The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-07-03

whitecaps were running against the
tide.
"Not too far" said the fisherman.
"Tomorrer bein' Christmas" added
the wife, "twould be sorry Chris
mus an you not comm in safe"
Il allus have come in" said Joe. 1T
amt much fear but what l allus shell.
i wouldn't miss my Christmas" getting
into his long boots, fer the best fish
swimmin'. Got the turkey"
"Down sullar on the swingin' shelf-a
big gobbler. You want pertater stuff
imp
WAL. | do know. Which you want?
Chestnuts an things is tasty 18th sum
mer savory. Here. you fix this string.
Sis can get the chestnuts ter the cor
ner."
"Oh, the boys went nuttin' along the
fall, an | got quite few set by. III
put some raisins in. There's some left
over from the pies"
Them pies IL 20 right ter the spot.
Lots O cider in EN-? Got some turn
overs fer the stockin'sT
"An' bunch o wife grapes apiece"
threading her needle to sew on loose
button for him. They'll have things
ter the Sunday school tree, but I'd like
'em ter have good times ter hum ter
remember bimeby."
"An' so" looking up with CLEAN OF
mischief in the blue eyes, you've been
a-wastin' money on Sis
81 did jest cit her little fur collar"
said the wife hesitatingly.
"Sho', now, you don't suppose l be-
grutch anything to Sis? Didn't you git
nothin fer the boysY'
yes" she said again doubtfully. 81
know we hadn't orter, but Christmas
on'y comes Oncet year, an they did
so want Robinson Crusoe' and Pill
grim's Progress an it keeps 'em ter
hum nights. An III make my ole bun
nit an shawl do
you're a good mother, Mary"
you can't be children but oncet,
you know" biting her thread off.
There"
81 know, an | don't want ter be.
Wen | remember the ickin's | had all
over the place, | don't want ter be Il
child agin. Ny mittings dry? I'd ruther
be a grown man 18th you fer my wife
than all the children in Christendom.
You're a good wife, Mary. Eff ever
have Peters luck an ketch a fish 18th n
piece O. money in his mouth, I'll dress
you like a queen, now, you bet!'
Mary stood on tiptoe to kiss him.
She would have liked TO say that she
would rather have him for husband
than all the kings going, but she was
q woman of few words. Only the color
springing 10 her cheek as she twisted
up her dark hair, only the sudden
fame in the dark Of her wistful eyes,
spoke for her, and as her husband went
out with his basket and lines, striding
down the lane like young giant going
to fight the foe he was saying TO him
self: Il never see anything like Mary's
eyes. Somehow they allus do make me
think o. stars on Il summers night
pitiful sort o. stars. George. This
amt goin' ter be any summers night,
though; reglar squat"
And Mary, looking after him, was
saving TO herself: Il never do watch
him out o. sight in that boat 'thout
feelin s eff I'd never lay eyes on him
agin."
But there was too much TO do before
dark to waste time at the windows.
The children would be swarming in di-
rectly. and there were the doughnuts
yet TO fry. Jimmy likes hands, an SO
does Dave, an johnny likes rings"
said the mother to herself, AN Sissy
likes the hole. so III cut out all sorts"
And she had just set them aside and
brushed up the stove and laid the table
when the young persons stamped in
covered with light snow. Land! You
don't mean ter say it's snowin'"' eX-
claimed the mother.
Jest a spit" said Jimmy.
"I hope that's all" said she, going TO
the door and looking up the lane and
down the harbor
"Say. ma" said Johnny as she came
back. "did you know Sis was goin' up
ter st. Paurs ter help ter put up the
green tonightF'
"W'y, O. course | knowed. All her
Sunday school class is goin', an | eX-
pee Sis ter behave reel pretty" with a
fond look at the flower sweet little
girl.
And the saXon's asst jimmy
"Sexon." said the mother instructive
~.
"Sexon. then, : asst Jimmy ter ring
the bell fer him tonight Wisht twas
me-"
81 wisht he'd asst me-" said Dave,
Juggling at his boots.
There's more bells than one In
town" said Jimmy.
"By gum that's so!'
"Waal, they amt your BELLS said
their mother. AN you'd better keep
away from em. Come; here's the
beans all baked ter a crisp. N.Y.
Don't they smell good? Come; | want
ter git the rest back ter keep hot fer
your father
81 wonder what they ring the bells
fer Christmas eve anyway" said Dave,
with his mouth full.
s'Ter scare off the bad spirits, ter be