Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1902-11-20

thorc. | can see their little heads bob
blag Up and down where the curtains
up | shouldn't wonder IL Johnny's
boy was there too"
The old lady did not answer. She
knew very we'll that Johnny's two
boys and Riches one were there, and
she had been listening all evening.
with her heart in her mouth, to the
sounds of wild weather.
Il don't know, mother the old mar
went on after he was comfortably seat
ed once more, but we ought to make
will
"a will! What is putting things into
your head tonight OF all nightsT'
you see it's New Years." he an
sWered, "and there's them who ere
younger than us who won't be here to
see the next new year In. Seeing the
way you feel about things, we might
leave most or considerable at least, to
the orphan asylum. 1t would be doing
lot Of good
She jumped round in her seat again.
but whatever was In her mind to an
swer was not said, for there was a
knock at the door.
Mercy allver she said and "Gee,
but it's bloWingw came from without.
1t was Tommy Mulleny with II note
from his eldest sister The children
who lived across the river could not be
taken home in this blizzard. Word had
been sent to the parents by telephone.
The Mullenys could take care of three
little girls, but there were some Of the
boys whom they would like to send
be too much trouble. Somehow the old
man did not look 50 astonished as one
might have thought he would.
ITO be sure, mother" he said. TN
just go over and help Tommy bring the
children. Twill he like old tines
a vague expectation that made her
heart beat and her hands tremble had
seized upon the old lady. she set the
lamp in the window as guide and
strained her eyes to see into the howl
ing swirl without that shut off even
the sight Of trees in their own garden.
After long fifteen minutes the stamp
ing Of feet told that they had come
back. The old man mumbled some
thing about going around the house to
look after things. Tommy Mulleny held
the hall door open for three little boys,
and then he said something about not
wanting to track snow all over the
house and vanished.
AS for the old lady, she heard not.
She was looking at the three little boys
who blinked at her, blinded by the
darkness without and the sudden glare
Of light within. Then the biggest one
pulled off his cap.
Happy New Year, grandma he
sang out, and even as he did so he was
turning to peel off his little brothers
cap. "Jimmy's too little to take off his
own cap, and Cousin Richie, too and
we all brought some cookies and candy
from the party for you. My, | could
hardly walk, and grandpa had to carry
Richie, and Tommy Mulleny helped
Jimmy. But I'm glad it showed. Nam
ma always said l couldn't come to see
y
papa, but now | guess we Just had to
come before we were big"
The old woman's trembling hands
were turning down his coat collar.
Look ut the curls of him. she muir
INJURED, bending over him hungrlly-
lust like Johnny's! It's this long time
I've wanted to feel them, bless himw
And she kissed Johhny's boy again and
again.
When the old man came In, putting
and snow whitened, she had the two
little fellows on her lap, and Johnny's
boy leaned against her, feeding her
bites Of his cool;y.
The old man chuckled softly, 81
thought 1t would bring her roundl"
then aloud, well, mother, ! guess we
won't have to leave everything to the
orphans
What's that" she asked sharply.
II was just thinking we ought to
have a fire in the boys room for the
little laddies,"