The Exeter Advocate, 1923-12-27, Page 7I-1 E
Christine Whiting Parmenter
--„,
• "Want any beets or carrots eyes now, but something compassion-
nia'em?" he aeked. . I. ate in their depths stirred things long,
RiS vraree were temPtinglY display- dheniant in the boy's heart,
ed and Mary decided that she wanted •"I (Wet come fr,ein no orphanage";
beets. "Joe, will You bring a dish he confessed, suddenly.
from the pantry?" -she called over her, "I knew that," answered „Mathiesen,
shoulder, as she made her selection. " "I inquired at Saint Luk' ri the day
' There was no response, Suddenly,1 after you came."
4
J Mary realized that the joyous shouts 1 "You knew I lied!" cried Joe, "and a
. .
t were stilled. Only the baby's -voice 1—and kept me?"
It was cold and stormy, and dark. "It's—it's terrible for a boy to wan , ti
, ,hint WhimPer, was audible."d
I Yes. You told Mrs. tdathiesen that Probably •after Hallowe'en andi In il-gland on New Teaea Eve
Mary Mathiesen, moving quietly about a home, jim," said Mary, gently. raisedin a ,
the kitchen, preparing supper, paused 'el know," answered Mathiesen. He Turning, she saw that the boy had, you wanted a borne. We were sorry •Christmas there is no festival of the n the young NVOrnell went about carrying
for a moment to be sure that the 10- leaned across the little table to give vanished, though on the floor lay ayou didn't trust Us; but if a boy wants year so girt abeutwith long -establish -I the "wassail bowl" aied singing from
casts slapping against the windows, Mary's hand a squeeze. "Sometimes huddled shape under an old shawl. a home there's something good in besn, ed customs as New Year's Day. Ain- door to door certain verseseee custom
id not "'frighten her baby, :whom she I feel like a sinner to have so much; Without a word, Mary_ brought the so we decided' to trust you anyway." ong the best known of these are the which had Much in common with the
ad just tucked in for the night. As but—I can't. just see ue adopting a dish nerself, Paid the man and watch- I A shamed red crept into the boy's augarles drawn from What was Called hogmany practice in Scotland. He
no sound came from above, she sought sixteen -year-old n!"
ed him depart before she crossed the cheek. He started to speak, but the the "Candlemas RulL" In Scotland pint, the strange brew Which in that
so
the dining room, switching on the Mary laughed. Then her face sob- the boy. His face was white, though 1 "It was a lie sir. I didn't want no and other northern countries the term ceuntry was carried about e
room and lifted the shewl to disclose words came as if they hurt.
he forced. an unnatural smile. ,liome--not then." Candlemas, given to this eeason of the streets at midnight, was composed of
lights as a welcome to Jim, her hus- ered. "But we must do something, I ' '
hand, who was tramping the helf mile rim." year, is supposed to hare had its ale, spirits, sugar, nutmeg or drum -
from the station in the rain. When "Peek-a-boo!" he laughed at the "The n why—" began Mathiesen, in origin in religious ceremonies per- mon. It was a powerful potion, a
"Why, of course," responded Mathie... baby. ' I genuine surprise, *hen Joe interrupt- formed by candle light. The candles effects of which were alraost imme-
she returned to the kitchen, the kettle
was singing merrily. It seemed very son, quickly. "We'll begin With o; suit The baby crowed vBits= in but ed: "I didn't know nothin' about used were very large and highly diately evident. Bitsin a collection
cosy, she thought, with the rain beat- of elothes. I'll bring one out to -mor- Mary laid a hand on the boy's arm. homes—then. I read that all in the ornamented, and were brought in at of ancient songs gives us a few sung
He'll have to swim round in my "Joe—was that the farmer who, paper, how a guy went to a house and the midnight hour to the assembled to the quaffings of this "prince a
, .
ing ageirist the windows. If only Jim row'
were here— I told the folks that story—wantin' a guests, who, since the falling a. dusk, liquors, old or new." One such es:
wardrobe till afternoon. He's small abused you?"
for sixteen; but, then, he looks as if "Nope," said the boy, not meeting home, and how he come „from an in- had been drinking freely of the "was -
Her thoughts were interrupted by "A jolly wascsel bowl,
he'd never had enough to eat." her eyes. "I never see that man be-; stitution. Then when they took him sail bowl. Then, in procession, they
an unexpected knock. It was a strange A -wassel of good ale,
Mathiesen had departed for the city fore. I was just playin' with the in and he got the run o' things, he marched out into the ' eight, and to
hour for a- visitor. Opening the door,
before their guest awoke next day. baby. She likes for me to hide ane lit out with all the jewelry and their imaginations the passing clouds Well fare the butler's soul
she saw a boy in shabby raiment That zetteth this to sale;
standing upon, the little porch. Mary, tiptoeing into the boy's room, then jump out at her." moeey." 1 assumed the shape of a bull. Frora Our jolly wasselr
looked down with pity ou a face which, "All right," said Mary, but the boy's "And got caught," supplemented the rise and fall and general motions
as he did not epeals. not escape her, nor the fact that he, that story, too. And you thought it or bad weather. Sometimes, too, aug- w
hNieehtwiitthhsastanmdeitngshiotehtehe yooparposiistiloz
. "What can I do for you?" she asked, white face and trembling hands did Mathiesen, "and sent to prison. I read of these clouds the seer foretold good
in sleep, lead lost its sullen lines. Yet,
there was a hard expression to the
For a rn,oment the boy was silent, mouth that she couldn't understand in did not return to the carefree romp.; paid?" uries for _the future were gathered when many abuses were discovered In
Peering into the room beyond, as if hie one so young. Then she remembered Re kept close to the house all day, The boy's voice shook. "I guessed from the state of the atmosphere on the practice, the custom of hurrying
;search of something. He didn't meet the livid bruise he had displayed, and sometimes reading, somethees starin
_ g I could put it through," he confessed, New Year's Eve, and also from the first across the threshold of his sweet.
Mary's friendly glance as he said her heart melted, ' When, later, the into space, his brows knit in thought; I miserably. "I was goin' to bury the force and eharacter a the wind. heart has been practleed by many a
, and, as the hears passed, the bitter, stuff till the police stopped lookina In the imagination of most primi- young lad in Aaglo-Saxon countries.
hoarsely, "I want a home."- b ' lo 1 f oat -
"A home!" echoed Mary in surprise. meal before Mand event to the stove tive peoples, especially those of the The young lady listened attentively
lines abotit his mouth which had been but—"
to turn a griddle cake.
"Good morning," she said, cheer-
fully. "I hope you like griddle cake
and maple syrup?"
It was a question, but the boy made
no answer as he seated himself before
the oatr.neal. It struck Mary that he
might be embarrassed, so she did not
look 'at him. When, at length, she
glanced him way, she had to suppress
an astonished exclamation. He hard-
ly looked like the same boy. He was
smiling -it was the first smile Mary
had seen --but he was smiling heither
at her nor at the prospect of griddle
cakes and maple syrup. His smile
went straight to the corner where
Baby Mathiesen reigned supreme ie, a
fenced -in spot, from which she was
grinning a friendly welcome.
ncient NCVf Year's Custo
and Their Orig
She stood back, motioning the boy North, who were forced to battle from the time the midnight bells ceas-
slowly vanishing, returned. At times "Yes?" encouraged Mathiesen.
Mary caught him watching her fur- "But—I—I liked the baby. I sort o' against the elements of nature for life ed to ring to catch the first footfall on
to enter. He obeyed sullenly, as if tively, as if he were trying to read hated to be mean. I'd most give up and sustenance, the eves of great the floor.
doing her a favor. her thoughts. In the afternoon she thinkie about that scheme; but when -feasts were considered occasions when The welfare of the femily, par -
"You're hungry, aren't you?" said manufactured an errand to the vil-1 see that man again I—I wanted to the spirits of good and evil were in ticuiarly the fairer portion of it, was
Mary quietly. "Sit here by the table lage in order to leave the baby in his get even with—with somebody?' deadly conflict. The moment of mid- supposed to depend upon the character
and I'll get your supper. Then you care. If she showed that 'she trusted' His face hardened, and his brows night on New Year's eve was always of the first comer after the midnight
can tell hie why you want a home." him with her dearest treasure, per- were seamed and angry. I considered a time of special activity hour had sounded. Great care was
He slumped into a chair, resting his haps, in time, he would trust her. But "You mean the farmer who came for the spirits of evil. In order to taken to exclude all infproper per -
elbows on the table and staring nerv-
ously into every corner. He ate hun-
, grily the bread and milk which Mary
set before him, watching her covertly
as she moved shout preparing her
owe supper. Mary was perfectly
aware of his alert glances. He remind-
ed her of a squirrel devouring a nut
while in deadly fear of some alien in-
terruption. When he had finished, she
turned to him and smiled encourag-
ingly.
"So you want a home?"
"Yes," answered the boy. He spoke
slowly, as if reciting something. "I
run away from Saint Luke's Orphan-
age. I never had no other home. No
one would take me when I was little,
because I had red hair. Then, one day,
a farmer from out this way come for
a boy. He picked me out o' the whole
bunch—me---the biggest. I thought
eure I was goin' to have a home but
all he wanted was a work haese.
took!" Ile stripped his shirt off one
shoulder to show a mark, ugly and
new. "He done that. I run away, back
to the orphanage, but they licked me.
I've done with 'ern! I want a home
like other boys. I—"
He stopped confused, and Mary
looked down on him compassionately.
"You poor boy!" she said, gently.
"I can't promise you a home; but I'll
- give you a night's lodging and try to
help."
"You here 'alone?" asked the boy,
suddenly; something cunning creeping
into his eyes that repelled Mary.
"No. I have my husband and baby
girl. There's Jim now!" she added,
joyfully; glad of Mathiesen's guiding
hand in this problem.
Mathiesen, who had entered by the
• front door, met hee half way across
the !lining room and hugged her ard-
ently.
.
"Some storm !" he exclaimed, boy-
ishly, "and some home to come in to
out of the wet! I'm hungry, Mary,
and—"
Mary's finger on her lips caused him
to stop abreptly. She closed the door,
ahd in a few quick words told him of
their self -invited- guest.
"Poor kid!" said Mathiesen quietly.
He stepped into the kitchen, holding
out his hand in welcome, but the boy
did noteor would not, understand. He
looked up siispiciously, as the man's
hand dropped to his shoulder.
"How old are you?" questioned
Mathiesen kindly.
"Sixteen," answered the boy, and
flushed.
"M -min," murmured Mathiesen. He
looked down at the boy with eyes that
couldn't be anything by kind, yet
seemed to demand the truth. "You're
tired, aren't you?" he asked. "And wet,
and cold. Mrs. Mathiesen has seen to
your supper, of course. Suppose you
have a bath and go tci bed. To -morrow
we'll have a talk. Is the guest room
ready, Mary?" •
She nodded, and the boy, still sullen,
followed Methiesen sepstairs. Mary
• ,heard her hughaechmoying about, eel-
eXelently ShOWing _the boy where lie;
would pleep and giving him clean
„clothes,' The water was running into
the tub When Jiin returned. In silence
„ he helped May put' supper, on the
• table -and sighed with relief as he
'Sat !down- -
• hope You gave that boy enough
to eat, dear. Hee starved. His shoul-
-der blades are almost through the
•ekir, and he has- a bruise--"
"I saw it,"..said Mary quickly. "The
farmer who took him from the orehan-
•
age did it." •
"M -nem, sal Mathiesen again;
thee, quietly: "Sixthen years old mid
erphan. Somehow—that doesn't
sound quite credible."
• -"You think • he lied?" whispered
Mary, one eae on- sotinds above.
• -*Jim smiled: "Oh we'll give him the
benefit, of the doubt. • He need. atten-
n. anywae. To-nioerew's Saturday
and Pil come out early:" -You keep him in surprise, 'when the door, opened to
busy throngle the morning and I'll tta Admit a man whose krock she had not
"I like kids," said the boy, suddenly.
It seemed to Mary that it was the
first natural speech that he had made.
But he flushed at the words and looked
stonily away from the baby's coquet-
tish gaze. Mary lifted a golden cake
from the spider.
"That's good," she answered, calmly.
"I'm going to ask you to look out for
her till nap time, I have so much to
do. Mr. Mathiesen will be home early.
He's' going to bring you a suit of
clothes. Yours look pretty well used
"Clothes for me!" gasped the boy.
"New ones?"
"Yes, new ones! Ready for your
cakes?"
"Da, da," answered the baby, and
the boy laughed.
"Can't she have one ma'am?"
"Oh, she had her one,
long
ago," said Mary. "Will you keep an
eye on her while I make the beds? I'm
late because I didn't want to wake
ycre,"
Mary knew tactfully, that the boy
would enjoy his breakfast more if he
ate alone. When she returned he was
on the floor beside the baby's fence,
making faces which Miss Mathiesen
evidently considered a great accom-
plishment. She wept when her mother
took her up, and stretched out implor-
ing hands to her new friend.
"She'd rather play than go by -by,
any day," laughed Mary. "Perhaps
you'll carry her upstairs while I get
her bottle. Then she'll go to sleep in
the sun -room and you can do what
you want till lunch time. Do you like
to read? There are lots of books and
magazines in the living room."
"Well, Jim," said. Mary, after their
guest had gone to bed the second night,
"what do yen think?"
"I'm puzzled," replied Mathiesen,
slowly. "I don't get at him, Mary. He
liked the clothes, oh! tremendpusly;
but he watched me whileshe was dress-
ing as if he thought I had an axe to
grind or was going to 'spring some-
thing unpleasant on him. He.told the
same story, though, that he told last
night; and when he's alone for -any
length of time, he looks sullen. The
night found him still sullen. Not ,even this morning?" asked Mathiesen
Mathiesen's kindly smile brought a quickly,
response. He went to bed early, but "Yes; him that give me this cut."
they could hear him tossing restlessly He pointed to his shoulder. "I was
until they slept. workin' for him—honest. I thought
"Poor boy," said Mathiesen, gently. I'd try the country for a spell; and
'"If only he'd say what's on his mind! one day he give his little girl a smack an appeal to the good genii, the hogh- New Year's celebrations in Pane that
If he doesn't confide in you tomorrow,
I'll tackle him at night. I can't di-
vulge my plans for him until I feel
he's to be trusted. He's not sixteen,
Mary. I'm sure of that."
It was late that night, when Mary
was soundly sleeping, that Mathiesen
awoke with a sense of something
wrong. He sat up in bed and listened.
All was quiet for a while—then, from
the dining room below, sounded a
stealthy footstep. Mathiesen slipped run off that night. I'd have burned
out of bed, reached with unerring in- Vs barns for him if I hadn't been
stinct for his blanket wrapper, and afraid I'd burs his wife and kids. I
crept downstairs. Through a crack didn't have nothin' to eat all next day.
in the closed door of the dining room, It was then I remembered that boy
a faint right was visible. It didn't What asked for a home, and I looked
occur to Mathiesen that he might need in these windows' and see all this sil-
a weapon. His hand closed firmly on ver I—I thought it was some
the door knob which yielded quietly, rich guy's summer place. I—didn't
so quietly that the boy standing before hardly know what a home was—then.
the sideboard, did not know he was
interrupted. Then he turned, stifling
a frightened cry.
Mathiesen's keen eyes, at a glance,
took in the scene before him. Dressed
once more in his old clothes, his cap
pulled low over his eyes, stood Joe,
grasping in one hand what looked like
a pillow case, the contents of which
clinked queerly as he moved. The everything—even love. But," his voice
sideboard was swept bare of Mary's softened, "I do understand, boy. When
silver candlesticks and dishes.- Only I was your age I was as alone as you.
•the baby's porringer remained, telling But if I hadn't lived straight, and
its own story. kept my soul and body clean, do you
Mathiesen drew a quick breath. think for a moment I'd be where I am,
Then he came nearer, took the boy's to -day, with a home like this, and "I bet it's not as good as our baby!"
said the boy suddenly.
burden from him, and said, quietly: friends who care for me, and a wife Had Mathiesen's over -burdened
"Suppose we sit down, Joe, and talk and baby to love and work for?" heart needed warming, that tribute to
it " He waited, but as the boy was silent
his wee daughter would have done it.
The boy obeyed, trembling. he went on slowly. "We reap what But before he could reply, the boy's
"Take off your cap," said Mathiesen we sow, son. There is nothing truer; eyes crept to the silver on the table
kindly. He was quietly removing the and if you live honestly, and play fair, and he gasped, as if suddenly remind -
silver from the pillow case, laying it and hold out a helping hand to the ed of some dreadful thing he had for -
upon the dining table, and talking, man below, sometime, sooner or later, gotten, while Mathiesen, watching
giving the boy a chance to pull himself the reward comes—if it's only the sat -
together. •
isfying knowledge of days well lived." him closely, said quietly:
"It's ie your hands now, Joe. I gave
"These candlesticks were a wedding The boy looked up. His eyes were
you my word; and if you still want to
overcome them holier and more pow- sons, especially as the midnight in-
erful influences had to be invoked. The truder enjoyed the, privilege of
evil spirits, or genii, as can be gather- , printing a "hearty kiss" on the lips
ed from the Icelandic and Anglo- I of the expectant lassie.
Saxon folklore, and even from words The custom of bestowing gifts has
in their dialect, could be overcome by become so inextricably linked with the
that knocked her flat. I see red, sir, ?nen, or hillmen. New Year's Day is still called the
and I lammed him one on the jaw. He Probably imported from Italy was Jour d'Estrennes. This custom seems
had a whip in his hand and—" the superstition that on New Year's to have had its rise in the conduct of
The boy shuddered, and Mathiesen eve the "evil eye" was all the more the nobles of the late Middle Ages,
said compassionately, "I understand. malignant. Then, too, there was a who were in the habit of bestowing
You needn't tell me. And—and you widespread practice of the "setting of gifts upon their sovereign.
thought we'd send you back to him?" mete or drynke by nighte on the The giving of gifts was also very
"I thought, maybe, you'd think he benche to fede Allholde or Goblyn." common in England among the people.
had a right to me. I ain't but four- In some of the dialogues of the fa- On Christmas Day, and often on St.
teen year old. But I'd go to hell, mous medieval morality play "Dives Stephen's Day, employers, parents and
mister, before I'd go back to him. I and Pauper" we find mention of this masters presented Christmas boxes to
and many other New Year's customs their dependents. It was a form of
intended to counteract the activities! Christmae charity. On New Year's
of the forces of evil. Day, however, gifts were exchanged
Perhaps what contributed most of between friends and acquaintances as
this general fear of sinister influences: a sign of good will. This custom, per -
was the deep drinking, among the peo-• haps, had its origin in the box which
ple, which continued almost uninter-1 -was taken aboaxd every vessel that
ruptedly ,frorn Christmas until New, sailed out of port daring the octave of
Year's Day. Up to the ninth century, I Christmas and which wee not to be
except in the Syrian and Coptic opened until the return of the vessel.
I never got anything but lmocks all churches, New Year's day was not- Contributions were to be dropped into
my life. Oh, you don't know, sir! celebrated as a epecial feast day, but thie box, large or small, according as
You don't understand. You got so was looked upon as merely the octave the day had been propitious or other -
much. Don't—don't the world owe of Christmas. Therefore the Christ- wise. Hence the name of "Christmas
me somethin', mister?" • mas cheer wag continued throughout boxes," which were given up to and
' "No," answered Mathiesen, sternly, the entire octave without abatement. including New Year's Day. Each one
"not one thing." He paused, letting It flickered up for the last time on of these days became known as "Box -
the words sink in. "Everything that New Year's Day, as is clear from the ing Day." At the present time the
we want, Joe, we have to earn— 19th sermon of Augustine, Bishop of 26th of December is known as "Box -
Rippe. ing Day."
Mathiesen srniled. "She's not so; ing quietly, he went out and closed the
young, nor perhaps so pretty, but door. He knew how the boy would
she's awfully nice. And the baby—"1 choose. Mary would finish the task
he had begun.—New Success,.
The Year's End.
Full happy is the man who comes at
last
Into the safe completion of his years,
Weathered the perils of his sprinter
that blast
How many blossoms promising and.
dear!
And of his summer, with dread pas--
sions fraught
That oft, like fire, through the, ,
ripening corn,
carry away our silver, I shan't stop
you. But if you wish, you can be a Blight all with mocking death and,
son to Miss Garnet, and earn the ' leave distraught
I am sure. And this dish came from sen, as if he had not heard the ques- friendship we want to give you. It's Loved ones to mourn the ruined,
waste forlorn.
pose it took her a whole week to earn home you asked for. But I'm not rich, for you to choose; and, I think, you're
a stenographer in my office. I sup- tion, "that if I could, I'd give you the But now, though autumn gave but;
it, maybe more. These salts and Pep- Joe—far from it—and I have a wife man enough to choose the right."
Then the boy, still staring at the harvest slight, - •
pers are hardly worth the trouble of and baby, as well as an old mother, silver, voiced- the thought born of his Oh, grateful is he to, the powers,
carrying away. They wouldn't bring -whom I have ,to consider; but—I've new-found sense of shame: "But—but above .
For winter's sunshine, and the
much; but we love them because a another plan for you." what'll she think, sir?"
little sick giri, in the house where ri The boy was lean . His eyes crept from Mary's tree-
ing forward,
gift from Mr. Carey for whom I bright, because back of his eyelids
there were tears. "What—what'll I
do, sir?" he asked humbly.
,t`I hope you know," went on Mathie-
work," he explained, calmly. "Mrs.
Mathiesen is very fond of them.
They're worth a good deal of money,
lengthened night
used to board, spent all her savings searcely breathing, as Mathiesen went sures to the room above, and Mathie- By hearthside genial with the,
It was a smile that had warmth of love.
only time he acts' like a real boy is to give 'them to us. The forks aloe on quietly: "I've got you a job as ele- sen
when he's with the baby; and theses spoons we'll *thiSS, of CC/1=Se. sufi- vator boy in our office building. It's healed many a hurt heart before, and Through silvered days of vistas gold,
queer too, for most boys would take I pose I've been careless about burglar e k th t 1 t'
asy wor a w eave you nee so now it fell like balm on a tortured • and green
pains to hide the fact that they liked, insurance. Somehow never thought
to arausea baby. We'll keep him here' that anyone would steal from us; 'be -
a day or two, dear, .if you don't mind. cause really we haven't very inuch.
Perhaps, when he gets used to us,
he'll talk more freely." - A smothered protest came from the
. The day or two grew into a fort- boy, and Mathiesen sat- doevn sudden -
night, at the end of which Mathies,en,
who was accustomed to receiving
everybody's confidences confessed him-
self baffled. The boy had a confusing
vvay of -wading questions or answer-
ing them in a way that'evealednoT
"He reminds me of ;Si. shrewd' law-
yer" Mathiesen coMplained, eee monis
we can't keep him here indefinitely, v,-er _ my questions truthfully, I11 {old her to take life easily. mustleave intact If Mary '
1 Oh, gayNewYspearr, ing—
Mary glad with the;
ing. "He has brains—that bey; but with yoin if you like. If you'll axis- ' t' d h l'b '
, • - re ire „ er on a i eran pension, and thought he
got a .scheme—" , , ' any case—eren if . Yoh walk off with' truth wee, She ' was lonely, weTrleien°nItYP hheisrei-oy he saw her he the .
comforting!
. It's too unich for yen. I'-ee Promise. not to send for an 'officer in ' 1"B t that didn't d the trick' Th
, _ , u ,p e. e , , Leave xne the ways that were my,
Mary didn't hear the seherne just Mrs. Mathiesen's treasuresn Isn't day, when she was staying here, Mis.
, and one doorway. Her eyes held his for al
brief morriente-swept past him the 1, • —Laura Slime
then, because the baby derziended her that fair?" - a thsen.an inspiration. 'Miss s v - s ' --,-.0,--, -
M th' had • ' • ,er il er 'on the table—to the boy' head'. ens'
To every reader, young and old, we
and Mathiesen Garnet she said, 'why don't you adopt bowed amid his plunder—to the baby's1 eF
- extend our bearei st N Y '
s e New ear a
mother's presence, and whee she re- Joe clide't answer,
turned Jun ,was ready for his train. chose to take silence for consent,. a baby's, • lonely porringer—mute witness for '-
Later,. the boy—he had told them his "Let's begin at the beginning," he eneelleorhe die! she'd agenye want- the 'defence, and Mary, being Mary, .
greetings , and best wishes for a mosr
.name was Joe—brought ,in an armful said, kindly. "How old are you, Jae?" ed to, but thought her friends would understood- She crossed the room and
prosperous and happy 1924
of kindlings and, dropping them into The bey hesitatede-then blurted out clisaPProre. She's very 'happy now I put her alli1S about the boy '
,
the box, got down ,on his knees for a defiantly: `q'th gain'. en fifteen', 'any- but she needs emneone she can trust' "You hadn't any mether liad you?" ,
romp _with Mary's baby. It was a Way,1", . .. s.e ' ' ' to bring up wood and tend the fur- she said, tenderly. "You didet under- This is the best seasore of the Yeast
ritiisy romPn but Mary only smiled at e "And NV/1Y ,a1c1 you tell us you were nace, and be n, big . brother to her Stand. There. There." • for the armor 0 turn • ever a, leaf\
tile joyous youth of it: She turned older'?" , , bsiloy. Would You like to ,try?" , I' She might have been comforting her in ,his aceount book, '
' ,q.' thong:11'v! began. the boy, then . The boy looked 'tip still.' shaken 1 Own baby, thought her 1111812a/id. He
raised his liee;d, and for the first time ' "es,—is she like your missigen he paused ,Mornent, lOoking 'doern ador - , Let us fally reeoIro
met Mathiesee's eyes, They Were iterri ,hesitated. ' „, , ingly a her 'bowed head: Theneturas good reeolut*ioxii: ' .1
read aed study, which is what you s°n • Contentedly he glides away, serene.
need. You'll learn enough for your "I have no secrets from. my wife,
needs at present. but I don't -want you Joe, he said quietly, "but this is , A Pmyer.
hi a cheap boarding•amuse. You need r.
your secret, and if you want me to
- Oh, young New Year, take not these
a home, and I think I've found you keep .11---"'" . things from me -se
1 . "Oh would you?" cried the boy
•
The olden faiths, the shining loyalty
ly before hum "Now—" he began, but , bre breathlessly.
'Where?" questioned the
Jos interrupted hoarsely: "I know breathlesslyOf friends the bitter, searching years
have prov
your game! You'll just keep me , , "I . have a friend -who's *Corked in
''' His head went down amid the silver
The glowing hearth fires,
e ----
htaeirkel.n"' till the cop ,,Tell',ve sent for gets oaursn-oufgficleititoier hteorneinetywiyteharhs.or Smhoethheard btilleentbg.eattallbeirei'nwghsihleeetilli<- ehisetrgAteliraftehrmad•
Mathiesen arose, and a
feeling of All wonted kindnesses and weleom-,
books I loved;
"No,"; answered Mathieseza quietly, who died. a year ago - This seemed r' helplessness crept over him. He knew,
"1 11.av...en't sent -for' any cop' III' fact'I take away all her courage She waseeet that the boy needed the comfort one! Au sa;lel,gh—ardhtx,oddert paths to which,
don't know where to -find on E out here well, and the firm decided that she de - wauld give a child, yet he. had ap-r
I cling.
in the country. ell make 4 bargaia save a rest.. , last h pealed to him as a man, and that
and the,
'47tti him wben I get home." heard. "
ecee vete