rrTTV. muATTA T A7TV RE E : Sl'JJ DAY. DECEMBER 22. 18J)5. ) 10
A Point of Kmtcklhi *
lly JJllit Illgginsoii , Author of "Takin' In tlic Old Mis'
Lane , " niul other Stories.
H was the day before Chrlstmiu an Oregon
gen Christmas. U had rained mistily at
dawn , but at 10 o'clock the clouils had parted
and moved away reluctantly. There was n
blue nivl darzllng sky overhead. The rain-
dnpj still sparkled on the windows and on
the green Ktusi , nnd the last rosjs and
chrysanthemums hung their beautiful heads
heavily beneath them ; but there was to be
no more rain. Oregon City's mighty barome
ter tliB Tails of the Willamette v as declarIng -
Ing to her people by her softened roar that
the morrow wns to bo fair.
Mrs. Orvlllo Palmer was In the large
kitchen making preparations for the Christ
mas dinner. She was a picture of dainty
loveliness In a lavender gingham dress , made
with n full skirt nnd shifted waist nml big
leg-o'-mutton sleeves. A white apron was
tlpJ around hsr waist.
Her husband came In , and paused to put
liln arm ntoiind her and kiss her. She was
Btlrrlng romethlng on the stove , holding her
dress asld ? with one hand ,
"It's golti' to be n line Christmas , Ems-
rlne , " he said , and sighed unconsciously.
There was a wistful and careworn look on
hla face. , , ,
"Deautlful ! " 'said Emarlne , vivaciously.
"Coin1 down town , Orvlllu ? "
"Yes. Wont anything ? "
"Why , the cranberries ain't come yet. I m
10 uneany about 'em. They'd ought to a
li'en stooed long ago. I like 'em cooked
down an' strained to a Jell. I don't see what
oils them groc'iymen ! Sli'u'd think they
c'u'd get around some time before doomsday !
Then I want here , you'd best eet It down. "
She took a pencil nnd a slip of paper from a
thelf over the table and gave them to him.
"Now , let me fee. " She commenced stirring
ngaln , with two little wrinkles between her
brews. "A ha'f a pound o' citron ; a ha'f n
pound o' candled peel ; two pounds o' cur'nta ;
- vttoo pounds o' raisins git 'cm stunned , Or-
vllle ; n pound o' sooet miUe 'cm glvo you
some that ain't all strings ! A box o' Norther'
Spy apples ; a ha'f a dozen lcmon ; four-bits'
worth o * walnuts or a'monds , whichever s
freshest ; a pint o' I'ugct Sound ojsters fer
the dressln" , an' a bunch o' cel'ry. You stop
by nn' see about the turkey. Orvllle ; an' I
wish you'd run In 'a you go by mother's. an _
tell her to come up as soon ns she can. She d
ought to be here now. "
HPP luiBhind smiled as lie finished the list.
"You're a wonderful housekeeper , marine ,
ho said.
Then his face grow grave. "Got a present
1 for your mother yet , Emarlne ? "
"Oh , yes , long ago. I got 'er a black shaw
down f Charman's. She's b'en wantln' one.
He ihufllea his feet about a little "Unh-
liunh. Yuh that Is I reckon yuh ain't
picked out any present fer fer my mother ,
have yuh , Emarine ? "
"No. " she replied , with cold distinctness.
"I ain't. "
,
There was a silence. Emarlno stirred
briskly. The ll.ics grew deeper between her
brows. Two led I'pots ' cam ? Into her cheeks.
"I htpe the rdln ain't spoilt the chrysanthe
mums. ' . " she. said then , with an air of ridding
herself of a disagreeable subject
Orvlllo made no answer. He moved his
feet again uneasily. Presently he said : "I
expect my mother needs a black shawl , too.
Seemed to mo her'n looked kind o rusty at
church Sunday. Notice It , Emarlns ? "
"No , " said Emarlne.
"Seemed to mo she was glttln to look
offul old. Emarlne" his vole ? broke ; lic
came a step nearer-"lfll be the first Christ
mas dinner I ever eat without my mother.
She drew back and looked at him. Ho
knew the look that Hashed Into her eyes , and
shrank from H. , . , . , .
"You don't ha\e to eat this 'n' without er ,
Orvllle Parmer ! You ga an' eat your dinner
with your mother 'f you want ! I can get
along alone. Are you goln1 to order them
things ? If you ain't , Just eay BO , an' I'll go
an' do 't myself ! "
Ho put on his hat and went without a
word. . .
Mr ? Palmer took the saucepan from the
stove and set It on the hearth. Then t > he sat
down and leaned her check In the palm of
her hand , and looked steadily out the window
Her eyelids trembl-d closer together. Her
eyes held a far-elghtcd look. She saw a pic
ture ; but It was not the picture of the blue
reaches of sky , onJ the green valley cleft by
its silver-blue rl\er. She saw a kltclien ,
Phabby ccmparcd to her own , scantily fur
nished , and In It an old white-haired woman
Bitting down to eat her Christmas dinner
"
After a while she nroso with an Impatient
slih "Well , I can't help It ! " she exclaimed.
"If I knuckle down to nor this time , I'd have
to do 't ng'ln. She might Just as well get urt
to 't first as last. 1 wish she hadn t got to
lookln' so old an1 pitiful , though , n-settln
there In front o' us In church Sunday after
Sunday. The cordo stand out In her neck
like well rtpc , an' her chin keeps a-miiv rin
BO ! I can bee Orvlllo a-watchln' her "
The door opjncd suddenly nnd her mother
entered. She was bristling with curiosity.
"Sny Einarlii'l" She lowered her % olce , al
though there wau no one to hear. "Where
d' you s'posc the undertaker's a-goln' up by
liero ? Have > ou heard of anybody "
"No. " said Cmarlne. "Did Orvlllo stop by
an' tell you to hurry up ? "
"Yes. What's the matter of him ? Is lie
"Net ns 1 know of. Why ?
"Ho looks to. Oh , I wonder If It's one
o' the Peterson children where the under
taker's a-goln' ! They've all got the quinsy
uore thioat. "
"How does h ? Uok ? I don't see 'B ho looks
to turrable. " . . . ,
"Why Cmarlne Parmer ! nv'rybody In
town says he look so ! I only hope they
don't know what alls him ! "
"What does all him ? " cried out Emarlnc.
flercelj"What nro you hlntln' nt ? "
"Well If you don't know what alls him ,
you'd ort to ; no I'll toll jou. He's dyln' by
Inches ever nsncc you turned his mother out
Emarlne turned white. Sheet lightning
played In her eyes.
"Oh. you'd cught to talk about my turnln1
her out ! " she- burst out , furiously. "After
you a-settln' here n-ciuar'1'n with her In this
vsry kitchen , an' eggln * mo on ! Wa'n't ehe
goln' to turn jou cut o' your own daughters
homo ? Wa'n't that what I turned her out
fer ? I didn't turn her out , anyhow ! I only
ted ! Orvllle. this house wa'n't big enough for
liln mother nn' me , an' that neither o' us
u'd knuckle down , so he'd boa take his
choice. You'd ought > to talk ! "
' "Well , If I egged you on , I'm sorry .fer 't , "
said Mra. Kndey , solemnly. "Ever senco
that fit of sickness I had a month ago , I've
feel kind o' old an' no account myself , as If
1 U llKo 10 let an nous go , an jssi itsu i
don't spunk up like I ust to. No , ho didn't
KO to Peterson's he's gawn right on. My
land ! I wonder 'f It ain't old Gran'ma Eliot :
Blie had a bad spell no , ho didn't turn that
corner. I can't think where he's goln' to ! "
- She bat down with a sigh of defcit.
A eiiillo glimmered palely across Emarlne's
face and was gonr. "Maybe If you'd go up
in the antic jou could see better , " ehe sug
gested , dryly.
"Oh , Umarlne , here cornea old Qran'ma
IJIIot her elf ! Hun an1 open the door fer 'er.
Snt's Ilmpln' worse 'n usual. "
Emarlno new to the dcor. Grandma Eliot
was ono of the few people vae lo\ed. She
was large and motherly. She wore a black
Attsa and ehawl and a funny bonnet , with a
/rill of white lace around her brow.
Hmarlno's face softened when one klued
her "I'm so glad to see you , " she eald , and
! Jier voice was tender ,
Even Mr . Endey'a fac * underwent a
change. Usually It wore a look of doubt , If
not of pcalttvo Biipplclon , but now It fairly
beamed. She shook hands cordially with the
guest * nd led her tp a comfortable chair.
" 1 khow your rbeurattU U wone , " tbo
s.ild , cheerfully , "becaus ? you're Ilmpln' so.
Oh , did you see the undertaker go up by
here ? We can't think v.here he's goln' to.
I ) ' you happen to know ? "
"No , I don't ; nn' 1 don't want to neither. "
Mrs. Eliot laughed comfortably. "Mis' En-
dey , you don't ketch me foolln' with under
takers till I have to. " She rat down and re
moved her black cotton gloven. "I'm gettln'
lo that age when I don't care much where
undei takers go to so long 's they let me nlonj.
Kl.\ln' fur Christmas dinner , Emarlne , dear ?
"Yei < , ma'am , " said Einatlue In her very
gentleit tone. Her mother had never said
"dear" to her , nnd the sound of It on this old
lady's lips wac bwcst. "Won't jou come an'
take dinner with us ? "
The old lady laughed meirlly. "Oh. dearie
int. dearie me ! Ycu don't guesj my son s
folks could spare me now , do jou ? I opend
cv'ry Christmas there. They most carry
mo on two chips. My son's wife , Sldonle ,
oho can't do enough fer me. My , Mrs.
Endcj' , jou don't know what a com
fort n daughter-in-law Is when jou got old
an' feeble ! "
Emarlne's face ttund red. She went to
the table and stood with her back to the
oMcr women ; but her mother's eharp eyes
observed that her ears grow scarlet.
"An' I never will. " said Mrs. Endey.
grlmlj' . , , ,
"You've got a son-in-law , though , whoe
worth a whole tonnful of most son-In-laws
lie wan such a good son , too ; Jest wor
shiped his mother ; couldn't bear her out
o' his sight. He humored her high an
low. That' " Jest the way Sldonle does with
me. I'm geltln' cranky's I get older , an
sometimes I'm r l cross nn' sassy to her ;
but she Jest laffs at m , an * then comes an
kisses me , an' I'm all right ag'ln. It's a
blessln' right from God to have a daughter-
in-law like that. "
The knife In Emarlnc's hand slipped , and
she uttered a llttls crj- .
"Hurt jou ? " demanded her mother ,
sternly
Emarlne was allent , nnd did not turn.
"Cut you , Ermanle ? Why don't you an
swer me ? Algh ? "
"A little , " raid Emarlne. She went into
the pantry , and presently returned with a
narrow strip of muslin , which she wound
around her linger.
"Well , I never see ! You never will learn
any gumption ! Why don't jou look what
j-ou're about ? Now , go around Christmas
IH vrmr flm'pr nil tied un ! "
"Oh , that'll be all right by tomorrow , '
said Mrs. Eliot , cheerfully. "Won't It
Emarlns ? Never cry over split milk , Mrs.
Endey ; It makes a body get wrinkles too
fast. 0' course. Oi villa's mother's comln
to tike dinner with you , Emarlne. "
"Dear mo ! " exclaimed Emarlnc , In a sud
den nutter. "I don't see why them cran
berries don't come ! I told Orvlllo to hurry
'em up. I'd best make the floatln' Island
while I wait. "
"I stonjicd at Orvllls's mother's as I come
along , Emarlne. "
"How ? " Emarlne turned In a startled way
from the table.
"I say I stopped at Orvllle's mother's as
I come along. "
"Oh ! "
"She will ? " asked Mrs. Endey.
"No , she ain't ; shakln' like i-ho had the
Saint VHus dance. She's failed harrable
lately. She'd b'en crjln' ; her eyes ? was al
swelled up. "
There was finite a sllencs. Then Mrs
Endey said , "What she b'en cryln' about ? '
"Why , when I asked her she Jest laffed
kind o' pitiful , an' said : 'Oh. only my torn
foolishness , o' course. ' Said she always go
to thlnkln' about other Chrlstmasse ? . Dut
cheered hsr up. I told her what a gooc
time I alwajs had at my son's , an' ho\
Sldonfo Jest couldn't do enough fer mo. An
I told her to think what a nice time shed
have here 't Emarlne's tomorrow. "
Mrs. Endey smiled. "What she say t
that ? "
"Sho didn't say much. I could sie s'h '
was thankful , though , she had a son's ? to g
to. She said she pitied alt poor wretche
that had to set out their Christmas alone
Poor old lady ! she ain't got much spunl
left. She's all broke down. But I cheered
her up some. Sech a wishful look took
holt o' hsr when I plctchered her dlnne
over her at Emarlne's. I can't seem t
nnnrlnmu ! I must CO. I'm On
my way to S'donlo's , an' she'll be comln
after me 1 ! I ain't on time- . "
When Mrs. Eliot had gone limping down
the path , Mrs. Endey said : "You got you
front room red up , Emarlne ? "
"No ; I ain't had time to red up any
thing. "
"Well , I'll do It. Wherr's your duste
at ? "
"Uohlnd tin org'n. You can get out th
wax cross again. Mis' Dillon way here will
all her children , an' I had to hide up ov'ry
thing. I never see children like her'n. Sh
lets 'em handle things so ! "
Mrs. Endeywent Into the "front room'
and bgan to dust the organ. She wa
something of a diplomat , and she wUhe :
to be alone for a few minutes. "You hav
to manage Emarlne by contraries , " she re
fleeted. It did not occur to her that till
was a family trait. "I'm offul sorry I eve
egged her on to turnln' Orvllle'o mother ou
o' doors , but who'd 'a' thought It 'u'd break
her down so ? She ain't told a soul either
I reckoned she'd talk somctbln' offul abou
us , but she ain't told a soul. She's kep , a
stiff upper lip an' told folks she el'nys ex
pected to live alone when Orvlllo got marl
-l r1 rrrnirlnn' nil u/lrWnrl Tin. I bolleV
the Lord hlsself must n'a sent gran'ma Ello
here to talk like nn angel unawares. I be
she'd go an' at'k ' Mis' Parmer over here t
dinner If she wa'n't afraid I'd Ian at her fe
knucklln' down. I'll have to aggravate her. '
She finished dusting , and returned to th
kitchen. "I wonder what gran'ma Ello
'u'd say If she knew you'd turned Orvllle'
mother out , Emarlne ? "
There was no reply. Emnrine was at th
table making tarts. Her back was to he
mother.
"I didn't mean what I said about boln
sorry I egged you on , Emarlne. I'm glai
you turned her out. She'd ort to be turnei
out. "
Emarine dropped a quivering ruby of Jolly
Into a golden ring of pabtry and laid It care
fully on n plate.
"Oran'ma Eliot can go talkln' ebout he
daughter-'n-law Sldonle all she wants , Ema
rlne. You keep a stiff upper lip. "
"I can 'tend to my own affairs , " iul'
Emarlue , fiercely.
"Wfill. don't flare up BO. Here co-nes Or
vllle. Land , but he does look peaKld ! "
After supper , when hr mother had gen
home for the night , Emarlno put on her ha
and shawl.
Her husband was sitting by the fireplace
looking thoughtfully at the bed of coals.
"I'm goln' out , " she said brleflj"You
keep the lire up. "
Whv Rmnrlnp. It's dark. Don't cboo
want I uh'u'd go along ? "
"No ; you kep the flro up. "
He looked at her anxiously , but he knev
from the way i'he set her heels down tha
remonstrance would be useless ,
"Don't stay long , " he raid , In a tone o
habitual tenderness. Ho loved her pis
ilonately , In spite of the lasting hurt BI |
had given him when she parted him from hi
mother. It wag a hurt tint had sunk de pe
than even ho realized. It lay heavy on hi
heart day and night. U took the blue ou
of the sky , and the green out of the grata
and the gold out of the sunlight ; It too !
the exaltation and the rapture out of his
Undercut momenta of love.
He never reproached her , ho never really
blame ! her ; certainly he never pitied him
self. Hut he carried a heavy heart around
with him , and his few tmlles were Joyless
things ,
For the trouble he blamed only himself
He had promised Kmarlne solemnly before
he married her. that If there were any
"knuckling down" to be done , hli mother
should bo the one to do It. He had made
the promUo deliberately , cud he could no
more hive broken It than he could have
chancel tbt color of hit tyei. When bitter
eellng arisen between two relatives' by mar
lagc , It Is the one who stands between
hem the ono who Is bound by the tender-
st tics to bJth who has the rsal suffering
o bear , who Is torn nnd tortured until Ufa
holds nothing worth the having.
Orvllle Palmer was the one who stood
> et een. He had built his own cross , and
ic took It up and bore It without a word.
Emarlne hurried through the early winter
dark until she came to tlu i-mall and poor
ioua where her husband's mother lived ,
; t was off the main-traveled street.
There was a dim light In the kitchen ;
the- curtain had not been drawn. Emarlne
paused and looked In. The sash was lifted
six Inches , for the night was warm , and the
sound of voices came to her at once. Mrs.
'almer had company.
"It's Miss Presly , " nald Emarlns , rescnl-
'ully , under her breath. "Old1 gossip ! "
" goln' to have n fine dinner , I hear , "
\Ilss Presly was saying. "Turkey with
ojster dressln' , an * cranberries' , an' mince
an' pun'kln pie , an' reel plum puddln' with
jrantly poured over 't an' set afire , an' wine
dip. an' nuts an' raisins , an * wine Itself to
wind ; up on. Emarlne's a fine cook. She
knows how to get up a dinner that makes
your mouth water to think about. You
? oln' to have a spread , Mis' Parmer ? "
"Not much of a one , " said Orvllle s
mother. "I expected to , but I c'u'dn't git
them fall patatas sold off. I'll have to keep
em till spring to git any kind o' price. I
don't care much about Christmas , though
her chin , way trembling , but she lifted It
high. "It's silly for anybody but children
to build so much on Christmas. "
Emarlne opened the door and walksd In.
Mrs. Palmer arose slowly , grasp'ng ths back
of her chair. "Orvllle's dead ? " she said
solemnly.
Emarlne laughed , but there was the ten
derness of near tears In her voice. "Oh ,
my , no ! " she said , sitting down. "I run
over to ask you to come to Christmas din
ner. I was too busy all day to come sooner.
I'm going to have a great dinner , an' I've
cooked ev'ry single thing of It myself ! I
want to show you what a finer Christmas
dinner your daughtcr-'n-law can get up.
D'nner's ' at 2 , an' I want you to come at 11.
Will you ? "
Mrs. Palmer had sat down weakly.
Trembling was not the word to describe the
feeling that had taken possession of her.
She was shivering. She wanted to fall down
on her knees and put her arms around her
son's wife , and sob out all her loneliness
nnd heartache. But lifeIs a stage ; and
Mies Presly was an audience not to be Ig
nored. So Mrs. Palmer said : "Well. I'll bo
r el glad to come , Emarlne. It's offul klnJ
o' yuh to think of 't. It 'u'd 'a' bs'n lone
me catln' here all by myself , I expect. "
Emarlne stood up. Her heart was like s
thistle-down. Her eyes were shining. "Al
right , " she said ; "an' I want that you sh'u'd
corns just at 11. I must run right back now
Good night. "
"Well , I declare ! " eald Mies Presly. "Thai
girl gits prettier ev'ry day o' her life. Why ,
she Just looked full o' glame tonight ! "
* * * * * * *
Orvllle was not at home when his mother
arrived In her rusty best drCss and shawl
Mrs. Endey saw her coming. She gasped
out , "Why , good grieve ! Here's Mis' Parmer
Emarlne ! "
"Ye : ? , I know , " said Emarlne , calmly
ast her to dinner. "
She opened the door , and shook hands will
her mother-in-law , giving her mother a look
cf defiance that almost upset that lady's
gravity.
"You set right down , Mother Parmer , an
let me take your things. Orvllle don't kno
you're comln' an' I Just want to see- his fac
when he comes In. Here's a new black shaw
fer your Chrlstmaa I got mother ono Jus
like It. See what nice long fringe It's got
Oh , my ! don't go to cryln' ! Here comes Or
vllle. "
She stepped aside quickly. When her bus
band entered his cjes fell Instantly on hi
mother , weeping childishly over the nev
ohawl. She was In the old splint rocking
chair with the high back. "Mother ! " h
cried ; then lie gave a frightened , torturei
glancs at his wife. Emarlno smiled at him
but It was through tears.
"Emarlne ast me , Orvillc she ast me ti
dinner o' herrslf ! An' she give me thl
shawl. I'm cryln' fer Joy "
"I art her to dinner , " said Emarlne , "hu
she ain't ever goln' back again. Shs's goln
to stay. I expect we'\e both had encugh o
a lessen to do us. "
Orvllle did not speak. Ho fell on his knee
and laid his heart , like a boy. In his mother'
lap and reached on ? btrong but trembll
arm up to his wife's waist , drawing 1.r down
tn lllm.
Mrs. Edney got up and went to rattim
things arcund on th ? table vigorously. "Well
I never see seen a pack o' loonatlcs ! " she ex
claimed. "Go an' burn all your Chrlrtma
dinner up , if I don't look after It ! Turncoats
I expect they'll both b& fallln' over their
? elves to knuckle down to each ottnr fron
now on ! I never see ! "
Dut there way something In her eyes , too
that made them beautiful.
A CHUISTMAS MUXO.
Household News offers the following
maM m ° nu :
nine Points on Half Shell ,
"Whj- , then the world's mine oj-stcr , whlcl
I with my avvord will open.
open.Merry ( Wives
Consomme.
"Served up death in soups ns these. "
Ilolled Cod , Lobsler Snuce.
Plain Potntoes. Cucumbers.
"Master , I marvel how the fish live In th
sea1
"Whv , ns men do nland ;
The great ones eat up the little onc3.
Roasted TurkejOlblet Sauce.
Crnnberry Sauce.
Sweet Potuto Crtiuettes. . .Pea ? . , .
1 Will CI1UW HIJ iil IlifelllJ' * vw. \ . * . .
Roman Punch ,
"O , keen appetite , desert mo not. "
Cnnviifsbnck Duck. Orange Salad.
"I smell It upon my life , It will do well. '
Plum Pudding. Brandy Sauce.
"Still ending and beginning still. "
Ice. Cakes' Jelly.
"I make an end to my dinner. "
"Why , here s n change !
Cheese. "Water Crackers. Coffee.
"Coffee which makes the politician wNe.
Anil see tliiough all tilings with his half
shut eyes. " -Pope (
Bonbons. Fruits. Nuts.
"Who i lees from the feast with that keel
nppctlte that he sits down ? "
A well-known Washington minister tell
this story : "In a country circuit In Vlr
Blub It was the custom to wear vvcelt-day
shoes nn.l stockings to church bicausu the
duet would get them soiled. Sunday foot
gear was carried along In the hands of the
wearers , and when the church wag reaclui
a change was effected. One of the ables
ministers In the conference preached a
the church , and being told of the custon
ind having tome distance to walk from
vsliero lie was being entertained , mloptti
the came metrod. One of tlio leading char
acterlEtlcs of the minister was his absent
mlndedness. and thrusting his hosiery li
Ills pocket lit mounted the pulpit. When
In the middle of his dlfcoum- . drew ou
what he- thought was his handkerchief , am
after wiping his bran * laid the article dowi
on the pulpit , when to his dismay and the
omtiseimnt of the congregation he dlscov
ered that It was the pair of extra socks
that ho had worn to church. H- completed
his sermon , but It was the last time he
ever conformed to that particular curton
of the country , "
An Irluli priest wau once preaching to
his congregation on the evils of drunken
ness. "It's the drink , " he told his cangnga
tlon , "that makes > ou beat your wives
It's the drink that makes ycu neglect your
children ; It's the drink that makes you shoot
at your landlords and miss 'cm. "
llucklcu'n Arnica Salve.
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\ ? / / /\s + \ ss + \ ss + \ / + / + s + / * / +
CHRISTMAS AT SNAGTOWN. M
J. T. Altctmis In the Mew York Herald ,
Snagtown was a characteristic western set-
lemcnt In the Black Hills. H had been es-
abllshed but a short while and the miners
mil had a hard time to kep their foothold
against the onslaught of the Indians , who
ook a fiendish delight In creeping down on
hem In the night and destroying their huts
and killing them whenever they got a chance.
But when the first Christmas came around
Snagtown was considered to be , on a s > olld
foundation , and the Snagtownltes proposed
to have a roaring good time. It was decided
that n tremendous big feast should be given
at the Snagtown Arms , In which nil should
take a part , on Christmas aflcrncon , and
Jack nilllngs , the only bonlface In the place ,
had been Instructed that unless he did his
very best the boys would raise particular
Cain with him. A week before the event
was to take place a meeting was held and a
committee on arrangements was appointed ,
with orders to spare no expense. "Git loads
o' grub an' plenty o' lush , " the chairman of
the meeting1 said , as he mentioned the names
of those who were to bo responsible that the
landlord of the Snagtown Arms did his work
properly. The committee Immediately got to
other to decide what they should have at the
feast. Jack Billings nnd his colored cook
were called In for consultation. "I've got
loads of booze that was brought cut on the
last coach from Daw son's , " Billings replied
In ansmer to a question of one of the com
mittee In regard to what he had on hand ;
"but about the grub , I hardly know what
you want. "
"Deri's loads o' ven'son , Morsa Jack ,
i > fn dm pnnlt nxclalmed. "on * ducks on *
rabbits , an' den dere's dat 'coon dat Marse
Field shot this mornln' . "
"That's only ordinary grub , " one of the
committee reJcJncd. "We've got to have
something b.'tter than that. What's a Christ
mas dinner without turkey and cranberry
sauce ? "
"That's true enough , pard , " another mem
ber tejoined , "but think where you are.
There are no turkeys aiound this region and
no cranberries. I doubt even If you could
find one over at Fort Wales and that's 300
miles from here. We had better , put up with
what Billings has. " /
"We'll have to , " said another/ /
During this conversation there waa a mem
ber of the commutes who had remained
quiet in a corner of the rocrn sitting on a
barrel , with his legs crossed , smoking MB
pipe and looking as If he/were deeply en-
inced In thought. He was a tall , brcad-
shouldered Mlow. not over/30 / years of age.
with a heavy black bsard/and long black
hail and a face that Indicated Intelligence and
honesty. He wore a blue flannel shirt
corduroy trousers , belted ln = around the waist
and the legs tucked Into high boots. A light
sombrero was set on the back of his head.
This was Mike Field , whom P to had men
tioned as having killed the 'coon. He was
a general favorite amongthe miners , and
his op'lnlon was much sought after In the
decision of dlfllcult questlcns in which the
bowle knife and- pistols dldnnot enter , and
for this reason he was given the name of
Judge , and whenever a court was held he
waa calUd upon to preside. Field was a
taciturn man and never spoke of his former
life but enc could tell from his manner of
talking that he was a fellow who had had
the advantages of n good education.
"Look here , boys , " Field said , as he came
up to the- group clustered around the. stove ,
"I've Just bean thinking about this matter ,
and I'm cf the Bame opinion a ? Cummlngs ,
nnd that Is that we must have a turkey. "
All of them looked at Field , anxious to
hear what he had to propose.
"It only lacks five days before It will ba
Christmas , pard , " one of the committee re
marked , as he blew a whiff of smoke from
his pipe , and a smile crossed his face , as he
thought that for once In his life Field would
be stumped.
"That makes not the slightest bit of
d.fference , " Field rejoined. "I vvouldntcarc
If It only was the day before Christmas. If
> Ma mmmlttoe decided upon having turkey
for dinner It would have to bs secured at any
" Is' well enough to talk that way , Mike ,
but none of us are magicians and I can't see
how wo arc going to get turkey whe-n none
Is aroun'd. " ,
"Well , I'll tell you , boys , we are going to
have turkey and I'm going to get It , Field
exclaimed , with a look of decision on his
face. "Nate , will you let me have , your mus-
B"Whj cert' , Jedge. I'll let yer have any
thing that yer want , " Nate Cummlnsu
answered.
"All right. I'll start tonight. You boys
can go on with the arrangements and have
the other good things made ready nnd 111
start for the turkey. "
"Do you really mean It , Jedge ? " the com
mittee nsked In chrus.
"I was never more serious In all my life.
Mlko Field , when ones his mind was made
up to do a certain thing , always proceeded
to accomplish It. As soon as he had decided
to start out In search of a turkey he made
Nate Cumniings go and bring up his mustang
and he mounted.
Ho did not tell the others where he was
going or how ho proposed to get tno
and rode off. After he was gone the men
returned to their places around the stove.
It was a cold night out , the snow was deepen
on the hills and In the valleys , and none of
them cared to spend much time In the open
ilr.
ilr."I think that Mike's going to play some
Joke , " one of the men remarked utter thjy
had seated themselves In their places and
ordered Billings to flll up the glasses with
hot toddy ,
"He may , but I doubt It. He's got some
plan In his noddle , you can gamble on It ,
another rejoined. , . nu
"I'll bet any un thenMt , e fetches th
game , " Nate Cummlngs .jspoke up as he
threw a log of wood Into the , Pfe.
"It's n go. Nate. I'll tak9 , you up. I'll
bet yer forty ounces thet he don't. "
"Here It air. Now jo utdip an' Billings
will hold the dust. " j , ; .
Jack Billings was on hand and took the
dust from the men. weighing U on a scale
to see If it were Just wfjg\tand | \ then lie
put It away until ths time yame when the
bst should be won. , , ,
Three days passed by , Mike Klfld had not yet
returned and It only lacked flM more day
before It was C'irlstmas. ' The committee
had completed their worKi the dlnn'r was
all arranged for and the meats and game
were bing prepared by Petawho , flew about
the camn with an air of great Importance.
Christmas eve came , thejSnaKlownites were
aatembled at the Arms aml.stJII there was
no sign of Mike Field. liii members of
the committee , as well as the others who
had been Informed of the Judge's expedition ,
began to grow anxious and to fear that
some accident had overtaken the man.
Scmo suggested that a search party bo or
ganized , but this was equelchcd by the com *
niltte , who knew that If any euch thing
were undertaken all of their work would be
thrown away ,
During the night the clouds darkened , the
moon wss obscured and when daylight
dawned a terrific enow storm was raging.
One by one the Snagtownltes awoke , reered
out at the etorm and made their way from
their huts as quick an they could over to
the Arm * . The large- room was filled with
the cavory aroma of the cooking , and Pete
moved from the kitchen to the room at fre
quent Intervals , busying himself at netting
tlie table , He was avihrted by Hattle Blll-
ingi , the pride of Snagtown nnd the only
daughter of the boniface , a buxom loss cf
19 , who was capable of holding her own
( gainst any man In the camp and who would
ttAnnit po undue familiarity from tny ol
them. Shor had coma to the place with her
father nnd was the only woman In the camp.
The boys treated her like a queen , but the
only one she looked upon with any favoritism
was Mike Field.
"It does look , pards , cs ef th' Jedgo war
not goln' tcr keep his promise about thet
thar turkey , " Nnto Cummlngs exclaimed ns
he survejed the decorated table and smacked
his lips at the hot spiced rum he was sipping.
"Wot think yer , Hat ? "
"What do you ask mo for ? " the girl nsked
with a toss of her head ns she flounced out
of the room. And then coming In again she
eald , "If any of you had had n spark of
sense jou wouldn't have let him go. "
"Wot has we. uns ter do with It ? " Nate
asked with an offepded air.
"You had enough. How do jou know but
what the Indians may have waylaid him ? "
"Wai , Hat , cf jer goln' ter Hy th' blame
on us , an' cf jer say so we'll start off now
"an" look artcr "Im. "
"This Is a high time to make such a
proposition. "
Pete stood In the doorway during this spat
between Nate and Hattle , and a broad grin
spread over his face.
"Ncbber mind , Marse Nate ! " the darky ex
claimed. 'We's got do 'coon , and dot's Jest
cs good es turkey any day In de week. "
Pete was driven back into the kitchen'by
Hattle and the miners were left alone to dis
cuss the probability of Mlka Field having
met with some accident. They had never
known the Judge to fall yet In anything
that he. had undertaken , nnd even up to 1
o'clock they still had hopes that Field would
turn up. Nate looked out of the window
and , seeing how the storm was raging , ex
claimed :
"Thar's no chance for the Jedgo now. "
"What's that , Nate-7" Hattle asked , as she
r.nmp Inin the rnom with n larce bunch of
evergreens which had been gathered and
which she hung up In the center of the
room.
"I sed thet th1 Jedge won't come ter time , "
Nate answered.
"What do you want to bet ? " the g'rl said ,
looking down from the box on which she
was standing.
I'll bet yer twenty ounces o' gold agin a
kiss thet he don't an' we make our Christ
mas dinner off 'coon Instead o * turkey. "
"I'll go you , " Hattle exclaimed , as she
Jumped down off the box.
The girl was In exubeiant spirits , and
when the other miners offered to make the
snme bet with her she accepted every ono of
them and made them put up the dust then
and there in the hands of her father , who
took particular pains to see that the weight
was correct. All of the Snagtownltea con
sidered It a huge Joke , and that Hattle waste
to pay the forfeit after the dinner.
Two o'clock was the hour set at which
the feast was to commence. When that time
airlvcd the miners were as hungry as bears
nnd were nnxlous for the signal to be given
for them to take their places. As the hands
of the clock pointed to the hour Hattle
stepped out of the kitchen and exclaimed :
"Boys , stand up and make two lines , with
an alley In the center. "
The miners cbyed with alacrity. wonderIng -
Ing what Hattle could be > up to and Imagin
ing that she had found some luck.
"Stand there now , " she said as she re
viewed the line , and then darted back Into
the kitchen , teen appearing with a big fowl
In her hands. "Forward , march ! "
Then , with head erect and holding aloft the
fowl , she marched down between the rows.
She was followed by Pete , who carried a
tteamlng hot 'cccn on a large dish ; then
came Billings with a roasted haunch ol
venison , and then a sight presented Itself to
the Snngtownltes that made them stare with
open mouthed amazement. There , In the
doorway , stood Mike Field holding up a dish
on which was ono of the largest turkeys
they thought they had ever seen. When did
ho come ? How did he get there ? Where
did he get the bird ? U was decorated , too.
with cranberries. Were they dreaming or
awake ?
"Boys , here's the turkey nnd the cran
berries , too , " Mike Field exclaimed as ho
walked across the room and placed the tur
key at the head of the table.
As the miners crowded to their places they
did not notice that a man dressed In broad
cloth had followed the Judge Into the room
and they were still more astonished when
Field gave him a seat by his side and said :
"A friend of mine , boys. "
The man bowed and took the seat. The
turkey was carved and every one's dish wai
heaped up with the good things. Never had
the boyy had such a feast before , and they
enjoyed it , caring little ? how hard the stoim
raged without. Frequently during the mea
Field was asked the question how he cams
to get the turkey , but he refused to answer
until the meal was concluded. After every
one was satisfied and Pets had cleared the-
dishes away , and when a steaming glass o
punch was placed before each guest , Mike
Field nrow , nnd looking at Hattle , said :
"I guofs It's about time. Hat. "
Hattle arose from the table , bruslml ou
the wiInkles from her dress and wont under
the evergreen boughs. Field followed and
stood by her side. The stronger stood li
front of them with a bosk In his hand.
"Hello , Jedge , wat does this hyar mean ? '
Nate exclaimed ns ho jumped up from his
cbn'r and was followed by the others.
Before any one could reply to Natei the
lnnrpn pnfil In n Rnlpmn tonO Of Voice :
"Hattle Billings , do you take Mlchae
Field to bo your husband ? "
"I do , " Hatt'o ' answered In a film voice
her face wreathed with smiles.
Other questions were abkcd of Flsld am
then the minister pronounced Hattle and the
Judge man nnd wife. When the ceremony
was concluded Nate Cuminlngs gave a rcua
ing fill out and , catching the bride In his
arms , he hlpsed her , suylng :
"Well , Hat , we uns hov lost our bjts , but
we air goin' ter git th' kisses ! "
Hattle struggled , but It was no use , for
every ono present was bound to get a kiss
from the brld . Field looked on and smiled
When thsy wore quieted down Mike Field
got up and said :
"Hoys , I played you a kind of wurvy
trick , but I think you have- enjoyed It. Ha
and I have been ongagel "some time , am
we decided to be married on Christmas ,
sent for the preacher , and he has been her :
three days , The turkey and the cranberries
came up en the last stage. It was sent out
by my hi other In the cast. When I rode
nvvay the other night I only went a ehor
distance and then came back. Hat kept mo
upstairs all the time until this morning. "
There was a general S'hout and mud
merry-making after this. Hattle got all o
her bets and more presents In gold. F.eld
prospered , and after a time he came back to
New York , with his wife , a very rch ! man
The camp was dceeitcd In a few years , went
tn fiapnv nml Mm rpRldeiitg ware scattered
But as each year comes around Hattle am
Mike celebrate the anniversary of the'r wed
ding , and theyi will never forget the first
Christmas at Snagtown.
.MI.STMTOI : .
mix Ciirmcn In New Ymk Sun.
When on the chandelier I BJVV
The mltitletoe : tnd holly.
The one conclusion I could draw
Led me straight on to folly.
Tor Marjory , with cheeks aglow
And UPH , euch one u berry ,
Waa Hinlllnj , ' at the mistletoe
A smile peculiar , very. '
I watched them both , nnd when ubov *
Her head the ercrn leaves fluttered ,
I caught and kissed the girl 1 love
And pomctlilns tender uttered.
She blushed , of course : the deed wan donu
Quoth she : "Blnce kUBlnc'B pleavant
I'll irlve you juat another one ,
To be your Christmas present. "
Good loveru all , take note of this ,
The Christmas prank of Cupid.
A epray of mistletoe nmlea i
Wore nothlne short of utupld , /
CHRISTMAS 'ruins ,
P. I. Stanton In Atlanta Constitution.
Ttlm tlic hoii e up , Molly , nn' htng the
holly hlKh.
Jcnt ( lie tk'Rtioc till It foam. " , nml dash
It with tini.vo . ;
\n' make the table longer , nn' nil the
glasses fill ,
Per theio here tlmcq l Chrl mm times ,
nn'c'rc a-llvln , stllll
Trim the hou e up , Molly , nn' mnke her
hum once more :
\n' hang them tiilnR. "Ooil Blew Our
Home , " nml "Welcome , " nlph the ilooi :
An' vvo'll flro ot ( llomnn candles nn' we'll
holler \\lth a will ;
l-'er these here times ! Christmas times ,
nn1 we'ro n-llvln' stllll
Trim the hoii'o up , Molly Je t set out nil
the best !
Yer tnter-pleH , an' mincemeat ycr turkey * ,
'
an' the rest ;
An' make the cKKtioff stronger , fer the
wenther'H kinder chill ,
Per these here times ! Christmas times ,
nn' we're n-llvln' still !
Trim the house up , Molly 111 ! thar's
n horn nn' drum !
A fiddle nn' n Jcwshaip ! Gal ! ycr uncle's )
folks It coino !
An' thar'i ver Aunt Maria , an' the bo > s ,
from nick to Hill ,
For these here times Is Christmas time- * ,
nn' wc'ro a-llvln' still !
Ilin MAfilO OI' A S
nili Whftler WIIWx.
Smile n little , . mile n little ,
As jmi go along.
Not alone when life Is pleasant ,
Hut when tilings jo wrong.
Cnre delights to sec > ou flow nine ,
Love * to hear you sigh ;
Turn n smiling face upon her.
Quick the dame will fly.
Smile n little , smile n little.
All nlong the road ; ,
Every life mu t have Its bin Jen , i
Every heait Its load.
Whv .sit down In gloom and darkresn ,
With jour grief to stip7
As > ou drink Pate's bluet tonic
Smllo nciosa the cup ,
Smllo up the troubled pilgrims
Whom jou pass nnd meet ;
Frowns arc thorns and smiles arc MosBomt
Oft for \\enry feel.
Dei not make the way seem ha'-lcr
llv n sullen face ;
Smile n little , smile n little ,
Brighten up the place.
Smile upon your undone labor ;
Not for one who grieves
O'er hl tusk , waits weiilth or glory !
Ho who sinlleH achieve * .
Though > ou meet with lo s nml sorrow
In the passing jean
Smile u little , smile a little ,
Even through jour tcnrs.
V
Out Of Sorts.
t
That is the way you feel as a re
sult of the headache you had when
you awoke this morning. Get in
your usual frame of mind and body j
by using Ripans Tabules , the stan
dard remedy for all stomach and
liver complaints.
V t
nipnna Talmles : Sold by iliURglstg , or by mill
If the price (50 ( cents a box ) Is sent to The III-
pans Chemical Company. No. 10 Spruce St. , N. Y. t
The Tobacco used In fils Cig-ar is the best we can buy In Cuba.
The Mercantile Is equal to any . that are Imported. See that I he word MEnCANTILD
Is stamped on each cigar.
F.R. ( Rice Mercantile Cigar Co. , St. Louis.
THR
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