The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1900-12-21


hadn't voice left TO thank Joe for the
cup of coffee which wss to "drive out
the cold"
Dinner was substantially failure.
artistically a success. The big male
Jay made a WY mouth over the sal
low bread and soggy potatoes, but his
mate had no criticism 10 offer. To
her Il was glorified feast, for she
ate and drank the fruits OF her labor
her chi.dren's love. poured back
into the emptied measure OF her life.
Back before her coy fire (which
Jerry religiously kept burning) she
accepted the blessedness OF rest.
Dreams overlook her.
climbed over the window SILL" cs-
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 hal
looed. or stamped his boots. or whis-
tied. for which unprecedented good
behavior Jack gave him penny. and
drew long chalk mark on the smoke
house door.
Early next morning tantalizing
little odors began TO sneak into the
apartments Of the new boarder. Now
she was sure IL was turkey. now II
seemed to be mince pie and hot cake.
Then she remembered IL 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 sor-
~ to have nanny back in the kitch-
emf o
But she had reckoned without her
host. The door between her and the
kitchen was locked. and when she at
tempted the dinlng-room entry Jack
stopped her decidedly az the thresh-
old. II beg your pardon" she said.
with polite severity. ~You rented the
parlor and bedroom only. think. In
deed we don't mean any iuciviliiy. but
we just can't have our boarders clut-
tering up the kitchen on busy days.
and will take Il as favor II you'll 60
hack 10 your own quarters and get
ready for little outing. You haven't
seen your old crony. Mary Ann Griggs.
since she moved away. have your Jer-
~ wants 70 drive You down there In
the cart 20 spend the day"
Mrs. Merrir's eyes lighted with pleas
ure. swell. really" she admitted. 80
you won't let me help you-ali I should
like 20 see Mary Ann-powerful we'll,
/ really should enjoy 20 go."
Jerry brought her back In the early
twilight and hustled her of 10 bed. and
again sleep brought IS healing.
Christmas morning came In with soft
unSandaled feet. All the earth was
wrapped IN the whitcness Of snow. The
Christ-chiid was born anew. and the
great Mother. tenderly. IN the hours
OF darkness. had spread her sostest
coverlet about His feet.
-Four bright-eyed faces, with Jesse
below and the big malc-Jay above,
pee ped en-. and the simultaneous shout
Of "Christmas Giftir brought Mrs.
Merrie mp from among her blankets.
well. never," she calculated. II
reckon this Is the first Christmas you
all ever caught ma a-nappini ] amt
got no Christmas FOR you neither
think Of that"
"Never mind Jesse soothed.
"we've got"-but Joe had him by the
shoulders. and shook mis- mouth shut.
There would have been instant war
then. but-weli. Jesse knew what he
knew. and the balance OF power re-
NAMED Enthusiastically with the girls
The dining-room door remained OBJ
stinateiy locked all day. Breakfast
was eaten In the snug little kitchen.
dinner served In state In the parlor.
There were no guests at all save Old
Granny Woods, a half blind pauper.
who always presented herself on rec
ognized holidays, and was served with
the best.
During the progress OF the meal the
tempting. secretive odors unveiled
themselves. King GobbleF had yielded
to the inevitable. and. more lovely In
death than IN life. adorned the center
Of a generous feast. "a reg'lar blow
out" as Jesse expressed II. and there
were no failures this time. The energy
and talent OF the whole family OF jays
minus it's head) went 10 the making
Of a success so brilliant as 20 mark an
epoch. "Just see what you-all can dol"
Mrs. Merrie said over and over. her eyes
bright 9th pride. "why, ! can't hold
a candle to such cookin' as thisl"
But the day was TO to crown itself
with greener laurels. Each year since
their infancy she had planned surprises
for them: now had come the hour to
reverse the story. When the lamps
were lit they took her into the dining
room, where a handsome tree cleaned
with light and color. The fact that
there were more candles, tinsel paper
and popcorn balls than presents did not
detract from its beauty. Behind IL on
the wall was the legend: Mothers
Christmas" wrought in evergreen.
Mother sat down In the big new rocker.
cushioned with one Of Jerry's con-
science-stricken crazy quilts, and yield
ed TO tears.
Mother" Jack said, tenderiy. kneel-
ing beside her, "our selfishness w'ls un-
Intentional; we didn't know we were
driving you TO DEATH In our hurry 90
oct an education we--forgot. p"n
know my poor little pay as corn''y