Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-12-26


There was sound OF steps without.
louder than usual. and Hannah stop
ped and held the baby hand that
wielded the Iron spoon. To listen. Then
the door was opened and Simon came
IN, followed by gentleman whose
face she did not know. What did II
meanl Was there a new misfortune!
The question had hardly time to take
shape when her husbands kiss rcas-
sured her, aud her husbands voice
said. chccrlly:
This Is Mr.. Chndsey. Hannah. He
l.eard me talk about the children. and
was kind enough To drop In TO see 'cm
a minute" Then Simon siicnced the
infantilc orchestra with a hearty kiss.
and turned TO the other little ones
crowdlns for their evening welcome.
Mr.. Chadscy. lie might be rich and
fashIonable-hc might live In II world
very different from hcrs-but II he
came to see her children she could
meet him easily and heartily. as she
could have done upon no other
ground. and lar. Chadscy thought he
ler cheeks. or heard mcrrlcr laugh
than hers. The little home seemed to
him so full OF comfort. and the odor
OF supper was SO nppetizlng. that he
forgot he WIS out OF his sphere. and
made himself merry with these two
strong. hearted people. laughed at Jack
anu Katy. and played bo-pccp In clum.
~, bachelor fashion with baby Hope.
Then. after little hesitation. they
asked him to supper. and. hn!f-amnxed
at himself. ne drew his chair up to the
table. and II =, was indigestion that
had troubled him earlier In the day.
lie certainly was candidate for an
other attack. for he ate with n hearth
ness aud relish that surprised himself.
though there was only one course. aud
not n French dish on the table.
After supper he had long talk with
Simon while Hannah put the room In
order and carried the little ones to
bed. Through the open door he heard
them say their cvcnin. prayer and add
his name to the list OF those whom
they prayed Goa to bless. and he felt
n sudden rising In his throat and
moisture In his eyes that are not usual
In tho experience OF men Of fashion.
Who. OF NIL the many who called him
friend. ever asked that lie might share
their blessing?
Hnnnahs hand. Il dine alone to.inor-
on me and bring your little ones to
share my Christmas cheer"
The little woman started with sur
prise. and lie added. quickly. Don't
refuse me. II will be very lonely. and
a Christmas without children Is u poor
sort OF holiday"
He meant Il. certainly. Hnnnh felt
the tears start rs she thought how
drcnry Christmas. or any day. would
he without the noisy froi!cs and win
some ways OF her little ones. That
night the childrcn's stockings were
filed with candy and toys. for Mr..
Chndscy had persuaded Simon to go
little way with him. The father could
never tell how II was. but he didn't
feel like n bcssar: he didn't rcaliz.
that he had received n gift. though he
came home with his pockets full.
And the Christmas dinncr-what q
merry feast IL was.
Mr.. Chadscy sent TO Mrs. Randall
the beautiful volume In which he had
written her named with regrets that
he could not give himself the pleasure
OF accepting her kind invitation to
dine. Then he went back to his plan.
ming. md found the "details OF Christ
mas decoration and chlldrcn's din
ner quite beyond his knowledge.
"What shall do? Why. I'll get
Bruce. He's Just the man to enjoy
such frolic. and little Jlmmy's pale.
earnest face will be an inspiration to
him."
Walter Bruce was an artist. and.
like Mr.. Chndsey. n bachelor without
near relatives. He was successful and
popular. and Society woulS have well
coined him with both her daintily
gloved hands II lie had chosen to be
so welcomed: but lie repcllcd all nd-
vanccs with dignity that admitted
no question. and Society rcvenged her.
self by calling him n misanthrope. and
even went so far rs to evolve from the
depths OF her ignorance a sentimental
story of n youthful disappointment
and broken heart, at which conjcc-
tural romance he smiled. and pursued
his work more earnestly than ever.
compelling success by his love and en-
thusiasm for his art.
Mr.. Chadsey Ind one day seen this
grave, quiet man pick up a little beg
gar as she tripped and fell on the
crowded pavement. and something in
his face as he comforted the frighten-
ed little one revealed the mans true
nature. The recollection of the scene
prompted the words:
Hes just the man to enjoy such n
frolic."
Mr.. Chndsey was right. The artist
was easily persuaded to leave his soli-
tary dinner and aid and abet his ac-
qualntance (they had scarcely been
friends bcfore) in carrying out his hol-
iday designs, and soon the handsome
rooms Were dcckcd with Christmas
greencry, arranged with n taste and
skill that would have filed the artis-
tic Mrs. Randalrs inmost soul with
envy.
Then came the Dowling family. all
nglow with delight and expectation.
1t seemed little awkward Mt first to
Simon to be n guest in his employers
house, and Jack and Katy yentured n
few leading questions regarding their
host which 1t was necessary to nip in
the bud: but Jimmy was in n raptur-
Gus heaven of enjoyment MS he sat in
an easy chair with so much brightness
and beauty all around him. and Faith
and Hope. u little awe-struck by the
new surroundings. and sweetcned
through and through with candy, were
as serene of countenance and as an
gelic in disposition as 1t was possible
for the personiiied virtues themselves
to be.