Daily public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1892-191?, 1908-12-12

sight better. She's been settin up
wrapt in comforter by the htchen
stove. l amt let her go to the winder
yet it's so draughty. An then I'm
keepin' the winder for Christmas. I'm
goin' to push her chair over there to-
morrow mornin', Christmas mornin',
you know. The Lords got surprise
for her there. He's got suthin' for
her she's longed for ever since Bates
was hung-the grandest Christmas
present ever you see. 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 speck o. snow
in the valley. | 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 IL you do"
said Laury, and snatched up her shawl
and ran away laughing.
The sun was streaming into the
room before the painting people. tired
with their journey and their work.
awoke. It was at the same moment
that every team to be had down at the
Port was delivering great loads OF
wood at so gates, with the best Christ
mas wishes OF the Champion family.
II was only partially dry, to be sure.
but there was enough pine-tree Kin
ding to insure a royal blaze and every
burning armful would dry another
armful
"Luzanne!" cried her husband. rub.
bling his sleepy eyes; what In the
name of mercy are you doing2" Fol
she was kneeling at the window with
both hands clasped, her hair falling
about her, her face shining with ecs
tasy.
Como ard see!" she cried. "Oh,
Eugene, the miracle has happenedN
oh, can't you buy the place? Come
come and see! The swamp Is gone
all gone! What am / doing? | an
looking into heavenl"
For there, all the soft rusts and
russets yelled and glowing under G
translucence of violet vapors smitter
with the sun, lay the long intervale.
the river sparkling through 1t curve
after curve alive with light; beyond
1t the pine-clad hills, their black-greeB
depths casting purple CLEANS acrost
them. and a great pale heaven, still
with a flush of rosy sunrise in IT,
soaring overhead.
1t was at the same instant that
Laury, having helped her mother
rolled In blankets. into her chair. had
with Asa's and her fathers help
pushed 1t to the window and pulled
up the white shade. The little mothel
looked out bewildered. mo snowT
she said. Then she looked back al
her husband, at the others, and looked
out again. Have died?" she whis
pered. hoarsely.
"Oh, mother, mother, don't you sen
what's happened?" cried Laury. "Fa
theirs KEEP 1t for surprise. It's TIL,
dear Lords Christmas gift to you!'
"Oh!" she said, clasplng her litth
thin hands. 1T gives me youth again
It's what l had. so long ago. will
health and stren'th an love. Oh. IN
Their dear, think heaven'll look jeS
so! You don't suppose it's dream, q
vision-that 1t won't last?"
"Last?" said her husband. "They'vt
dreened the swamp and are goin' "a
lay It down to grass. An there'll be
no more damps rising to make rheu
MATES. An you'll see II every day OF
your life as long as we live. little
mother"
Its too good. it's too good" she
said. ~ must be goin' TO die. I've
heern tell O. folks dreaming dreamt
an seem visions wen they was goinl
to die, Well. well. don't deserve IT.
but what a Christmas mornin'. Yot
and the two children here an thu
delectable country there. oh. It's
beautiful II makes the world seem
NJ place for Christ 10 have beer
born In. I hope the Lord knows hos
thankful be-" And all day Ions
they heard her singing softly 70 hos
self part OF an old commnnion a..
them. ''oh, taste and zoe that tis
ort n lood .. III A.