The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-12-16

Bean cheerily. "Told your father to-
day I'd bring you over a turkey for
the great feast. Knew yours had all
died off this year, and thought 1t
would help to tell you it's Christmas"
he chuckled with smiling lips that his
enormous beard could not conceal.
Merry Christmas to you, Joel" re-
turned Vesta. "Come right in" she
| added with a covert glance in the di-
rection of her father, who was sitting
very erect in his Sleepy Hollow chair.
Mrs. Drake rose and came forward,
hands outstretched nervously.
1T was very kind of you to remem-
Der us, joe" she began, taking the
turkey. "Why, what nice fat fellow
he isl" she added appreciatively.
"Corn-fed" chuckled the old man.
"Fattened him ON purpose for you,"
he answered overwhelmingly.
The colonel nodded inCifferently.
"Oh, don't say thank you. It's moth
ing at ALL" deprecated Joe.
Il wasn't going to, Bean, so save
your breath. I'm not keen about either
giving or taking. Every man for HIM
self, you know. That's my motto. It's
az
But the insistent sound of the
knocking again drowned the colonel's
words.
Vesta was poking the fire to hide
her embarrassment. Her mother went
to the door.
"Howdy, Aunt Lucyw greeted a
fresh, boyish voice.
well, of all things, If it isn't Phil
Drake!" cried she in a muffied voice
between the bear hug he preferred
This is surprise, my boy. We
thought you were still In France"
"Just got back, and no place ever
looked quite so good to me. My train
was delayed down the line, owing to
wreck IS. no, no one hurt, but
everybody's held up for Christmas. I
just thought I'd spend mine with my
Crawford relation, so / took Shank's
mare over here. Howdy, uncle, and a
merry Christmas Vesta, you're
brick to keep the home fires burning
for fellow he added, giving her
kiss on either cheek.
II see you got some decorations"
said Vesta proudly, cycling his croix de
guerre, 'and full-hedged lieutenant
at that"
"Oh, that's nothing"
''Most of US are back for the holt
days." smiled the young lieutenant
happily. Pm disappointed, of course,
| that / couldn't get home for the great
day, for my last one was spent in the
trenches, and mother was banking on
this one; but 1 wired her I'd be there
between now and tomorrow night if 1
had to hike all the way. Hope you've
got turkey and all the fxingsp'
'We surely have!" smiled Vesta,
"and you shall have the lions share.
You've Joe Bean to thank for that.
Come, shake hands with my cousin
Phil, Joe Bean"
Proud to meet an honest-to-good-
ness soldier" mumbled the old man.,
ambling forward, meantime fumbling
with his whiskers. "Sorry I didn't
have boy myself"
"Zounds!" muttered the colonel !;
wishing he had a boy to be killed off
by the Germans. Some patriot you
are, Joe. Glad my two died before the
Huns got whack at 'em."
"Henry!" pleaded his wife, tears
yelling to her gray eyes.
Daddy" began Vesta sharply.
Phil and old Joe Bean stared won
deringly. The colonel had never been
like this in the old days. He now rose,
flung himself out Of his chair, and
stalked out of the room. An instant
later they heard him humping his way
upstairs. Mrs. Drake soon followed.
Joe Bean took his cue and departed.
cousin Vesta," Phil began sternly,
I'm very sorry for you, but at the
same time exceedingly angry"
Don't, Phil, please don't!'' she
begged. 81 know what you would say.
But homecoming hearts are happiest.
I'll never be sorry that I stayed with
dad and mumsey, for what would they
do without me?"
ut isn't right for young folks to be
sacrificed on the altar of old folks self
ishness,' bristled Phil. They've lived
their lives. Why shouldn't you have
your chancew
II know, COUSIN" she returned soft
ly, placing her fingers on his lips, 'but
1870 ~AINAk,