Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-12-24
written for the "News.ol

|
called him Mr.. CRUDE, his Bishop and
ward teachers addressed him as Bro
Their CRUDE; all other with very few
exceptions. called him "old Man
CRUDE"
CRUDE was not an old man though
he was n bachelor and lived alone in n
good sized house. The girl who came
every day to do the work that he him
self could hardly perform, went home
every night, thus leaving him alone in
peace and quiet.
y gray evening in early December.
1t was already showing in the noun
tains,and feeling OF winter was in the
air. CRUDE provided himself with a
full scuttle OF coal, Il newspaper, II
glass with spoon in. three Jumps of
white sugar, and a small bottle which
he. in a mysterious manner. brought
from the cupboard. All these last arti-
Giles he deposited on the table before
the stove. Then he placed few pieces
of coal on the fire, put some water in
the tea-kettle, and drew up his chair
TO the warmth.
1t was rather early to light the lamp;
the freight was cheering and he had
the evening, to read the paper. Besides
he must think of that sudden de-
cline in the rates OF interest. and of the
recent loss in poor Investment. These
| were not pleasant things to think
about, but life is full of stern, unplca-
| SAINT things and must be met.
| There came n gentle knock on the
door and CRUDE threw the paper over
the table before he said Come in" UT
was only little Tommy Evans who ex-
| tended to him small, brown enveloNe.
IT'S our nickel Sunday next week.
| and l thought you'd want an envel-
| ope." said Tommy.
Yes; of course, never forget me,
Tommy; all right, my boy"
After Tommy had gone CRUDE ex-
amind the envelope carefully. Then 1t
| suddenly occurred to him that he was
| being imposed upon. 1t had only been
| n few weeks ago that he had received
| his envelope for nickel Sunday and he
remembered plainly that he had put
In a dime instead of the usual nickel
Now, here it was again. Was the little
rogue imposing upon his generosity?
| That was the usual way: people are
| never satisfied.
Now Tommy was just passing down
the street again and CRUDE hailed him.
The boy came, perhaps wondering how
prompt CRUDE was this time.
| What does this mean, Tommy?
Ditn't / get an envelope some time
ago?"
20, forgot to explain answered the
boy. you see this is our own nickel
Sunday. All the money goes to our
school. 1t is to help pay for the ex-
penses of the holiday doings. Read
what is printed on It,"
So CRUDE read: Contribution of
blank to Fourth ward Sunday school,
Nickel Sunday, Dec. IL, 1891 Amount,
| nj IN n u
All, he understood now. Another
method to extort money. To pay ex-
penses for Christmas doings, indeed!
Why should there be more expenses
during Christmas than during any other
| time. 1t was n precedent to be checked
One Nickel Sunday was enough. CRUDE
handed the envelope back to Tommy
who felt OF It in vain as he went down
the street. to see what had been put
inside. The envelope was empty
And now CRUDE lighted the lamp, drew
the blind closer to the sill. stirred the
fire, and took up his paper. The kettle
| steamed and CRUDE proceeded to make
some wonderful mixture with water.
| sugar and the contents of the bottle
In pustice to CRUDE it must be said
that he was not often in the habit of
compounding such potions. 1t was
only on occasions when he felt down.
| hearted.
But this evening CRUDE was more
than ever sad, so the mixture went on
in proportion. He had settled down to
a good doze when there came another
knock on the door, and not waiting
for invitation, two ladies came in,
stamping the snow from their feet and
shaking 1t from their shawls. They
set down two large baskets near the
| door. The storm seemed to follow them
In and the man shivered
Good evening, Brother CRUDE" said
q CHEEKY voice which he knew belonged
to Ellen Hansen. I'VE want your help
this evening. We have n long evenings
work before us and we would like your
assistance"
CRUDE could never refuse Ellen Han
sen. If there ever cam a time when
he would feel the need of wife, Ellen
was the woman he would ask. At least
that is what he had thought to him
self; and now he instantly put on his
coat and prepared to follow wherever
she might lead. He wondered Mt him
self for being so alert-Ellen also, no
doubt. wondered.
you see." said Ellen, tive are n COM
mittee appointed by Santa Claus to
visit some people whom he will hardly
have time to reach. our goods are in
the baskets and they are heavy. We
want n strong man to help us"
As they went out CRUDE even forgot
to lock the door. He felt strong in
cllnation to run away, but the baskets
weak women; but he did not like the
prospects of playing the role they had
marked out for him. Ellen ought to
have more sense. He did think that she
was a practical person not inclined to
play such FRANKS. doubt came into
Grube's mind whether or not Ellen
would make a good wife.
The wind now began to raise and
the snow blew into their faces as the
three walked along down the street
It was a blessing that so few people
were out. thought he What would
they think should they see him trudg-
ing between two women, a big heavy
basket in each hand
After n ten minutes walk they
stopped before low adobe house.
wen go in here, first" said Ellen.
They set one basket down outside the
door and walked in without knocking
IL a man with his wife sat by n small
cook stove. in which was a very little
fire, as the room was quite cold. They
seemed not surprised when Eller
brought out Il number of parcels anC
went quietly to three stockings lang
ing over the backs of chairs by the stove
and placed something in each.
outside Ellen explained that she hRt
to tell them OF their contemplated visit
D that the children might be gotten Of
3 to bed.
ut seems to me that they were moi
: very thankful" growlod CRUDE.
: II believe thoy were too cold e
t move" answered Ellen. "They ough
1 to have some coal"