Gunnison news-champion., 1919-02-07

\ Cont care about tnaL- ! assured
hem The minds the measure Of
he man." I quoted. remembering the
lines the Senator had repeated to me.
That's soundI- Uncle Peabody ex-
claimed with enthusiasm.
Aunt Deel took my hand In hers and
surveyed 1t thouxhtfuIly for a moment
sithOut speaking.
You aIn't goin' 10 have to suffer
that way no more" she said In a low
tone. We're goIn' 10 be more conrta-
tle-ayes- Yer uncle thought we better
90 West. but I couldn't bear to go on
30 fur an leave mother an father an
sister Susan an all the folks we loved
syin' here In the ground alone-I
want 10 lay down with 'em by an by
an wait for the sound o. the trum-
yet-ayes !-mebbe it'll be for thou
sands o. years-ayesr
To our establishment the clock
struck twelve.
"Hurrah! It's merry Christmas
said Uncle Peabody as he jumped to
his feet and began TO sing OF the little
lord Jesus.
We Joined him while he stood beat
ing time with his right hand after the
fashion OF singing master.
-On with yer boots, friend!- he ex-
claimed when the stanza was finished.
-We don't have TO set up and watch
IKE the shepherds"
We drew our boots on the chair
round with hands clasped over the
Enee-how familiar Is the process. and
ret / haven't seen II In more than half
century! l lighted a candle and
scampered upstairs In my stocking
feet, Uncle Peabody following close
and slapping my thigh as II my pace
we're not fast enough for him. In the
midst OF our stylarking the candle
tumbled 70 the floor and had to 70
back 10 the stove and relIght IL.
How good II seemed TO be back In
the old room under the shlnglesl The
heat Of the stoyepipe had warmed its
hospitality.
IT'S been. kind o. lonesome here"
said Uncle Peabody as he opened the
window. Il always let the wind come
In TO keep me company-it gifts so
warm"
"Ye can't look ut yer stockin' yit,-
snid Aunt Deel when / came down.
stairs about eight O'Clock. having slept
through chorc time. remember 1t
was the delicious aroma OF frying ham
and buckwhcat cakes which Gwoke me |:
and who wouldn't rise and shake OF
the cloak OF slumber on bright,
cold winter morning with such provo
cationi
This amt no common Christmas
! tell ye." Aunt Dcel went on. Santa
Claus won't git here short o. noon I
wouldn't wonder-ayes
About eleven o'clock Uncle Hiram
and Aunt Eliza and their i've children
Errived with loud and merry greetings.
Then came other aunts and uncles and
cousins. With what noisy good cheer
the men entered the house after they
had put up their horses! I remember
bow they laid their hard. heavy hands
2n my head and shook II little as
Il cy spoke OF my "stretchin' up" or
gave me playful slap on the shoulder
an ancient token OF good wlll-the
drst form of the nccOlade, l fancy.
What joyful good humor there was In
those simple men and women-enough
10 temper the woes OF n city IL II could
have been applied to their relief. They
stood thick around the stove warming
themselves and taking OF its Griddles
end opening its doors and surveying II
Inside and out with much curiosity.
Now for the Christmas tree" said
Uncle Peabody as he led the way into
our best room. where fire was burn
Ing In the old Franklin crate. "Come
on, boys an girls"
What a wonderful sight was the
Christmas tree-the first we had had
In our house-a fine spreading balsam
loaded with presentsi Uncle Hiram
jumped into the air and clapped his
feet together and shouted: Hold me.
somebody. or I'll grab the hull tree
IN run away with It."
Uncle Jabez held one foot In both
hands before him and Joyfully hoped
around the tree.
These relatives had brought their
family gifts. some days before. to be
hung on its branches. The thing that
caught my eye was big silver watch
hanging bS a long golden chain to one
Of the boughs. Uncle Peabody took u
down and held II aloft By the ehain
% that none should miss the saght. say
ing:
From Santa Claus for Bart"
A murmur Of admiration ran through
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