Christmas with Grandma Elsie, Page 4

  CHAPTER IV.

  The parlor at Ion, full of light and warmth, looked very pleasant andinviting this evening. The whole family--not so large now as it had beenbefore Capt. Raymond took his wife and children to a home of theirown--were gathered there;--Mr. Dinsmore and his wife--generally calledGrandma Rose by the children--Grandma Elsie, her son Edward and hiswife, Zoe, and the two younger children;--Rosie and Walter.

  The ladies and Rosie were all knitting or crocheting. Mr. Dinsmore andEdward were playing chess, and Walter was deep in a story book.

  "Zoe," said Rosie, breaking a pause in the conversation, "do you know,has mamma told you, about her new plans for benevolence? how she isgoing to let us all help her in distributing her funds?"

  "Us?" echoed Zoe inquiringly.

  "Yes; all her children; and that includes you of course."

  "Most assuredly it does," said Grandma Elsie, smiling tenderly upon heryoung daughter-in-law.

  Zoe's eyes sparkled. "Thank you, mamma," she said with feeling. "Ishould be very sorry to be left out of the number; I am very proud ofbelonging there.

  "But what about the new plans, Rosie? if mamma is willing you shouldtell me now what they are."

  "Quite willing," responded mamma, and Rosie went on.

  "You know mamma always gives thousands of dollars every year to home andforeign missions, and other good causes, and she says that this time shewill let each of us choose a cause for her to give a thousand to."

  "I like that!" exclaimed Zoe. "Many thanks, mamma, for my share of theprivilege. I shall choose to have my thousand go to help the missionschools in Utah. I feel so sorry for those poor Mormon women. The ideaof having to share your husband with another woman, or maybe half adozen or more! It's simply awful!"

  "Yes; and that is only a small part of the wickedness Mormonism isresponsible for," remarked Grandma Rose. "Think of the tyranny of theirpriesthood; interfering with the liberty of the people in every possibleway--claiming the right to dictate as to what they shall read, wherethey shall send their children to school, with whom they shall trade,where they shall live, or ordering them to break up their homes, make aforced sale of their property, and move into another state or territoryat their own cost, or go on a mission."

  "Their wicked doctrine and practice of what they call blood atonement,too," sighed Grandma Elsie.

  "And the bitter hatred they inculcate toward the people and governmentof these United States," added Zoe. "Oh I am sure both love of countryand desire for the advancement of Christ's cause and kingdom, shouldlead us to do all we can to rescue Utah from Mormonism. Do you not thinkso, mamma?"

  "I entirely agree with you, and am well satisfied with your choice,"Grandma Elsie replied.

  "Perhaps I shall choose for mine to go there too," said Rosie. "But Ibelieve I'll take a little more time to consider the claims of othercauses."

  Walter closed his book and came to his mother's side. "Am I to have ashare in it, mamma?" he asked.

  "In selecting an object for me to give to? Yes, my son."

  "A thousand dollars?"

  "Yes."

  "Oh that's good! I think I'll adopt an Indian boy, clothe and educatehim."

  "Adopt?" laughed Rosie; "a boy of ten talking about adopting somebodyelse!"

  "Not to be a father to him, Rosie--except in the way of providing forhim as fathers do for their children. Mamma knows what I mean."

  "Yes, my boy, I do; and highly approve. As a nation we have robbed thepoor Indians, and owe them a debt that I fear will never be paid."

  "I mean to do my share toward paying it if I live to be a man," Waltersaid, "and I'd like to begin now."

  "I am very glad to hear it, my son," responded his mother.

  "Would you prefer to have all your thousands go to pay that debt,mamma?" asked Rosie.

  "No, child, not all; as I have said, I highly approve of Zoe's choice;and I would send the gospel tidings into the dark places of the earth,to the millions who have never heard the name of Jesus."

  "And there is another race to whom we owe reparation," remarked Mr.Dinsmore, leaning back in his chair, and regarding the chess-board witha half rueful look. "There, Ned, my boy, I think you wouldn't have comeoff victor if my attention had not been called from the game by the talkof the ladies."

  "Never mind, Grandpa; we'll take all the blame," laughed Rosie, jumpingup to run and put her arms round his neck and give him a kiss.

  He returned it, drew her to his knee, and went on with his remarks.

  "You all know, of course, that I refer to the negroes, who were forciblytorn from their own land and enslaved in this. We must educate andevangelize them: as a debt we owe them, and also for the salvation ofour country, whose liberties will be greatly imperilled by theirpresence and possession of the elective franchise, if they are left toignorance and vice."

  "Grandpa, what do you mean by the elective franchise?" asked Waltergoing to the side of the old gentleman's chair.

  "The right to vote at elections, my son. You can see, can't you, whatharm might come from it."

  "Yes, sir; they might help to put bad men into office; some ofthemselves maybe; and bad men would be likely to make bad laws, andfavor rogues. Oh yes, sir, I understand it!"

  "Then perhaps you may want to help provide for the instruction of thecolored race as well as of the Indians?"

  "Yes, sir, I would like to. I hope the thousand dollars may be enough tohelp the work for both."

  "I think it will; that your mother will be satisfied to have you divideit into two or more portions, that several good objects may receivesome aid from it."

  "Will you, mamma?" asked Walter, turning to her.

  "Yes, I think it would perhaps be the wisest way."

  "And besides," said Rosie, "mamma is going to give us young ones achance to earn money for benevolence by paying us for good behavior. Iknow we ought to be good without other reward than that of a goodconscience, but I'm quite delighted with the plan for all that."

  "I too," said Walter, looking greatly pleased.

  "Thank you, mamma dear. How much is it you're going to give us?"

  "Twenty-five cents for every day on which I have no occasion to findfault with either your conduct or recitations."

  "A new idea, daughter, isn't it?" queried Mr. Dinsmore.

  "Yes, sir; and not original. I learned at Woodburn to-day, that thecaptain was going to try the plan with his children. I trust it meetsyour approval? I might better have consulted with you before announcingmy intention to adopt it."

  "That was not at all necessary," he returned pleasantly. "But I quiteapprove, and trust, you will find it work to your entire satisfaction."

  "Talking of helping the blacks, and thinking of the advice so oftengiven, 'Do the work nearest at hand,' it strikes me it would be well forus to begin with those in our own house and on the plantation,"remarked Edward.

  "I think they have never been neglected, Edward," said his grandfather;"a school-house was provided for them years ago, your mother pays ateacher to instruct them, visits the school frequently, often givesreligious instruction herself to the pupils there, and to their parentsin visiting them in their cabins; sees that they are taken care of insickness too, and that they do not suffer for the necessaries of life atany time."

  "Yes, sir, that is all true," returned Edward, "but I was only thinkingof giving them some extra care, instruction and gifts during theapproaching holidays; says a Christmas tree loaded with, not thesubstantials of life only, but some of the things that will givepleasure merely--finery for the women and girls, toys for the childrenand so forth."

  "Meaning tobacco for the old folks and sweets for all, I suppose?" addedZoe with sportive look and tone.

  "Yes, my dear, that's about it," he said, smiling affectionately uponher.

  "O mamma, let us do it!" cried Rosie with enthusiasm; "let's have a finebig tree in their school-room, and have them come there and get theirgifts before we have ours here. We should get Vi and the captain to
joinus in it as the colored children from Woodburn attend school there too."

  "I am well pleased with the idea," replied her mother, "and have littledoubt that the captain and Vi will be also. But let us have youropinion, my dear father," she added, turning upon him a look of mingledlove and reverence.

  "It coincides with yours, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore answered. "And I movethat Ned' and Zoe be appointed a committee to find out the needs of theproposed recipients of our bounty; others being permitted to assist ifthey like."

  The motion was carried by acclamation, merry jesting and laughterfollowed, and in the midst of it all the door was thrown open and avisitor announced.

  "Mr. Lilburn, ladies and gentlemen."

  Grandma Elsie hastily laid aside her crocheting and hurried forward withboth hands extended. "Cousin Ronald! what a joyful surprise! Welcome,welcome to Ion!"

  "Thanks, a thousand thanks, my fair kinswoman, my bonny leddy, my sweetCousin Elsie," returned the old gentleman, taking the offered hands inhis and imprinting a kiss upon the still round and blooming cheek. "Ihave ventured to come without previous announcement o' my intention, orquery about the inconvenience I might cause in your householdarrangements, or--"

  "No fear of that, sir," Mr. Dinsmore interrupted, offering his hand inreturn. "I know that you are, and always will be, a most welcome guestin my daughter's house. You have given us a very pleasant surprise, andthe fault will not be ours if we do not keep you all winter."

  The others, from Mrs. Dinsmore down to Walter, followed suit withgreetings no less joyous and cordial, for the old gentleman was a greatfavorite at Ion, and with the whole connection.

  He was presently installed in the easiest chair, in the warmest corner,and hospitably urged to take some refreshment.

  But he declined, saying he had had his supper in the village, beforedriving over, and wanted nothing more till morning.

  Then he went on to account for his sudden appearance. He had beensojourning some hundreds of miles farther north, had not been well, andhis physician advising an immediate change to a more southerly climate,he had set out at once for Ion, without waiting to let them know of hisintentions; feeling sure of just such a welcome as he had received.

  "And a month's warning could not have made you more welcome than youare, cousin," said his hostess.

  The conversation broken in upon by Mr. Lilburn's arrival, was notrenewed that evening, but the subject was introduced again the nextmorning at the breakfast table, and some questions in regard to it weredecided. All could not be, however, without consultation with thecaptain and Violet, and with Lester and Elsie Leland.

  Both families were speedily informed, through the telephone, of thearrival of Mr. Lilburn, and that afternoon saw them all gathered at Ionagain to do him honor, and to complete their arrangements for theholiday festivities.

  During the intervening weeks there was a great deal of traveling backand forth between the three houses, and to and from the city; for theirplans involved a good deal of shopping on the part of both the olderpeople and the children.

  The latter were so full of pleasureable excitement that at times theyfound no little difficulty in giving proper attention to their studies.Such was especially the case with Rosie and Lulu, but both Grandma Elsieand Capt. Raymond were quite firm, though in a kind and gentle way, inrequiring tasks to be well learned before permission was given to laythem aside for more congenial employment.

  Rosie besought her mother very urgently for permission to sit up for anhour beyond her usual bedtime, in order to make greater progress withher fancy work for Christmas, but it was not granted.

  "No, my dear little daughter," Elsie said, "you need your usual amountof sleep to keep you in health, and I can not have you deprived of it."

  "But, mamma," returned Rosie, a little impatiently, "I'm sure itcouldn't do me any great amount of damage to try it a few times, and Ireally think you might allow me to do so."

  "My daughter must try to believe that her mother knows best," was thegrave, though gently spoken rejoinder.

  "I think it is a little hard, mamma," pouted Rosie; "I'm almost grown upand it's so pleasant in the parlor where you are all talkingtogether--especially now that Cousin Ronald is here--that it does seemtoo bad to have to run away from it all an hour before you older folksseparate for the night. I'd feel it hard even if I wasn't wanting moretime for my fancy work for Christmas."

  "A little girl with so foolish and unkind a mother as yours is certainlymuch to be pitied," Mrs. Travilla remarked in reply.

  "Mamma, I did not mean that; I could never think or speak of you in thatway," returned Rosie, blushing vividly and hanging her head.

  "If you had overheard Lulu addressing the remarks to her father that youhave just made to me, would you have taken them as evidence of herconfidence in his wisdom and love for her?" asked her mother; and Rosiewas obliged to acknowledge that she would not.

  "Please forgive me, mamma dear," she said penitently. "I'll not talk soagain. I haven't earned my quarter for good behavior to-day. I'm quiteaware of that."

  "No, my child, I am sorry to have to say you have not," sighed hermother.

  It was one afternoon in the second week after Mr. Lilburn's arrival thatthis conversation between Rosie and her mother was held.

  At the same hour Max and Lulu were in their work-room at home, busilycarving. Since their dismissal from that morning's tasks, they had spentevery moment of time at that work, except what had necessarily beengiven to the eating of their dinner.

  Presently their father came in.

  "You are very industrious, my darlings," he said in a pleasant tone,"but how much exercise have you taken in the open air to-day?"

  "Not any yet, papa," answered Max.

  "Then it must be attended to at once by both of you."

  "O papa, let me keep on at this just a little longer," pleaded Lulu.

  "No, daughter, not another minute; these winter days are short; the sunwill Boon set, and outdoor exercise will not do you half so much goodafter sundown as before. Put on your hats and coats and we will have abrisk walk together. The roads are quite dry now and I think we willfind it enjoyable."

  The cloud that had begun to gather on Lulu's brow at the refusal of herrequest, vanished with the words of invitation to walk with papa, for todo so, was one of her dear delights.

  Both she and Max obeyed the order with cheerful alacrity, and presentlythe three sallied forth together to return in time for tea, in goodspirits and with fine appetites for their meal; the children rosy andmerry.

  Violet was teaching Lulu to crochet, and the little girl had become muchinterested in her work. When the hour for bedtime came she did not wantto give it up, and like Rosie begged for permission to stay up foranother hour.

  "No, dear child," her father said, "it is quite important that littleones like you should keep to regular hours, early hours too, for goingto rest."

  "Then may I get up sooner in the mornings while I'm so busy?" she askedcoaxingly.

  "If you find yourself unable to sleep; not otherwise. My little girl'shealth is of far more importance than the making of the most beautifulChristmas gifts," he added with a tender caress.

  "And I sha'n't forget this time that papa knows best," she said in acheery tone, giving him a hug.

  He returned it. "I think to-morrow is likely to be a pleasant day," hesaid, "and if so I hope to take my wife and children to the city forsome more of the shopping you all seem to find so necessary anddelightful just now. Your Aunt Elsie and Evelyn are going too, so thatyou can probably have your friend's help in selecting the articles youwish to buy."

  "Oh how delightful!" she exclaimed. "I ought to be a good girl with sucha kind father, always planning something to give me pleasure."

  "You enjoy such expeditions, don't you, Lu?" queried Violet.

  "Yes, indeed, Mamma Vi, and I hope papa will take me several times. Iwant to select my gift for Rosie to-morrow, with Eva to help me; and I'dlike Rosie to go with me ano
ther time to help me choose one for Evelyn."

  "I think I shall be able to gratify you in that; and to give you moretime for Christmas work, I will release you from the task of taking careof your own rooms, till after the holidays, and have them attended toby one of the servants," said the captain. "But now bid good night andgo to your bed."

  "Oh thank you, dear papa," she cried joyously, and obeyed at oncewithout a murmur.

  The weather next day was favorable, and the shopping a decided success.The ladies and little girls returned somewhat weary with theirexertions, but in fine spirits, Lulu feeling particularly happy over apresent for Rosie, which every one thought was sure to be acceptable.

  A few days later her father took her and Rosie together, Evelyn beingleft out of the party in order that her present might be selectedwithout her knowledge.

  Indeed in the afternoon of every pleasant day, from that to the onebefore Christmas, the Woodburn carriage might have been seen driving toand from the city; and on almost every occasion Lulu was one of itsoccupants.

  But on the twenty third she preferred to stay behind--so much that shewanted a share in was going on at, or near home; first the trimmingswith evergreens of several rooms in the mansion, then of theschool-house for the poor whites of the neighborhood, which Capt.Raymond had caused to be built on a corner of his estate--paying ateacher that the children might be instructed without cost to theirparents.

  A fine large Christmas tree was set up in it, another in theschool-house for the blacks at Ion.

  The colored people employed on the Fairview estate attended there also,and were to have a share in the entertainment provided for those ofWoodburn and Ion; so the children of the three families united in thework of ornamenting first one building, then the other, finding it greatsport, and flattering themselves that they were of great assistance,though the older people who were overseeing matters, and the servantsacting under their direction, were perhaps of a different opinion. Yetthe sight of the enjoyment of the little folks more than atoned for theslight inconvenience of having them about.

  Christmas came on Wednesday and the holidays had begun for them all theFriday before. Lessons would not be taken up again till after New Year'sday.

  It had been decided at Woodburn that they would not go to Ion tillChristmas morning, as they all preferred to celebrate Christmas eve athome. The children were going to hang up their stockings, but had notbeen told that they would have a tree or any gifts. They thought, andhad said to each other, that perhaps papa might think the money he hadgiven them to spend and to give, and the privilege of selecting objectsfor his benevolence, was enough from him, but the friends at Ion andFairview always had remembered them, and most likely would do so again.

  "Still they may not," Lulu added with a slight sigh when she talked thematter over with Max and Grace that morning, for the last time; "forthey are all giving more than usual to missions and disabled ministers,and poor folks, and I don't know what else; but it's real fun to give tothe poor round here; I mean it will be to help put things on the treesand then see how pleased they'll all be when they get 'em: at least I dosuppose they will. Don't you, May?"

  "I shall be very much surprised if they're not," he assented, "though Ibegin to find out that 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' Andyet for all that if I get some nice presents to-night or to-morrowI--sha'n't be at all sorry," he added with a laugh.

  "Max," said Lulu reflectively, "you knew about the Christmas treebeforehand last year; hasn't papa told you whether we're to have onethis time or not?"

  "No, not a word; and as he tells me almost always what he intends tohave done about the place," the boy went on with a look of pride in theconfidence reposed in him, "I'm afraid it's pretty good evidence thatwe're not to have one."

  For a moment Grace looked sorely disappointed; then brightening, "ButI'm most sure," she said, "that papa and mamma won't let us go withoutany presents at all. They love us a great deal, and will be sure toremember us with a little bit of something."

  "Anyway it's nice that we have something for them," remarked Lulucheerily. "Papa helped us choose Mamma Vi's, and she advised us what tomake for papa; so I'm pretty sure they'll both be pleased."

  It was while waiting for their father to take them to the school-housethat they had this talk, and it was brought to a conclusion by his voicesummoning them to get into the carriage.

  "There is no time to lose, my darlings," he said, "for it is likely totake about all the morning to trim the two rooms and two trees."