The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-12-22

copyrighted, 1903, by the S. S. Mcclure
Company
1t was the day before ChrisLnas-ap
Oregon Christmas. 1t had ralncd mistliy
at dawn, but at 10 O'Clock the coulis had
parted and moved away reluctantly.
There was a blue and dazzling sky over
head. The raindrops still SPARED on the
windows and on the green grass, and
the last roses and chrysanthemums hung
their beautiful heads heavily beneath
chem; but there was to be no more rain.
Oregon City's mighty barometer-tlle
Fails of the Williamette-was declaring
to iler people by her softened rear that
the morrow was to be fair.
Mrs. Orville Palmer was III the large
kitchen maxim preparations TOR the Christ
mas dinner. She was a picture OF dainty
loneliness in a lavender Bingham dress,
made with a frill skirt and a shirrcd
waist and big sleeves. a white apron
was tied neatly around her waist. Her
husband came IN and paused to put hs
arm around her and kiss her. She EdS
stirring something on the stove, holding
her dress aside with one hand.
It's goin' to be a fine Christmas, Ema-
rine," he said, and sighed unconsciously
There was a wistful and careworn lock
OF his face.
beautiful" said Emarine, yiyaciously.
. Com 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. | like 'e1i
cooked down an strained to a jell. l
don't see what ails them groc'rymen
Sh'u'd think they c'u'd 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.
Nov, let me see She commenced
stirring again with two little wrinkles
between her broWs. a hat a pound @
citron, a hat pound O candied peel, W
pounds O. cur'nts two pounds o rasins-
get 'em stunned, O|rville; a pound O. suet
make 'em give you some that amt all
strings, a box O. Norther' Spy apples, n
hat a dozen lemons, four bits worth O.
walnuts or Observation-Disclosures fresh
est; a pint O. Puget Sound oysters ter
the dressin,' an a bunch O celery. You
stop by and see about the turkey, OrvIlle;
an l wish you'd run in S you go by
mothers an tell her to come W as soOl
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 a present for your mother
t, Emarine?".
ooh, yes, long ago. I got her a black
shawl down t. Charman's. She's ben
Tantin' one"
He shuffled his feet about a little
'Jnhhunh. You-that isl reckon you
amt picked out any present fer-fer my
mother, have you, Emarine?'
NO." she replied with cold distinctness:
4 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,
Z expect my mother needs a black shawl,
too. Seemed to me hern looked kind o.
rusty at church Sunday. Notice it, Ema-
rine?'
NO" said Emarine.
Seemed to me she YVES gittin' to look
orful old. Emarine"-his voice broke; he
came a step nearer-'it'll be the first
Christmas dinner | 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 this'n' without
her, Orvil1e Farmer, You go an eat
your dinner with your mother f You
want! l can get along alone. Are Soin'
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 a
word.
Mrs. Palmer took the saucepan from the
stove and set it on the hearth. Then SIC
sat down and leaned her check in the
palm Of her hand, and looked steadily
out the window. Her eyes held a far
sighted look. She saw q picture, but it
vas not the picture of the blue reaches
of sky and the green valley cleft by it's
silver-blue river. She saw a kitchen,
shabby compared to her own, scantily
furnished, and in it an old white-haire6
woman sitting down to eat her Christmas
dinner alone. After awhile she arose with
an impatient sigh.
well, I can't help it," she exclaimed.
IF l 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-quiv'rin' so. can see
Orville a-watchin' her"
The door opened suddenly, and her
mother entered. She was bristling with
curiosity.
Say, Emarine," She lowered her
voice, although there was no one 20 hear.
Where d you s'pose the undertaker's
a-Goin' up by here? Have you heard Of
anybody
NO" said Emarine. Did Or,ille stop
by an tell you to hurry up?"
Yes. What's the matter with him?
Is he sick?"
Not as l know of. Why?"
He looks so. Oh. I wonder il it's one
O. the Peterson children where the under
takers a-goln'! They've all got the
qulnsy sore throat
How does he look? l don't see s he
locks SO turrable."
Why, Emarine Farmer! Ev'rybody in
town says he looks SO! | only hope they
don't know what ails himi"