The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1900-12-22

hadn't voice left to thank Joe for the
CUE of coffee which was to "drive u
the cold"
Dinner was substantially . failure.
artistically a success. The big male
JAY made n wry mouth owe the sal
low bread and soggy potatoes, but his
mate had no criticism to offer. To
her IL was a glorifed feast, for she
ate and drank the fruits of her labor
her children's love, poured back
into the emptied measure of her lie.
Back before her cozy fire (Which
Jerry religiously kept burning) she
accepted the blessedness OF rest.
Dreams overlook her.
"Climbed over the window SILL" es-
Gaping into the fair, lost land OF child
hood. Through the whole afternoon
she slept, and the little house hushed
itself as though life or death were at
issue. Even Jesse never once hai-
looed, or stamped his boots, or whis-
tied, for which unprecedented good
behavior Jack gave him . penny, and
drew a long chalk mark OF the smoke
house door.
Early next morning tantalizing
little odors began to sneak into the
| apartments of the new boarder. Now
| she was sure it was turkey, now IL
seemed to be mince pic and hot cake.
Then she remembered it was Christ
mas eve, and rolled up her knitting
decisively.
"The dear girls!" she thought.
They'll burn up and spoil everything
| they undertake.! They'll not be sol.
nv to have nanny back in the kitch-
en-"
But she had reckoned without her
host. The door between her and the
kitchen was locked, and when she at.
tempted the dining-room entry Jack
stopped her decidedly at the thrcsh'
old. 81 beg your pardon" she said,
with polite severity. "You rented the
parlor and bedroom only, l think. In.
deed we don't mean any incivility, but
we just can't have our boarders rlut'
tering up the kitchen on busy days
and will take it as a favor II you'll GO
back to your W quarters and get
ready for a little outing. You haven't
seen your old crony, Mary Ann Griggs,
since she moved away, have you? Jer'
ry wants to drive. you down there IN
the cart to spend the day."
Mrs. Merrie's eyes lighted with pleas
ure. swell. really" she admitted, iii
you won't let me help you-all l should
like TO see Mary Ann-powerful well!
l really should enjoy to go!"
Jerry brought her back in the early
twilight and hustled her off to bed, and
again sleep brought its healing.
Christmas morning came in with soft
unsandaled feet. All the earth wa.
wrapped in the whiteness Of snow. Thu
Christ-child was born anew, and thu
great Mother, tenderly, in the hours
of darkness, had spread her softes'
coverlet about His feet.
Four brighteyed faces, with Jess
below and the big male-Jay above
peeped in, and the simultaneous shou'
of christmas Gift." brought Mrs
Merrie up from among her blankets
well, l ~never!" she calculated. :"
reckon this is the first Christmas you
all eve caught ma a-nappin'! l ain
got no Christmas for you neither
think of that"
"Never mind" Jesse soothed
"We've got"-but Joe had him by tn
shoulders, and shook his mouth shut
There would have been instant wa
then, but-well, Jesse knew what h
knew, and the balance Of power re
manned Enthusiastically with the girls.
The dining-room door remained oh
stinately locked all day. Breakfas
was eaten in the snug little kitchen
dinner served in state in the parlol
There were no guests at all save o.
Granny Woods, a half blind paupel
who always presented herself on rec
|, ognized holidays, and was served wit
J the best.
During the progress Of the meal tn
tempting, secretive odors unveile
themselves. King Gobbler had yielde'
to the inevitable, and, more lovely i
5 death than in life, adorned the cente
: of a generous feast. "A reg'lar blow
out" as Jesse expressed it, and Their
> were no failures this time. The energ
: and talent of the whole family of Jay
(minus it's head) went to'the maxim
> of a success so brilliant as to mark a
epoch. Just see what you-all can do!
. Mrs. Merrie said over and over, her eye
, bright with pride. why / can't hol
= a candle to such cookin' as this!"