The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-12-20

cunning upon christmas LAY!
Martha didn't like to see him dis
appointed, if it were only in joke;
so she came out prematurely from
behind the closet door, and ran into
his arms, while the two, young
Cratchits hustled Tiny Tim, and
bore him off into the wash-house,
that he might hear the pudding sing
ing in the copper.
"And how did little Tim behave?"
asked Mrs. Cratchit, when she had
rallied Bob on his credulity, and Bob
had Rugged his daughter to his
hearts content.
'As good as gold" said Bob, land
better. Somehow he gets thought
full, sitting by himself so much, and
thinks the strangest things you ever
heard. He told me, coming home,
that he hoped the people saw him
in the church, because he was a
cripple, and it might be pleasant to
them to remember upon Christmas
Day, who made lame beggars walk,
and blind men see."
Bob's voice was tremulous when
he told them this, and trembled
more when he said that Tiny Tim
was growing strong and hearty.
Master Peter, and the two ubiqui-
tous young Cratchits, went to fetch
the goose, with which they soon re-
turned in high procession.
Such a hustle ensued that you
might have thought a goose the rar-
~ oil dc il
the gravy (ready beforehand in
little saucepan kissing hot; Mas
ter Peter mashed the potatoes with
incredible vigour; Miss Belinda
sweetened up the apple-sauce; Mar
tina busted the hot plates; Bob took
Tiny Tim beside him in tiny cor
ner at the table; the two young
Cratchits set chairs for everybody,
not forgetting themselves, and
crammed spoons into their mouths,
lest they should Shrek for goose be-
fore their turn came to be helped.
At last the dishes were set on, and
grace was said. 1t was succeeded
by a breathless pause, as Mrs.
Cratchit, looking slowly all along
the carving-knife, prepared to plunge
it in the breast; but when she did,
and when the long expected gush of
stuffing issued forth, one murmur
Of delight arose all round the board,
and even Tiny Tim, excited by the
two young Cratchits, beat on the ia
BILE with the handle of his knife, and
feebly cried Hurrahl
There never was such a goose.
Bob said he didn't believe there
ever was such a goose cooked. It's
tenderness and favour, size and
cheapness, were the themes of uni
versal admiration. Fixed out by
apple sauce and mashed potatoes,
it was q sufficient dinner for the
whole family. The youngest Cratch-
its in particular, were stepped in
sage and onion to the eyebrows. But
now, the plates being changed by
Miss Belinda, Mrs. Cratchit left the
room alone-too nervous to bear
witnesses-to take the pudding I'D
and bring it in.
Hallol A great deal of steami
The pudding was out of the copper.
Oh, q wonderful puddingl Bob
SAdNSAhN bdtNS hAtu CAIuly LOOs Lflak
he regarded 1t as the greatest sue
cess achieved by Mrs. Cratchit since
their marriage. Everybody had
something to say about it, but no
body said or thought It was at all
small pudding for q large family. It
would have been fat heresy to do so.
Any Cratchit would have blushed to
hint at such a thing.
At last the dinner was all done.
all the Cratchit family drew round
the hearth, in what Bob Cratchit
called q circle, meaning half a one;
and at Bob Cratchits elbow stood
the family display of glass. Two
tumblers, and a custard-cup with
out handle.
These held the hot stuff from the
jug, however, as well as golden COB
lets would have done. Then Bob pro
posed:
"a Merry Christmas TO us all,
my dears. God bless usi"
Which all the family re-echoed.
God bless us every onel" said
Tiny Tim, the last Of all.