The Ordway new era., 1909-12-24

rusty voices. that beneath the empty
stall OF the stable was treasure OF
gold, buried thousand years before
by the Romans. which would make
his mother and father richer than
they could dream: and how just then
the bells OF the distant village rang
for Christmas morning. and the poor
beasts were dumb again. and Hans
went back to his bed and waited for
daylight to tell his father and moth
er. who dug for the treasure and
found It and were happy with the
horse and COW. and rich ever after.
The story ended and the children
were quiet, as II listening. thrilled. to
those stammering hoarse tones OF the
good brutes In the chilly stable.
Now. chickens. you must so to
your roosts." the mother broke their
dream. and her words ended In a sigh.
Father! it's too bad to have him left
out Of Christmas Eve. isn't IT."
Yes. it is." agreed Benny sturdily.
Nobody can say Peaceful Was the
Night 'cept father. It's too
bad for father he had to go
to the thingma-jig's funeral"
and, being Christmas Eve. Benny went
unreproved for the description OF his
great.uncle.
"Father'll be home before morning.
won't he?" asked the girl. and went
on. "Oh. ! remember. You said some
time in the night, but we can't tell
when. cause the trains get late. Well.
I ha in In
when we wake up. 1t wouldn't be
Christmas without father; would 1t,
mother?"
Il can't bear to have him out so
late" the little woman said, and her
tones were troubled. She went on as
If thinking aloud-a way she had
with her big babies. Father isn't
well-he ought to go SOUTH wish he
could co. and Benny answered in
strong baby tones:
"Oh. he can't go, mother. We have
not got money enough-you said we
hadn't
NO, dear. we haven't" she sighed:
and the girl shook her name of hair
back thoughtfully.
Il wish l could find lot of money
like Hans. for father" she said.
The fascination of the freight as
the children lay in their beds, their
mother gone. held the drowsy eyes
open. The girl. the more aggressive,
the more imaginative OF the two, went
back, with thought working its way
in her mind. to the story which had
a hold on both, the story Of how two
dumb brutes may talk once a year on
Christmas Eve.
DO you believe it's true, Benny?"
she consulted her brother. Mother
didn't say 1t wasn't, you know"
Then It's true, and believe it's
true, said Benny stoutly. I'm glad
they can. I know Niger would enjoy
talking. He looks like he wanted to
talk when he squeals, and he squeals
words sometimes. l heard him say
corn bread one day"
Alice lifted her brown head from
the pillow and leaned on one elbow
and stared into the fire. "Nigger's out
in the barn." she reflected. Father
took Mr.. Jarvis horse because Mig.
gers foot was lame. Benny" she
began excitedly. and stopped.
Benny gave an enormous yawn and
turned his heavy yellow head.
"Whu.ut?" he inquired.
Don't go to sleep. Benny-listen!"
the girl begged. I've got an idea
something lovely. really. Why can't
we go to the stable tonight-it's
Christmas Eve-and listen to Niger
talking. like Hans listened to FriedeI
and Minna? And maybe he'll know
about some treasure and we could get
lots OF money, and give 1t to father to
go south with. Mother would be glad ;,
The boys sleepy eyes opened and
gazed at her. Wouldn't II be
naughtyT"
As happened once before in sar.
den. the woman tempted him." Ben.
ny was swept out on the tide Of hia
sisters adventurous spirit, and While