The Van Buren press., 1899-12-30

Unsuitable monster. Yet we couldn't
make up our minds 10 close it up and
put up stove instead. because of its
radiant cheerfulness. How jolly it was,
just when the first touch of a winters
twilight stole on, to pile fresh hickory
logs on the old andirons and watch the
flames dash up the chimney's throat
and light the whole room with a mellow
crimson flame.
But the wood Of course, we three
women couldn't very well go out and
chop and haul il, and our funds did
not always warrant hiring large quanti-
ties laid in, besides which the neigh
boring help we could get was not very
dependable on at all times.
Maple Knoll was a lovely place, but
didn't bring in much revenue, worked,
as we were obliged to have it done, by
any Tom, Dick or Harry we could pick
up; and the old house was picturesque
but leaky as a sieve. Still, we man
aged very well about everything else
but for fuel we were obliged TO depend
on getting load hauled now and then
when some neighbor had the time and
inclination to undertake it.
December though il was, we had had
a streak of regular Indian-summery
weather--a mild atmosphere inter-
wood had run ont, and the neighbors
had all been too busy hauling cordwood
10 attend to our needs. Our chip yard
was in good condition, however, and
we had been levying on it for cooking
purposes, using what little wood we
had for the fireplace, as we didn't need
much, and had gone jogging along in
an easy. grasshoppery way, as if the
pleasant weather were going to last all
winter.
We woke up the morning of December
30 TO find the world nearly lost in a
most beautiful blizzard of whirling
snow. Not only was the outward world
white desolation, but there were lit
tie drifts all over the inside of the
house.
Dora | shouted, bouncing out of
bed and landing with one foot in a
snow bank, how many chips did we
bring in last night?"
about enough to cook breakfast
with" Dora answered, with the calm
ness OF despair. as she shook little puff
of snow out of her shoe. hoped out
of my drift and rushed TO the window.
Meantime, let's go down and make
a fire and get a goo1 warm-up if we
dc perish sfterward.s
WED better save the ritting-room
wood until after breakfast" counseled
Dora, land just have a fire in the cook
stove till then, and eat in the kitchen. -
Sure" said /, "that'll be a lark"
In spite of the dismal outlook we had
a cheerful fire and a cozy kitchen when
Aunt Laura came down. and then while
she began TO prepare breakfast Dora
and | did ourselves up like Laplanders
and plunged out into The blizzard to
feed and milk the COWS, after which we
braved the winters blast long enough
TO transport my treasure stump to the
house. which we did partly by Juggling
and partly by rolling il over and over
Breakfast was ready when we got il
safely under cover. and notwithstand-
ing our impending doom. we fell upon
the ham and fried potatoes and pan.
cakes, and enjoyed our meal immensely
Girls" said auntie, when the last
potato and the last crimpy brown bat
ter-cake had vanished, II don't want
TO dampen your spirits. bu, there isn't
chip left, aad how we're going to
cook dinner don't see"
Nett. said Dora (who was just .Aree
rsonths older than -, well cook
dinner by the fireplace"
Dora said, you're gifted. That's
what we viii, and imagine es're Jur