The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-24

to his wife as he saw the generous pre-
paratiOns for the morrow that these adj
yautageS might have been more COM
mon fittings had been different 1T
always seems as though all our trouble
came at once. First, paying them notes,
then losing those government DOnQS anu
Lucy going away. added his wife.
When the boys had gone to bed, which
was a reluctant duty on their part, the
stockings We're flled, and wnat was VOC
bulky for these Feceptacles was. placed
upon a table. There was a rOuSlng
snowstorm just beginning; the air had
a penetrating chill; though 1t was early,
the street was very quiet, except Tor the
cracking of the branches of the trees
as the wind swept through them Mr.
Shaw took but a brief survey of the
scene, remarking.
well, / guess. mother, We're goln TO
hev real Christmas weather.
Wouldn't mind anything, Samuel, &
longs the boys had a good time, except
tn melodeon,' she responded, pattlng
the instrument tenderly.
Mrs. Shaw sat down before it ana
played a few chords softly AS they dle9
away the wind moaned diSma1ly AROUND
the window. A loose shutter ratified as
the gust struck it Mrs Shaw began
an old air she had known when a girl
and then suddenly. the sound ceased,
though her hands still touched the keys:
why, what's the matter with 4!
she exclaimed. 1T must be broken
Mr.. Shaw looked 1t over. Then he
carefully removed the top. Some papers
lay upon the bellows. His wife, who
had been looking on intentiy picked
them up.
~ Something the boys have dropped
I'M" exclaimed Mrs. Shaw.
mo, 'taint,'' he replied Let me have
'em. They look like-like-they are
mother, sure's you're born, they're the
bondsi"
Yellow and dusty and wrinkled-there
they were, those precious bonds, thou
sand dollars worth of good negotiable
government promises The couple look
4 49, Il .. IN ocTfrRr a9cI1
They've been there more'n three
years!" exclaimed Mrs Shaw.
YES, an reck lect now how it was,
too" said her husband. Twas that
warm night in September threw my
coat across tn melodeon. never
thought about the bonds not being in
my pocket till went to the bank in tn
mornin The coat laid there all night
an never missed 'em till got to the
bank"
Mrs. Shaw again seated herself in
front Of the melOdeOn- sWe'I sing one
verse, even if it does wake the boys"
she said, and the little melodeon enthus-
iastically responded to Praise God from
Whom All Blessings Flow
The snow was still coming down when
the family were at breakfast Christmas
morning. The window sashes were piled
high with it, and the drifts were deep il
the front yard. All hands went into the
shoveling business, and none too soon,
for a way to the front gate had scarce
ly been cleared before there was a. de-
mand for it. The big sled belonging to
the Beebe House was around leaving the
arrivals from the early train.
What on earth is it stopping here
for2'' exclaimed Mrs. Shaw.
But her question was answered in a
most unexpected manner, for when
pretty young lady, followed by demura
maid, ran up the sidewalk Mrs. Shaw
burst into joyful tears. Tt isn't Lucy?"
she cried.
but it is, sister!' answered the young
an
helped carry the many packages into the
house Lucy explained how Nine. Bron-
son had died three months before; had
left her several missions to perform in
Europe, and had made the young girl
her heir.
And I'm coming back to live with
you" she announced. And when they
told her of selling the nelodeon, and
how they found the bonds in it, Lucy
said: You can give it to me for my
Christmas prpSPnf .