The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-12-20
Christmas in the Little House.
By HARRIET PRESCOTT Sp0FF0RD.

O. hern," said her father. *s1t's over
before it's on"
"A flash in the pan can do a sight
O harm. Cap'n Billy" answered Johnny
Jarvis, whose own temper was not so
soon over.
There had been Il flash in the pan
that morning. for, as Captain Ned Au-
bin said, "Captain Billy was a trifle
near"
Not, SOS to say, a trifle. neither"
said Captain Ned. 1T come hare, Ma
money, and it amt a-goin' easy. He
kerries his bank books in his inside
pockets. And eff that gal O. h:sn..
wasn't as smart as steel trap she'd
be wearin' gunny bags, instid O. pink
calikers, an wife musings. I tell my
gals eff Kate can do Captain Billy's
cookin' an cleanin' an arm envugh
besides to buy her fixin's, they'd orter
be singin' small But they's diff
runce in darters," said the old man.
Johnny aJrVis sees it. He amt no use
for anybody but Kate. He sets his
eyes by her. He wants ter leave the
sea an build a shop onto the side o.
the house; an the ole man SEES he'll
be blowed from Halifax to Georgy
afore he'll hev any meddlin' 18th what's
his'n. An he won't let Johnny come
in and he won't let Kate go out. He's
all obstacle, Cap'n Billy is. An she's
riled 18th him for opposin' Johnny an
her, an riled 18th Johnny fer stickin'
to it. Queer, afn't it?''
Captain Ned was right. 1t was only
that morning, taking heart because it
was the day before Christmas, that
Kate asked her father for some money.
NO. said Captain Billy; "ef you
think I'm goin ter fix you out, Christ
mas OF not Christmas, for marryin'
that feller sO'st he won't hev ter spend
his money OH his own wife, you're jest's
mistakens eff you'd lost your hat"
But, pa, it amt respectable for me
to go without proper
Il guess l know Wot's respectable
Your ma hadn't but two Gowns to her
back Wen l took her, an you've got
half dOZen."
The. color flashed up Rates cheek
and the fire to her eye. Il earned 'em
myself said she.
more. I won't give a copper to no
such extravagant piece. And I won't
ia Their Johnny Jarvis comm here ter
eat us outen house an home.
Il don't know why he wants to come
and live in this house, cried Kate:
Then, in blaze: I'm sure I'll be glad
to get out of it,
Not so glad as I be-" cried her
father, struggling into his REFER out of
hand. AN do'no's I'll ever come back
to it. Come home from seas an storms
an hard weather to sucn sperrit as
you be-" And he was away as fast as
his short but sturdy legs could carry
him.
Eye amt bound out in no sech
weather's this be We, Cap'n? This hour
O. day, an the wind de:d from north
'ard?' asked Captain Ned, seeing the
other busy with lines and oars.
Yes, l be-"
I'D mistrust gittin' back ag'in,"
looking anxiously down the hurbor.
''Don't care eff l DON'T said Cap
tain Billy, shaking the can of bait
IL wouldn't "a thought that O.
you-"
You mind per own business It's all
you got to do!" said Captain Billy, and
his friend trulged off in high dudgeon
Now" said Kate to herself, looking
after him. i've driven pa out of the
house with my nasty temper. Coming
Christmas eve, too, and elder said it
was the time Of peace and good will
Next thing know I'll be driving john
ny out" which prophecy came true in
about ten minutes, Johnny having pre-
scented himself at this unpropitious mo-
ment, and having found Kate in tears,
as they flowed from their lucid wells
over the rosy velvet of her cheek. I've
jest driven off pal" she exclaimed" And
he'll be going down to the travis; and
the rivers full of ice. He's careful
about his money, but he's awful good
pa is! And he loves me just as much
as you do
HE can't" said Johnny.