The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-12-23

The fall drifted into winter without pro-
ducing any change in the season. The
roses bloomcd, the birds sang, ana the
aTple trees, installing the portSnts, be-
gan to cl0the themselves NTH blossoms.
The sun shone with tho warmth OF
spring. and the delicately crisp brcozcs
were laden with the doors Of the sea-
son OF flowers.
Well. it was upon tho balray wings Of
this perfect season that the days drifted
toward Christmas: and when that day was
near, the word went around that Mr..
N~alicomhc. the shoemaker, had returned
to tie village. He had rot come upon
the stagc-coach. No. he had not been
a passenger on tho stago-coacb. In NAL
worm he had hired a conveyance, and had
timed his start from that city so as to
arrive at Harmony Grove after nightfall
end the driver. who had his supper at the
tavern. declared that Mr.. |alicombo had
brought a companion With him. This
iriver further said that the two passon-
gers talked ~outlandish: they talked all
the way. and he couldn't understand a
word they said.
The day after his return Ar. NalicOmbc
appeared to be in very hish spirits. lie
saw Mr. Sanders on the street ana called
70 him. and after the two had talked to
/ ScthCr for a fcv moments, they won't 10
NJ. E~alicombe's shop. ana hc"c thcy bad
another consultation, which lasted an
hour CT TWO.
After that they went to tie tavern,
where Mr.. Sanders made Il very peculiar
inquiry. He asked if anybody had seen
Nan Darlington. Vol, of course. some
body Tad seen hcr. but nobody knew
where she was at that particular mo-
mont. Home was the last place to look
for Nan. but che happened TO be there
when the two mon Went by on their way
70 Shady Dale. They Gated FOR her. and
then Tie three went on their way.
Mrs. Abraham Goodlett. Dorrin@ton's
hcuscEceper. watching from her window,
saw She three plottcrs stop III the mid
die Of the road and stand there talking.
+ Then all Of a Sudden she saw Nan jump
at tho shoemaker and brow her arms
around him. This done, the child seized
Nr. Sanders BY both hands, aud tried to
WINS him around III Z Wild dance. Owing
+. to circumstances NJ. Sanders was not
sWineablc. He simply turned on his
heels and allowed Nan 10 vhirl around
him. and when she had finished this
series Of gyraticns she throw her arms
around his rotund figure and gave him
4 good squeezing.
md certainly Nam seemed TO be very
pleased this time. for when she and Der
companions reached Shady Dale she
rushed at Miss Johns and came near
smothering her With hugs and kisses.
and she repeated the same performance
with Sarah Clopton.
Nan Nan. YOU arc smothcTing me"
cried Sarah Cloptoa. struggling and
laughing. What does it mcan?'
oh, don't you now" exclaimed Nan:
Its only two days TO Christmas. Non
ny'-her pet name for Mrs. Absalcm-
was saying totker day that if this spell
Of weather keeps up Wen have ripe
peaches on April FOOLS Day and figs i'll
May
This being a matter beyond dispute.
Mans small audience could only laugh
Al her enthusiasm. However. when no
one else was locking, Mr.. sanders winkad
and Mr.. Naiic3mbe shrugged his shout
ders after the manner Of lis peCplc. And
thcn-hcW it WAS done no one seemed 10
know. Nan inycigled Miss Joins into
taking a walk: Whercupon MIR. Sanders.
reinforced and supported by Nh. Vail
combess eloquent shoulders and hands.
&ase Sarah Clopton to understand that
II was the desire of certain influential
Individuals to ser ot9t a Christmas tree
for the especial pleasure Of Miss Johns.
Are YOU descrtinS Nan" the lady
asked.
: no manner II means" replied Nir.
Saode"%. Nan is % DC tho ring-mastcr.
~ r." ~ Peter Will i" The rick clowns.
IS Eoi may say anyhow, Sarah. you're
likely to Farm something from Til; tree
Ii frHit it'll Lar vii surprise YOU
nightly.
Wen, what Kind Of prescn. will YOU
give the child" Sarah Clopton inquired.
! hay" 4 num5er of thugs 10 give her.
and I've been trying TO think OF some
way 70 surprise her Pleasantly. con
Tess ] like the old way tho best. I'm y
great believer in Santa Claus. old j.
am, and once took it for granted that
all girls arc alike in tia respect. But
it IS not SO. Zephcrinc tells mo that
among her people Christmas is a rcljg-
lous celebration, and the giving of pres
entS is reserved for New Years, when
!! the young people come from Ear and near