Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-12-17

Mr. and Mrs whittier were sitting
| in their coy back parlor. AS she
spoke Mrs. Whittier turned to her hus-
band with an anxious look OF interro-
CATION
Never" exclaimed Whittier. "Why.
we couldn't afford it. What an idea:
couldn't dream Of such thing. Flor
ida! / should say mott"
| Il merely mentioned the matter"
said Mrs. Whittier, seeing her error.
1T Is OF no special consequence"
! At the same time she eyed sadly
package OF time tables and steamboat
circulars that for the past week she
had been surreptitiously collecting. To
go to Florida had been the dream OF
months And now It was ruthlessly
| shattered.
Still, Mrs. Whittier did not despair.
well, If we don't do that" she said
at last, I'VE must have a nice Christ
mas dinner, mustn't WEI"
The thought Of dinner brought Whit
tier to himself instantly.
you bet!" he said, rubbing his hands.
Wen have the best the country can
afford"
II sometimes wish" said Mrs. Whit
tier, after moment, that we had
houseful of children 1t seems a pity
to sit down to Christmas dinner all
alone"
We'll, why should we?" said Whit
tier. Cant we ask some one in?"
Mrs. Whittier looked off into space
with her eyebrows closely knit, as II
the problem were too great for her to
master on the instant Atlast she said
slowly:
How would 1t do for you to ask Aunt
Jane? She's getting along in years
and 1t may be our last chance to pay
her any attention"
| Whittier thought a moment.
II guess you're right" he said at last
II was looking forward to a Christ
mas dinner by ourselves. Still, Aunt
Jane is good old soul, and guess
we'd better ask her. But there's Cousin
Emily. suppose she'll have to come,
too"
Eyes" responded Mrs. Whittier. I'VE
shall. Of course, have to ask Emily We
couldn't ask one without the other"
There was pause. Finally Whittier
spoke again.
81 suppose" he said, ~ we ask Aunt
Jane and Emily, that Uncle Henry and
Georgiana will feel ~
II had thought of that" replied Mrs.
Whittier. They've both been kind to
us. and It would never do to offend
them. Then, Of course, the children"
"Of course the children" interposed
whittier: they'll have to come with
their parents. Well. we'll have to do
II, that's all. I guess we can stand 1t
for once
There was another pause Mra Whit
tier at last looked meekly up.
There's another thing. dear" she
said that had occurred to me-"
| Whats thatr'
| well, you know there's my Aunt
Sally. Aunt Sally is 30 sensitive. II
she hears that your side OF the family
is coming. she'll feel It,"
| Whittier sighed. But the justice Of
the argument appealed to him.
Yes" he said at last II suppose
that's so. It's nothing more than fair,
II my people come, that yours should,
too. But you have Cousin Rufus, and
an Uncle William. haven't your"
It was Mrs. Whittler's turn TO sigh.
More than that" she said Don't
you remember Aunt and Uncle Ruby
ton and their children"
Whittier got up nervously and paced
the floor.
Good heavensl" he exclaimed at last.
What are we going to do! It's aw-
ful to dwell upon. We simply have got
to ask them all. Why 1t will cost a
mint to entertain all this crowd"
He grew more excited.
TITS a fearful thing" be said. TO
have relatives. We're in for 1t, guess.
We can't lop any OF 'em off. Well!"
he cried. turning TO Mrs Whittier, have
you nothing to suggest? You got us
into IT, Can't you get us out?"
Mrs. Whittier waited moment before
she replied.
1--WE might go to Florida" she said
finally.
Whittier slapped his hands on his
knee.
Just the thing," he cried. "Why
didn't you say so before Town Top
les.