The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-12-19

potterin' about doin' woman's work
No, we won't have any children about
my house, upsetting things, and we
won't have any puddin', just set your
mind to that YOU'RE fine one to
romp about with children, amt you 20
And then she had left the house,
carrying with her the angry memory
of tear filled eyes and a bowed gray
head. Her whole nature seemed to
have been changed by John Halliday's
desertion, and now he was suffering,
too. A harsh laugh broke from her
lips, a laugh that ended in sob. She
grew frightened when she heard it,
and turned her attention to the for
gotten Christmas cards. The words
EAT, Drink and Be Merry" stood
out in glittering letters and brought
again to her mind Martin and his de-
sire for such a time. She pushed the
card aside with a sniff of contempt,
and in doing so uncovered smaller
one, bearing once more the blessed
promise of ''Peace on Earth" How
tired she was of everything. How
she longed for some of that "peace
that was beyond her understanding"
AS she started to 60 home she call
ed out to Mr.. Trask that she would
not buy any of the cards, and was
about to open the door when a CHEEKY
voice called out to her. Good after
noon, Miss Joyce. Glad to see you
looking so WE'LL" 1t was the village
doctor. "Glad to see you looking so
we'll it's pretty cold today, isn't it F?
But fine weather for Christmas. I've
just come from seeing a poor fellow
who is very sick, John Halliday
Christmas has no charms for him
poor, and three children in need of
food, not speaking of toys the chill
dren all look for at this season of the
year. His wife, poor woman, is try
ing nobly to keep the wolf from the
door. You remember her as pretty
Hetty Lee, don't you, Miss Joyce
Well, she is wreck now. I'm just
getting some things for them, all
necessary things. Someone ought to
send them playthings. I Isuppose you
are making great preparation for
Christmay Day? How Is Martin
Not so we'll Sho Pm sorry to
hear that. I'll drop in tomorrow.
Men like Martin are scarce. Good
day."
The snow was falling steadily as
Martha stepped out into the open air.
Everybody seemed to enjoy it and
were making merry with each other.
Even she felt brighter than when she
left home. Her step was lighter and
she took more notice of what was
going on about her. She passed a
store where they sold pictures, an
Art Store it was called. The win
dowswere dressed with ropes of Christ
mas green, and little colored globes
of light shone out here and there.
Across the window in big red letters
on white background she saw again
the words "Peace on Earth" then,
IA Merry Christmas to All"
Marth stopped to look. Her
thoughts seemed to change. She
began to feel as an outsider in all this
good feeling of Christmas fellowship.
How cruel she had been to Martin
that morning, and he had looked SC
very pale and thin. Why had she
felt so angry when she saw that tear
trickle down his cheek? Would she
want to change his gentle nature, or
put John Halliday in his place, if she
could? No, thousand times no
She took a few steps forward, then
stood silent, snow-covered figure or
the roadside. Cottages were being
lighted up now. The short winter
day was drawing to an early close,
making the twinkling lights neces-
sary. One cottage nearby had its
window-shades rolled up, and Martha
could see merry group dressing g
Christmas tree. How happy they al
seemed.
What was the request Martin had
made about their sisters children
Why, yes, it would be rare fun to
have them in the old farmhouse fol
Christmas day. The big room used
to ring out with childish laughter in
days gone by. She would please
Martin so if she brought the old days
back. The spirit of Christmas seem
ed to creep through her entire body
long-forgotten anthem rose to hel
trembling lips. Like young girl
she retraced her steps, and with shin
ing eyes and glowing cheeks she
burst into Mr.. Trask's store, just as
he was putting back into the drawer
the Christmas cards still left unsold
Don't put them away" she gasp
ed, holding out her hand toward the
cards. 81 want two or three of them
and that big one with the church or
it. 1 want it for Martin he love!
that sort of thing so. Don't say it i:
sold !"
"Why, no; it amt sold, Mis-
Joyce. You see it is such big one
that it don't sell as quick as the
cheaper ones. What sermon it just
seems to preach, don'tit? Anything
else tonight ?"
"Why. yes; I want that Eat
Drink and Be Merry one. Just pu
them in a box and I'll take then
right along with me. 1 saw a big
tree outside your door; send that tc
the farm tomorrow and II come agair
for the things to go on it. Oh, ant
1 reckon you might fill up baske
with things, that big turkey yot
showed me this morning, and some
toys and sweets for the children, anC
send them over to John Halliday
house. Needn't say I sent them
They wouldn't taste any better fol
that, you know. Now, don't try tt
fatter me for doing my duty. Tha