The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-21
CEOFFREYS CUP; A
" CHRISTMAS STORY.
A Lads Impulse at Holiday Time
and the Results That Came of
It to Two Families.
SY ApILISE sRkoEAST.
Copmiohted. 1907. by T. c. Mcclure.


Moons.
On the deal table in the window, where
q food of pale November sunshine poured
into the whte-boarded, white-shelved room
sat Godfrey, watching the buffers pro-
ceedings with never-failing interest. II
gave him continual JOY to see the display OF
silver plate. to examine the red powder or
the white paste which Burton used. to try
the effect Of the chamois leather on the
corner Of some fnely-chascd silver tray
or the bowl of Queene Anne spoon.
But the crowning delight Of all came
when Burton took into his hand beauti
fully -ornamented goblet. with strange
traceres upon the surface and h twisted
handle on either side. Then Godfrey
always became excited; his bright head
bobbed backward and forward in the sun
shine and his voice ran on In a stream Of
chatter which seemed rs il it would never
stop.
THAT il my cup, isn't il, Burton?"
Yes, sir. Isuppose it is-after manner
u speaking"
Grandfather gave it TO me for my very
own said Geofr, rather puzzled by Bur-
tons response. He said ii was mine.
and must take care of it; that il why
like to come and zee it cleaned on Mondays.
you know.
But it is too beautiful to Ike used centrally.
isn't II? So I may only have it out on my
birthday and on Christmas Day. and that's
why l call ii the Christmas cup and because
II was Christmas Day when grandfather
told me IL was mine"
Its been used on Christmas Day pretty
often. reckon" said Burton. Its small
To be sure, but it's the same shape as the
big wassail bowl that they used to make
punch in on Christmas Eve. It's sort Of
loving cup. as they call it, Master GeofI. you
drink and pass II on to your next neighbor,
don't you see
A loving cup?' repeated Godfrey, with
a thoughtful look upon his fair child face.
But that's much the same thing as Christ
mas cup, isn't it, Burton? You know Christ
mas is the time when everybody loves
everybody and
Burton gave vent to a strangled laugh
Beg pardon, Master Godfrey" as the
boy stopped short and gael at him re-
rroachfully but there wasn't much love
lost over this cup when it came into the
family. so l couldn't keep myself from
smiling to hear you talk of IL. And it was
Christmas, too. though many a long year
ago
is it a story?- said Godfrey. sOh, do
tell me. do tell me. do love stories 80
muchl-
There amt much to tell said Burton,
prudently. See now, Master GeofY, I've
done your cup and it's nearly 3 o'clock.
Aren't you going out before the sun sets?
We shan't have many more bright DAYS
like these. and Christmas will be here be.
fore We can look round
But you haven't told me the story Of the
cup. Burton"
There's no story to tell, sir. Master got
the cup at sale thirty years ago and paid
long price for it. A lot Of people wanted
1t. too"
SIS that alp Who else wanted it?'
oh, gentlemen from London and other
parts. And Sir Roger vansittart, most OF
all
Il know Sir Roger vansittart, - said Geoff
with deep interest. Hes tall, thin man.
with gray hair and very, very kind eyes.
Grandfather doesn't like him. But I do
and he was awfully good to me when lost
my way the other day. He brought me
home on his great big black horse, you know
but he wouldn't come in, and grandfather
Roger brought me home"
All. no WONDER said Burton sh aking
his gray head. And they used to be
bosom Observation-Disclosures, almost-when
they were young. But it was about that
cup that they quarrelled-so at least.
people say-and they've never spoken
since"
Godfrey looked down at the silver goblet
Irh h.. k,~ll -..I.
between his knees with a somewhat clouded
face.
Il don't like to think that people have
quarreled about my Christmas cup" he
said. half TO himself and half TO Burton,
Il expect if they hadn't quarreled over
that they would have quarrelled over
something else" said Burton philosophi-
cally. you see. that there cup had be-
longed, it seems, to Sir Rogers great-grand-
mother, and he had set his heart on getting
II when the sale at Coldwell Manor House
took place, but the Squire wanted it too,
and it was the Squire that got il after all"
lis it worth a great deal Of money
Burton?"
yes, a great deal, sir
IF asked grandfather 10 give it to Sir
Roger
Inc gray halrs on Burton's head almost
stood erect.
Don't you say anything about il to the
master, II you please, sir, = he said earnestly.
Nobody mentions Sir Roger yansittart
to Mr.. Tempest now. You must not saw
q word about him or about the cup; maybe
ought never to have told you"
Il won't say anything, Burton; indeed,
! wont-unless grandfather asks me. Won
know. But I'm sorry he quarreled with
anybody about my Christmas cup. P'raps
that's the reason he doesn't care for il
very much and gave it to me-"
he let Burton take the goblet from his
hands with less reluctance than usual
a little of the pleasure had gone out of
his sense OF ownership, 1t was with rather
a sober face that he left the buffers pantry
and wandered out into the garden.
He was a lonely little fellow, although
scarcely conscious of his loneliness He
lived at Greystones the fine old house which
belonged to his grandfather, with no COM
Partnerships but that of Mr.. Tempest, a
daily governess and the servants.
He loved his grandfather dearly, and was
not In the least afraid OF him. although the
SQuire was a man whom many persons
dreaded and dsliked-a naughty, ira scible
old man, with white hair and keen bright
eyes. which were only too apt to throw out
hghtnings OF wrath and scorn, such as
blighted the happiness OF those who ought
4 I'm 40. I.A..U l..A~ -.