1921-12-17 — Page 20

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CHRISTMAS STORY.

dows, and the leaves on the old tree,

were: la the beaming sentó of tiodfr- (Continued from page 28.);

ate company that had taken no more than was wholesome for them, and had served to develop the best gloomy darkness, smiling. Birds, qualities. Sprinkling dewy drops sang sweetly, flowers raised their about them on the ground, they drooping scénte" seemed of and from the invigorated ground; the sparking mirth, that did good where blue expanse above, extended and it lighted, softening neglected corners diffused itself; already the sun's slan. which the steady rain could seldom ting rays pierced mortally the sullen- reach, and hurting nothing. bank of cloud that lingered in its flight; and a rainbow, spirit of all the colours that adorned the earth and sky, spanned the whole arch with its

• triumphant glory.

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This village inn, had assumed, en being established, an uncommon sign, Itwascalled The Nutmeg-Grater. And underneath that household word was inscribed, up in the free, on the same flaming board, and in the like golden: characters, By Benjamin Britain.

THE CHINA MAIL.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER

to you.

when the cart stopped at the Natmeg and ceter, C. Britain. He ha. It was comfortable to Mr. Britain And Doctor Jeddler pursued to your meal, I shall be much obliged Grater door, a pair of shoes, alight" hat There! Take" all the| to thluk of his own condescension in | ing from it, slipped nimbly through ↑ papers, and lock em up. Ob Walt, having married Clemency. She was Mr. Britain's open arms, and came a minute. Here's a printed bill to a perpetual testimony: to him of the down a substantial weight upon the stick on the wall. Wet from the goodness of his heart, and the kind: pathway, which shoea could hardly printer's How nice it smells!" ness of his disposition; and he felt have belonged to any one but Cle- What's this?" said Ben, looking that her being an excellent wife was mency Newcome.

an illustration of the old precept that in Newey did belong to her, and over the document, she stood in them, and a rosy, com

virtue is its own reward. fortable-looking soul she was; with es much snap on her glossy face as

in times of vore, but with while elbows now, that had grown quite dimpled in her improved condition.

"You're late, Clemmy!” said Mr. Britain.

“Why, you see, Ben, I've had à deal to du" she replied, looking At a second glance, and on a more busily after the safe.removal Into the minute examination of his face, you house of all the packages and baskets; might have known that, it was oo "eight, nine, ten-where's eleven? other than Benjamin Britain himself Oh my basket's eleven! It's all right, who stood in the doorway-reason-Put the horse up, Hory; and if he ably changed by time, but for the coughs again give him a warm mash better; a very comfortable host in- to-night. Eight, nine, ten. Why, deed.

where's eleven? Oh, I forgot, it's all right How's the children, Ben?"

At such a time, one little roadside inn, snugly sheltered behind a great elm-tree with a rare seat for idlers encirclipg its capacious bole, address ed a cheerful front towards the traveller, as a house of entertainment ought, and tempted him with many mute but significant assurances of a comfortable welcome. The ruddy signboard perched up in the tree, with its golden letters winking in the. sun, ogled the passer-by, from among the green leaves, like a jolly face, and promised good cheer. The horse- As there was no Mrs. Britain com- trough, full of clear fresh water, and ling, he strolled leisurely out into the the ground below it sprinkled with road and looked up at the house, very droppings of fragrant hay, made much to his satisfaction. It's just every horse that passed prick up his the sort of house," said Benjamin, "1 ears. The crimson curtains in the should wish to stop at, if I didn't keep lower rooms, and the pure white fit."

"Mrs. B," said Mr. Britain, look ing down the road, "is rather late. It's tea-time"

hangings in the little bedchambers Then he strolled towards the above, beckoned, Come in with every garden paling, and took a look at the breath of air. Upon the bright green dahlias. They looked over at him, shutters, there were golden legends with a helpless drowsy hanging of about heer and ale, and neat wines, their heads, which bobbed again, as and good beds; and an affecting heavy drops of wet dripped off them. picture of a brown jug frothing over "You must be looked after," said at the top. Upon the window-sills Benjamin. Memorandum, not to were flowering plants in bright red forget to tell her so. She's a long

*

pofs, which made a lively show time coming!" against the white front of the house; Mr. Britain's better half seemed to and in the darkness of the doorway be by very much his better half, there were streaks of light, which that his own moiety of himself was glanced off from the surfaces of utterly cast away and helpless with bortles and tankards.

out her.

On the door-step, appeared a pro "She hadn't much to do, I think," per figure of a landlord, too; for, said Ben. There were a few little though he was a short man, he was matters of business after market; but round and broad, and stood with his not many. Oh! here we are at last!" hands in his pockets, and bis legs A chaise-cart, driven by a boy, came just wide enough apart to express a clattering along the road; and seat jmind at rest upon the subject of the ed in it, in a chair, with a large well- cellar, and an easy confidence too saturated umbrella spread out to dry calm and virtuous to become a behind her, was the plump. figure of swagger is the general resources a matronly woman, with her bare of the inn. The superabundant arms folded across a basket which moisture, trickling from everything she carried on her knee, several other after the late rain, set him off well. baskets and parcels lying crowded Nothing near him was thirsty. [about her, and a certain bright good Certain top-heavy dahlias, looking nature in her face and contented over the palings of his neat well awkwardness in her manner, as she crdered garden, had swilled as much jogged to and fro with the motion of as they could carry-perhaps a triffe her, carriage, which smacked of old more--and may have been the worse times, even in the distance. Upon for liquor; but, the sweet-briar, roses, her nearer approach, this relish of wallflowers, the plants at the win-bygone days was not diminished'; and

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"Hearty, Clemmy, hearty."? "Bless their precious faces!" said Mrs. Britain, unbónueting her own round countenance (for she and her husband were by this time in the bar), and smoothing her hair with her open hands. "Give us a kiss, old man!"

sold-

Mr. Britain promptly complied. "I think," said Mrs. Britain, apply ing herself to her pockets and drawing forth an immense bulk of thin books and crumpled papers a very kennel of dogs ears, I've done everything. | Bills all settled-turnips brewer's account looked into and paid "bacco pipes ordered seventeen pound four, paid into the bank Doctor Heathfield's charge for little Clem-you'll guess what that is Doctor Heathfield won't take nothing again, Ben

"I thought he wouldn't." returned Britain.

"No. He says whatever family you was to have, Ben, he'd never put you the cost of a halfpenny. Not if you was to have twenty,”

Mr. Britain's face saumned a serious expression, and he looked hard at the wall.

Ain't it kind of him?" said Clemency.

"Very," returned. Mr. Britain. "R's the sort of kindness that I wouldn't presume upon, on any account."

"No," retorted Clemency. "Of course not. Then there's the pony he fetched eight pound two; and that ain't bad, is it?”

"I haven't read a word of it."

"I don't know,” replied his wife,

Clemency, putting down her tea cup, and looking thoughtfully at the blil, in his grief and passion turned me

He sat down as he spoke, without out of house and home! I never have any further perley, and looked out been so glad of anything in all my at the prospect. He was an easy, life, as that I didn't say an angry well knit figure of a man in the prime word to him, and hadn't an angry of life. His face, much browned by feeling towards him, even then; for the sub was shaded by a quantity of He had finished wafering up the he repented that truly, afterwards. dark hair; and he wore a moustache. bill, and had locked the vouchers for How often he has sat in this room, His beer being set before him, he her day's proceedings in the cup and told me over and over filled out a glass, and drank, good- board chuckling all the time, over again he was sorry for it the last humouredly, to the house; adding ber capacity for business when, time, only yesterday, when you were as he put the tumbler down again

It's a new house; is it not?" returning with the news that the two out. How often he has sat in this Master Britain were playing in the room, and talked to me, hour Not particularly new, sir," replied" coach-house under the ruperinten after hour, about dence of one Betsey, and that little thing and another, in which he Between five and six years old," etc. offices, etc. Clem was sleeping like a picture made belleve to be interested but said Clemency, speaking very dis

To be sold by auction, read the host of the Nutmeg Grater, unless previously disposed of by private contract.""

said

"They always put that," Clemency

"Yes, but they don't always put this," he returned." Look here,

Mansion,' shrubberies, etc. ring fence, etc Mesars. Snitchey and Craggs, etc, ornamental portion of the un encumbered freehold property of Michael Warden, Esquire, intending to continue to reside.abroad pa Intending to continue to reside abroad!" repeated Clemency.

"Here it is," said Mr. Britain. "Look!"

"And it was only this very day that I heard it whispered at the old house, that better and plainer news bad been half promised of her, soon?" said Clemency; shaking her head sorrowfully, and patting ber elbows as if the recollection of old times unconsciously awakened her old habits. Dear, dear, dear! There'll be heavy hearts, Ben, yonder."

Mr. Britain heaved a sigh, and shook his head, and said he couldn't make it out; he had left off trying long ago. With that remark, he applied himself to putting up the bill just inside the bar window. Clemency, after meditating in

silence for a few moments, roused herself, cleared her thoughtful brow, and. bustled off to look after the children. Though the host of the Nutmeg Greter had a lively regard for his good-wife, it was of the old patrons. ing kind, and she amused him mightily. Nothing would have astonished him so much, as to have known for certain from any third party, that it was she who managed the whole house, and made him, by her plain straightforward thrift, good-humour, honesty, and industry, a thriving

life (as the world very often finds it),, man. So easy it is, in any degree of to take those cheerful natures that never assert their merit, at their own modest valuation; and to conceive a flippant liking of people for their out whose innate worth, if we would and eccentricities,

look so far, might make us blush in the comparison!

"It's very good," said Ben. "I'm glad you're pleased!" ex-ward oddities claimed his wife. "I thought you would be; and I think that's all, and so no more at present from yours

she sat down to tes, which had awaited her arrival, on a little table. It was a very neat little bar, with the usual display of bottles and glasses; a sedate clock, right to the minute (it was half past five); everything in its place, and everything furnished and polished up, to the very utmost.

on Mr. Britain.

only for the sake of the days that are gone by, and because he knows she used to like me, Ben'!"

"Why, how did you ever come to

catch a glimpse of that, Clem? asked her husband, astonished that she should have a distinct perception of a truth which had only dimly suggested itself to his inquiring mind.

"I don't know, I'm sure," said Clemency, blowing her tes, to cool it. Bless you, I couldn't tell you, if you was to offer me a reward of a hundred pound."

tinctly.

I think I heard you mention Doctor Jeddler's name, as I came in,' inquired the stranger. That bill, reminds me of him, ler I happen to know something of that story, by hearsay, and through certain con nections of mine. Is the old man living?"

"Yes, he's living, sir," said Clemency:

"Much changed???

It's the first time I've sat down quietly to-day, I declare," said Mrs. Britain, taking a long breath, as if she had sat down for the night; but setting up again immediately to hand her husband his tea, and cut him, his bread-and-butter: "how that bill does

'Since when, air?" returned' set me thinking of old times !!

He might have pursued this Clemency, with remarkable emphasis metaphysical subject but for hercatch- | and expression...... "Ah! said Mr. Britain, handlinging a glimpse of a substantial fact his saucer like an oyster, and dis posing of its contents on the same principle...

behind him, in the shape of a gentle- man attired in mourning, and cloaked and booted like a rider on horseback, who stood at the hardoor. He seemed attentive to their conversation, and not at all impatient to interrupt it

"That same Mr. Michael Warden," said Clemency, shaking her head at the notice of sale, "lost me my old placed ot

"And got you your husband,” said Clemency hastily rese at his sight. Mr. Britain....

Mr. Britain also rose and saluted "Well! So he did," retorted the guest. Will you please to walk and many thanks to upstairs, sir. There's very nice room Clemency. him."

upstairs, sir."

"Man's the creature of babit," said

“Thank you,” said the stranger, Mr. Britain, surveying her, over his | looking earnestly at Mr. Britain's saucer, "I had somehow got used to wife. May I come in here ? ? you, Clem; and I found I shouldn't "Oh, surely, if you like, air, be able to get on without you. So returned Clemency, admitting him. we went and got made man and wife. "What would you please to want, Ha! hal We! Who'd have thought| air ?" it!"

"Who indeed!" cried Clemency. It was very good of you, Ben."

No, no, no," replied Mr. Britain, with an air of self-denial. worth mentioning."

"Nothing

The bill had caught his eye, and he was reading it.

“Excellent property that, sir,” observed Mr. Britain.

He made no answer; but, turning round, when he had finished reading "Oh, yes, it was, Ben," said his looked at Clemency with the same

I think so, and am wife, with great simplicity; "I'm sure observant curiosity as before. "You obliged to you. Ah!" looking againing at her

very much were asking me," he said still look.. at the bill; "when she was known to What you would please to take, be gone, and out of reach, dear girl, sir," answered Clemency, stealing a I couldn't help telling-for her sake glance at him in return. knew, could I?" quite as much as theirs-what I

You told it, anyhow," observed ber busband.

"If you will let me have a draught of ale," he said, moving to a table by the window, and will let me have it here, without being any interruption

"Since his daughter-went away." "Yes! he's greatly changed since then," said Clemency. "He's HIST and old, and hasn't the same way with him at all; but, I think he's happy now. He has taken on with his sister since then, and goes to see her very oftan. That did him good, directly. At first, he was sadly broken down, and it was enough to make one's heart bleed, to see him wandering about falling at the world; but a great change for the better came over him after a year or two, and then he began to like to falk about his lost daughter, and to praise her, ay, and the world, too!", and was never tired of saying, with the tears in his poor eyes, how beautiful and good she was. He had forgiven her then. That was about the same time as Miss Grace's marri- age. Britain, you remember?"

Mr. Britain remembered very well. "The alster is, married then,”” TE- turned the stranger. He paused for some time before he asked, whom?

Clemency narrowly escaped over- setting the tea board, in her emotion. at this question)

"Did you never hear?" she said. "I should like to hear,” he replied, as he filled his glass again, and raised it to his lipsi

(Continued on Page 22.)

PETER DAWSON

"Guaranteed Real Scotch" OBTAINABLE EVERYWHERE

SOLE AGENTS:

II. RUTTONJEE & SON.

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