The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-14
PLEASE what?" grumbled Mr.. Tab
taI, I'm nor doing ANYTHING am :"


whistle down the chimney! Don't
you? Shall I put another piece of
wood on the fire, Mr.. Tabtale? Oh,
love to see it blaze! Don't
you-u-u-u-u?"
II like all the good old Christian
customs" mumbled Mr.. Tabtale.
"Oh, so do II" she exclaimed.
"Mince pie and plum pudding and
brandy sauce-and- Mr.. Tabtale!
Pleased"
please what" demanded Mr..
Tabrale. please what?''
What is that in your hand2"
Nothing"
Let me see, them
He showed her that eXcee lingly
portable piece of commodity with a
spiteful sort Of eagerness, immedi-
ately thereafter laughing shortly and
bitterly like man who is draining
the dregs in his cup.
How bluely the fire burns!" she
cried. "One would think that one
had sprinkled salt on 1t.
Perhaps one has," uttered Mr..
Tabtale frightfully.
"Oh, Mr.. Tabtaie! Please!"
How now?' exclaimed that har-
assed young gentleman, badgered al
most to a degree. "I've got nothing
IL my hands! ,Lawe Funny If r
NO, no, don't mean that" she
gently protested, II mean tie salt.
What salt?"
ION the fire, you know
Awful bad luck!" she cried. CAL
most as bad as spilling it-though,
of course, it one spills it accidentally
and throws a pinch over ones left
shoulder
DO you really believe IN all that?'
why, Of course do. Don't
you'll -u-u-u?"
Certainly mott"
And don't you believe in cracked
mirrors?"
Stuff"
Nor in crickets?"
"Nonsense!"
"And don't you believe In dogs
bowling at the moon. Mr.. Tabtale?"
Il wouldn't believe them under
OATH" he cried, and she laughed so
immoderately at his wit that his 4ron
will softenei and he looked almost
genial again.
"Walt!" she cried. "Ive got
something for you"
She ran out of the room and ran
back bearing a wishbone.
II saved this from the Christmas
dinner" she exclaimed. II saved 1t
special for you, Mr. Tabtale. Now
we each make a wish and pull, and
the one who breaks off the largest
piece has his wish fulfilled.
II don't believe it for minute, :"
grumbled the contumacious Mr.. Tab
tale.
"Oh, but it's true" she cried.
"The wish always come true! AL
ways!"
Not it,"
Really AMI truly it does! Oh,
really and truly. M. Tabtale! Now
pull"
They pulled, the bone cracked and
broke and the larger place had un-
doubtedly broken off in Mr.. Tab
tales hand.
'There!" she cried with rounded
eyes. Now you'll get your wish"
He sheepishly drew forth his bit
of mistletoe.
"Oh, Mr. Tabtale! Please!" she
cried.
"Why?" he demanded with heat.
Isn't this part Of my wish?"
oh, MOI" she implored, you
mns7n't.."
pu th" rlst!et"r back N his
.,,:...,,t "A,!aiH.iHg II! %1!rEianLiy: l
knew it,"
Knew what?" she asked.
SILLY superstition! ne exclaimed
in the sourest irony. :Oh, Of course
I'll get my wish! Oh, Of course!"
They sat in silence for minute, lie
mutely gloating on his victory, and
she pensive and thoughtful.
How many berries did 1t have on
it?" she brSlthed at Last.
He took it from his pocket for the
, third time and as he began counting
, the berries she knelt down to put
another bit of wood on the fire. She
was long time in getting that bit
1, of wood exactly according to her
: wishes, but just before she got up
MIR. Tabtale saw light and he Slip
ped the bit Of mlstletoe In her POM
palour.
Did vol count" - she began
as she arose to her feet and some
what inconclusively she ended. why
Mr.. Tabtale: What on earth do
you mean?"
Call me Tommy" he said. Il
wished for IT,!
Didn't tell you?" she cried. "Oh,
1t always comes true! Didn't l.
why, Tommy
Il wished for a hundred" said
No. 3.
, Tommy, unexpectedly, starting on
Dear" she murnlured, as they
started fairly together on No. 4.