The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21

Uncle Christopher had wound up the
rail was already laid. to his own great
comfort and the disgust Of Bobberts
father and the fat one with the mustache.
who shrieked at him to stop it off, and
nervouSly waved their hands at the en-
CINE as it hove down upon the unfinished
curve at the hearth rug, while Aunt
Helena waved 4 red flag wildly and
Aunt Kate began to pass round hat
for purse for "the brave girl who
risked her life so CALAMITY to save the
train"
He left them with a chucllle, and began
to mount the stairs two steps at a time,
just saving himself from falling upon a
huddled group at the top Of the fight.
What are they doing in the hall? Bob
bert demanded, abruptly, clutchlng the
! baby's skirts with one hand and support
ing himself in peerinS attitude with the
other. What makes EN- scream that
! way? Why Go they say Down brakes
Is it a game? When Aunt Helena laughs
and laughs that way, she us'ally cries
afterWard.'
Uncle Frank lowed them back into the
| nursery and led the conversation story
ward. but Bobbert was not to be beguiled.
J.
stairs" he yawned. II know one thing
| if T get another old carpenters set. III
! sell it tomorrow for five cents. hate
| em. All T wants a boat. and l can't
| have that. I don't see why can't go
out, if it is showing. / never can 80 Il
single thing want anyway.
"You are a little corss, observed his
uncle. surveying him critically, but
| don't known that I blame you. Mlnnas
! coming UP soon
.Well. She better" Bobbert scowled at
the baby, who smiled sweetly back.
! You're bay said shortly.
! "Oh. nein," she smiled.
! ooh Ia" he scowied. You're always
| chewing the wrong thing. Look at your
/ shoe, all wet! Whatll Minna say
I She screwed her face into wrinkles and
shook her. head, wringing her hands with
! Minna's gesture. Pfui, pfui, doch! s list
abscheulch!" she seeded.
II don't believe you'll get present at
| ALL he continued.
Babe get pest. Babe get big p'es't!'
..Not one! Not one" he persisted.
| Her eyes filed; she implored him ear
nestly.
Please, Babe get big p'es't!'
1 Not -
!, .Stop teasing your sister. Bobbert. OF
| course she'll get a present. Why not?
] Because she swore.
| What On earth do you mean?
/ II mean what I say.
| ':When did she swear?"
..Day before yesterday night. She said
| she was going to be bad when she got up.
and they kept at her to say she wouldn't,
and she said she would. She can be the
worst YOU over say"
.'Worse ever saw" echoed the baby.
.And all day they were afraid she
| would be, and she wasn't, and she wasn't
and she wasn't Not till she went to bed
And she said her prayers-that one she
says, Herr Jesus. mild llnd-something-
Du'-and then she just looked up at the
ceiling and swore as hard as she could"
/ .Nhat in the time did she say?"
] "She said: o LORD! Good Heavens
! Damn!''
"Oh!'
"And she got her little hands mighty
{ we'll stamped. too She must never say
it again, must you, Baby?
! The baby laughed impishly. There was
: no telling wnat more she knew. e
/ At exactly half-past s the library doors
few open with bang. the piano struck
4 up brilliant march and Minna es-
a corted her charges pompously down the
! stairs. the baby in white. with be-
yildering number OF pink bows, Bobbert
/ in a blue sailor suit.
Around the cleaning tree stood "a ring
Of auuts. uncles and grandparents
= flushed and happy.
"Merry Christmas. Bobbert! Merry
4 Christmas. Babe! How do you like It;
4 Isn't 1t grand? Sse the angel? See the
s poocorn? Don't look at the aon- We.
fNo. 1t isn't time 50 soon. Chris will
8 start I'D Well. was It lovely. bless he,
8 little. heart? thunderstorm, liebscheu
4; NIGHT Wahr p go
s. Bobbert smiled perfunctorlv at thu
4 t,ee blinked a. little. leaped through The
q ring OF bright frock ed reEstives. I an6
y fell upon 9 red-faced. apoloEeto mar