The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-20
A Point of knucklin' Down
BY HlGGiNs0N.

Oregon ChrlStmeS. III naQ ralned mlStliy
at dawn, but at 10 o'clock the coulds had
parted and moved away reluctantly
There was blue and dazzling sky over.
head. The raindrops still sparled on the
windows and on the green grass, and
the last roses and chrysanthemums hung
their beautiful heads heavily beneath
them; out there was to be no more rain
oregon City's mighty barometer-the
Falls of the Williamette-was declaring
to her people by her softened rear that
the morrow was to be fair.
Mrs. Orville Palmer was in the large
kitchen maxim preparations for the Christ
mas dinner. She was a picture of dainty
loveliness in a lavender gingham dress.
made with frll skirt and shirred
waist and big sleeves. a white apron
was tied neatly around her waist. Her
husband came in and paused to put his
arm around her and kiss her. She wds
stirring something on the stove, holding
her dress aside with one hand.
Its goin' to be fine Christmas. Ema-
rine," he said, and sighed unconsciously.
on his face.
Beautiful" said Emarine. vivaciously.
Coin downtown, Orville?'
Yes. Want anything?"
why, the cranberries amt come yet.
I'm so uneasy about EN-. They'd ought
to "a ben stewed long ago. l like EN-
cooked down an strained to jell. /
don't see what ails them grocrymen
Sh'u'd think they c'ud get around some
time before doomsday. Then / want
here, you'd best set it down.
She took a pencil and d slip of paper
from a shelf over the table and gave them
to MIN.
Now, let me see." She commenced
stirring again with two little wrinkles
Between her brows "A hat pound O.
citron, hat pound O. candied peel, two
pounds o. cur'nts, two pounds O rasins-
get 'em stunned, Orville; a pound O. suet
make 'em give you some that amt all
strings, box o. Norther' Spy apples, Il
hat a dozen lemons, four bits worth O.
walnuts or Observation-Disclosures fresh
est; pint o. Puget Sound oysters ter
the dressin,' an bunch O. celery. You
stop by and see about the turkey, Orville;
an / wish you'd run in S you go by
mothers an tell her to come up as 500 i
as she can. She'd ought to be here now
Her husband smiled as he finished the
list. You're a wonderful housekeeper,
Emarine," he said. Then his face grew
grave. Got present for your mother
t. Emarine?"
ooh. yes, long ago. 1 got her black
shawl down t ChGrmans. She's ben
wantin' one t
He shuffled his feet about a little
''Unhhunh You-that isl reckon you
amt picked out any present fer-fer my
mother, have you, Emarine?"
NO." she replied with cold distinctness:
Il amt" There was a silence. Emarine
stirred briskly. The lines grew deeper
between her brows. 1.-TWO red spots
came into her cheeks. Il hope the rain
amt spoilt the chrysamthemums," She
said then, with an air of Kidding herself
OF a disagreeable subject.
vile made no answer. He moved his
feet again uneasily. Presently he said
II expect my mother needs black shawl
too. Seemed to me hern looked kind o
rusty at church Sunday. Notice it, Ema
rine?"
mo" said Emarine.
Seemed to me she was gittin' to look
orful old. Emarine"-his voice broke; he
came a step nearer-'it'll be the frs;
Christmas dinner 1 ever eat without ms
mother
She drew back and looked at him. He
knew the look that flashed into her eyes,
and shrank from it.
''You don't have to eat ths'n' without
her. Orville Farmer! You go an eat
your dinner with your mother you
want! l can get along alone. Are goin
to order them things? If you amt, just
say so, an I'll go an do t myself"
He put on his hat and went without
word.
Mrq Dol 10
stove and set it on the hearth. Then sne
sat down and leaned her cheek in the
ralm of her hand, and looked steadily.
out the window. Her eyes held a far
sighted look. She saw a picture, but it
YES not the picture of the blue reaches
of sky and the green valley cleft by its
siver-b blue river. She saw a kitchen,
shabby compared to her own, scantily
furnished, and in it an old whiteh haired
woman sitting down to eat her Christmas
dinner alone After awhile she arose with
an impatient sigh.
We'll. l can't help it," she exclaimed.
IF r knuckled down to her this time,
I'd have to do t ag'in. She might Just
as well get ust to t first as last. l wish
she hadn't got to lookin' so old ar pitiful.
though. a-settin' there in front O us in
church Sunday after Sunday. the cords
stand out in her neck like well rope, al
her chin keeps a-quiy'rin so | can sec
Orvile a-watchin her
The door opened suddenly, and her
mother entered. She was bristlng with
curiosity.
Say, Emarine," She lowered her
voice, although there was no one 10 hear.
''Where d you s'pose the undertaken S
s-eoin up by here? Have you heard Of
anybody"
.'No." said Emarine. did Ortille stop
by an tell you to hurry up?'
Yes What's the matter with him
j. he sick?''
Not as / know of. Why"
He looks so. oh. / wonder i: it's one
o the Peterson children where tic under
takers a-goin'! They've all got the
ouinsy sore throat"
How does he look? | don't see s he
lCoks so trrrablc."
why. Emarine Farmer, Ev 'ryoody III
town says he looks SO. | only hope they
don't know what ais him.!
What does ail him? cried out Ema-