The Van Buren press., 1900-12-22

deed we don't mean any incivlity, but
we just can't have our boarders clut-
tering up the kitchen on busy days,
and will take it as favor if you'll go
back to your own quarters and get
ready for 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, IF
you won't let me help you7all should
like to see Mary Ann-powerful well!
] 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 was
wrapped in the whiteness of snow. The
Christ-child was born anew, and the
great Mother, tenderly, in the hours
of darkness, had spread her softest
coverlet about His feet.
Four bright-eyed faces, with Jesse
below and the big male-Jay above.
peeped in, and the simultaneous shout
of christmas Gift!" brought Mrs.
Merrie up from among her blankets.
"Well, / neverl" she calculated. u
reckon this is the first Christmas you.
all ever caught ma a-nappin'! l 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 his 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 dinng-room door remained OBJ.
stinately 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, 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 Gobbler had yielded
to the inevitable, and, more lovely in
death than in life, adorned the center
of a generous feast. "A regular blow
out" as Jesse expressed it, and there
were no failures this time. The energy
and talent of the whole family of Jays
(minus its head) went to the making
of a success so brilliant as to mark an
epoch. Just see what you-all can dol"
Mrs. Merrie said over and over, her eyes
bright with pride. "Why, ! can't mold
a candle to such cookin' as this!"
But the day was 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 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 it 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, tenderly, kneel-
ing beside her, "our selfshness was un.
INTENTIONAL; we didn't know we were
driving you TO death! In our hurry to
get an education wc-forgot. You
know my poor little pay as country
school-teacher barely dresses us, but |
can see my way plain to hire help for
you while we are at school, You be.
lieve we love you, don't you, mother?"
Eyes" she answered, huskily. Yes,
yes Whoever doubted It? And Lob,
what does anything matter, so we love
each other?"
So this sweet Christmas passed into
memory, and shone there, rainbow
promise that the food should no more
engulf one mothers soul.-M. Howard
Sheppard, in Ladies World New York.