Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-22

dretful busy down in the swamp" she
said once.
"Prob-ly the trees hev borers," said her
husband.
why, that's too bad" she said with her
quick habit OF kindness, and went on
about her work.
She had Just put her mince meat into
its stone crock to mellow, when sudden
access Of her rheumatism sent her to bed
with jugs of hot water at her feet and
opodeldoc flannels all over her, and copi-
GUS draughts OF composition powder, her
eyes following her husband through the
| open door in fright and dismay at his at
tempt to do her work. till the painting
lady, as they called her, happened UP the
| hilr~and, stranger though she was, her
| self took hold and put things Into shape
and cooked enough to last TIL Laury
should come. having written for Laury &c
make haste. IT wouldn't send for her,
she said, "but we have to go and arrange
our exhibition, and sell our things. But
shan't 70 till Laury comes. We're COM
Ing back to have our first Christmas to-
gether here, but we must go as soon as
we can"
woman. I'm more obleeged to you'n
can say. l hate to see him stewing about
like a Kitchen colonel. But oh. die
want to be round when Laury come;
be a little better" She took the painting
lady's hand and raised 1t to her lips. oh
Z.
down and kissed the withered cheek.
'srhe Lord'll reward you for the good
you've done. an the cheer you've give.
| said the Little Mother. Ell he don't IN
no other way, He's done mighty lot for
you in maxim you jes' you!'
| And so 1t came to pass that two OF
three weeks later in the stage set down
| the painting people one night at point
on the highway few rods from the nttle
red house in PEBBLES pasture. and they
hate oil
in some concern over bright light shin.
| ing from the windows. Il sensed you'd
be a-conin' about this time" said Laury.
opening the door. And fought 'twould
be kinder lonesomelike for you In the
dark an the cold, and / come down an
| lighted the fires an got you some sup
per, an some of mothers mince pies
| And I've had real good time lookin' at
the thin's you've hung up. They We
learned me lots. Mothers sight better.
She's been settin' up wrapt In a com.
forter by the kitchen stove. amt let
her go to the winder yet. its so draughty.
An then I'm keepin' the winder for
Chrismus. I'm going to push her chair
over there tomorrow mornin. Chrismus
prise for her there. He's got suthin' for
her she's longed for ever sence Bates was
hung--the grandest Chrismts present ever
you see. I hope the sun'll be out. It's
ben rainin' stiddy the whole endurin'
week. January thaw's lost count an
come ahead O. time, guess: an there
amt a speck o. snow in the valley, I
wouldn't wonder but you'll find your
share in mothers Christmas tew."
"what in the world are you talking
about?' asked the painting lady.
Come up an tell her II you do said
Laury, and snatched up her shawl and
ran away laughing. g
The sun was streaming into the room
before the painting people. tired with
their journey and their work. awoke. 1t
was at the same moment that every team
to be had down at the Port was deliver
ing great loads of wood at fifty gates,
with, the best Christmas wishes of the
Champion family. It was only partially
dry, to be sure, but there was enough
pine tree kindling to insure q royal blaze
and every burning armful would dry an
other armful.
"Luzanne!" cried her husband. rubbing