The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-12-28

ITO TAKE AND KEEP EACH OTHER FOR BET
TER OR WORSE"
l want a big party Christmas eve.
You've always promised me l might
have it when | come 81"
$50 l have. but you don't deserve it,
you young rascal" the squire said.
''Promise me what l ask, and you may
have a party as long as Christmas,
dance and froiic 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 it
should be done"
"Hurrah! You're givin yourself a
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 II
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 CHM
| neys and Il makeshift gravel drive
leading in semicircularly from the two
gates upon the big road a hundred
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 9 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 reel. BY and by. when
| the tables were cleared there " could be
dancing.
Tennessee was the life OF every
thing His father eyed him as lie 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 ne and
Tennessee" she had said.
The result was a table shaped like
the letter z. draped in white. garlanded
with ever%reens. lighted with many
candles and showing all down the mid
die n 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. candles,
fruit in pyramids. big bowls Ct wine
jelly. other bowls of ambrosia, and
all merely rs supplement to hot oys
ters roast turkey, roast pig. steaming
coffee and beaten biscuit.
"Say. squire. no wonder you amt
keen after housekeeper," Tom Tur-
ner said as he took his third help of
roast pig.
Jim Wilson at his elbow nudged him
sharply. saying in a stage whisper,
"Ain't you got sense enough to know
squire and Tennessee amt namin that
subject no more until New Year'sr
81 oughter "a knowed. never
thought" Tom said.
The squire had walked away with
| out answering. Jim looked after him
and said. IFS plumb shame he 7eeFs
be ricunti'r.I 70 Betty Milan, ~,
worS" h,,''.-,r for him and Tecast.3
sct, +, Git ~ CROSS and pile. fhs7 So
% mighty close to one 'FsAssf, sHss<s
two. Wharever you soe = S3;S Esa
one you're mighty apt Is 80 eES ksi.r
the other"
-Bound to be thxt .s-~r. Es2sss.r
sees all the child his p. iss sssf." Iva
said. But hark! Nh><D 1AI Hscss
fellew must Be shostin ~ CNfbt1aa
guns early.
'.Them amt Christmas e0aa. 1ssyH
TOO close together" the sqsirs sAS4
walking to a window, open In spite q
the rain. Besides, they amt comm
right. They sound up towards Ken
tucky."
Il bet it's a runaway couple" Jim
Wilson cried. dashing out upon the
piazza, with the crowd pellnell at his
heels. II hear horses and wheels and
folks hollerinr' he shouted back over
his shoulder rs he darted down the
steps. Tennessee was close behind