The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-17
THE CHRISTMAS FR0L
BY HARRIET PRESCOTT sPOFFORD.

N~cR" --Fs-Ar
Spofford)
you'll not be goin' great ways, this
threatenln' weather. an the dark so
early?" said his wife anxiously, looking
out on the gray river, where the white
caps were running against the tide.
Not too far" said the fisherman.
"To-morrer bein' Chris mus" added the
wife "Twould be a sorry Chris mus. an
you not comm in safe"
IT allus hev come in" said Joe. II amt
much fear but what 1 allus she'll
wouldn't miss my Chris'mus,'' getting into
his long boots, "for the best fish swim
min. Got the turkey?"
Down sullar, on the swingin' shelf. A
big gobbler. You want pertater stuff
IMP"
oval, do no. Which you want?
Chestnuts an thns IS tasty 18th summer
Eavory. Here you fix this string. Sis
can get the chestnuts to the corner"
20, the boys went nuttin' along the fall.
an I got quite a few set by. I'll put
some raisins in. There's some left over
from the pies"
Them pies'l go right to the spot. Lots
O. cider in EN-? Got some turnovers for
the stockin?"
An a bunch O. wife grapes apiece"
threading her needle TO sew on a loose
button for him. They'll have thin's TO
the Sunday School tree But I'd like em
ter have good times ter hum ter remember
bimeby"
"An' So" looking up with a CLEAN OF
mischief in the blue eyes. you've ben
a-was tin money on Sis
II did jes' git her a little fur collar"
said the wife, hesitatingly.
"Sho now! You don't suppose I be-
grutch anythin to Sis? Didn't you git
nothin' fer the boys?"
YES" she said again. doubtfuly. Il
know we hadn't orter But Christmas
only comes oncet a year, an they did so
want Robinson Crusoe, an Pilgrims
Progress An 1t keep 'em to hum nights.
An I'll make my ole bunnit an shawl
du--"
You're a good mother, Mary"
you can't be children but oncet, you
know" biting her thread off. "Therer'
I know. An don't want ter be- Wen
remember the lickin's I had all over the
place / don't want ter be a child agin
My mittings dry? I'd ruther be a grown
man 18th you for my wife than all the
children In Christendom. You're good
wife Mary. Eff ever I have Peters luck
an ketch a fish 18th a piece of money in
his mouth, III dress you like queen, now
you betr'
MARY 6tOOu on uptOe 10 KISS MN. she
would have liked to say that she would
rather have him for a husband than all
the kings going. But she was woman
of few words. Only the color springing 10
her cheek as she twisted up her dark hair,
only the sudden flame in the dark of her
wistful eyes, spoke for her And as her
husband went out with his basket and
lines, Striding down the lane like a young
giant going to fight the foe, he was saw
Ing to himself, 81 never see anythln' like
Mary's eyes. Somehow they allus do make
me think o stars on a summers night
pitiful sort O. stars. George This amt
goin' ter be any summers night, though.
Reglar squall."
And Mary, looking after him, was SAYING
10 herself. Il never do watch him out o.
sight in that boat bout feelin' s if I'd
never lay eyes on him aginl"
But there was too much to do before
dark to waste time at the window. The
children would be swarming in directly
and there were the doughnuts yet to fry.
Jimmy likes handsan' 50 does Davel am
Johnny likes rings" said the mother to
herself. AN Sissy likes the hole So III
cut out all sorts" And she had lust set
them aside, and brushed up the stove. and
laid The table, when the young persons
stamped in covered with light snow.
"Landi You don't mean ter say it's snow
inn exclaimed the mother.
Just spit" said Jimmy.
Il hope that's an," said she, going TO
the dcor and looking up the lane and down
the harbor.
Say, ma" said Johnny, as she came
back, did you know Sis was goin' up ter
ST. Pauis ter help ter put up the green
to-night?"
wy, of course 1 knowed. An her Sun
day school cass is goin'. An / expec' SIS
ter behave reel pretty" with a fond look
at the flower-sweet little girl
And the saXons asst Jimmy"
he tl,a1. s,,s.t
'Sexon, thens asst Jimmy ter ring the
ben tor him tonight. Wish twas me-"
81 wisht he'd asst me-" said Dave, tug
ging at his boots.
There's more bells than enc in town, !"
said Jimmy.
by gum, that's sou
wall, they amt your BELLS" said their
mother. AN you'd better keep away from
'em. Come, here's the beans an baked e
crisp. N.Y. Don't they smell good? Come
want ter git he rest back ter keep hot
for your father"
i wonder what they ring the bells for
Chris mus eve, anyway" said Dave. with
his mouth full.
Ter scare off the bad spirits, to be
sure" answered Jimmy.
There amt any bad spirits" said Sis
"'Less'n ourselves" said the mother
Il guess they ring the bells because
they re glad Christ was born. I'm sure
be- An SOS your father"
Say ma, is pa a good mann"
John Markham II you're ever han as
good as"
lie don't go to church"
He dcne his church-foing early. He
loves God an he loves his neighbor There
aiht better man walks this foot-stool-,
Say. I'm glad he's pa" said Johnny.
80 IN j. said his mother And / Wisbt
ne was 10 hum This minutei Its GUM
Iehi thick outside, an he'7 % p 4 bis
""'7 sea long ego. d a.
him 80 anyhow wen / SEQ IL sed fa1ln,