Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-02-09

W6E0 ullu8icV III ousosS 9sb
'What have you got for me tor
Christmas. mammaT
sWhat have you got for me for
Christmas. papn?
II want u hobbyhorseF
II want a drum!
~ want q doll with wax head and
lisht, curly hair and eyes that close
when she goes to sleep"
These few requests do not express
the din that greeted the parents. They
are merely given to enable the render
30 form some idea Of that din.
The father and mother gave each
other a meaning look.
"Edith," said the former. "this ID
Franks doing He has doubtless sur.
missed that I have learned that women
who don't care q snap of their fingers
for me are u mighty poor substitute
for. this"
~And you're going to stay with us
for Christmas always7 Say yes. nam
ma. Say yes. papa.
There was ring at the doorbeiL
A panied expression returned to the
faces Of the husband und the wife.
Frank was coming with the papers
they were to sign. When he came In
he stood at the doorway looking into
the room at the scene before him.
Father and mother were In the center.
the children crowding around them.
"Frnnk you rascal" said Luther,
this Is your doing"
"weli. n It is I never did better
job"
ut all came true. Uncle Frank.
didn't itr'
what came true. dearr' asked the
mother.
"Why, Uncle Frank told us that Il
we could wait till Christmas he prom.
ised that we should have you both
home again to stay ever so long"
Uncle Frank Is right. sweetheart"
said the father. sour being away from
you so long is all papa's fault, and be
won't ever do so any more. he prom
ises his little boys and girls that"
This statement was received with a
clapping of hands and u shower or
kisses for papa, each child struggling
for place to impart the kiss.
"Where are you going. Uncle Frank"
called one of the children. seeing that
Frank Elwood was making for the
door.
"rm going to spend bachelors
Christmas all alone by myself. II !
had such q home as this you had bet.
ter believe ! wouldn't do anything to
pull It down over my head and over
the heads Of good woman and lot
Of innocent children"
Fright you are, Frank. But you're
not going to spend your Christmas
alone. You're going to spend It right
here In the home you've saved from a
permanent wreck"
The mother said nothing. She dared
not trust her voice to speak. She went
to Frank. put her arms around bis
neck and kissed him. while one Of the
girls took his hat away from him, and
the youngest boy. selling his cane, ca
pered around the room using It for u
horse.
Christine entered and announced din
ner.
"Dinner!" exclaimed Elwood. ~
thought we were brought here for an
other purpose than dinner Can It be
true that we are all to dine together
In our own home on Christmas eve
with our own childrenY
"And Uncle Frank" put in one OF
the boys
did you provide the dinner. Frank?"
asked Mrs Elwood II thought yon
were rather given to providing essen
tials of another kind"
II had nothing to do with providing
this dinner. but will admit ! ordered
one for tomorrow"
That was the end Of the troubles for
the Elwood family. Tho christmas
they spent united was made The more
delightful In contrast with the Christ.
mas before. at which they were sepa'
rated and their sudden and nnrypect
I'd coming together
But the central figure Of that Christ
mas celebra ton. the mighty hero. was
Uncle Frank. who really seemed to en-
JOY 1t all as much as If the family be-
longed to him He Is married now and
has children of his own. but he denies
that any Christmas In his own home
has been happier than the one he spent
at the reunion Of his brothers family.
peadheads.
Exactly how our language came into
possession OF the word "deadhead,"
which Is so frequently used In connec-
hon with the transportation business,
Is not known. OF the many versions
Of its origin which are current the fol.
lowing whether correct or not. is at
least the nest interesting:
Many years ago the principal avenue
of town Rassed close to the entrance
of a toll road leading to a cemetery
As this cemetery had been laid out
some time previous to the construction
Of the road. 1t was arranged that all
funeral professions should be allowed
to pass along the road free Of toll. One
day, as q we'll known physician who
was driving along this road stopped to
pay his toll. be observed to the keeper.
Considering the benevolent character
Of our profession. think you ought to
let US pass free Of charge"
mo. no. doctor" said the gatekeep-
er. I'VE can't afford that You send
too many deadheads through rs II is"
The story travelled around the cOun
try. and In this way the word dead
head" eventually came to he applied
to those who obtain free transportation
from railway and steamship lines
New York American
Insects That Carry Diseases.