out all the
time; but shes too proud to make overtulcs,
though she owns she was parity to blame.
II you could bring him round, now, TO pay
the compliments Of the season to me, or to
sec the children" "Umph!" said pater,
rather shortly, Il shall lose my; train if |
stop any longer; and ought to have caught
the one before, really" Mater didn't
bother him any further. She saw a twinkle
in his eye; and she had been married 10 hin,
for nine years, and knew his ways, you sec.
But, presumably, lie remembered when
Tom (whosc chief he was) looked into his
private room about lunch time to pay his
respects. ~ GU re coming round to-morrow
afternoon, Of course, old MANI" said pater.
in his most everyday tone. But Tom looked
very glum and shook his head. NONSENSE"
CALCULATED pater wrathfully, "you were the
friend of the family before Miss Argic came
TO live with rs, the little mink. You'd never
desert the youngsters on Christmas day?
Molly and Dot are always asking about
Uncle Tom, and Pm sure the boy will re-
member you. He's growing fine big chan
now, and walks all over the place; he fell
downstairs twice last week" mo. no, old
man. replied Tom, mi~erably, II can't
come; l really can't. I've got lot of things
to send round for the kids, bless their little
hearts! and thought YOU wouldn't mind il
| cent something for the mater; you've al.
ways been awfully kind to me. both OF you.
I've bought a little present for Ag, to have
it ready in case shc-we-perhaps we
shan't eycr--bvt-.' At this point the view