Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-03-02
BOB'S GIRL
BY MINNIE NJ. TOWNSEND
" . - % - - - - - . - y = ~ !
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g. 1922. 10y Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
Little old Mrs. Abbott knet before
the hot stove and tenderly basted the
sizzling brown-crusted turkey that re-
posed within the oven. She lifted the
lid of the warming oven and noted
with satisfaction the sugary coated
| mlnce, the shoulder-strapped cranberry
and the deep, luscious squash pies.
Next she inspected the neat rows of
goodies on the pantry shelves; iellies,
chow-chows, celery nuts and candies
everything to tempt the appetites of
her numerous family. which gathered
yearly at Christmas time.
There was graham bread for Melissa,
who did not care for white, -.ttl there
We're Boobies raspberry tarts, without
which, 70 him, Christmas dinner
would be incomplete.
The old lady's smile faded as She
gazed at the fiaky tarts. Although
| twenty-four years old. Bob was her
| baby, and now for the first time in his
life was causing her much worry. All
of the remainder of her large brood
| had married well.
Bob had set aside all OF the tradi-
tiOns of his family and was keeping
company" with slim. delicate little
city girl, partial to shii.t dark. plain
satin dresses and wearing the style of
! bobbed hair which, TO a family like the
| Abbotts. spelt the stage or question
| able character. The dear little old
| fashioned mother wiped away a tear
/ with the back of gnarled hand. To
| day this unreal little creature was TO
take Christmas dinner with the family
| and although she felt unfaithful To her
| boy for thinking of such Il thing, she
| hoped with .all her heart that Miss
| AiDSIie would sense the difference be
| tween herself and Bob's own rosy
checked sisters Perhaps even Bob
ton of the difference.
Its all for Bob's happiness" she
| told the raspberry tarts huSkily, as u
| long line Of family ancestors swept
| swiftly before her vision.
Why, even Bob himself had horrld
| dent In his side where shrapnel had
ripped him open No. This little non
descript nonentity could not enter their
| family of brave traditions.
Later, around the crcaking. festive
board, she looked them all over: big
| stalwart men and gay, plump, rosy
checked women, all happy in the joy
of family reunion Truly the slim
satiny figure, between Melissa and
Bobby, looked out Of place. though she
smiled bravely and ~chatted quietly
| with Bob
They We're in the midst of the steam
| ing plum pudding when the door bell
pealed merrily and Bob ushcred in II
! cousin who was TOO far from his home
to get there In time for Christmas din
ner "Hope you don't mind me drop
| ping in on you this way. Aunt Lil?"
he asked, knowing full well what the
answer would be.
Bless your heart no, she made
! haste to reply, and promptly set about
tomake the unexpected guest comfort
| able.
In the general confusion of greet
/ ngS it was some time before the new
conner was introduced to little Miss
! AlnsIie, but when Bob did the houors
/ to the amazement Of everyone. the late
conner just stared.
LEFTY Ainslie Can il be possble?"
In an instant he was around the table.
holding tight to two slim white hands.
"They told me Bob lad sweet
heart. but they didn't say who she
was John was eNu aiming eagerly
ITO think that Lettio Anslie Of soup
| Kitchen fame should become mem
Der of our humble family What
do you think of her, Aunt Lil?r
Il don't understand, John" she an
swered mceky.
II didn't tell them, captain" came
tremhlngly from little Miss Ainslie's
quiyering lips.
Didn't tell them. Oh, boy, what a
| Christmas story. I'm too starved to
tell it all now, but later Look He
/ lifted back the despised bangs Of the
Dutch clip and disclosed an ugly, jag
/ ged scar. Her memento of the big
fight, ladies and gentlemen, Some
brave Kid. III say; right there with the
! hot stuff and the comforting words
] when we needed them most"
Please, captain, came small
voice from LettyS corner. "Mayn't
we finish Mother Abbott's delicious
/ plum Pudding in peaceY
Something welled up in the old
iady's heart Yes, let the dear child
eat her dinner: afterwards she can tell
Us an about it. Lefty, dear try one
II Bobbie's farorite tarts"
Into the old ladys family history
passed suddenly nltn great pride AND
thankfunesS. sweet. slim little crea-
lure, the equal OF all The Abbotts that
had passed on 1efore.
y