Cheyenne record., 1913-12-18

SoAoPAiho, Cdu you tdho IuaL
piece Of candy out of Thad's mouth?
He nearly choked himself just then.
You can have it back. Thad, when
you've sung two verses. Don't be
such baby! Now, good and loud!"
"Hark. the herald angels sling"
Schuyler beloved Justify and beat
time with a drumstick. Seraphina
sang with much fervor and many false
notes; while little Thad followed the
tune manfully. and substituted "la.la-
Ia when the words proved elusive to
his four-year-old memory.
The second verse brought to a sue
cessful issue. Schuyler dismissed the
chorus and turned to the door.
You see T you can't teach Thad
the words of that second verse while
I go downstairs and get some joss
sticks for the censer," he told Sera-
phina.
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 hold that he had planned
to smuggle Seraphina and Thad from
the house, when Christmas came, and
to sing a carol outof-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 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
beautiful censer.
1t was Christmas Eve, and Schuy-
ler's plans we're complete. He felt
sure they would put up 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
a piece of the joss-stick II you'll sing
good and loud, Now!"
II.
Very early in the gray of the Christ.
mas dawn Schuyler awoke, bounced
out of bed, and began to rouse his CO.
horts. He tiptoed to Seraphina's lit
tie white cot and indulged in a series
of vigorous shakes and punches.
Get up! Get up, Seraphina! It's
time to go out and CAROL" he whis.
pered hoarsely.
Seraphina arose, and, sitting on the
side of her bed, blinked at him re-
proachfully. Little Thad was already
awake and ready for anything which
favored Of exciting novelty. The two