The Dermott news., 1919-05-01
coructr nlNrIRJIySrr.ES 'a'n'o a.d1l1

Tlil Wy " IL iiipIElllidi ~ 4tl u Ai'ihShN
without speaking
You amt soin' to have to suffer
that way no more" she said In low
tone. We're goin' to be more comfta-
ble-ayes. Yer uncle thought we better
SO West, but | couldn't bear to go on
so fur an leave mother an father an
sister Susan an all the folks we loved
layin' here in the ground aione-I
want to lay down with 'em by an by
an wait for the sound o the trum-
pet-ayes i-mebbe It'll be for thou
sands o. years-ayesr'
To our establishment the clock
struck twelve.
"Hurrah! IFS merry Christmas!"
said Uncle Peatsdy 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.
"Of with yer boots, friendi" he ex-
claimed when the stanza was finished.
I'VE don't have to set up and watch
like the shepherds"
We drew our boots on the chair
round with hands clasped over the
knee-how familiar Is the process, and
yet l haven't seen 1t In more than half
century! | lighted a candle and
scampered up>tA!rs In my stocking
feet, Uncle Peabody following close
and slapping my thigh us II my pace
were not fast enough for him. In the
midst of our skylarking the candle
tumbled to the floor and | had to so
back to the stove and relight it.
How good 1t Aemed to be back In
the old room under the shingles! The
heat OF the stovepipe had warmed Its
hospitality.
Its been kind o. lonesome here
shid Uncle Peabody rs he opened the
window. 81 always let the wind come
In to keep me company-it gifts SO
warm"
"Yc can't look ut yer stockin' yit.
saId Aunt Deel when | came down
stairs about eight o'clock, having slept
through Chore time. | remember IL
was the delicious aroma of frying ham
and buctwheat cakes which awoke me
and who wouldn't rise and shake of
the cloak of Slumber on bright.
cold winter morning with such prove
cation?
This amt no common Chris mas
| tell We" Aunt Deel went on. santa
Claus won't git here short o noon l
wouldn't wonder-ayes! -
About eleven o'clock Uncle Hiram
and Aunt Eliza and their five chlldre1
arrived 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! l remember
how they laid their hard. heavy hands
on my head and shook II little as
they spoke OF my "stretchin' up" or
gave me playful slap on the shoulder
an ancient token OF good will-the
first form OF the accolade. l fancy.
What joyful good humor there was in
those simple men and women-enough
TO temper the woes of city II II could
stood thick around the stove warming
themselves and taking off its griddles
End opening its doors and surveying 1t
inside and out with much curiosity.
"Now for the Christmas tree" saH
Uncle Peabody ,gs he led the way into
our best room. where n fire was burn
ing In the old Franklin crate. Come
on. boys an girls"
What wonderful sight was the
Christmas trce-the first we had had
Ia our house-a fine spreading halSam
loaded with presents! Uncle Iivam
jumped into the air and clanped his
feet together and shouted: Hold me-
an 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, 10 be
hung on its branches. The thing that
caught my eye was big silver watch
hanging by a long golden chain to one
Of the boughs Uncle Peabody took II
down and held II aloft by the chain.
so that none should miss the sight. say
ing:
From Santa Claus for Bart !"
4 murmur OF admiration ran through
the company which gathered around
me as held the treasure In my trem-
bling hands.
This Is for Bart, too" Uncle Pea
body shouted as he took down a bolt
OF soft blue cloth and laid ii IN my
arms. Now there's somethln' that's
Jest about as slick as a Kittens ear.
Feel OF II. It's for suit o. clothes.
Come all the way from Burlington.
Now get-ap there. You've got your
load"
l moved out OF the way in hurri. |
cane of merriment Ii WAS his one |
great day of pride and vanity. He did |
not try to conceal them.
The other presents floated for mo- |
ment In this irresistible tide of laugh !