The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1921-12-15

year, at least, for life is SO uncertain,
you know. Won't you play I'm your
little girl this Christmas, Daddy?" she
ended pleadingly.
"Don't be a fool, Vesta," retorted
her father sharply. IF you're ever
going to be a woman you should show
some signs of it at thirty. All this
talk about Christmas is nonsense. {. . :.
nonsense, I tell you I declare I'm
sick of people spending their last
cent to make a show this time Of the
year, and making bid for presents in
exchange for their own"
'But the JOY Of giving
"Saw old Joe Bean today" he went
on, waving her remarks aside. "And
what do you suppose he had the nerve
to say? Just this, I'm bringing you
nice fat turkey tonight, colonel as
much as to say, Wont you have my
present ready for me to take back
when I call?' The smart old codger!"
"What did you say, father? I hope
you didn't hurt his feelings. Joe is
ers," excused Mrs. Drake.
"You know the name of the place
that is paved with good intentions of
just such fools!" snapped the colonel,
knocking the ashes from his pipe and
filling it with fresh tobacco. "Zounds
how hate the word Christmas!"
''The Christ Child's birthday, dad.
dy!' reproached Vesta boldly, heap
ing on more logs. 1.-THE Christmas
spirit never tarries where there is no
welcomed"
"Stop that drivel about Christmas"
commanded the colonel, sharply
banging his cane on the hearth, or
I'll leave the house this in
slant. Do you hear me-" He
ended with an impotent thump of his
faithful stick.
Vesta rose slowly, and bravely toss
ing back her head, crossed the room
and flung open the door.
"Glad to see you, Miss Vesta, and a
merry Christmas" greeted old Joe
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 it
would help to tell you it's Christmas"
he chuckled with smiling lips that his
enormous beard could not conceal.
Merry Christmas to you, Joe" re-
turned Vesta. "Come right in," she
added with a covert glance in the d.
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 is' she added appreciatively.
"COrn-fed!" chuckled the old man.
; "Fattened him on purpose for YOU"
he answered overwhelmingly.
The colonel nodded indifferently.
"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
"a"
But the insistent sound Of the
knocking again drowned the colonel's
words.
: Vesta was pOl1ing the fire to hide
her embarrassment. Her mother went
to the door.
, "Howdy, Aunt Lucy!" greeted a
fresh, boyish voice.
well, Of all things, if it isn't Phil
:Drake!' cried she in a muftled voice
between the bear hug he proffered
'"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
"a wreck .. no, no one hurt, but
everybody's held up for Christmas.
just thought I'd spend mine with my
Crawford relation, so I took Shank's
mare over here. Howdy, uncle, and a
merry Christmas Vesta, you're a
brick te Keep the home fires burning