The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1904-12-22

LIHDA'S CHRISTMAS.

r. HE early winter twilight was gather
ing rs the outer door Of the district
school house opened. emitting a bevy
Of noisy. happy children. Boys dashed
out with books under their arms and a
shout In their mouth. as though lessons
were henceforth 10 DO forgotten. Girls
followed. tying their hoods and lodging
snowballs. School had closed for the
Christmas holidays whole week.
As the children descended the little
hill 10 the village street, they began In
t~erviewing each other concerning their
vacation plans. LINDA! Linda Bar
nardl wait for me- called Mary Lee. rs
The latter cspied Linda In advance on her
way home.
: care you going 70 hang up your stock
tas to-nightf" said Mary. as she came
up with her.
II guess not: I never hang MP my
stocking" replied Linda.
"why," continued Mary. eve hang up
ours. for all Fannie In sixteen. But what
will you do the whole week. with no new
things TO look ut or play within asked
Mary.
81 don't know Of anything ] shall do.
but scour the knives and wash the
dishes" said Linda.
Cant you come over and sleep with
us to-nightY" Mary went on. Linda's
eyes frightened for n moment. but her
c~ountcnance soon fell, aud the old look
came back, as she hcsitatcd. II will go
with you. to ask your mother" continued
Mary. not needing her silence.
IL don't think she would let me CO.
said Linda: at least, not without TAX
tnE my knitting: i had 10 take IL 20 cous.
Ga Myra's. and finish my stint before !
could play, and when IL was done IL was
bedtime, and I had as lief stay at home
as visit that way" aud n shade Of anger
crossed her features.
Mary's face clouded for n moment. but
tho light soon cleaned from her eye
again, aud catching Linda's hand she ex-
claimed: "of course. Linda Barnard,
your mother won't make you work
Christmas eve"
Linda was not so sure. but hope came
unto her heart. and she allowed her con.
panion to hurry her up the steps, and
across the platform. 90 the door Of the
depot. which was her home.
Az they entered the low, dark kitchen.
a woman with disordered hair and soiled
dress was lifting n pie from the oven.
Near the window stood a table, covered
with various cooking utensils and fresh
~ baked food; nearly every chair con
Gained some garment or unfinished work.
and the whole room presented an untidy
appearance far from inviting.
Mary approached the woman. who
seemed In i'll humor. mad timidly made
her request. Mrs. Barnard U.inda's step
mother) was so absorbed In her tardy
iabors as scarcely 10 notice the entrance
OF the children. but when the request was
repeated. with the reminder that Il was
Christmas eve. she paused for n moment.
then a pctulant, IL don't care" came
from her lips. IL was the children's turn
60 be surprised. and without further Ques-
lions they hurried away. There" said
Mary, when outside. 'didn't | know she
would let you GOT" Drawing Linda's
hand lightly within her own, they quick
sned their footsteps, for IL was growing
dark. and the light cleaned through tho
orchard from Mary's pleasant home.
Although so informally invited. Linda
had no misgiving In regard TO her vel
come. IL seemed such a little time ago
she had sat, In her old-fashioned way.
leaning against the post, awaiting the
trains. rs the only event TO break the
long day. Mamma was too III 20 take
much notice Of her little girl. and as day
after day Mrs. Lee found time 20 come
over and sit with her a few minutes. she
stopped az the corner TO kiss the child.
little thinking how this triHing attention
was growing into n real affection, to last
many years a~fterward. and how the lit
tle girl In ccaslng 10 look for the trains.
watched for her instead. Linda herself
did not realize K, for she was only n
little girl: but she was sure still Of a kiss,
or n smile. at the least, from dear Mrs.
Lee. even at her busiest.
Now they were nt the door. which re-
yealed. IA they opened it. n glimpse Of
che c~heerincss within. As they entered
all looked up with glad surprise and n
pleasant welcome. How the fire danced
and sparkled on the hearth, lighting the
newly painted foor Of. the great kitchen.
and widening the bright bands on the
walls. until the shadows led away 10 the
corners: the long table, too. that stood
In tho center. sent out its savory Odor
of the substantial farmers supper grac-
ing Il. There were hot biscuits and plump
custards which were intended To be really
eaten. and not made for passengers:
there were pyramids Of gingerbread. and
n glimpse Of the brown potatoes. that
pceped over the edge Of the great tureen.
After Supper camo the clearing away.
left 20 the children. and soon disposed
Of. blind mass buff followed. giving place
Co como do you come. then the hanging
OF the stockings, with great ceremony