" That reminds me of a story, I don't believe I ever told you before." But just then a customer came in, and he was attended to by the old cobbler. Among their bits of conversation I caught the words. ` Vice day for Christmas to-morrow." " You bet," replied the cobbler, " something like '73," and the other laughed. As he took his seat again, I waited impatiently for him to be gin his story but he was in no hurry and tapped meditatively Upon the shoe. Suddenly he said, " what was that I started to tell you about." But before I could answer " Oh, yes;" I re member now: " Well, some of us boys had a shanty down along the river. We used to lounge there around the open fireplace, telling stories and smoking as boys usually do. But I must not stop on this." " One night there was evidently a big scheme on foot. They jollied each other with quip and quirk. On every face, there was a pleased look of expectation, and a sparkle in the mischief loving eyes." " Say Charley, is the spit all right," one of the fellows asked. " Yes, it is all right, said the other. " I got a couple of new blocks for it, and stole one of father's old steel ramrods for the cross-piece." The sitting room of the old farm house on the hill was cosy and bright; the old lumberman and his wife were sitting comfortably before the fire. " Well mother, I suppose you are pretty tired this evening." " Yes, John, pretty tired, but it makes me happy to think we will have all the children here to-morrow, besides I have gotten almost ready for the dinner. The cakes are all baked, the cran berries cooling in the moulds, the raisins seeded for the big.plum duff. And you know the big turkey is cleaned and hanging out in the frosty air softening. What a monster he was; thirty-one pounds dressed. I'll bet he's bigger than the President's Rhode Island gift." " But aren't you afraid some one will steal him," replied the husband. " I have it tied with a bit of chain from one of your old bear traps, to a nail in the wall of the back porch. I put it high enough to be above the reach of any prowling animal." "Just then they were startled by a sound as of a rattling chain. " ONB; ON THE BOYS "
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers