Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1908-12-10

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wrapt in a comforter by the kitchen
stove | 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 sum-
be out. It's ben rainin' stiddy the
whole endurin week. January thaw's
lost count an come ahead o time. I
guess an there amt a 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
about2" asked the painting lady.
Come up an tell her IL you do"
said Laury, and snatched up her shawl
and ran away laugl ng
The sun was streaming into the
room before the painting people, tired
with their journey and their work,
awoke II was at the same moment
that every team to be had down at the
Port was delivering great loads of
wood at 50 gates, with the best Christ
mas wishes of the Champion family.
1t was only partially dry to be sure,
but there was enough pine.tree kin
ding to insure royal blaze and every
burning armful would dry another
armful
"Luzanner cried her husband. rub.
bling his sleepy eyes; what In the
name of mercy are you doing?" For
she was kneeling at the window with
both hands clasped her hair falling
about her, her face shining with ecs-
tasy
Come and sect" she cried. "Oh,
Eugene, the miracle has happened!
oh can't YOU buy the place? Come.
come and see! The swamp is gone,
all gone! What am | doing2 | am
looking into heaven"
For there. all the soft rusts and
russets yelled and glowing under
translucenoe of violet vapors smitten
with the sun, lay the long interyale,
the river sparkling through IL curve
after curve alive with light; beyond
1t the pine-clad hills, their black-green
depths casting purple CLEANS across
them, and a great pale heaven, still
with flush Of rosy sunrise In II.
soaring overhead.
It was at the same instant that
Laury having helped her mother,
rolled In blankets, into her chair had.
with Asas and her fathers help.
pushed II TO the window and pulled
up the white shade. The little mother
looked out bewildered. No suoSl"
she said. Then she looked back at
her husband, at the others and looked
out again Have | died?" she whis-
pered hoarsely.
"Oh mother mother, don't you sec
what's happened?' cried Laury. "Fa-
Tiers KEEP II for surprise It's the
dear Lords Christmas gift 10 you'll"
"Ohi" she said, clasping her little
thin hands 1T gives me youth again.
It's what had. so long ago, with
health and stren'th an love. oh, ia
Their dear, think heayen'll look jes'
sol You don't suppose It's dream,
yision-that Il won't last2'
LAST" said her husband They've
dreened the swamp and are goin' TO
lay It down TO grass. An there'll BIO
no more damps rising 70 make rheu-
MATES An youll see II every dag OF
your life as long as we live. little
mother"
ITS TOO good It's too good shg
said II must be goin' 10 die. Pvo
heern tell o folks dreaming dreams
an seem visions wen they was goin'
10 die. Wei, well, ! don't deserve It.
but what a Christmas mornin' You
and the two children here an the
delectable country there on, tia
beautiful II makes the world seem
a fit place for Christ to have been
born in hope the Lord knows how
thankful / be" And all day long
they heard her singing softly to her
self part OF an old communion an
them, "Oh. taste and see that the
Lord Is good