The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-21

"a the year OF 1880. For two
w. weeks snow had rushed over
the creaking gable of the for
est above Martha Vaughn's to pile in
drifts or go kissing down the long hill
side. A freezing blast had driven it to
the roots Of the stubble and sown Ii
deep and rolled it into ridges and
whirled 1t into heaps and mounds or
flung it far in long waves that seemed
to plunge. as IL part of a white sea.
and break over fence and roof and
chimney in their down rush. Candle
and fire light filtered through frosty
panes and glowed dimly under dark
fathoms of the snow sheet now flying
full of voices Mrs. Vaughn opened
her door a moment to peer out. A
great horned owl flashed across the
light beam with snap and rustic of
wings and a cry "Oo-oo-oov' lonely,
like that, as IL it We're the spirit of
darkness and the cold wind. Mrs.
Vaughn started, turning quickly and
closing the door.
"Ugh. what soundr' said Polly. cit
reminds me of ghost story
well" said the widow, that thing
belongs to the only family o. real
ghosts in the world"
what was it," said a small boy.
There were Folly and three children
about the fireplace.
IAN air cat" said she. shivering, her
back to the fire. "They go round at
night in a great sheet o feathers an
rustic it, an I declare they do cry
lonesome. Got terrible claws too.'
Ever hurt folks?" one of the boys
inquired.
mo: but they're just like some kinds
o. people-ye want to let 'em alone.
Any one that'll shake hands with an
owl would be fool enough to eat fish
hooks. They're not made for friend
ship, those owls
Presently she sat down by a table.
where there were candles, and began
reading aloud from county paper.
tShe read anecdotes of men remark
able for their success and piety, and an
account of Indian fighting, interrupted.
as red man lifted his tomahawk to
slay. by the rattle of an arrow on the
buttery door.
! 1t was off the cross gun of young
Paul. He had seen everything in the
story and had taken aim at the said In
dian just in the nick of time.
She read also the old sweet story Of
the coming of the Christ Child.
Some say it was a night like this"
said she as the story ended. r.ar
Paul had listened, his thin, sober
face glowing. - $50
It'll bet Santa Claus was good to
nn.'' said he. Brought him sleds an
candy an nuts an raisins an new
boots an everything
why do you think so?' asked his
mother. who was now reading intently
Zoos he was a good boy. He
wouldn't cry if he had to fill the wood
box. would he. mother?'
That query held hidden rebuke for
his brother Tom.
Il do not Know. but 1 do not think
he was ever saucy or spoke a bad
word
Huh said Tom reflectively. ''Then
I guess he never had no mustard plas-
ter put on him." /
sThe widow babe him hush
'.Er never had nuthin' done to him,
neither" the boy continued. rocking
vigorously in his little chair.
Mustn't speak so of Christ" the
mother added.
WAL said Paul, rising. az guess
I'll hang up my stockin'S.'
..One'll do, Paul" said his sister Pol /
ly. with a knowing air.
NO, won't the boy insisted. |
''They amt half as big as yours. I'm
goin' { try it. anyway, an see what +
he'll do to EN-"
He drew off his stockings and pinned |
them carefully to the braces on the /
back of a chair.
"Well. my son." said Mrs. Vaughn, /
looking over the top of her paper, Its /
bad weather Santa Claus may not be /
able TO get here"
"Oh. yes. he cam said the boy con-
fidently. but with a little CULVER of /
alarm in his voice. I'm sure he'll /
come He has a team of reindeers. +
fAn' the deeper the snow the faster
1ey co.
Soon the others barred their feet and 1
-ung their stockings on four chairs in