Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1913-12-18

Seraphina, can't you take tha
piece Of candy out of Thad's mouth
He nearly choke6 himself just then
You can have 1t back, Thad, wheI
you've sung two verses. Don't bC
such a baby! Now, good and loud!'
"Hark, the herald angels sling"
Schuyler beloved Justify and beat
time with q drumstick. Seraphins
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-yearold memory.
The second verse brought to a sue
cessful issue, Schuyler dismissed the
chorus and turned TO the door.
"Yon see Z you can't teach Thad
the words OF that second verse while
go downstairs and get some joss
sticks for the censer," he told Sera-
phina.t, as-
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 a 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 q 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
tor 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. 1t 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 eight-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 deliberation, he decid.
ed that surplices would lend dignity
to 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 censer to the
properties. A tomato can punched full
of holes, swung on the gilt cord that
comes about candy boxes, and filled
with burning joss-sticks, would make
a beautiful censer.
1t was Christmas Eve, and Schuy-
ler's plans were complete. He felt
sure they would put up a very credit
able carol in the morning, even If Doc
tor Posts advice had not been obtain
able. AS he crept upstairs with the
joss-stick, which he had begged from
Agnes, the second girl, he felt that
the last obstacle had been surmount-
ed.
Come on now. once more" he said
as he entered the nursery door. Elsa
will be up with supper in a minute.
We've just time before she comes.
Stand up. Thad. Yes, I'll let you have
4 piece Of the joss-stick If you'll sing
good and loud. NowI"
II.
Very early in the gray Of the Christ
mas dawn Schuyler awoke bounced
,ut Of bed. and began to rouse his Co
lorts. He tiptoed to Seraphina's lit
n ,rR8kn ro& ana gn1ni~aN a. a ---fa. |
Il vigorous shakes and punches.
Get upl Get up. Seraphina! It's
ime to 60 out and carol" be wits
,ered hoarsely.
Seraphina arose. and sitting on the
Iide Of her bed. blfnked at him re
IroechfulIy. Little Thsd was already !
wake and ready for anything which !
$1,000 ~ axGitinR novelty. The two