Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-11-16

Nv er any wood e chop. What we'll
hev t. do Is more'n I can make out.
We can't do nuthin'; we've never learnt
how"
We've thought that all over" I said.
I'VE may have a place in the country
with big garden"
WELL" said she. "l'm very we'll II
am over sixty. can cook nm wash an
mend an iron just as well as | ever
could"
Uncle Eb came to the door then.
"Bill," he said, II want you an Hope
Z come ont here an look at this young
colt o. mine. He's playful r a kitten"
We put on our wraps and went TO the
stable. Uncle 70 was there alone.
III We brouSht any Crissmus pres.
ents," lie whispered. slip 'em into my
hans. I'm goin' & run the cirkis
t'morrow. an II we don't hev fun
a-plenty I'll miss my guess"
'1'll lay them out in my room," said
Hope.
BE sure an put the names on en-"
Uncle Eb whispered as Hope went
away.
What hev ye done with the bill
ers?'" inquired.
"Sold 'em," said ne. laughing. Bark
er never KEEP his promise. Heard they'd
gone over L the burg an was tryin' t
sell more territory says { Dave,
You let me manage 'em an III put 'em
out o. business here n this part o. the
country So ! writ out an advertise
ment fer the paper. Read about this
way:
"'Eer sale. Twelve hundred patent
ed suction wash bilers. Any one at
cant stan prosperity an is learnin Z
swear II find 'em great help. If he
don't, he's bigger fool II am. Nuth-
in in 'em but tin-that's with sum
thin Warranted T. hold water
WAL. We know how that editor
talks: "Twan't day fore the head
man O the b'ilcr business come an
bought EN- An the advert scmcnt
was never put in. Guess he want
hankerin 4 hev his business split"
Uncle Eb was not at the supper table
that evening.
"Where's Holden?" said Elizabeth
Brewer.
Dunno" said David. "Goin' after
Santa Claus. he tot me-"
Never see the beat O. that man"
was the remark Of Elizabeth a. she
poured the tea. "Jes' like hoy ev'ry
Crissmus time Reen 10 excited fei
week couldn't hardly contain him
self"
"Ketched him out n the barn tothel
day latin like fool" said David
Thought he was crazy"
We sat by the fire after the supper
the Christmas days we could rcmem
Der. Hope and ! thought our last In
PARKWAY best Of all, and no wonder
for we had got then the first promise
of the great gift that now made II.
happy. Elizabeth sitting in her easy
chair. told Of Christmas in the Older
time, when her father had gone to the
war with the British.
David sat near me. his face in the
freight. the broad brow wrinkled into
burrows and framed in locks of iror
gray He was looking thoughtfully n
the fire. Uncle Eb came soon. stamp
ing and shaking the snow out Of hi.
great fur coat.
"Cor night" he said. warming hi
hands.
Then he carried his coat and cal
away returning shortly with IL littl'
box in his hand
"Jes' thought I'd buy this fer fun.
said he. holding 1t down to the IRE
light. "Dummed If ever see the lik'
NV it. Whoa" lie shouted as the cove
few open. releasing a jumping jack
"Quickern grasshopper. Dye eve
see sech sassy little critter?"
Then he handed 1t to Elizabeth.
wish We merry Christmas. Dave
BrOwer!" said he.
"Ain't as merry as l might be-" sait
David.
Know what's the matter with ye.
said Uncle Eb. "Searchin' after troI