THE DAILY EVENING TELEGRAPH TR1 PLE S H E H)T P H 1 L A D E LPI II A , WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1869. 8 TIIXl CUSTOIVirSB.. . A CHUISTMA3 STORY. In B shabby little shop in a shabby little vlreet, a man sit stitching away at if for dear life, bytho'Iight of a 6tngle oandlo. The name of John Todd was over the door, and John Todd himself it was who Hat npon tha thopboard, keeping time to bin nimble needle with an occasional snatch of a Hong. If there bad been a song of the trousers, as well ai of the shirt, he niight with great propriety hare ming that, far it was on a pair of those gar ments that he was employed. As it was, how ever, he did not confine himself to any one particular melody, but Hang a verse of ono and then a versa of another, an the fancy took him. Immediately above him hung a, disreputable-looking old blackbird in a wicker rage, who listened to the performance with an air of grave attention, aa one who was quali fied to be critical, and occasionally gave an encouraging chirp of applause. The Hinger wan a merry little man, no longer young, but xtill lithe and active, with twinkling gray eyes and a cbetry smile which it was pleasant to look npon. On the present occasion he had just got through "'Jocko' Hazeldean," and the "Banks of Allan Water" (which the blackbird ap plauded immensely), and had begun "Mary of Argylc," when the shop door suddenly opened, and pulled him up short in the very middle of u very effective shake. Tha person who entered was a short, stout individual, with his hat very far back on his head, a pen behind his ear, and a parchment-covered note book in his hand. "Well, Mr. Todd,'' said he. showing tha while the end of a stumpy pencil; "ready for me, I suppose." The little tailor's cheorfnl countenance fell, as he replied: - "I'm very sorry, Mr. Sprague, but I'm the fact is I can't say I am quite ready to night." "Then, why tho doooe ain't you ready?" amiably inquired Mr. Sprague, tapping the floor viciously with his fat cotton umbrella. "You're aweer, I suppose, that to-morrow's Christmas day; and you're also aweer that to awoid unpleasantness at a gay and festive season, I collects the rent the night before. Then why ain't you ready ?" "To tell you the truth, sir," said John hum bly, "I've had a disappointment this morning a little account I was to receive "' "Yah !" said Mr. Sprague savagely. "That makes five on 'em, ull been disappointed of a little account. Gammon! Now look here, Mr. Todd. This is Toosday. I'm a man of my word, and if the rent ain't ready Thurs day, brokers in the word. I've had trouble enough with you, and I ain't goin' to, no longer, bo now you've got it." "i ll do my endeavors. Mr. Sprague," said John Todd humbly. "But which way I am to turn to find the money, tha Lord only knows !" "You'll turn t (, Mr. Todd, if you don't find it." And 'with a coarse laugh at his own wit, Mr. Sprague departed. Poor Todd looked much depressed. After a few minutes he unconsciously commenced "The harp that once through Tara's halls," but the attempt was a failure. Even the blackbird tnrnod his back in disgust, and after a few bars John gave it up, and stitched away in sorrowful silence. He might have remained so for perhaps half an hour, when the door again opened, and a little old lady in a blaek bonnet and cloak, and a basket on her arm, and a inutf nearly as large as her self, peeped in. . ..... Do 1 intrude, Mr. Todd? Ah! quite by yourself. Dear mo.'" "Yes, Hiss Pinnifer, for want of bettor company, quite by myself.'' "ie-es!" said Miss Pinnifer. "And very buny, I see. Always busy! Coat, I pre sume ?" "No, ma'am, trousers," said John Todd. 4Th! said Miss Pinnifer, with a little scream, and covering hor eyes with her hand. "Very indiscreet of me I bog pardon, I'm sure." "Don't mention it, ma'am !" replied John gallantly. "It's of no consequence. Yes, I am rather busy, Miss Pinnifer. They're for a Mr. Brown an old gentleman who came in . last Thursday. He ordered a suit of blacks, and said he'd fetch 'em himself this evening, and I'm a little behind, you see." "Ye-es !" Miss Pinnifer had a habit of say ing "Yes," when spoken to, irrespective of anything in particular. She used the word to indicate various shades of feeling; but in a general way it was expressive of a mild sur prise and admiration which encouraged tha speaker to proceed. Mr. Todd proceeded ac cordingly. "I hppe he won't come just yet, for I've got nigh on two hours' work to finish the job. He's a queer customer, very. Never saw him before in my life, and he comes and sits down in that very chair, and talks and asks ques tions as if he had known ma ever since I was to high? All about the children and Milly and everybody " "Strange!' said Miss Pinnifer. "Can it ' be ? Yes, that must be it ."' "Eh ?" said Mr. Todd, inquiringly. "Now, maik me !" said Miss Pinnifer, lay ing a rather bony finger impressively upon the queer customers trousers. Mr. Todd marked her accordingly. '"Did he ask any thing about ma ?" "I don't remember that he did," replied Mr. Todd. "I dare say not. Indeed, that rather con firms my previous idea. I know their ways, Mr. Todd.' 'I beg your pardon, ma'am," said John, in much bewilderment. "Whose ways might you be alluding to ?" "Hush !" said Miss Pinnifer, with an air of profound mystery. "Vou don't know who may be listening to us at this moment de tectives !" 'You don't think, ma'am " "Yes. I do; I do, indeed, Mr. Todd. I haven't tho smallest doubt that I am at this moment tha object of a private inquiry. Vou must know, Mr. Todd, though I don't often mention it, that I'm engaged in a (.'banevry suit, and the de fendants are horribly wicked people. They've done it before, I know they have. Not con tent with keeping my poor brother and my self out of our property, they have ns watched and annoyed in every possible way. You'd hardly imagine the number of lodgings we've been to, Mr. Todd, and the people were always so polite and friendly at first, and after a few weeks thoy quite ehanged, and were quite rude and unpleasant. They'd been et against us by Iho dotoctives, you know. It wus nil very well to say it wa tha two or three weeks' rent we might be owing, but knew better than that. And now they've traced me here. Dear, dear, what shall I do?" "Bui are you quite sure " "O dear, yes, certain. It's been going on for a long time. There was a pale young man s ri'fettniU'" tred ht ,nfc church time lust Scday. I thought at the time it was only rudeness, but no doubt he had his instruc tions." . At this moment the conversation was inter rupted by tho arrival of the queer customer himself. Ho was an elderly gentleman with a rubionnd complexion, and a very good-natured expression of countenance, and certainly did not look like a dotoctlve. As he enterod tho shop, Miss Pinnifer dropped her veil, and drawing herself up to her full height of four feet six, faced the intruder with excessivo dignity. Tha stranger politely raised his hat to the lady, and then turned to John Todd. "Well, Mr. Todd, and how do you do to night ? Am I too early for my little matter of business ?'' "Well, sir!" said Mr. Todd, "I won't say but what I'd rather you'd have come an hour later. Tha coat and waistcoat have beon done Borne time, but the irons (Mr. Todd remembered the modest presence of Miss Pinnifer) the other garments are not quite finished." "Never mind, Mr. Todd, it's of no great consequence. I'm in no especial hurry. But I'm going to ask you a favor. I shall surprise you now, I dura say." Poor Todd was so bowildf red by the re markable communication just made to him by Miss Tinnifur, coupled with the singular present appearance of that lady (she was standing with one foot advanced, her eye steadily fixed on the stranger, and held her mutt' across her chest, in a kind of boxing attitude), that ho knew not what to answer, and could only reply confusedly. "Don't mention it." The stranger, answering rather tho spirit than the letter of his words, continued "To-morrow's Christmas day. For twenty years past I've been a wanderer on the faoe of the earth, and this is the first Christmas day, during all that time, I've spent in England. I've no friends, not so much as a dog or cat, and I don't like the idea of spending Christ inas by myself. Will you take compassion on ine, MrT.uH? You've a Christmas face, and I've a notion I could enjoy Christmas very well in your company. Will you take compassion on a lonely old man, and let him spend to-morrow with you and your family?" John Todd was in much perplexity. His warm heart felt for tho lonely stranger, by whose frank address he was much prepos sessed. On the other hand, there was Miss Pinnifer's statement, and John could not quite get rid of a vague apprehension that tha stranger might, if admitted, take ad vantage of an unguarded moment to ban dun ff the family all round, and bear them away to perpetual imprison ment; hist but not least, was tho considera tion that the larder was by no means sumptu ously furnished, and that the Christmas fare was likely to be of anespeciallymeagredescrip tion. The last reflection dictated his reply. "If you're really in earnest, sir, it 'utl be unbecoming in me to say no, when you do me the honor to ask it. But we poor folks don't live like the gentry, you know, sir, at the best of times; and this year we've got even shorter commons than usual. We've hearty good-fellowship, sir, but very little else, to keep Christmas with." "And hearty good-fellowship is the very best dish at the Christmas feast," said the stranger. "Beef and pudding are not to be despised, but they're only secondary, after r.". Well, you haven't Raid 'no,' so I shall consider myself accepted. I've dined off a baked potato before now, and I shall find enough to eat, never you fear. What's your time ? One o'clock very good. " "This lady and her brother reside in tha house, sir, and the' were going to club their Christmas dinner with ours, if you have no objection." "Objection! I, my dear Todd! you forget that I'm only a visitor. Objection! certainly not. The more the merrier, I say. Madam, your most obedient." Miss Pinnifer relaxed so far as to oourtesy with dignity, still, however, keeping her muff available for defense, if necessary. Well, that's settled," said tha stranger. "And now I've got some little matters of basinets to attend to, so I'll wish you a good night. Good evening, madam. Don't dis tress yourself about the trousers, Mr. Todd." With these words the unknown departed, leaving Mr. Todd and Miss Pinnifer dumb with amazement. The latter recovered her speech first; with the observation, "Did you ever ?" Mr. Todd looked at her for a few moments. At last he ejaculated, slowly and distinctly, "No. I never. " "What a very singular person, Mr. Todd ! You're quite sure you.ve never seen him before!" "Never to my knowledge till the other night," said Mr. Todd. "There's mora in this than meets tha eye," said Miss Pinnifer. "You still think, ma'am " "Well, no, not entirely. I mmst say I ex pected to see ijuite a different style of per son. But there's no knowing. I shall be on my guard."' "If ha isn't a detective, what can he want to come here for ?" said Mr. Todd. "Its tbe most extraordi nary thing I ever heard in my life. I don't know what Milly will say to a strange gentle man coming to dinner: but I couldu t help it, could I now? I'd better tell her at once, and get it off my mind." "I ll say good night, then, 1 said Miss Pin nifer. "I've left my brother too long alone already." Mr. Todd wished her good evening, and dived iuto a small parlor behind the shop, where his daughter, Milly. sat sewing, irith three younger brother To Ids, making more or less noise, around her. Milly Todd deserves a paragraph all to her self, as the pl-Misantest possible specimen of a good little English girl. She was not a beauty, but better than a beauty in the possession of the more lasting comeliness which is derived from a bright smile, a sweet temper, and a pair of clear, earnest eyes, made none the less expressive by tho near neighborhood of a saucy little ritronHf, nose. Her wavy brown hair had not a ripple out of place, and her plump little figure was encased in a well-fitting dress, which, though it bore tha marks of long service, was neatness itself. In fact, take it altogether- but that is precisely what you would have wished to have done; or, if you did not, you must have had very bad taste indeed. There aro some women one always wants to kiss at first sight, aud Milly was one of them. John Todd entered the room in a high state of excitement. "Milly,. my girl, here's a most tremendous go !" "Why, father dear, what ever is the mat ter ?" "Matter enough, my dear. Here's a gen tleman coming to spend Christmas Day with ns. Invited himself, and accepted with thanks." , "He won't Lave much of a dinner, then, father dour; but he's welcome. Let me guess who it is not old Mr. Bellamy ?"' No, my dear, it isn't old Mr. Bellamy, nor young Mr. Collins either, though 1 dare say he'll find his way here in the course of the afternoon, eh, Milly ? No, this is quite a stranger; quite tho gentleman, too, I can tell you. ' "But what makes bim want to come here, then, father?" "Well, my dear, that's moro than I can tell Von, escept that he said he was a stranger and had no friends, and that ho thought from my face that he could upend a merry Christmas here. That's all nonsense, of course; but the long and the short of it iH, he's coming." "Nonsense, indeed, for anybody to like my dear old father's faoe," said Milly, kissing him. "It's handsomer than half tho young ones now, and I like the gentleman for saying it. No friends ! that's very sad. Poor old gentleman, I'm very glad he's coming; but I wish we had a little more to give him." "That's where it is, Milly; so do I; but we must make the best of it. What have you got?" "Well, father, I've a nice bit of beef, and Miss Tinnifer is going to bring some sausages. I'm going to make a pudding, but it'll be only a kind of a make-believe to please the boys. They wouldn't believe it was Christmas, you know, without the pudding. It isn't much of a dinner to set before a visitor, father." "Never mind, my dear," said her father, "I wish it was more; but we must make it do. Mkc the pudding as good as you can. Let me Fee. I know I haven't much in sny pocket only eightpence. Well, my dear, every little helps. I shan't want my half-pint of beer to-night." "Dear old father! No, no; you're not going without yonr supper, sir, I can tell you, for any amount of grand visitors. I know what I can do. I've got half a crown up stairs that I had put by for something else; but it doesn't matter, and that will help ns out capitally." With a bright smile, though with a little choking at the throat (for tho half-crown had been saved by pennies to buy a necktie for a certain Charley Collins, whose acquaintance we shall make by-and-by), Milly rose to seek her hoard; bnt her father stopped her. "No, no, dear, keep your money, we may want it worse before the week's out. I didn't want to have told you bad news to-night, but perhaps it's best told, after all." Having taken the plunge, John pro ceeded to tell his daughter of Mr. Sprague's visit, and tho terrible threat with which ho had departed. The an nouncement produced a very depressing effect. Even brave little Milly had tears in her eyes.oud her younger brothers, seeing her distress, howled dismally in vague sympathy. At this juncture the shop door was heard to open. A man entered, bearing on his shoul der a huge hamper, which he set down on the floor with a bang. "Parcel for Mr. Todd." And without another word he de parted. The whole of the Todd family gathered round the big hamper and oontemplated it with silent astonishment. "Who con it be from ?" said Milly, a little ungrammatically. "I wonder what's in it ?" said John Todd, junior. "I hope it's something to eat," said Tommy Todd, an epicure of nine. Willie Todd, aged six, sucked his thumb and said nothing. Probably he thought the more. "Hadn't you better open it, aud then you'll know all about it ?" said John Todd. "Dear old father," said Milly; "he's always right. So we will." John Todd, junior, produced a knife, and the hamper was speedily opened. The first ijlance revealed nothing but straw, and tho hearts of the youthful Todds sank almost to zero. But the straw was quickly removed, and then was revealed, first a most remark able turkey a turkey, if possible, inconve niently stont, with a red ribbon round its neck and a rosette on its breast. Second, a roasting pig, which for size and fatness might have been brother, or cousin at least, tothe turkey. I don't suppose there ever was a roasting pig quite as broad as he was long; but if ever there was such a pig, that was tha one. Last came a hare, of which it is only necessary to say that he did no discredit to the turkey and the pig. Before the party had recovered from their delight and surprise, the door again opened and another man, bearing another hamper, came in. "Name of Todd here?" said the men. "Eight; with Mr. Brown's kind regards, and paid." The door had hardly closed upon tho porter when tho youthful Todds, regardless of tho "Glass, with care," in large letters on the top of the basket, rushed at it, and had it open in a trice. A fragrant smell arose from it, proceeding from sundry whitey-brown paper parcels arranged in trim order within. Milly opened them. One was found to contain currants, another plums, another spice; in fine, all tho ingredients for a monster pud ding of the richest character were there. A noble packet of tea was the next thing that came to hand, and then a goodly store of apples, oranges, nuts, almonds, and raiBins. When these were removed there was still a layer of something solid at the bottom of the basket, which, being investigated, proved to consist of a splendid plum-cake, and bottles of brandy, gin, and rum, with one of ginger wine. The little Todds executed a pas de all sorts round the hampers in a perfect ecstasv of delight, and Milly and her father, though less demonstrative in their transports, were hardly less exoited. Before they had recovered from their fresh surprise a scuffling was heard outside tha door, as if something was rubbing against it. Milly opened it, and found out6ide a boy, whose face was just visi ble over an enormous bundle of holly and mistletoe. He struggled into the shop with his burden. "Please 'm, Mr. Brown's com pliments, and thought you might like a little oily and miz for the Christmas deoorations. Oh, my! ain't it prickly neither." Whereat ho dropped it in a heap on the floor and dis appeared. "Now, father dear," said Milly, "you had better shut np the shop. I'm sure you won't be able to do anv more work to-night. Isn't it wonderful ? Just like a fairy tale !" "And Mr. Brown's the good fairy!" said John Todd. "Isn't he a noble gentleman ? Well, I think I'll shut up, dear. Ha said he wasn't in a hurry for tha things, and I don't feel at if I could bring my mind down again to trousers to-night." "That's a dear old daddy," said Milly. "And now then you shall have your beer and your pipe, and sit in the corner, and see us put up this lovely holly. Isn't it beautiful! What a dear old gentleman Mr. Brown must be ! I declare I quite love him already !" "Halloa."' said Mr. Todd, "what'll Charley Collins say to that?" Milly rnshed at him, and shut his mouth with a kiss. "Be quiet, do, you wicked old man, that's quite a different thing, you know it is." And she forthwith began, with the assistance of her brothers, to decorate the homely room with the Christmas evergreens. It was worth a day's pay to anybody (say tho Lord Chan cellor, as his wages ara tolerably good) to see Milly' lithe little figure stepping from chair to chair, or standing like a lively little statue, on the ricketiest of tables, her arms held high above her head, and her dainty little white fingers flashing among the dark-green holly, aud deftly insinuating sprigs of mistletoe into ut fid places wLoe tobody would expect thcrs. And when at lost, having hung L'.ly and mistletoe in all possiblo, af.d two or three impossible, places, she sprang lightly to the floor, with her sunny face Hushed, and her hair the least bit tumbled by her exertions, and led out her father by both hands for the first kiss nnder the mistletoe, I don't wonder that the boys hurrahed I believo I should have done it myself under the same circumstances. I'm afraid, by-the-way, that I've dono those same boys great injustice. It may possibly be imagined, as I have not chronicled their re marks, that they were silent. O dear, no! Quito tho reverse. The fact is, they not only all three talked at once, but they all talked tho whole time, with an effect which it is easy to imagine, bnt exceedingly difficult to describe. Had Providerice made me three first-rate short-hand reporters, instead of only one gentleman of medium sue, I might have attempted it; though even then I (we, I should say) should have found much diffi culty by reason of the .idiomatic nature of the young gentlemen's conversation. Tho number of "golly" and "crikeys" with which it was embellished was, I regret to say, much above what in considered correct in polite society, and (like the organ-man's monkey, who never would danco but to the genteeleBt of tunes) I find I never can spell those vulgar words. At last tbe merry porty retired to rest, the bovs to dream of roast pig, and Milly of Well, never mind, we won't in trude, bnt don't you wish you were Charley II. ChristmaR morning cRine at last, as it gene rally will, if you only wait long enough; and a very respectable sort of Christmas morning it was. Bright and cleor and cold, with the snow on the gTound crisp and hard, the sort of weather that makes one wish ono was a street boy, and not too dignified to cut in on a good long slide; the sort of weather that makes yon button np your great-coat to the chin, and case yonr hands in your thiokest woollen gloves; the sort of weather (I hope) that makes you give a kindly thought to your poorer brothers who have no great coats to button and no warm gloves to cover their frost-nipped hands. Pile on the logs, by all means; heap the blazing fire; do honor to the dainty cheer and pass round tho rare old wine. But little they know of Christmas who think to win its magic gifts of light and life and joy by such means only. A single spark, lit by your bounty in a poor man's hovel, shall shed a warmth that the roaring fire in your own mansion cannot give a warmth that goes straight to the heart. Tha frugal meal, spread by the rich man in tho poor man's home, (diall bring to tho givor a sweeter sense of enjoyment than the most sumptuous banquet spread for self alone. Happy he who has found the golden key who knows and uses the knowledge that the treasures of Christmas happiness are reached through Christmas charity. The whole of the Todd family woke np in a thoroughly Christmas state of mind, and the younger members (as might, perhaps, be expected, considering the nature of their dreams) with a perfectly ferocious appetite two or three appetites each, indeed. Break fast over, the junior branches were de spatched, nnder the care of dear old Todd, to church, while Sister Milly remained at home, and devoted all her energies to the prepara tion of the anticipated banquet. I am in clined to think that Milly had never seen, much less cooked, such a dinner in her life; but cooks, like poets, are born not made; and with tha aid of Miss Pinnifer, and the simultaneous use of all the fireplaces in the house, Milly got on splendidly, and astonished herself with her success. It was in a moment of confi dence, engendered by the close and intimate relation in which they were thus placed, that Miss Pinnifer imparted to Milly a secret. "Milly, my dear," said Miss Pinnifer, "I want your advice." "Hadn't you better ask father ?"said Milly, conceiving that his counsels would probably be of greater value than her own. "No, my dear; no, I think not. In a case of of this kind, I don't think he would be a judge. I want to know, dear, whether I look best in my black satin spencer and pink skirt, or in my Stuart tartun. Take time to consider, my dear." "They're both very nice, "said Milly. "The tartan lor choice, I think." "Do you, dear? Now I was thinking, de you know, that the tartan was rather rather old-looking. One doesn't want to make one's self quite a middle-aged person, you know, dear. "Of course not," said Milly; "but I always thought the tartan so very becoming. What makes you so particular to-day ?" "Well, dear, I really hardly know how to tell you. But wa girls never can keep our little secrets, can we?" the dear creature was fifty if she was a day "the fact is it's it's on account of Mr. Brown, dear." Milly looked at her inquiringly, but with a roguish twinkle in her ayes. The old lady continued "The object of Mr. Brown's coming, my dear, is, as you are aware, enveloped in mys tery, lie must have an object, you know, and I have reason to imagine strong reason, I may say that that object is myself." " on don't ayso!" said Milly. "Pray accept my best congratulations. Has he declared his intentions " "Well, no, dear, I can't say ho has exactly declared himself, in words at least; but if you had only seen how it looked you couldn't mistake his impression, my dear. He looked at me with a positive smile, quite lover-like, I assure you. And then he insisted on coming to dinner." "Well, dear, I'm sure I'm very pleased," said Milly. "We've all been puzzled to account for his wanting to oome, and I dare say that's it. You won't forget old friends when you are a grand lady, will you ?" "I haven't accepted him yet, my dear," said Miss Tinnifer, "und I shan't, either, the first time of asking. It doesn't do for a girl to make herself too cheap. He'll have to be very attentive, I can tell him, if he expects to have any chanee with me. O dear ! O dear ! he's beginning to burn ! The last words referred to the turkey, which was under Miss Pinnifer's espeoial care, and which she forthwith began to baste violently. "I've had a good deal of attention in my time, you see, my dear, so perhaps I think the less of it on that account. It isn't to be expected, you know, with my experience, that I should be dazzled by a Mr. Brown. Isn't he fat, dear ?" "Is he?" soid Milly; "I haven't seen him, yon know." "Not seen him!" said Miss Pinnifer. J'Wbut ?you mean ? My dear, I was speak ing of the turkey." "Oh!" said Milly. The conversation was interrupted by the return if the party from church. The younger Todds were found considerably in the way of the rookery, till Milly hit on the happy expe dient of tending them to the baker's to fetch tLeiig. l'crtLwitb they departed, v. it ri pip written plainly on their countenances, and raced all the way to tho shop, upon the under standing that the tail should be tha prize of the winner. Jiihnny, the eldest, as might have been expected, came in foremost, to the great grief and discouragement of his bro thers, till he magnanimously promised them that they should have tho tail after he had done with it. Bat her more quickly than they had set out, tha trio returned from tho baker's, Johnny and Tommy Todd carry ing tho dish between them. Willy, tha voungest, much wanted to carry tho cover, but the more mature wisdom of Johnny suggested that perhaps tho pig would keep hotter with it on; so Willy hud to content himself with walking behind as near as possi ble, and sniffing tho fragrance of the savory burden. When they reached home Mr. Brown had just arrived, and their father and Milly were endeavoring adequately to express their appreciation of tho hampers. Mr. Brown teemed pleased by the interruption, and patting the boys' heads paternally, asked them if they wcro good bops. Johnny and Tommy, though a little abashed, answered manfully (with a view to sixpences) that they were, but Willy, who was of a nervous tem perament, begon to cry, and promised irrelo vnntly that he wouldn't do it again. Dinner time speedily arrived, much to the satisfaction of everybody. A few minutes before tho appointed hour camo a young gen tleman with a very stiff shirt collar and a rather " bashful expression of countenance, whom Milly 's blnbhos at onco designated as Charley Collins. Almost before Charley had been formally introduced, Miss Pinnifer came upon the scene, dressed in tho black satin spencer and pink muslin skirt, with little blue bows pinned on all over her, and lead ing by the hand a solemn individual whom she introduced in a tragedy tone as "My bro ther." The individual thus alluded te did not trouble himself to salute the company, but dropped into tho first chair in his way, anil fixed his eyes with a strong glare upon Mr. Brown. The party arranged themselves round the tabic, and began to do full justice to the good cheer. Tor some time there was but little conversation, eerybody being too busily em ployed to talk, when suddonly Miss Pinnifer's brother paused in the vory act of conveying a large piece of turkey to his month, and pointing with his fork, and tha morsel still on it, at Mr. Brown, said "Halloa!" Mr. Brown looked a little uncomfortable when Miss Pinnifer hastened to explain "You'll excuse my brother, sir, he's of unsound mind." And then leaning over two of the little Todds, and seizing her brother by the collar of his coat, she shook him violently, and said in an impressive voice, "Robert, behave!" Whereupon Bobert became much depressed, and "behaved" accordingly. After the excitement caused by this littlt incident had subsided, the dinner pro ceeded with great smoothness, and the little party, which at first had felt some little constraint, was rapidly unbending under the genial influence of the Christmas cheer. At last came the crowning glory, in the shape of the pudding. And such a pudding ! It was the very largest-sized pudding within the memory of the oldest inhabitant; so big, indeed, that Milly couldn't bring it in herself, but had to ask Charley Collins to help her. And rich ! I should rather think it was ! It was a regular millionnaire of a pudding. Miss Pinnifer s brother again created a little con fusion by insisting on eating pepper with it, and shedding tears when the cruet was taken away from him; but when at last he was pre vailed upon to try it without seasoning, ha sent up his plate three times, from which I infer that he was by no means such an idiot as was generally supposed. At last tha dinner camo to an end as dinners will, the more's the pity and the party drew round the fire in a cosy semi circle, and set, to work regularly to enjoy themselves. The kettle was put on tha fire, the spirits and lemons and sugar were brought out, and Mr. Brown volunteered to brew some punch which he did as though punch had been his daily drink from his youth up and then, when everybody was served, the pipes and tobacco were brought out, and Mr. Brown called npon John Todd for a song. And John sang a song, and an other and another after that, to the most tre mendous applause, even the blackbird drop ping his critioal airs for once, and applauding as loudly as anybody. And then Mr. Brown sang a song; after which Charley Collins sang a song, with a remarkable chorus, which was sung by the whole strength of the company with such good-will that the people next door couldn't hear themselves talk, and knooked at the wall with the poker as a gentle hint for peace and quietness; and Milly herself sang a song, and then Miss Pinnifer's brother mur mured something which was understood to mean that he would also favor the company; but being asked the name of the song, he replied, after much consideration, "More Pudding." So to make up for his short comings Miss Pinnifer volunteered, and after repeating five times that she had a cold (which wasn't true) and. that she hadn't a note in her voice (which was), she began, with intense expression, "Will you love me then as now?" The direction of her glances made it quite a personal matter between her self and Mr. Brown, who should by every rnle of propriety have sungin reply, "Dearest, then I'll love thee more." But he didn't. Probably he didn't know the song, or, still more probably, ha wouldn't have sung it if lie knew it' As a slight protection against tha too op pressive glances of Miss Pinnifer, Mr. Brown i entered into conversation with Charley Col- j lina, who had by this time got rid of his bash fulness, and appeared, as he really was, a light-hearted, manly yoang fellow. Charley had conceived a great liking to Mr. Brown, ; and was very confidential with him; so that i Mr. Brown was speedily made aware that his young friend was a clerk at tha moderate salary of eighteen shillings a week; thai he had had an offer of a situatiou where he could . earn two pounds, but that seourity to the j amount of three hundred pounds was re- ! quired, which put it out of the question, j Charley Collins could not help a half sigh an he stated what might be, ond yet could not 1 be, and Mr. Brown could easily understand that the situation so temptingly offered, only i to be perforce refused, was just euough to j give Milly ami her lover the start in life for i which thoy were waiting. j Tho meniment by no means flagged as the j evening wore on. .vjr. urown was tne lite and soul of the party, oracked jokes, asked riddles, told stories, kissed Milly and Miss Pinnifer under the mistletoe, and generally ? roved himself the prince of good fellows, orfeits were played, and blind man's buff, at which latter game Miss Pinnifer gave rise to grave suspicions as to her fair play by per sistently refusing ta catch anybody but Mr. Brown, and holding him an unnecessarily long time when caught. After blind man's buff, a dance was proposed, and carried out with great success, John Todd performing on the violin. MisB Pinnifer's brother had been rather gloomy during the previous amuse- ' meiits, but le now began to enjoy himself immensely, dancing away by himself in the very middle of the rom with a funereal expression of countenance, and occasion ally tumbling over one or other of tha young Todds, who had rather indefinite no tions of dancing, and were a good deal la the way. But he didn't mind, not ho; he picked himself up and went at it again as if nothing had happened. Ono by one tha doncers stopped, exhausted; and at last tha fiddle stopped, too; but Miss Pinnifer'g brother still continued to dance, without m smilo on his countenance, and without any apparent intention of ever leaving off. Indeed, I think it highly probablo that he would have continued dancing to this moment, had not his sister, by certain whispered blandishments, in which the word "puddiug" was plainly au dible, persuaded him to leave off, and finally got him to bed. The youthful Todds about this time began to show signs of weariness, and were with some difficulty induced to retire to rest, Johnny Todd with the inestimable pig's tail nndor his pillow. The remainder of the party gathered round the fire, and chatted quietly. Mr. Brown seemed to have suddenly grown silent since the children's departure. At last, after a pause in the conversation, he said sudl denly "Mr. Todd, I've a proposition to make to yon. Don't go, Miss Milly what I'm going to Ray concerns you too. This lady and gentleman are friends of the family, and I don't mind speaking before them. Mr. Todd, I'm not a young man I've been knockei about a good deal in my time, and I mean, if 1 can, to have a little comfort in my old years. So I'm looking out for a wife, and 1 haven's Reen any young lady so much to my liking as Miss Milly there." 8 At this startling announcement Milly turned red and palo by turns; Charley Collins clenched his fists, and looked unutterabla things; and Miss Pinnifer became perfectly rigid, with only energy enough to turn up her eyes to the ceiling, and to murmur in heart broken accents, "Cruel kerrewol man !" John Todd attempted to speak, but Mr. Brown continued: "Hear me out, please; and then give ma what answer you like. I'm not a yonng mas, s I said before, bnt I'm easy-going, and I believe I should make a good husband. I've worked hard in my time, but I have inada twenty thousand pounds, and now I don't in tend to work any more, but just to enjoy myself. My wife will have a good time of it, mind you. Balls, concerts, parties, if she likes 'em, she shall have 'em, and that's all abont it. Now, Miss Milly, what do you say ? Will yon be nn old man's darling ?" "Mr. Brov ' hn Todd began, but Milly interrupteii "No, fatLr.r, let me speak, Mr. Brown, I thank you for your offer, and I don't doubt it's kindly meant. But I've given my heart away already (as you might have guessed to night), and I can't give it twice." "I know, I know," said Mr. Brown, sadly. "But it's weary waiting, Milly, all through tha long years, and a boy-and-glrl fancy soon die away." "Ours isn't a boy-and-girl fancy, then, Mr. Brown, for I'm quite sura it'll never dia away. Never, never, never ! Will it.JChar ley? ' Charley did not trust himself to speak, but a warm pressure of the hand answerej Milly well enough. "Don't decide in a hurry, Miss Milly. Thera are many things to -think about, yon know; your father, now. He oughtn't to work as ho does, fnt his time of life, and his eyes are fail ing already. Now, if you'll marry me, your father shall have ft good house over his head, a nice little cottage in soma quiet country place, and need never do x stitch of work again. And the boys shall have good schooling and a fair start in busi ness. It's worth thinking of, my dear." Poor Milly felt uttterly miserable. She had not the smallest idea of wavering, but Mr. Brown had artfully contrived that by being faithful to her true love she should appear to deprive her father and brothers of a host of blessings, all of which it was in her power to bestow. She could only sob out: "It's very cruel," and burst into tears. John Todd had mada repeated efforts to speak, but now ha broke out in a tone that bore down all interruption: "Mr. Brown, for tho kindness we've re ceived from you, I'm obliged; and I don't go from it. But I'm not obliged, sir, by your coming into my house, and trying to steal away my daughter's affections from a young man as truly loves her. It ain't fair, it ain't manly, it ain't houorable. And when yon go and try to work upon her feelings along of her old father, that she'd give her right hand for, it's mean and cruel and cowardly, that's what it is. And I tell you what, sir I wouldn't take another kindness at your hands, no, no! if I was was starving. I'm a creaky old man, sir, I know I am; and my sight's failing, ai yon say; but I've work in me yet, thank God) and I'll work my fingers to the bone . bef or I'll bid a child of mine marry for money with out love." j "And perhaps you'll let me say a word, M. Brown," interposed Charley Collins. t ain't mueh, it's only a matter of opinion, ad it'll relieve my mind. It's my opinion, r, that you're a canting, two-faced, hypocritjbal old humbug!" j "1 11 trouble you to say that over again presently, young man," said Mr. Brown, vho seemed to recover his cheerfulness n)der abuse. "It might be useful, if I wanttl a character, you know. Well, Mr. Todd, Ihen that s your answer, is it.J "It is so, sir!" said John Todd, with rest decision. "And yours, Miss Milly?" Milly 'a reply was of a rather remirkable description. Sho quietly turned rond to. Charley Collins, and put her arms rotid his neck. "And vours, Miss Pinnifer. Ibegpardon, I quite forgot I hadn't asked you a (ukstion." Miss Pinnifer looked as if she 1hed he had. 'Well, said Mr. Brown, "aftenaii, per haps it s just as well as it is; and Ie had tha satisfaction of making my own acuaiutanoa from a totally new point of view I really had no Klea 1 was sucn a veryhnpleasant Tjerson. Let me see now. I mi lean, wul, hat's Mr. I'm cruel, and I'm oowardly. J odd h idea. Mr. Collins Bays ni a hypo--dear me,. critical, oantintf, double-fact what was it he topped up with?'! ' Humbug,'' said Charley, bo' 7- ."Out humbug, corrected iiT. Brown; sternly. "I'm not going to leUou off any of tbe adjectives, my young fiiei. You, Mis Milly, were of opinion mat If us a wretch. "I didn t say so, saia MillW "No, my dear, but you ought so, an f that s unu n ine saina. uee uear: if mir poor mother bad only lived hear her "bro- ther Tom culled all these hoi id names, 'nun my word I believe she'd ears all rouud." ve boxed Vour- "Uncle Tom !' exclaimed Idly, "us!" cried Mf. "You're nerei Tom He Todd. "Yes, sometimes,' said tlftranger, meekly "gennauy, I may auy. Aiwmeto introduce myself, ladies aud gentloiJi; Thomas Brown Jlhwkiiis, at your servico..ls lor my cbarac.
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