The Press., 1899-12-21

quarreled over it 20 years back" Will
liam Jordan saif meditatively.
The squire snorted a bit "He bet
me SO on that skewbald of his, and
then claimed he'd won because my
saddle turned" he said. '"That shows
the pizen meanness of the breed"
"Wen. Betty can't help that. She's
good lookin and mighty fine house
keeper" Jim Wilson said soothingly.
you couldn't have better, squire. /
can't hardly blame Tennessee. A big
house Is mighty lonesome with no wo-
man in it. I'll bet money you won't
blame him, neither, time she's been
thar year."
''I'll bet the house and farm.sh don't
ever come thar, not while my head Is
hot" the squire roared.
'I'll take the bet. She'll come and
for your askin," voice said from
the door. Tennessee stood there laugh
ing heartily. He was a big fellow, as
tall and well muscled as his father
was slight and withered. yet the pair
were curiously alike. They had the
same obstinate chins, the same bright
dark eyes, exactly the same level look
Tennessee made a dash at his father
caught him under the arms and drew
him to his feet, saying as the squire
fumed and writhed In his hold: PA.
you amt nigh as mad as you think.
Anyway. les stop quarrelin till after
Christmas. Its lest two weeks of.
l want a big party Christmas eve.
You've always promised me might
have 1t when ] come 81"
$50 have, but you don't deserve it,
you young rascal" the squire said
promise me what ask, and you may
have a party as long as Christmas.
dance and frolic the whole week-yes
till old Christmas If you want to-"
you mean about marryin Betty%'
Tennessee asked airily. I'm just
bound to do that, Marse Squire, but
I'll promise this-I won't never do 1t
unless you are thar to see and willin 1t
should be DONE"
"Hurrah! You're givin yourself
long time to wait. SIR" the squire said
eagerly. then beginning to cut pigeon
wing in his joy. Now get about your
party, sir. Well make it a rouser. the
biggest thing that ever come off in IT,
ger Tail"
-
Notwithstanding Christmas eve fell
rainy and dark as the proverbial stack
Of black cats, everybody came to Ten
nessee's party. The Jordan house was
big and square, with tall outside Chin
neys and a makeshlft gravel drive
leading in semicircularly from the two
fon hn iO hn1n
yards away. For the party both gates
were set open. Everybody rode or
drove, even the nearest neighbors. Peo-
pie began coming at dark and kept
coming until o'clock.
Even before supper playing began
with great spirit. There was a room
given up to it indeed, since not few
Of the company had religious scruples
against even a reel By and by. when
the tables were cleared, there would be
dancing.
Tennessee was the life Of every
thing. His father eyed him as he went
about smiling. shaking hands, setting
every one at lively ease, seeing to ev-
erything and seeming to make friendly
service pleasure, with ever growing
pride. There were no hostesses.
1--WE can't ask one Of our kin women
to help without madding all the rest"
the squire had said to Tennessee.
Still the supper was miraculous.
Black Peggy rose to the opportunity
Of her life. You g'wan way. Marse
Squire. Leabe dis yere ter me and
Tennessee" she had said.
The result was a table shaped like
the letter q. draped in white. garlanded
with evergreens, lighted with many
candles and showing all down the mid
die row Of big iced cakes. brave in
holly and cut paper trimmings. Be-
sides all that pile Of cut cake. at least
a dozen sorts, there were nuts. candies.
fruit In. pyramids. big bowls Of wine
jelly. other bowls of ambrosia. and
all merely as supplement to hot oys-
tiers, roast turkey. roast pig. steaming
coffee and beaten biscuit.
"Say, squire, no wonder you amt
keen after a housekeeper," Tom Tur-
ner said as he took his third help Of
roast pig.
Jim Wilson at his elbow nudged him
sharply. saying in stage whisper.
Saint you got sense enough to know
squire and Tennessee amt namin that
subject no more until New Year'sT'
81 oughter "a knowed. never
thought" Tom said.
The squire had walked away with
! out answering. Jim looked after him
and said: tits plumb shame he won't
be riconciled to Betty Milan. but
worse believe for him and Tonnes
ace to git at cross and pile. They're
20 mighty close to one mother, them
two. Wherever you see or hear the
one you're mighty apt to see and hear
the other"
Bound to be that away. Tennes-
sees all the child his pa has got" Tom
said. "But bark! What's that? Some
fellow must be shootin his Christmas
guns early"
'Them amt Christmas guns. They're
too close together" the squire said,
walking to a window, open in spite of
the rain. Besides, they amt comm
right. They sound up towards Ken
lucky"
Il bet it's a runaway couple" Jim
Wilson cried, dashing out upon the
pAdAZds Will LIE CIOWu pcAuell aL us
heels. 81 hear horses and wheels and
folks holleriny' he shouted back over
bis shoulder as he darted down the
steps. Tennessee was close behind
him, SO close that the darkness swal-
lowed them at the same instant. All
the rest could hear now out upon the
big road confused and strengthening
medley-shouts. cries. curses. gallop-
ing hoofs. whirring wheels. sharply
punctuated now and again by a drop
ping shot