Evening Star Newspaper, December 24, 1868, Page 2

EVENING STAR. DOUBLE SHEET. CHRISTMAS IN POSSESSION. py Mr “Bet oh. Ga ss\a a faltering voice, as ite hands clung about tue (ap. stalwart arm, “suppose that dread: man should do what he threatened, a; should be Aud 1Y, pale-faced wife shuddered d been talking of one of those sanguinery perforimauces Ww! }. in the good old umes of Enclish ‘tory. were wont to at- tact crow¢s to Tewer Hill Nonsense. my love, there's not the remotest charce of such S tug.” cried the Captaia, sturcily © YOU Sappose if there were I'd go away Bud leave my precious persy-wetsy danger ct faliing into the hauus of te tstimes nd Toodlew exclaimed Mrs. Haw- B, pittousiy. Toodleame wis 2 pet e tuat domestic mtracie of bexn'y and fos, (efirstbany. « ime akiog Away Toodieam ay ows earheg mother sent Bim oral, Ubat l should like to see the bailiff that would | P finger on that co cried the wirrtor, fiercely. Dur now let's 'aik disps: tely, my Gar.ine, for time's aearly ep. lis Bals past eleven. Toe expressfieaves King’s Cross a 1240, 80 My preciovs Clara must dry ber prety eyes ad Isien to ber devoted Augus- ay The devowd Avgos'us locked vere bond. some, “nd bright. aud cheerfel, as he bent ov bis tenrial young wite, while two bris' le serving-maids Scud ted up and down stairs in of inMumerah ¢ canes, ove Comriet-bags, snd 3 noble Russia-leaiher dis prob-box—Mossre, Partridge & Coo; cunt for whitch, by-the-way, Bad Do: yet been at coa's, and sett d—and sxirm thea with the cabman. war whe < caning under the Captain the Bail portman t fact, remewed it Q wa.eh cursed bord fal! . Coris'mas.-eve; the ides of any bloot- Kong fellow hevire the bewt to ratase to Teuew a bill fAlling due on Chris*mas-eve! And "he bisck-bearted scouudrel swe irs if it isn": pad he'll pat in au execution upon these foods before be day 6 cut. Was there ever such ¢ dastard! “But vou do owe bim the money, dow’t you. darling ~ cent, PrrBiut you knew wha" the Interest wns to be Shen you berrowed the mouey didn’t you, Gus daring?” “Of course; the intqvitous rascal traded on my desperation. Women don't uodersiand these things, you see, my love. Howevel Seoundreias I believe Absalm to be. Ld s¥ppese bim cSpabic -f putting in an exec tom on Obristmaseve, espectilly afer u diplomatic letter I wrote Rim thts morning. But I'M tell you what, Ciara: de sure you let BO Stranger into the hoass on Prewext Whatever. Sport the osk, my I and tell Your servants not w ieta living creature cross ihe thre wold” “Yes, cemr, }"li tell them. And there's ‘he but¢her, and the grocer, aad the baker, and even the milkman, Auzu:tas dear. You di know ho 7 insolent ih-ir young men baweb-en Iately: and, you see, yon won't answer their letters, and that makes them angry. ifieh bicod-bow: de!” eried th “what the dooe= do in-y ‘vant? pect me to coin Money! And upon my word Clare, 1 don”: thie’ 1t'< very geaerouson your Part to torfore me in “Lis way, just as Lm off fo spend Christmas wi'a my une, Sit Joho StratBrairu—whose aly son DPouggtas, a preci: us muff, by-the- way, stan “tween me oldest baronetcres aud fine: os rivtin—and am goimg to bore ork togen')) ceer-staliting. aod thar kind of entirely on vour acconn': since this ts only chance of squaring the old aud reeovciling him tothe ides of my ent mirriaze. 1 vively selfish of ng Wile'@ tears flowed afresh. OUPE, Very Mex perienced. “ne tof a smell gentleman-tarme- ia : re. wit no better fortune than her previvy face aod bricht wineinz manner. Augus vs Haw'ho-den. late cap aia of fuse hau purthe fimshing stroks toa carver prudence by fallin lows with this hazel-eved damsel, and marryiog her tin bis own taous way. Tui eignieea months immediately afte sale of the Cup s commission, the price of which ne bed Ante!pated to the Iss: penny by means o! his friends the moner lenders” Since this (me tae Captain and fis wife had lived myster- jously as the yous: ravens. They were now the ic Dsbitan's of 9 charming iftle villa st siogton. prettily farntshed by acrack West Iste.e". And the proud and happy Au inf@ut prodigy, whose tannd- up’ slone was no trifle, whose ence required to be sustained by the Produce of one especial cow, charzed ex'ra ia city man's Dill. This Was :be aspect of affairs on the 2/st of December, when C+p'ain Hawthorndean pre- pared to ie enates jouruey tothe extreme north cf Seouland, where be was to spend some weeks at the crim feudal castle of fously-rica wnci+, Sr Joba Kilmarnock eairn, 1 2om he Roped to obtain a new Atnrt um lite “That's what 1 want, Clara,” he told his comtiving little partner. “The army was a mistake for u mothing buta Deggariy Younger Son's portiou of three bandred 4 yeur! of course, I gu: my poor Iittle estxts mor fo the eyes: amd there's nothing left Dut the veversion to Tooalea which no hell dispose of to the Jews before be thorodean shook ber heat at this. “Ob ver, Be will, or hes not the Toodieams I take bim for,” said the Captain, resolutely. So it wae that Augustes Lovat Hawthorn- Gear. ction of two good old houses, Scottisn and English, departed on his porthera joar- With @ view to sofening the heart ef his nd With & vague Joba Stratinaira “ould be in- * Wit & SLAF im some Rew say the Chi he Bar. He koew fellows who were doing Wouders at the Bar: snd Be ad heard of sug sinecures in the Chore. ~Egao! if the worst comes to the worst. I sappoee I must go im for 4 coverameat em- ployment, and devote my mind to the lnvesti- gation of the cattle-piagus, or the con'roi of sewers, or some such low dradgery.” said the Cap So be caught his litte wife in bis arms. cave Rer a hearty Kiss, and burried of to the loaded ea> that was to convey him on the first staze of bis journey ‘The tender young wi e could no: be satisfied ‘With so brief'S parting. She ran oat to the ead, and there was @ passionaie clasptag of bands. and morwured biessings mad- iaaudi- bie And atthe ia:t— sbe cried, “can you go withoat kissing Toodieums!” Andshe beckoned to the little purse, who was holding the baby up to Ss parenis’ view ata first-floor window. exelaimed the Captain. “I can’t tra’n for this kind of tomfooler: woe" Cross. cahby, as bard as you can peit!” © returned to the bonse, led by the hitter wiater Sud ber pale face wet with more bitter im the ball she me* the cook, a flery- imerd young person, whom the inexperienced little wife always eacount-red wita fear aad trembling “ob, if you please, ma'rym.” said this do- mestic. 1m a brracbless. gasping voics that was Yery alarming. ~did masrer leave the money formy waces—two quarters, one month, and three Werks azc!—as you sad you'd arst 2 ‘No. Serah.” thitered Mrs. Hawihord-an m Sorry to say be couid mat settle rer, ‘eng (bis “ime: but directiy ne comes back from Sco’ » he—I—la@m sure all will be msde righ “Seite every think, indeed! 4 coptemptuows!:. «1 onid like to see any TOIDE @s he has se! 4. Settling ve (machin sisway. Here b: 1 Deen slaving myself wo death in bis service. and to walt on ou tle. Man tbat toled bones promisous. for Lis-elf and bes f-teod 0 twelve o'clock at ang Ta’ mad if 1 can't get my due get it by foul; which summonsiog at *y Court by Dis cook won't bring much credit op Qaptain Orthongding, I should think.” ~O®, and If you please, mam, I should wis to eave at the same time as cook,” said the ng house maid: not that I've got aay a'am, whicd you Missa: bat and put off, and to be sworn at into the bargaia Witbout no more consideration than if we wos Ipiy slaves” ~(b, very well, Sarah and Jane.” replied Mre. Hawthorndean, Bopetessly, “you mast Go as you please; aad—anod go sway waen you piesse. Ism sare my Busoand will psy you Yo the lest farthone if you cam oly wait pa- ‘sare arranged, bat if you can" kiod of them to les the though!; aud then, with a» Till of Borror, sb considered whet woald pen tf “Re PUMP suould Riso revolt, +1 con Live ethous eper, and lean do the Louse id yy seit.” she th vugh it beby ts Weed @ Hauwab, and uf she we eway—" The picture wastoo a for contemplation. | poor litte woman ram straugnt to the Tsery—tBe pre'ty chamber which B14 besa Gaintily furnished ia tne days when, rich | the sense of an account at the up- | } | T ja bad given bis orders dasel| fretful with Bis teeth to-day, mum,” she said. | On, Hanaad.” criea Ciara Hawthordean, ens bereeif on Ber Knees before this homely young person, “you won't leave me, will you yeyou won't de de-desert the baby!” “Leave Toodieams, ma'sm! Bless bis dear Jitue Deart! I'das soon cut leave bi Why, Mrs. Hawthorndesa, if you teen crying! Ob do, please, mam, get ‘What conid bave put such a motion into | your pretty head? On, please, mum, doa’ inke on so! “1 can’t help ft: Hannih. Theothers are go- ing, sud 1 thought you would go too; and my Garliog would ery for Ob, Hannah, we shall be all alone in the bh: and tue trades- people won't call any more till Captain Haw- thorndean’s affairs are artauged—ood we shall bave n-n-no'hing to eat ‘Ob yes, we will, m replied the daunt- puaa. “Don't you be dowahearted, ‘wll manage somebow, depend upon don't know, Hannab. ie rorng away 1 forgot to as! MUIe ready-tnoney; and 1 hav a shilling to bay daby’s bisenit irl looked aghnst at this. do, how i wi-h mamma would send mea hamper this Christmas! ’said Mis. Haw hora- dean, piteously. “She sends one to my mar- Tied sitter, Vrs. Toxer, every year; bat pans Was sncry when I married Oap'ia Haw. thordean—it was a romaway-maten, you know, Haunab—that he won'tiet my name be mentioned at home; and 1 haven't a friend in the world except who duren’t be 4 to me tor fear of Nev miud, mum,” replied Hagnah, get biseul's for baby, aad w mil ior baby, som+how, or my name's * Hapnsh Gile here Any (bing in bonse I could take to—" ere tbe girl made a di ame. “Yee, Hanpab, you good, faith fal creature, iknow what you mess. My jevelry bas ali gove ever so leng ago; ail but this poor lit le wedding. ring, and I could scarcely part with that—uniess Tuodleums were starving. Bat there's my cashmere spawl, and the silver- that I wear at cinner-pariies; and lly wouldn't mind—" Lor’ bless you, mum, not abit! Wait till t: L know where to take them.” cried the disconsoia’e young noture mistress and maid were in- lerropted by the sudden awakening of Met Toodleams: after tbis diversion went down stairs to reconroitre the enemy coun'ry, Toodleams crowing aud dribbling on bis nurse's shoulder, Below ail was deso- tion. Curiously they explored the sang lit- we kirchen and offices, into whic? the timid young housekeeper had rarely ventured to irude during the c,ok’s stern dominion. A ful was the havoc revealed by the present in vestigation: broken crockery, bottomiess sancepans, knife-biades without handles, forks without prongs, grease, rags, was e, Tuib, were visible im every corner. ue larder | was bare of everyrhing except the heel of a stale loaf and a box of sardines, a species of hore «aeunrés, Which the lower po wers Rad not | affected. + On, Hannab, what can have become of the | Sirfoim of beef we bad for the late dinner yes- | terdeyt Such & monstrous joint, too, as the cook ordered, though I told lier a iittte ptecs of roost beet. Why. you and I could have lived upon it fora wee! “And cook has taken [t oF in her box, I dare sav.” cried Hannan, + Ou, tha barefsced usey!” ‘There was evidently nothing edible in the honse except the sardines, so mistress and Inaid were fain ro wait aatil the shades of +vening sDoutd permit the faitoful Hanoah to execu € tha: somewhat delicute transaction in Tela*ton '0 the silver-2tay moite aud the cash- mere sbaw!. 1) you don’t mind taking care of the baby for an hour, mum, I’li tidy up the kitchen a it and get the tex-things ready: and then, 's borling, I cam run romed to e Ll spote of: and get some tea and nd @ usher or so of bacon, and b:dy’s 1 come back. 1 a teuppose you'll care mach about dinner in the harry of ha-band for a*tsomach as cr et and significant ried Mrs. Hawthorndean: “1 feet never be able to eat any thing moreaslngasilive. On, Gus, if you only kuew what we have to go through! Oh, my pTeclous popsy.when you grow upaad marr: a ust never leave your poor litle wtie neat € aas-tine, with ail the debts oy angry.” 3 Bidressed to the six- Mowths-old infant, who looked supremely in- Aiflerent to the fo . Mrs. Hawthora- desu too the child in her arinsand weat to the drawing-room, where she sat m a low ot by the gall fire, and indulved m that cismal retreshment which women call“agoud er, She was very desolate, very miserable. The short winter diy was already darkening, the Prospect without tooked bleak: bat in tue win- dows of other jas the firefight shone cheerily, @nd the Ionely young wife thongnt sadly of happy fumiies assembled im those Toows: families acr: hearth the dread spe tre Insel vene: Ast h's gloomy sis¢vw. Avd them she thought of her owa dstant home. The bright rooms. always Made especially gay and pleasant at this sea son. The chiniz toom aud the bine room. the oak room and the cedar parlor; the bright winter flowers, and ever-olossominz elintz curtnins; the fires glowing red on every hearth: ‘the nubie Worcester punch-bow! brougdt forth trom its r-tirement; the echop- ping ond minciag, and cake ing, and bustle of prepari Kerper’s oom; the gariener coming fato the ktreben wi b bis pile of holly and misdetoe, iaurel and bay; the ordor of Christmas that pervaded the honse: and the dear friends wi'a whom she might never spend tuat poly fes'1- val again. “Ob, if papa could see ms now, | don’t think be could be angry with me any more,” she said to herself, despairingly. For nesrly two hours she sat aloze. sin zing softly to her baby, and crying more or less mo-tatithe time, And then Hanna. came in tray, and lighted candies, 1nd the isa of fried bicon, and baby's ts, and & great jug of mil for that ,oung g: ileman’s ¢ nsnmption. | “1s all right, mum, one pound fiit-ec—fr- teen on the sbawl, and a ponud on the mr but yon'd never believe the tronb screw him np to it. Aad he made me have a ticket foreach. That's theirartfal way. I've beard father say they make mints of money out of the ticke’s alone. And now do cQver up, and take your tea, that’s dear lady ‘The brisk little maiden strred the fire. draw | the curtain-, arranged the table, and made all | things as cheerfuland pleasantas circamstan. ces would permit. Her m«tress {nsi-t-d tha’ sbe sboald *bare the meal: ana the two toak their tea together—the girl almost overcome by so great an honor, the young wife's thoughts speeding northward witt ‘be callant Captsin Who sat in the coupe of an express-train, smoking Pataga’s «Regalias” at eightee: pence apiece. “Now, don't you be downheartad, mum,” | faid the faithfal handmaid, as she bade ner mi='ress good-night. sdilliogs this fF; And ome pound t will carry as on till master comes hom: ‘This was comfort; but poor Ciart nid not forgotten the threatened Reorror of the 2itn, Christma: -eve, that aay to which she ased to | look forward &t the dear old hom, an ol4- fasn'oned festival enough, wita its simple is spations in the way of aced charades, Sn%p-Tracor, and egg-fip. “(hy what child [ wast” she exclaimed; | and had been indeed a joyous aud tnno- | cent crearnre ia those days. Ifshe had been esienisting person, given to weigh advae- tages, ard might have asked herself whether | the proprietorsbip of & dashing ci-d-rant cay. | Alry ofhcer aod his superb mustachios was @ | puivileze arsolutely worth all it Rad cost b ‘The dreaded 2th arrived; and ths weary | Loure crept hy win leaden feet. Every souud of astep lu the street eet Clara's heart ba ‘> ominous single koocks cams to the exc pt the faint appeal of a shive in Poot-Inces: for the angry tradespeople kaw | the Copsain was away, and did net care to tor. ment bis belpless young wife usel ly, and Tors than they cared to supply Rer with goods + without bop: of payment. Fven that long dav itself out at Iss": and the mi-tress and took ‘ber ten and rasher again togeth F b-tore « cheerful fire, and discussed the proba. | bility that Mr. Ansalom’sstony hearthad been | melted by the softening influences of the sea- ber. and somethiug to take mother to-morrow evening. mous goose fo think of snch & MA couida’t send mes knowledge, sud be is #0 me." arp rat tat. something between | | A singt | Kaos’ anda postman’, seeaded Gu ted Ger eal vanic shock. { “Don't let apy one In. Hannah,” cried Mrs. Hawthorndeay. + My husband ssid we were not te admit & creatare.” Hepvan bad skip; © the window-car- | taina, and wes pearteg owt ut the door-sfep. | wrinkled like the skins of Freach plums. On | band, and laid it—ok, so geatly!—on her so! | hatr, patting ber head a< if she had been a | | broke up, though itis my business to break | ew. | dat if you could | Ball-door, and of a manner commanded | whole house, Mrs. Hawthorndean and Hannah a bie onel Ain't it and pound-cake, ai And baby shall suck @ it of Foast bieas him! My brother J: baby ain’ five months old yet, and will the gravy ont of May thing as wellas if gtowe Ob, won't we b merry Uoris'mas, mum—you, aad ma, and baby? and ant I gia © ok’s pe!” like magic!" ex-lsimed Mrs. Hawthorn- Gran, as the smitation pratman’s knock was repeatd impatiently. «KR: to the door, Bavnan. mper!”” or’ bless your heart, mom, @s if 1 didn’t @ a Unristmas hamper I flew Intothe litt! At was a foolish thing to b- moved, perhaps, by such a vaigar trifle asa Christmas hamper, bat Ulara Hawthorndean wept tears of pleas- ure as she wa'ted fer the welcome basket It ‘was not of the famous home reared goose or home-made mince-pirs she tuought; but of the Jove that bad con'rived the gift, the tender mo herly siratagems and plotiings aid con- | trivings must bave been achi-ved in order to compass the seasonable surprise. od bless the dear mother! ’sne marmared | ax she went out into the hall, where a queer- Jooking litue old man was ‘just depositing a | noble hamper. the very straw o ziug from tue | interstices of which looked quite spperizing. Mrs. Hawthorndean was too mach moved to | rw pber tha! the little old min staading ta | the hall was there in direct disubedtence tothe Captain's solemn mandate that no stranger thovld be acmitted within that door “Here is sixpence for yoursel: id Clara. politety «(ood ed toward the open door; exting that the old min could depa elt man, instead of fo doing, gave & whistie, and bec’on+d to some one withot In the next momenta portry stranger stvod | on the thre-boid. gayly atiired in & drab ower- co tand olive-green trowsers, and with cold | cbaims and lockets twinkling on bis 2 teat, * Serry to bave recourse to «tra’azem, mi°s,”” ssid this gentleman, removing the new-s* of White hats from the dineke-t and curhest of cheveluyes, “but really, you see. the Captaia’s use of those people with whom one must be deeper tban Garrick. Here is my wartant. | miss, all correct and regular, as you may per- erty Suit of Sbadrach Absalom. Thi- ol1 | gent 8nd 1 will take an inventory, miss; sud be can remain on the premises afterward. } “What!” cried Clara. growing very white: “do you mean to say tbat hamper is vot from my Gear mother at Somerton Manor?” «That hamper, my dear young jacty, is like the wooden horse thar went into Troy.” Dont | ble yi [see one!” my good | tly ind agems are fair in love and war, aud the recovery of a just debt, especially when bill bas been re- | newed three times, as this has, Shadrach Ab- solom ts my first cousin, mt-e,and as good a fellow ms ever lived; buc the Captain had Teally been too bad.” “I'm sure my husband means to pay every | thing, m be comes from Scottand, where be bas gone to visit his uncle, Sir John Stratn- neirn,” | ‘What, do you mean to Hawthorndean has got such young crenture as yoo for his wife, and that he can ave the heart to co away ‘and leave you to oear the brunt of his difficuliies!” cried Lva- rence Absaiom, sheriff's officer, with honest | indiyation. “I beg, Sir, that yon wiil not remark upon ms hushand’s conduct: be always sets for tae best. Oh, Hannan, what are we to do: “I know what I should like to do,” answered the bandmaiden, spttetally; snd that is to ecrat h that n deceiving old man’s tare” + Ltyou could serach some of the dirt off it you'd being domg him ervi my dear,” taid Mr. Laurence Absalom, with easy go0d- nature. while the old man sat quietly on the bamper, the picture of grimy meekuess. Mr. Absalom called for a candle, and proceeded to explore the honse. attendd py the meek old man, who wiped his dirty fac upon the dt fest of blue colton handkerchiefs, aud brea’ v-ry bard as he followed bis command ctlicer. ‘Together the two mea ransacket Orewers and wardrobes, peered into cheTou- ier, and violated the sanct.ty of writtoe- desks, and carefully catalogued books and electro-plate, china and glass, table-ligen aud pictures, All Clara's pretty dresses, her Gainty ribbons and lace, ber coquetiish littl bowne's and innocent g'rlish jackets, were cet down ona sheet of greasy foolscap, while tne two women looked on, one of taem uiteriy helpless and miserable, wondering what would come next. At iast the inventory was complete; and Mr. Abesiom prepared to take his departure “Of course you'll write to the Captain, ma'sm,” be stid; “and you'll please tell aim that unless that business is squared in five Gay is property will go ts the hammer. I'm sure I am very sorry on your account: bat you eee, the Oaptain knew what he had to ex- pect, and he really ought to have provided against it. Goed evening, Mrs. Hawthorn- geap. The old gemt will stay ttl! the sale. You'll tind him very quiet. “What!” crivd Clira, arbast, «is that dread ful old man to stop in the house!” The dreadfal old man gave a grant of sent «Upon my_word, ma’am, 1 wish I was th party.” Mr. Absalom, catlaatly; “irhonld sider it quite & privilege, but old Jiffins ces that part of tae work. and you'll fiad him es barmiess as an old spantel, if you don’t juind his appetite, and thatis rather alarming, Good-n'gbt.” And withan essy nod Mr. Lau- rence Absolom departed, leaviug the mistress | end maid staring in consterna'ion at the man in possession, who was refreshing himself “ith a pinch of snuff out of a serew of paper. H- certainly was by bo means 8 prepossessing wdividunl- indeed. it is tmpossiole to imagine more dingy than the grabbiuess of u's aspect He wore a lonz great. irtor shirt-collsr there were no | these convention- alities he displayed adirty wisp of necker- chief that had once been white, but which was | low ® sickly yellow. His boots seemed to have been the drers-boots of a giant, and were ove haud he wore a roomy black clove,jalso of the texnre of French plums. His grav s'regzled over the threadbare velvet collar of | his coatip an emineutly patriarchal fashion, and bis bottie-nose—nay, indeed, his complex- ion generaliy—was of that rubitucd hue pre- Cuced by copious consumption of maitand spirituous liqnors, in conjanetion with ex- posure to all kinds of weather. Such as hs | was, he seemed to ldrs. Hawthorndean the | Iiviog embodimentofa night-mare. She stood | brisk Hannah who aroused her from this wa- ming trance. “Hadn't the old gentleman hetwr step into master’s study!” suggested the girl. “He'll ‘wazt to sit somewhere. you see. ma'am. ° 4 going to live here. nah, what shall wedo?” a be frightened, mum,” whispered im posession, and it’s nothing whea you're Used to it. Step this way, if you please, Sir.” ebe added. briskly, and she pcinted to &litie | | box of a room opposite the drawing-room. — | The oldman walked tothe door of this partment. then suddenly tarned back and ap- Protched Mrs. Hawthorndean, who quailed | before him. To her horror he ‘lifted his dirt child. | “Don't you be frightened, may prettyt he | Said «1've seen a deal of trouble in my time, | and I can feel for them ashave theic homes I)’a the bueimess that's hard-hesrted, my | jotme. You bear that in miud, and you mind old Jiffins no more than if he | ola tomeat. “He'll keep his place, de- | pend upon it, and won't give no trouble to no one.” } ‘m sure you're very kind,” marmaursd | Clara, naif crying; “but {t does seem so dread- “Of course it do, to a sweet young creator’ ike you. But Lor’ bless you, mam, there’s placs 1 go to 3 you may say, and Where I’m quite like one Of the family. The children is me uncle. ‘Crikey, father!” | cries one of the littie chaps, ‘if here aint un. cle Jiffins come back agen!” and they're quite | took aback to find their parents ain't giad to | see me. 4 suppose there ain't Mo ob,ections to | & pipe in this nere roo! ‘am UB, NO, BO, BO,” cried Clara, piteously, “vor can sineke as much as you like;and there's some oj my busband’s Turkish tovacco in that jar on the mantie-piece, which you caa take if | you plesse.” : “Thankyou,mam. Shag's more in my way ; , at your hand upon a | ittle bit of Cavendish 1 shoald take it very kind "* A piece of Cavendish tobacco was f after some little trouble, and Mr. Jiffins est: lished bimeelf in Augustus Hawthorndeau easy. chair—a charming chair, in whien t! Captain bad been wont to read the papers and der romewhat gloomily on financial ques- | pe, and Mr JiMins being duly established this room, which was conveniently ciose to the, went beck to the drawing-room, where Tood- Jeums, happily unconscious of this domestic Fevolation, was still slumbering placidly in ‘Together the mistress and maid sat down to face lite with its pew responsibilities, “Ui write to Augastas this very night, Han- nab; but my letter can’t go tii to-morrow—. | pretty | should cal herself over and over again that ten o'clock on | made the pusimess look very much like laying om G+; wud then 8 he remioded her mistress WAS getting late, aad shops might be closing m the neighbornood. yd then there's theaid gente suppers T sup: AD a t's supper. sup. pose I'a bebeer getdate **Ub. good gracious me! crigd Qlara, + will be want supper!" “Eor’ bless your Innocenc’, mum, of course Dreakfms: and dinner, and all his meals, ‘and bis beer. 10's the rule, you seq, mom; you finds ‘em in every thing.” With this ijannah banded her mistress the baby and departed. The inexperienced cit!-wife sat staring aps- thetically at the biackraed coalsin the preity steel grate She f-it 88 some young mother of the Abtediluvian period may have feit, as ane eat with her child in her lap, listening to the Vising waters, and wailing for the end of tne world. Hannah came back by-8nd-by, with bread and cherse and beer for the old man, and a modest hittin joint of beef for ins next day's dinner, and a quarter of & pouud of tea, and o'her small matters, which altogether made a terrible bole in that one ponnd twelve ‘BES Which alone stood between this houss- old and destirauon. «We shall bave to beer to morrow, hut we shall hold of home, depend upoo Mrs Hawthorndeau counted the hours that must elapse before the Captain could possiniy come Lome, ina counted them over again, til her bra-n grew quite dizzy. Her only co nfort bext moruipg was to thivk toat some of those Weary hours were gon Hiapoah waned om Mr. Jiffins, taking his meals to the Captato’s epug Lith coming back to her ny’ S* 10 Tep: iol Davoe he had made with the loaf, o: hanes the sovereign for jum,” said the macien; ull the Oaptain comes alarming way he had slashedof slices irom ths | out J°UAnd 1 think af thers was oceaas of eravy, mum, he'd soak (hem wp: for, let alone smash ive Lis purtacers, be Sops it ap witn bis brea i.” ‘Ob, what a creary Obristmas day! Cans Aud carringes dashed ap (0 otfer Gouses in ths burnin street; gayiy-dres-ed paople wen ud fro the neigbborimg churches: a* ight music sou many wind We; while Ctara Hawthorndeau Walked pp and gown with her tretiul baby, and though of what tbey were doing at hom-— alas, her ome po louger! ‘Toodleums bad bern fractious all day, and grew worse toward eveuing: aud while Hin- nab went for the sapper-beer be took tne op- portunit; of working himself into a paroxysm 0! crying tat territied the yonng mother oat ot ber wits. She was pacing the room, trying in van to soothe her infant, when the door was eottly opened, and Mr. Jiffius appeared. Clara almost dropped the baby at sight of tals ap- | parition. Le: me take bim a bit, m user to babies, bless ‘et ed intruder advanced his grimy han deed, indeed, Be wouldn't come to you.” Bo’, to the motber’s atter astonisnment, Too- dieurs, the most particular and capricious of babies, did go to this grubby old man, after afew minutes’ bushingand dand! see-sawing iu the air, did actually cease to cr J Bless their dear little hearts! tney all come tome,” s#id Mr, fillins, complacenily, “I've gota grandson just this ones size; and wi inat Lite dear do suffer with the wind on nis | stomach its only beknown to bisselfand me. Tt | ain’ temper, bless you when they shrecks like that—iv’s wind: and you tuke my advice, and just let your girl fete twopenn ‘orth of e:- sence of peppermtnt—none of your Daffy formy money—and elve him two drops on 4 iamp of sugar melted in a spoonful of warm water, | ° and he'll be as quiet as a amb” Mr, Jiftps nursed the baby til Hannah came back with the beer and the change for the last | rovereign, Which Mrs. Hawtnorvean bad con. jemplared fondly ax she parted wt li itforever. The girl stared aghast on behoiding her chorge im the arms of the intrnder; pat be dis- | "e for peppermint as | pa'ched her tothe chem: coolly #s if Re had been the infant's favorite grandinther, Mrs, Hawthorndean bad sunk exhausted in'o her chai amazement, while the man in possession de- veloped a perfect genius for nursing, aad en- teriained Toodleums with a broken tob.cco- pipe and a latch. key as that youny geutiemaa Tarrly allowed bimaelf to be e1 ined oy most elaborate inventions of the toy mak»r. “You seem tonave x wonderfal power over children.” murmured Clots. at tast. + I'm fond of ’em, ma’ tDat'’s where i* is: And they know i.’ There's nothing gets over ‘em hh at—real, riga'down touda Now, Dil wayer while you were care Little chap up and down jast now ¥ bad wandered like, and you were and you felt him a drag tug th sent. exclaimed “To be triumphan knowed as he hadn't got your whole hearc spd you can'< do nothing with a child urless you gives him your whole heart. Tue deepest ite Garracks out for ‘List, bless am! Ain’t you now, ducksy?” Yes, 0’ cuurs-; you knows yon are.” Toodieums assented to this proposition with a rapturons crow. Bein’ hristmes-night, mum,” Mr, Jifips, by-and-by. when the peppermiat bad been brought sna administered, aud my disposition lively like, perhaps you wouldn't take at as a liberty if I asked leave to eat my bit of s that there Jittle room, and seems lonesomer being Christmas-tme.”” What could a helpless voung wife and mother say © wus stariling request! Mr. Jiffins was master ofthe situation. There was something very dreadfal in sitting down to supper with this dirty old man: bat Tood- Jems was Ranging on to one of Ris greasy coat-butrons with the affec'ton gf 2 Mietine, aud aman thus affected by Toodleams could not be utterly base. So Mrs. Hawtnoradean murmured a f-int assent to the proposed ar- Tangement. ‘The tray was brovgat, modestly farnished with a piece of cheese, a loaf, a ii tie glass dish of butter, and a jug of ale. Mr. Jiftins surveyed these simple preparations with an approving eve. “Kaw cheese ts raiber cold to the palate in eure Mr. Jiftins, it’s ald this weather,” be said, theughttully “what | Shonid you ray now, mum, toa rabrit! + Lam very sorry, faltered Mrs. Hawthorn. | dean, apologeticaily, bits in the houee.”” Lor’ bless you, ma’am, I means toasted cheese. If that good cempered young wom in at wehaven’tany rap- of yours wonld get me the mustard pot and a | small sancepan, and then kneel down before the fire and teast a round or twoof bread, I'll soon show you what | means by arabbit.” Hanah ran off to procure these implements, and she was presently employed in toasting | Thad to | Foo'ed to the ground, starmg at him hope- | cheese under the old man’s direstion. Jessly and helplessly; and it was only the pooafal of mustard, and a good lump of fresh butter, and a table-spoonful of ale, And let it #tmmer by the side of the fire Jiffins, who nursed the baby and I: spprovisgly. while tne handmaid obeyed him. | pocr Clara Hawthorndean it seemed like pered dream. “If any body the thought; and she had to tell frome dist Obrisim: callers, her old home—the girls in white muslin and scarlet sashes, the matrony ia ther rustling sitke; and then of that more stalety festival at Strathnatrn Cas'le, and the black-oak buffets loaded with gold-plate, which her husband had 80 often described to her; but from these bright pictures her faucy always came back to the old man superintending the simmering cheere. Hoth he and Hannah persuaded her presently totasts this deticacy. She bad eaten nothing night was not @ likely hour for | &t dinner, tor the sense of the oid man’s pres- ence to the Captata’s study had weighed upon her Jike an actual burden. He was not near! so dreadful seated opposite to her wit baby ou bis kuee. Oor’skeletons are never so tudvous wbep confronted so when hidden aw im sowe dark cupboard, Mrs. Haw~- tuorndean tasted the Welsh rarebit. It was Tealiy excellent. Bhe remembered hav: beard Augustus talk of eating <ucb thim ‘an's. And presently she fouad herself eat. < this toasted cheese with more appetite than hy thing sbe had tasted since ber busband’s | departure. Thongh familiar, Mr. Jifins was not utterly wanting inreverence. He resigned the o Hannan, and insisted on teking his supper at the remotest corner of the tabi where there was no table-cioth. The edge of tbe table-cloth he seemed to consider the persuasion rns eran im to ipfringe Upon it by the breath of But at this uncomfortable corner be ate his supper with @ relish that was atmost conta. ions, and talked a good desl, in & pleasant, chirping manner, &s he quaffed his aie, After supper he ventured upon a conundrum, aod, that being approved, upon another; and Mrs. Hawthorndean found Berseit langbing quite merrily, bat still with the sense that it was all 8 distempered dream. Dreadfal asit was tobe cheerful in the company of sutse-maid and of 4 broky F's-man. it was all peceers better for ths lonely little wife than over her oes, She slept quite soundly after the tonsted cheese and the conundrums. and awoke next morning to find the cheerful Hannah at her tedside with a neatly-arranged little breakfas: t ray. “It was Mr. Jifins as told me to bring you Bp your breakfast, ma'’am.. -‘Let her sleep a Tue late. ‘poor pretty!” he said, ‘and take her & cup of tea and s new laid exe when pte wakes,’ and—would you bel , mam?” —the O14 dear goes and fetches the egg hisself, white Peg ee muel bis em; i batstde our doo ‘and if he basut been and hearthstoped the steps before I was up. mum, | and swep’ the kitchen vesntitui—for a handier jd-maen I never did and he says, if you cout’ a bit of Irieh stew fer J dinner, he’sa rare Band at one.” i 5 thorndean did mot care to a irish stew, nor did she affect any brat eroker’s man cou Teraunipeleteiy eopvend: bat ob fany and sed and Lights gleamed from | please don’t!” cried Clara, as the dread. | , and looked on wiih | of’em, | mind | binking of | experievc# of the past tit “and that chitd knowed it—he | » the | perinhere? Itis rather lonesome in | you toasts the bread, my dear, sid Mr. | ked on She thought of the joyous party in | joredean by her horror of of an incabas, y angel ia th now aro-e trom her bi lence. ‘Q0N day most soon then thrfe wopld he s ale, and she gai ber ebild would be turned oot of duore, homrless, shelteriess. No, net quite. Here Providesoe interposed tm the humble guise of Jifins. “My married daugd'-r's gut a room as she lets, and as is now empty heart to turm you out o: here, aud welcome,” said the dingy bevefactor. There ain't no spring sofye, bot shiny steel grates; but it’s that clean you mighteat your vietuals off the fioor; and, if you don"t mind & me we. i's re-pectable. A mews!—wbere would not the desolate mo- ther have gone to obtain shelter for her baby! “Ob, Mr. Jiffiv-!” she cried, clasping one of thore grimy bi which had once inspire t ber with euch aversion, “what should we do without you! Wha',indees! The last shilling of that} sovereign had been spent two days aco, ce then the little household bad beeu sus- sed by Meury advanced by JiMfius. You'll pay me fast evough. one ofthese od I dessny,” said Jifins, whem Clara depre- this Isst obligation For toe first thme since she If. bome she wrove to @k a fevor from ber mother, The boon she demanded was 8 flve-ponud vom, wherewith to pay aud reward Jifius. Never teccr+ bad she allowed the Dome-iriends to km: w thather Augustus left her wisn one wis nucrat fled Toe ntth day expires. Was nea. Strange men in paper-caps cA (0 tke up the carpets. The dear littie eniar | leset, in Which Clara fed so aelgaied, wh bouse-waid woald alow her so enter at, | a8 rified of its contest’. and diunor-services, | erViees, and glnes were spread on the di- Hivg-room tible. Bills were stuck om the oat- | side of the horse; within, oasty lictle bits pie | jer, Wl numbers on them, were pasted upon | y_uructe, even—oh, bitterest drop ia this cup of bitterness!—on the sacred bassinet of Toocleums, still a martyr to nis teetn. Igno- | miay contd go vo farther: and tyere ware still | bo tidings of the Captian Bat for Jidies and | annwh, Ciare Hawthorndean mast surely bave died cf agony. { it was the very moruingoftheeale, Mr. Ab- *siom was there in ail ais glory. The auc- tioneer had arrived. Diazy men with grensy | litle memorandum-books pervade t the house Ciara sat with Hannah and the baby in the lit. Ne study, Where s'range faces peered in apou them every now and ther: and intendiuz buy- #18 made heartives remarks about the carcatné and informed the dingy commission~ . how high they were disposed to bid for te | pet chair. There was no corner of sacred to the homeless woman's des. | pair. Clara felt that it would have been al- | mci better to sit im the street, The most un- friendly doorstep would have beea a more | peseefal resting-place than this. | Alas, ia this bitter crisis even the faithfal | Jiftins can no longer protect ber. He | bither and thither by the bicher pow | cam not yet snatch half an hoar's respite im | i whieb to cond Mrs. Hawthorndean to the | | bumbie lodging he has secured for her. } ‘Ob, Hanpab. I wish Mr. Jifius would take us awey fom all these dreadful people!” Clara | cries, piteou-ly. She pad cea-ed to hope for | Te8cUe TOM Avgustus, Thi ship bas found- | ered, acd Jiffins is the iite-poat of ben *vulence thst most carry her to the store of sate. | | Oh, Hannab, if he would ouly take us to his | Sangnter’s hou-e in the mewe!” she erias; aud in the next moment a bausom tears up io the tentorian voice brescs out into excl Of surpri-e aud indig spersed with execratious. A shriil scream | breaks from the young wife's pale li»s.” “Gus!” she cries, while Toodleums sets up a | sympathetic shriek mh, thank God! thank | | Geo!” and she must have fallea but for liga. nah’s supporting arms. ‘Yes; itvs the Captain dressed in black, and with ‘scrape hat-band. He distribates bis | Avathemas freely as be strides into the villa. | Wuastthe dash is the meaning ot this dasbed business! Take down those dashed bills, and turn these dashed people out of the house. acd | The hour of doom | i | 80 Mr. Absalom advances politely, acd | ts that it the Captain will be so kind a: | je that Little affair of 4325 tre. 6d. te sale reed not proceed The Cap ain palis oat a vrand-new checKk-book, Ami sigus Ris tirst check upon a brand-pew banking accoant, hich document he hands 0 Mc. Avsaiom with am injured alr. «You ought tohave known better, Absalom,” | hesatd, “after all our pyst dealing.” “To tell you the truth. Captain, it was my | maie me ra ber ed the ovher, po- | sharp i: | htely Come, Clara, don’t cry, exclaimed © | rain Hawtherndean to the poor lirt!e wom: | was sobbing of Bis stoulder. «1 didn’t get your letter ull yesterday afternoon, and! usve been traveling ever sinc-; 1 was away with party in the mountains. And theres cern & dreadin! piece of work at Strathaaire —my cousin Pouglas, Sir Johu’s only son. killed by the expiosion of! is rifle. No one to blaine but nim-eif. poor beg—poor dear fellow! ir John’s awiully cut up, as well be may be: | nd I'm next heir to the title and estites. es, little woman, you'll be Lady Stratanaira pefore you dir; for my uncle will peverraarry, Very dreadful, atn’t it, poor ! but, of course, uncommonly | tus, how awfal for Sir Joha! Bat, thank God, you bave come back! You can uever understand what i've have suifered; | and if it hadn't been for Mr. Jistins—" | “Jiifins! who the dooce 1s Jiffias!” “The man in possession He has been so good to us—has |+n: us mcney even: and but for him we must hi x the present,” jolly for us.” Captain, you dou’t mean to say you've dezrud- by borrowing money from a | “What could I do. @ear! | out any money, you know innocently, | “You really ought to have kaowm bet, | | Clara,” said,the Captain. eernty.. “Butwhe | is this Jiffins? Let ame pay tne fellow his co founded loan “I think you'd better let me pay it, dear. If you'll give me a ten-pound note, 1 cau maike it | all right” So Mr. Jifins received nbout a thousaud per | ceut. for bis loam, which pad bee litle more | | man a sovereign, aud be epent New-Vear's lay very pleasautly im the bosom of he mar. | ried daughter's household, No 7% Siamiord Me Blackfriars. But perhaps at Some ta. | | tare audit, When many such smail accounts | we ballanced before the Great Auditor, Mr Jiffims may receive even more than a thousand per ceut for that little loan | oer | A NEW STORY | | You lett me with- replied the wife, j IN THE XEW YORK LEDGER, ENTITLED Tiik QUEEN’S SECRE A HISTOBIOAL BOMANOE OF THE i UF ELIZABSTH. = | BY WILLIAM HENRY PECK, PROFESSOR OF HISTORY IN THE UXITRESITY OF THE STATE OF LOCIBANA. | In this week's LEDGER, we commence the pub- lication of a new story by Professor Prcx, entitled ie QcreN's Becumr; or, The Maiden and the Casket.” It t# @ atirring, interesting narrative; ond, we may remark in this connection, so higtly do we prize Professor Pzck's stories, that we have engaged him to wite exclusively for the Ledger hereafter Tke LEDGER also contains contributions by HENRY WARD BEECHER, JAMES PARTON, ALIOE OABY, FANNY FERN, MES. SOUTH- WORTH, MABY KYLE DALLAS, ETHEL | LYNN, DR. CHAS. D. GARDE CTE, SYLVANUS. COBB, Jr., JOHN G. BAXE, and many others, Exv. Dx. STEPHEN H. TYNG. fs now engaged | upom an Original Story, which he ts writing ex- preasly for the Ledger. It will be continued through twelve numbers. We ave received the opening chapters; and we venture to predict that it will be one of the most interesting and popular stories ever published, We shall commence its publication early in the new year. ‘The LEDGER will be ready to-day at 12 o'clock, and for sale at all the beok-stores and news offices | Cirmuxs ano stzaxonns I find at NO. 36 ORNTRAL STORES, BEXSWEEN 71u AND Srn SEREBTS, TORBIGH AND DOMESTIO DRY GOODS 4 4 eon Tents a HEARTH AND HOME. t OBRISTMAS HIGAT. A Pu Tomas Maw u SANTA OLAUB, Mary E Dodee ut LIME ON OILL PASTUL ES Pra. SW. Foimson. Vale College. Ww v BUITES +s WOOL MAL Sheldon vr 40W TO KEBP FABMEKS’ BUYs AT HOME. Lent Stockovider, Mass. Aertc. Col. vir LAY-OUT OF A BUBURBAD PLA‘ (With illustrations + Domaid G Mischeti vur THE CABPENTERO BIRD. (Miastrated) mes Foes ix WABREN LELAND’ POULTRY BAISI (Ulastrated ) AB Cromdel x GENERAL GRANT DLIViN: Ilinsirated » XU HORTICULTURAL HINTS FOR JANUARY James Howe XL OUR HOPPER XM iT iF THE TIMES—-HOMS AND FOR- eee ae NAWS xiv OUB HEADING AND OUB HOPES. Donal! GM tekett. xv A GREBTING Harriet Beerher Stowe XVI. THE OLD-WOBLD 8P4kROW. A Por William Cullen Bryant XV. PEEACHING OTHER ME! SEsMONS. J.P. Thompson. DD. xvi. IN THB I0B. A Sroxt, J.T. Trowbridge. XIx. WOW WE KEEP THANKSKIVING AT OLD TOWN. Harvie: Beecher Stowe. Xx. MES. HUNNIBBE’S DIARY. Laura B. Lyman Ext. CHBISTMAS GIFTS xxi. EOB: B48 LIFE ABD DEATH. Grace Greenwood . xxm. BURIAL OF THB S15 D. (Lilustrated.) XXIv. ELIZABETH BARABTT BROWNING. Madame Le Vert. xxv. REYWABD'S BCHOO:.. (Titestrated.) Mary EB. Jodge PRICE 10. CENTS. 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