Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-04-05
CHAPTER NINE.
Which Tells of Merry Christmas
Day In sthe Little Cottage OF


Night and Silence are q stern test
Of wisdom. For years, the fun lovsag'
chattersome Blcnkinsop 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, II
must be said. They were the COCKS
of Bingville. Every morning they fell
tosand drove Night and Silence out Of
the place and who shall say TIM,
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 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 e|erE
street and alley in the village. That
started the battle. Silence tried In
vain to recover his seat. In q 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
field was clear and every proud COCK
surveyed the victory with q 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.
Sits time to get up"
"Is It morning7" 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 ut
work. Hes. like a 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 sllirN
the sun can be. I've been watching
him for years and have never gone
to sleep at my post"
After a moment Of silence tie little
clock went on: Hello! The old
night is getting move on IT. The
cocks are soaring 1t away. Santa
Claus has been here. He brought
ever so many things. The midnight
train stopped"
''a"I wonder who came" SAID the
Shepherd.
= :;tt:.I guess 1t was the Bings," Ehe
clock answered.
sE3Just then It struck seTen.
There, I guess that's about the end
GSh tt,nn, said the little clock.
..,as0f what" the Shepherd asked.
sfMOf the nineteen hulrlred and eigh
teen years. You know seven is the
Favored number in sacred history. I'm
sure the baby would have been horn
at seven. Ny 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 u merry
greeting and turned OH the lights.
There were many bundles lying about
She came and kissed ner son and began
to build q fire in the little stove.
"Thjs'll lie the merriest Christmas
IN yer life, latldie boy" she said, rs
she Lit the BINDINGS. "a great doc
tor has come up with the Bings to see
ye. He says he'll have ye out o doors
in little While"
'Ilo. ho! That looks like the war
was nearly ever" said Mr.. BloCgs.
Mrs. Nlorah did not hear the remark
OF, the little tin soldies, so she ratified
on:
II went over 10 the station to meet
'em last night. MI. BlenkinSop has
brought us q fine turkey. Well have
q gran dinner-sure we will-an'
axes Mr.. Blenkinsop to come an eat
with u.s.
Airs. Moran opened the gifts and
spread them on the bed. There wore
+ books and paints and brushes and
clothing and silver articles and
nccdle-work and 4 phonograph and e
check from Mr.. Bing.
The little cottage had never seen
day so full OF happiness. 1t rang
with tho talk and merry laughter and
music Of the phonogruph. Mr.. Blenkn-
sop had cGmr in his best mood and
apparel with the dog Christmas. He
helped Mrs. Moran 10 set the table
in the Shepherds room and brought
up the platter with the hig brown
turkey on it, surrounded by sweet
potatoes. all inSt out of the oven.
Mrs. Moran followed with the jelly
and the crcamed onions and the
steaming coffee pot and the new Gel