Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-01-02

little WAYS. a continual laugh, and the
manners of child. The sort of person
that one must pet, and indulge, and ex-
cuse. Ny mother was also very small
woman, but her manner to Mrs. Steele was
that of a tall woman bending to midget.
Year after year passed in pleasant, even
fashion, until l reached the age OF II.
Mother wakened me as usual one New
Years morning, but, contrary to her Gus
tom, seated herself on my bedside, and,
facing me, clasped my hand in hers.
MY SON." said she, "you are old enough
now to bear responsibility, and learn manly
ways and ideas. Your father was a gentle
man. He was kind, loving and tender; ever
ready to defend girl, woman, and the
right He never drank to intoXication, and
hoped his son might also be exempt from
this temptation. If not, he prayed that
strength might be given him to leave it
entirely alone"
/ wondered why mother was saying tins
to me, when tears came in her beloved
eyes, and she continued:
81 am telling you this, dear lad, because
YOU always visit the Steeles on New Years
day, and there are many young men whom
you may see there-young men who drink
too much, say too much, and whose man
ners are not always the manners of gen
tlemen."
Then understood, and putting my arms
about her neck, pledged myself in the name
of my dead father to be temperate, faith
full and true. The bells Of st. Margarets
broke into a merry chime just then, and
mother ran away crying:
"Up, up, Jack! Ny son must not be
sluggard on New Years day"
The day had been dull and gray. A
Whitley sense of snow thrilled through the
sharp, wintry air, which made the warmth
and comfort within intoxicating. From
nine o'clock in the morning line of callers
had poured over the door-sill OF the Steele
house. Carriages emptied their loads Of
elegant looking men at their curbstone, the
tails of rich coats fourished like black
wings behind the flying figures, while white
satin waistcoats and light gloves cleaned
in contrast as the callers rushed up the
steps. Few little boys were among the
guests, and my jealous heart absorbed a
grain Of comfort from this knowledge.
| hurried from my outlook and into my
hat and raglan, when mother called:
Come, Jack! It's four o'clock! Aren't
you going over to the Steeles"
When Pompey opened tho door, he
showed all his double molars In astonish-
ment at my magnifcence. I was clad In
brcadcloth from shoulders to ankles, in
stead of the velvet, short trousers and braid
ed Jacket that had fretted my masculine
dignity for two years. Some one has said that
"a sense Of being welldressed gives one
a selfpossessIon that religion cannot be
stow"
1 felt this as I entered the parlor, and
caught a glimpse of Mary. The fact, too,
that Mary's pink sash exactly matched my
necktie added warmth to the atmosphere;
and made me accept Grandma Steeles tor
NAL kiss and Mrs. Steele's laughing greet
ing: My! o! My! Jack, but you are d
SWELL" as my rghtful due.
Mary was especially nice and glad to see
me, She had two or three little tricks OF
speech lately that | liked, and her laugh
was getting so sweet and low.
Through the long parlors, under both the
big prsmatic chandeliers, was spread the
table" that wonderful feature Of New
Years hospitality in olden New York. 1t
was laden with substantials and delicacies,
all beautifully arranged; and on side table
steaming coffee and chocolate, and rich
punch were dispensed by Pcmpey, who
made a capital bronze cup-bearer, in color
and figure, always ready to Serve de gem
men,"
Mary and I were getting on very well.
Grandma Steele had taken US to the pretty