Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-04-04

party, and all the children are still
there. 1 can see their little heads bob
bling up and down where the curtains
up. shouldn't wonder II Johnny's
boy was there too"
The old lady did not answer. She
knew very we'll that Johnnys 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.
81 don't know, mother" the old man
went on after he was comfortably seat
ed once more, "but we ought to make
q will''-
"a will! What is putting things into
your head tonight of all nights"
"YOu see, It's New Years" he an
swered, land there's them who are
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, It would be doing
q lot Of good
She Jumped round In her seat again,
but whatever was In her mint to an
swer was not said, for there was q
knock at the door.
mercy allvew she said, and Gee,
but it's blowingw came from without.
1t was Tommy Mulleny withsa 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
over to the Moynihans II 1t would not
be too much trouble. Somehow the old
man did not look so astonished as one
might have thought he would.
ITO be sure, mother" he said. IN
Just go over and help Tommy bring the
children. Twill be like old times
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 a guide and
strained her eyes to sec 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 al 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
lIOLu LhC putty AOi yOu' Wy SOoA0
hardly walk, and grandpa had to carry
Richie. and Tommy Mulleny helped
Jimmy. But I'm glad It showed, Man,
ma always said l couldn't come to see
you until ! was as big and as good as
papa, but now I guess we just had to
come before we were big"
The old woman's trembling hands
were turning down his coat collar
Look at the curls Of him." she MUIR
INJURED. bending over him hungrily-
lust like Johnny's! It's this long time
I've wanted to feel them, bless him"
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 eOoky.
The old man chuckled softly, Il
thought 1t would bring her rOundr
then aloud, well, mother, guess we
won't have to leave everything to the
Orphans
Whats thatT she asked sharply.
II was just thinking we ought TO
have a fire in the boys room for the
little laddies"