The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-12-25


born King"
piece of candy out of Thad's MOUTH
He nearly choked himself just then.
You can have 1t back, Thad, when
you've sung two verses. Don't be
such a baby! Now, good and loud!"
"Hark, the herald angels sling"
Schuyler beloved Justify and beat
time with drumstick. Seraphina
sang with much fervor and many false
notes; while little Thad followed the
tune manfully, and substituted "la-la-
la" when the words proved elusive to
his four.year-old memory.
The second verse brought to o sue,
cessful issue. Schuyler dismissed the
chorus and turned to the door.
you see Z you can't teach Thad
the words Of that second verse while
go downstairs and get some joss,
sticks for the censor" he told Sera..
pima.
Schuyler Van Brunt was working un.
der difficulties. Doctor Post had told
him Of the old English custom of sing
ing carols In the streets on Christ
mas morning. 1t had taken strong
hold on the boys fertile imagination
so strong a hold that he had planned
to smuggle Seraphina and Thad from
the house, when Christmas came, and
to sing a carol out-of-doors in true
English fashion.
Then, just when he needed Doctor
Posts advice most, there had been
some vague trouble between the doc
:o- and Aunt Margaret. Aunt Marga-
ret no longer wore the diamond ring
on the third finger Of her left hand,
and Doctor Post came no more to the
house. II was very disheartening.
Schuyler wanted to ask Doctor Post a
score of questions about the carols,
Did the people who sang them wear
surplices, like the choir boys in the
Christmas procession at St. Jude's?
Did they stand still or march around
while they sang? These and other
points sadly taxed his elght-year-old
intellect. But his determination to
sing that carol In the street never
faltered. Hence the secret rehear-
sails in the nursery.
After much elaboration, he decid
ed that surplices would lend dignity
10 the occasion, and this decision was
furthered by the thought that night
gowns would make very passable sur
plices. Then, a tomato can suggesting
possibilities, he added a censor to the
properties. A tomato can punched full
Of holes, swung on the gilt cord thai
comes about candy boxes. and filled
with burning joss-sticks. would MAKE
a beautiful censor.
II was Christmas Eve, and Schuy
ler's plans were complete. He fel
sure they would put up a very credit
able carol in the morning, even II Doc
tor Posts advice had not been obtain
able. As he crept upstairs with tn
jossstick, which he had begged from
Agnes. the second girl. he felt tina
the last obstacle had been surmoani
ed.
Come on now. once more" no sal
~ he entered the nursery door. Els
will be up with supper In minute
We've just time before she come'
Stand up. Thad. Yes, I'll let you hav
piece OF the toss-stick II you'll sin
good and loud. Now!"
II.
Very early in the gray Of the Chris
mas dawn Schuyler awoke, bounce
out Of bed, and began to rouse his @
horts. He tiptoed to Seraphina's II
tie white cot and INDUCED In a seri'
of vigorous shakes and punches.
Get up! Get up, Seraphina! II
time to go out and CAROL" he Will
pered hoarsely.
Seraphina arose, and, sitting on Il
side of her bed, bllnked at him 7
proachfully. Little Thad was alreaC
awake and ready for anything viii,
savored OF exciting novelty. The ty
elder children dressed hurriedly, a
between them they managed 20 p
on little Thad's clothes. Then Schu
Ter crept noiselessly to the hall belC
and returned with coats and hats a
mittens. When they had bundl
themselves into these outer carmen
each donned 'surplice" AT the Ii
moment Schuyler bethought him
the brilliant cord on his fathers ba
robe. and at the imminent peril of
oovery he stole into Mr.. Van Brun
dressing-room and returned with {
coveted cord encircling his SIN
waist. This finishing touch. he I