Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1921-07-08
Continued from last week)
CHAPTER NINE.
Which Tells of Merry Christmas
Day In the Little Cottage OF
the Widow Moran.

Day In the Little Cottage OF
the Widow Moran.
Night and Silence are stern test
of wisdom. For years, the fun loving,
chattersome Blenkinsop had been
their enemy and was not yet at peace
with them. But Night and Silence
had other enemies in the village
ancient and inconsolable enemies, 1t
must be said. They were the cocks
of Bingville. Every morning they fell
to and drove Night and Silence out Of
the place and who shall say that
they did not save it from being hope
lessly overwhelmed? Day was their
victory and they knew how to achieve
it. Noise was the thing most needed.
So they reused the people and called
UP the lights and set the griddles rat
Ting The great, white cock that
roasted near the window in the Widow
Moran's hen-house watched for the
first sign of weakness in the enemy.
When it came, he sent forth a bolt Of
sound that tumbled Silence from his
throne and shook the foundations OF
the great dome Of Night. 1t rang over
the housetops and through every
street and alley in the village. That
started the battle. Silence tried in
vain to recover his seat. In a moment,
every cock in Bingville was hurting
bombs at him. Immediately, Dark
ness began to grow pale with fright.
Seeing the fate of his ally, he broke
camp and fled westward. Soon the
surveyed the victory with solemn
sense OF. large accomplishment.
The loud victorious trumpets sound
ing In the garden near the window Of
the Shepherd awoke him. that Christ
mas morning The dawn light was on
the windows.
Merry Christmas" said the little
round nickel clock in cheerful tone.
Its time TO get UP"
rs it morning" the Shepherd
asked drowsily, as he rubbed his eyes.
:"Sure it's morning." the little clock
answered. THAT lazy old sun is late
again. He ought to be up and at
work. He's like dishonest hired
man."
He's apt to be slow on Christmas
morning." said the Shepherd.
Then people blame me and say I'm
too fast" the little clock went on.
'They don't know what an old shirk
the sun can be. I've been watching
TO sleep at my post"
After a moment of silence the little
clock went on: Hello! The old
night is getting move on it. The
cocks are soaring it away. Santa
Claus has been here. He brought
ever so many things. The midnight
train stopped"
II wonder who came" said the
Shepherd.
Il guess it was the Bings," the
clock answered.
Just then 1t struck seven.
''There, / guess that's about the end
of it, said the little clock.
"Of what?" the Shepherd asked.
"Of the nineteen hundred and eigh-
teen years. You know seven is the
favored number in sacred history. I'm
sure the baby would have been born
at seven My goodness! There's a
lot of ticking in all that time. I've
been going only twelve years and I'm
nearly worn out. Some young clock
will have to take my job before long,
These reflections of the little clock
were suddenly interrupted. The Shep-
herds mother entered with a merry
greeting and turned On the lights.
There were many bundles lying about
She came and kissed her son and began
to build fire in the little stove.
'"This'll be the merrieSt Christmas
in yer life, laddie boy" she said, as
she lit the kindlings. "a great doe
tor has come up with the Bings to see
We. He says he'll have We out O. doors
in little while"
'Ho no! That looks like the war
was nearly over" said Mr.. Bloggs.
Mrs. Moran did not hear the remark
on:
Il went over to the station to meet
'em last night. Mr.. Blenkinsop has
brought us fine turkey. Wen have
a gran dinner-sure we william |
axes Mr.. Blenkinsop to come an eat
with u.s."
Mrs. Moran opened the gifts and
spread them on the bed. There were
books and paints and brushes and
clothing and silver articles and
needlework and a monograph and a
check from Mr.. Bing.
The little cottage had never seen
day so full of happiness. 1t rang
with the talk and merry laughter and
music Of the monograph. Mr.. Blenkin-
sop had come In his best mood and
apparel with the dog Christmas. He