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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/20197-h.zip b/20197-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c64bfff --- /dev/null +++ b/20197-h.zip diff --git a/20197-h/20197-h.htm b/20197-h/20197-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..204fede --- /dev/null +++ b/20197-h/20197-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2292 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=us-ascii" /> +<meta content="pg2html (binary v0.18)" name="generator" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of + Grandfather's Love Pie, + by Miriam Gaines. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[*/ + <!-- + body { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; } + p { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { text-align: center; } + hr { width: 50%; } + hr.full { width: 100%; } + .foot { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 85%; } + .poem { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left; } + .poem .stanza { margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; } + .poem p { margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em; } + .poem p.i2 { margin-left: 1.5em; } + .poem p.i4 { margin-left: 2.5em; } + .quote { margin-left: 6%; margin-right: 6%; text-indent: 0em; font-size: 90%; } + .figure { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; text-indent: 0em; text-align: center; font-size: 90%; font-variant: small-caps; } + .toc { margin-left: 15%; font-size: 80%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + center { padding: 0.8em;} + span.pagenum {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt; color: gray; background-color: inherit; display: none; } + .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } + .center { text-indent: 0; text-align: center; font-size: 75%; } + img { border: none; } +/*]]>*/ + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Grandfather's Love Pie, by Miriam Gaines + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Grandfather's Love Pie + +Author: Miriam Gaines + +Release Date: December 27, 2006 [EBook #20197] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagei" name="pagei"></a>[i]</span> +</p> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="pageii" name="pageii"></a>[ii]</span> +</p> + +<a name="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a> +<div class="figure"> +<a href="images/ill-001.jpg"><img src="images/ill-001t.png" width="325" height="464" +alt=""AUNTEE, I'LL THINK OF SOMETHING--I PROMISE YOU I WILL."" /></a> +<br /> +"AUNTEE, I'LL THINK OF SOMETHING—I PROMISE YOU I WILL." +</div> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pageiii" name="pageiii"></a>[iii]</span> +</p> + +<p class="center"> +SECOND EDITION +</p> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h1> + GRANDFATHER'S +<br /> + <span class="sc">Love Pie</span> +</h1> + +<h2> +BY +<br /> +<span class="sc">Miriam Gaines</span> +</h2> + +<h3> +ILLUSTRATIONS BY +<br /> +JOHN EDWARD WHITING +</h3> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<p class="center"> + 1913<br /> + JOHN P. MORTON & COMPANY<br /> + INCORPORATED<br /> + <span class="sc">Louisville, Kentucky</span> +</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pageiv" name="pageiv"></a>[iv]</span> +</p> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<p class="center"> + <span class="sc">Copyright, 1913,<br /> + by<br /> + Miss Miriam Gaines.</span> +</p> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagev" name="pagev"></a>[v]</span> +</p> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<p class="center"> + TO THE MEMORY OF MY BELOVED FATHER, +<br /> + <span class="sc">John Thomas Gaines</span>, +<br /> +THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS DEDICATED. +</p> + + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="pagevi" name="pagevi"></a>[vi]</span> +</p> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page1" name="page1"></a>[1]</span> +</p> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h1> + GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE +</h1> + +<a name="h2H_4_0005" id="h2H_4_0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + I. +</h2> + +<p> +"O, Auntee, what is it?" +</p> +<p> +The awed young voice paused at the threshold. +</p> +<p> +It was a sight the little girl had never witnessed before—she had seen +Auntee sad at occasional intervals, and a few times had looked upon +tears in the usually merry eyes of her beloved chum, but never before +had she beheld Auntee sobbing in such an abandonment of grief. +</p> +<p> +There was a very tender tie of love between these two—Alsie, the dear +little twelve-year-old daughter of an older sister of the family, and +Alice, the only remaining unmarried child of a household of many sons +and daughters. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page2" name="page2"></a>[2]</span> +</p> +<p> +The family circle had never been broken, however, and it was a household +where love prevailed, for although several members lived in far-away +homes, the flame of affection burned as brightly and the cord of love +bound them together as strongly as did ever the same ties bind their +sturdy Scotch ancestors into clans. +</p> +<p> +Auntee (for that was Alsie's baby name for the aunt, with whom so many +happy hours had been spent) rose half way up from the bed with a +somewhat startled movement, but the sight of the stricken little face at +her side seemed to bring back afresh the reminder of her pain, and she +again buried her face in the pillow with a sob. +</p> +<p> +After a few moments, however, the young woman put her arm tenderly +around the little namesake and tried to explain. +</p> +<p> +"I did not intend to burden you, Alsie dear, with my grief, but I feel +so + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page3" name="page3"></a>[3]</span> + + sad and somehow I just couldn't keep it shut in any longer—it <i>had</i> +to come out. But I thought you were playing with your little friend +Margaret, and I knew mother had started for the drug store on an errand +which would surely keep her an hour." +</p> +<p> +"Auntee, are you so sad because dear Uncle James has gone away? You know +grandma said he had been called to his heavenly home, and there are lots +of us left to make you bright and happy." +</p> +<p> +"So there are, Alsie, and I will try to take courage in that thought, +for surely God wouldn't take another loved one away from us so soon—so +soon." The last two words were spoken pensively and as though she was +unconscious of the presence of the child. Little Alsie's face became +white. +</p> +<p> +"O, Auntee, you don't mean that dear grandfather"—her voice faltered +and she finished in a whisper—"is worse?" +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page4" name="page4"></a>[4]</span> +</p> +<p> +Auntee regained her self-possession in a moment and said hastily, +"No, dear child, no worse. But sit down with me and I will tell you all +about it. You must promise not to mention it to grandmother, however, +for we will have to be brave together." Then, sitting side by side in +the pretty little blue bedroom where only a few months before so many +joyous hours had been spent in fixing everything up daintily to meet +the gaze of returned travelers, Aunt Alice related to young Alice the +story of her trip to the doctor's that very day, and how he had told +her that the chances were against the recovery of the beloved father +and grandfather, lying so patiently on his bed of pain in the south +bedchamber. +</p> +<p> +His health had begun to fail in the spring, but grandfather, with his +broad shoulders, military bearing, and six feet of noble manhood, had +never been sick within the memory of either of these two, and it was +hard for them—or, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page5" name="page5"></a>[5]</span> + + indeed, any other—to conceive that it was more than +a passing ailment, and would soon disappear. The family became vaguely +uneasy as the spring merged into the summer, and a plan was proposed for +the plump little five-foot "wifey" to take her big husband, the Captain, +on a long trip to the seashore and mountains. +</p> +<p> +The trip had been taken, but Captain Gordon's condition did not show +the improvement that the anxious members of his family had so earnestly +hoped to see, and after the return the busy little wife immediately set +about securing a couch for his office, for the invalid insisted that +he was able to resume his duties. She explained that "the Captain might +rest a little now and then from his labors," for the sturdy old soldier +would not for a moment entertain the thought of giving up his work—the +loved, chosen profession which he had followed so faithfully and +successfully since he came + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page6" name="page6"></a>[6]</span> + + out—a gallant young officer of twenty-three—from +the Civil War, the sole survivor of the four members of his household +who had gone forth to fight for what was to be the Lost Cause. +</p> +<p> +Everything at the office was made especially comfortable, for how +willingly would every one have spared the quiet, kind professor, who +combined so wonderfully strength and manliness with gentleness and +lovableness of disposition. +</p> +<p> +The experiment lasted one week—he came home at the close of the sixth +day and said quietly, "I must get a substitute until I am well enough to +attend to my work as it should be done." So the substitute was secured +and a consultation of doctors followed, with the result that a new line +of treatment had been adopted. A few weeks failed to bring good results, +so other treatments had been tried, until, a few weeks before, a skilled +specialist had ordered him off to the infirmary for a period of several +weeks. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page7" name="page7"></a>[7]</span> +</p> +<p> +The days spent here were days of great suffering, but grandfather was a +man of monumental patience, and no word of complaint passed his lips. It +was just at this time that a crushing blow had been dealt the hopeful, +cheery little wifey, who had always been laughingly termed "boss of the +ranch," "head of the house," and suchlike terms, but whose right to +these titles had never been disputed by the indulgent husband or devoted +sons and daughters, for her ready hand always carried with it relief, +and her merry laugh brought cheer and sunshine. +</p> +<p> +Her only brother had been stricken, and died within a few days, but the +brave little wife and mother had hidden her deep sorrow in her bosom, +and after a few days, only a smiling face was presented about the house. +</p> +<p> +When the allotted time at the infirmary had expired, the young doctor, +who had studied the case with such zeal and attended his patient with +the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page8" name="page8"></a>[8]</span> + + tender care of a son, brought him back to his home. +</p> +<p> +After having put her father to bed, to rest from the weariness of the +trip, Alice turned around to the waiting physician, a foreboding anxiety +in her heart, and tried to make her question quite natural: +</p> +<p> +"Well, doctor, how soon can your friend, the specialist, have father +well again?" +</p> +<p> +After a pause Dr. Emerson replied, "He will not continue on the case, +Miss Gordon." +</p> +<p> +"O, doctor, what do you mean? He has not given it up? I can not +relinquish hope—I won't." +</p> +<p> +"And I do not wish you to, Miss Gordon. Dr. Helm did not find your +father's condition to be what he had expected, but we are going to begin +at once a treatment that has been practiced with great success in +Germany, in cases like his." +</p> +<p> +Nothing more was said at that time + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page9" name="page9"></a>[9]</span> + + between them, but the memory of that +conversation was indelibly printed on Alice's mind, and a long night of +the keenest anguish she had ever experienced, followed. +</p> +<p> +She thought, and thought, and thought, until the sounds from the +sick-chamber near by, would bring a flood of tender memories and her +pillow would be wet with tears. +</p> +<p> +It was thus that most of the night was spent. Toward morning she sank +into a deep slumber, but, when she wakened, a terrible leaden weight +seemed to oppress her, and it was several hours before the buoyant +cheerfulness, with which she was by nature endowed, could again assert +itself. +</p> +<p> +After several days and nights spent thus, Alice came to the wise +conclusion that the situation <i>must</i> be faced, for obvious reasons. +</p> +<p> +After this decision was reached, she became more calm, and the next day, +without consulting any member of the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page10" name="page10"></a>[10]</span> + + family, slipped away to the doctor's +downtown office, and waited patiently until he was at leisure to see +her. +</p> +<p> +Dr. Emerson seemed a little surprised at her appearance, but said, "What +is it, Miss Gordon—what can I do for you?" +</p> +<p> +"I only came, Dr. Emerson, to say to you that I am now ready to hear +what you have to tell about my father. I want to know just how much we +may hope for—or how little." Her voice faltered, but she continued, "I +could not listen a few days ago when you suggested that Dr. Helm was not +able to relieve him, but tell me all now." +</p> +<p> +Perhaps it was because the kind physician felt sorry for the sorrowing +daughter, or perhaps it was because, personally, he cherished a deep +affection for the scholarly old gentleman on whom he was expending his +most earnest efforts, but whatever the reason, he told her in the +gentlest, kindest manner, enough to make her understand + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page11" name="page11"></a>[11]</span> + + that the chances +were against her father's recovery. His concluding remarks, however, +were reassuring. "Please do not understand for a moment, Miss Gordon, +that I have given up hope. I do not agree altogether with Dr. Helm, and +I feel that we have good ground for expecting favorable results from the +treatment that we have recently begun." +</p> +<p> +After hearing the news, Alice returned home, to find a letter in which +was a small check from one of the loving family circle, to be spent in +a Christmas present for the dear sick one. +</p> +<p> +It had come to be a sort of habit in the family for a few of the +far-away members to send little sums to Alice at Christmas time, in +order that the presents should be such as would give service as well +as pleasure. +</p> +<p> +The carrying out of these commissions had always been a source of +delight to both big and little Alice, for did <i>they</i> not know best of +all the individual needs + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page12" name="page12"></a>[12]</span> + + and hopes of each member of the household? +Who, then, could so well plan and shop for the merry Christmas, which +was <i>always</i> a success in the Gordon household? +</p> +<p> +Yes, a merry, happy season it had always been for, while all the +comforts of a refined home had ever been theirs, the provision of +these comforts had required constant economy and management on the part +of the busy little "wifey" of the house. As the former children had +grown up and flitted away from the home nest to establish families for +themselves, they had gradually come to realize that it was because of +<i>not having</i> so many things that they were enabled to get such a degree +of pleasure from those gifts which just fitted the need, or perhaps +those gifts, for which the ordinary craving might be counted an +extravagance. +</p> +<p> +It had always been the custom for each one of the family to hang up his + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page13" name="page13"></a>[13]</span> + + or her stocking, and when the grandchildren began to appear upon the +scene, grandfather's big sock always held a conspicuous place among the +stockings of all sizes. +</p> +<p> +It was the remembrance of all these established customs that had caused +the entire breakdown of Alice's walls of self-control (which she thought +had been so well built), and when little Alsie found her there, alone +in her chamber, in such deep distress, it was not surprising that the +little maid was frightened. +</p> +<p> +This was the first time that Alice had ever confided to the child +anything that was, even, in a remote degree, depressing, but her heart +was so overwrought that she had poured out the whole sad story to the +little girl before time could be taken for consideration of the wisdom +of such a course. A flicker of doubt, however, came to her as she saw +the troubled look of the child deepen into an expression of pain and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page14" name="page14"></a>[14]</span> + + perplexity, and she continued, half apologetically, +</p> +<p> +"I ought not to feel so discouraged, dearie, I know. I ought to be +brave, but when I tried to think what I <i>could</i> get for dear father with +the checks that will surely be coming in to me, within the next two or +three weeks, I felt so utterly broken-hearted that I could do nothing +but cry." The child put her arms tenderly around the neck of her beloved +aunt, and gave her message of sympathy in mute kisses. +</p> +<p> +"I am completely at a loss to know what to do," said Alice, with +emphasis. "Here is Christmas, only a month distant—I have made no +preparation, for I have had no heart for it; we can not hang up the +stockings after the usual merry fashion, for it would be only a farce; +we should cry instead of laugh when we see them, so I feel almost +desperate to know <i>what</i> to do. O, Alsie, can't we think of some plan +by which we may give dear grandfather a merry + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page15" name="page15"></a>[15]</span> + + Christmas, especially +if it is to be his last with us?" +</p> +<p> +"Auntee, I'll <i>think</i> of something—I promise you I will—and it will be +soon, too—perhaps by to-morrow—but anyhow by the day after, so trust +to me and let us both hope that grandfather will get better." +</p> +<p> +"I will, dear—I will. There! I feel more hopeful already. Don't you +remember, when you were a wee tot, and would come in and ask me for a +piece of cake? When I would say, 'Well, now, I wonder where grandma has +put that cake?' you would reply, so eagerly, 'Fink hard, Auntee—fink +hard.' You knew well that a real hard <i>think</i> would bring results. Now +we must both 'think hard' and see if we can't produce a little genuine +Christmas cheer." +</p> +<p> +They parted with this compact, and when Alice, half an hour later, +walked into Captain Gordon's sick-chamber, a pleasant smile was on her +lips and her voice had regained its usual composure. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page16" name="page16"></a>[16]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0006" id="h2H_4_0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + II. +</h2> +<p> +A day or two passed with little change in the condition of affairs, +in the Gordon household, but on the third afternoon, following the +conversation between the two Alices, the younger one came in rather +suddenly, and announced, in a whisper, that she had an idea. +</p> +<p> +In a little while Aunt Alice had suggested a walk "for a breath of fresh +air," with the result that they were soon out together, alone, walking +in the lovely park which was close by. +</p> +<p> +"You see, Auntee," began Alsie, "it was this way—I tried and tried to +think of some celebration, which would make us all cheerful and happy at +Christmas, but the more I thought, the harder the problem seemed to get. +We couldn't have plays, for that would tire grandfather; a Christmas +tree would remind us all of last Christmas, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page17" name="page17"></a>[17]</span> + + when dear Uncle James +had such a beautiful one at his country place. It would make grandma +cry—and perhaps the rest of us, too—to remember that <i>that</i> home had +been broken up by the loss of the father and husband. Altogether, I was +beginning to feel real discouraged. Mamma took me down town to lunch +with her to-day, and the waiter brought in such a big, luscious piece +of pie. You know, Auntee, I have always loved pie 'most as much as +grandfather. I began to think how long it had been since he had had +a single taste of pie, and yet he has never complained. I began to +wish—O, so much—that grandfather could enjoy that delicious bit of +pie. The tears came into my eyes, Auntee, and I said to mamma, 'If +grandfather could just eat this one piece of pie, mamma, I would be +willing to do without pie for the rest of my life.' +</p> +<p> +"It was then, Auntee, that the idea came to me. Couldn't we have a + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page18" name="page18"></a>[18]</span> + + Christmas pie for grandfather which, instead of having a filling of rich +custards or fruits, would contain all the cunning little presents that +we grandchildren could make for him?" +</p> +<p> +"Why, Alsie, what an idea! I've heard of the Jack Horner pie and other +varieties, perhaps, but who would have thought of the idea of a +Christmas pie of that kind! We'll certainly carry it out, for your +pretty idea was the offspring of an unselfish impulse, and a sympathetic +tear, and it surely will thrive and bear fruit." +</p> +<p> +"Let's see, Auntee—a pie must always be round, mus'n't it?" +</p> +<p> +"And this one will have to be big, too," replied Alice, "for there are +lots of us who want to have a finger in it. Those dear co-workers with +father, who have kept his sick-room so fragrant and beautiful with +flowers, must each be allowed a little space for a card of greeting. +In fact, Alsie, I think it would be a good idea to invite all his + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page19" name="page19"></a>[19]</span> + + most beloved circle of friends to send a little message of love, for +only the other day he said to me, 'There is nothing so acceptable to a +man lying on a bed of sickness as an offering of love—be it a message, +a flower, a visit, or a delicacy—it is delightful to be remembered.'" +</p> +<p> +"Well, Auntee, I'll see all the cousins within reach and write to the +others, and you do the same with the grown folks of the family, and the +rule must be that each is to put into the pie something that will please +grandfather or make him laugh." +</p> +<p> +"Fine, Alsie, fine. It's a good rule to make, for it's a '<i>Merry +Christmas</i>' we are striving for, and I don't believe our efforts will +fail if we put into them all the love and energy which the family say +you and I possess, in a like degree." +</p> +<p> +"We haven't much time to lose, either, Auntee, for we have lots to do +in the three weeks that remain to us. Now, as to business, what are we +going + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page20" name="page20"></a>[20]</span> + + to make the pie-crust of—I mean what material will take the +place of the pie-crust, which you know is what holds the goodies?" +</p> +<p> +"It must be considerably stronger than the crisp, brittle crust which +Aunt Bettie brings to <i>our</i> table," replied Aunt Alice with a laugh. +</p> +<p> +After a moment she continued, "I wonder if we couldn't get hold of one +of those hat-boxes which are made to hold the enormous 'creations' +we see every day in the milliners' shops, and on the heads of so many +pretty girls. We can make the effort, anyhow, and if we don't succeed +in finding just what we want, needles and cardboard are plentiful and we +can make a box to suit ourselves, for it must be at least twenty-five +or thirty inches in diameter and six inches high to hold the filling." +</p> +<p> +They walked slowly homeward, discussing various little points which +occurred to them along the way, until, when Alice walked back into the +front + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page21" name="page21"></a>[21]</span> + + door of her home, what was her surprise and delight to feel that +the weight of the sorrow, which had so oppressed her, was lightened. +She felt almost buoyant in her eagerness for Christmas to come. +</p> +<p> +And now a busy season began. It was hard to think of anything suitable +for the invalid, for had not the loving hands of his wife and children +provided everything that might add to the comfort of the beloved head +of the household? +</p> +<p> +There was one little feature that had been overlooked, +however—grandfather possessed no foot-warmers. So Alsie's energies +were at once set to work on these articles, which were destined to be +"real comforts" in the weeks which followed Christmas. +</p> +<p> +The story of grandfather's pie was soon spread, not only through the +family, but also to a large circle of friends. Everybody was cautioned, +however, to keep the secret from Mrs. + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page22" name="page22"></a>[22]</span> + + Gordon, for it was decreed that +the faithful little "wifey" (no one had ever heard the Captain address +his wife by any other name than <i>that</i>, which he had bestowed upon her +during their honeymoon) should share the surprise and pleasure with her +husband. +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Doctor, what are you going to put in the Christmas pie?" exclaimed +Alice merrily one morning, after telling the physician of the plan. +</p> +<p> +"I think I'll contribute the turkey," he answered with a smile. "A +turkey, of course, which won't take up too much space, and the dressing +I'll put in that turkey will be calculated to make any sick man well. +Do you understand?" +</p> +<p> +Alice didn't quite understand, but was willing to leave the matter in +his hands. +</p> +<p> +Little Jack was quite worried that he could think of nothing to make +grandfather laugh, and one day when he was in the sick-chamber he +blurted out, "Grandfather, what would you rather + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page23" name="page23"></a>[23]</span> + + have me give you for +Christmas than anything else?" +</p> +<p> +The laugh came then—before time—for it explained to grandfather the +uneasy, doubtful expression which had enveloped the little lad's face +just previous to the asking of the question. +</p> +<p> +"Well, I'll tell you, Jack, what would please me more than anything +else—a perfect report from your teacher. If you could bring me this, on +Christmas Day, I would know that it meant hard work for a boy, who is as +fond of play and mischief as you." +</p> +<p> +Nothing more was said on the subject, but little Jack passed out of the +room with a stern resolution that that report should be forthcoming, and +when Aunt Alice was told of it she exclaimed enthusiastically, "O, Jacky +boy, you <i>must</i> get that perfect report, even if it does mean hard work, +and we'll lay it in the very center of the pie, sealed up in the +prettiest Christmas envelope that I can paint." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page24" name="page24"></a>[24]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0007" id="h2H_4_0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + III. +</h2> +<p> +"Aunt Bettie, what are <i>you</i> going to put in the pie? For you know +everybody must put in something to please grandfather or make him +laugh," asked Alsie, after detailing the plan to the dear old black +mammy, who had been grandmother's maid when she was a young lady in +the long years ago. +</p> +<p> +Aunt Bettie was considerably beyond sixty, but not many young "niggers" +could get around as lively as she, and no one, who had ever dined in +that household, could doubt her ability to cook the best meal ever +brought to a table. +</p> +<p> +"Nevah you min', honey—Aunt Bettie'll have somethin' fur de +occasion—it's a shame dat doctah won't let Captain Gordon hab no pie +nor nuthin', but makes him eat jest dem beat biscuits, when he likes de +soft ones so + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page25" name="page25"></a>[25]</span> + + much de best. I'll be ready, chile, on de day 'fore +Christmas, so don' you worry yourse'f 'bout me." +</p> +<p> +"But you mus'n't make him anything that is bad for him, Aunt Bettie. He +can't eat the plum pudding, and other rich goodies like the rest of us, +you know, because he is too ill and the doctor won't allow it," answered +Alsie anxiously. +</p> +<p> +"I'll 'member <i>all</i> dat," laughed Aunt Bettie reassuringly, as the child +departed from the kitchen, but a feeling of sadness came to the faithful +old soul as she recalled the festivities of the year before, when +Christmas dinner had been prepared for the whole family of children and +grandchildren, and the thought of how the dear head of the family had +enjoyed that occasion brought tears to her eyes. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +Such conversations were being held every day, and the days were passing, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page26" name="page26"></a>[26]</span> + + too, with astonishing rapidity, just as they always do when one is +deeply interested in some absorbing project. +</p> +<p> +Aunt Alice had been receiving, daily, numerous letters—several +containing checks—and little Alsie's correspondence had suddenly grown +to enormous proportions. +</p> +<p> +Uncle Dick came in one evening, and slipping a gold piece into his +sister's hand remarked, "<i>I</i> can't think of a thing for that pie, Alice. +I'm sorry to be so stupid, but I'll have to ask you to take this and see +what your clever brain can do with it." +</p> +<p> +"O, Dick, it will make a grand 'plum' for the pie. I'll put it in, just +in this form, for I want all the money entrusted to me, as agent, to go +toward providing for father, comforts and luxuries, such as we might not +be able to afford under ordinary circumstances. And yet, it's almost +impossible to know exactly how to spend it just now," replied Alice. +After a little pause she + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page27" name="page27"></a>[27]</span> + + added, "I believe I'll just put the gold pieces +and checks into a little box and label it, 'Fruit for the Pie.' My +biggest check may truly be termed a <i>peach</i>, and I can convert one or +two others into plums and raisins." +</p> +<p> +"I think I know of several plums that will be forthcoming if that's your +idea, sis—it's a capital one, too," answered Dick. "I confess I'm +getting quite interested in the contents myself, and two or three times +I've come near asking about the progress of the pie, before mother, +forgetting that she's to share in the great surprise." +</p> +<p> +"O, Dick, <i>do</i> be careful, for we have arranged it all so nicely, and in +another week we'll be making up that pie, so don't spoil our plans now, +for how much more father will enjoy it if his dear little 'wifey' shares +the pleasure also. And, by the way, Dick, that reminds me of something +that must go in for mother. A few days ago, when I was sitting with +father, he directed me + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page28" name="page28"></a>[28]</span> + + to get a trifling gift for mother, but with his +old-time humor he said, 'I believe the most acceptable gift that I could +make Wifey would be all the receipts of the bills that have come in, for +the little woman has worried considerably over the number and amounts. I +got in a pretty good check several days ago, but I'll not give any gifts +this year—the money must go to pay these extra expenses that have been +inevitable. I wish you'd see to it that Wifey has as big a bunch as +possible of receipted bills. It's the best I can do this year, and you +all understand.'" +</p> +<p> +"Wasn't it dear of him, Dick, and who but father would have thought of +making a joke of something, which might seem to some, only a trying +duty?" +</p> +<p> +"It just shows us again the sort of manly man father has always been; +but Alice, I had an idea that it would be a nice thing to take that +little poem father wrote to mother last Christmas—the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page29" name="page29"></a>[29]</span> + + one he presented +with his gift—and have an illuminated copy made of it for mother's gift +this Christmas. It pleased her so much at the time, and, in this form, +it could be framed prettily and hung over her bed. You remember the +lines—I have them in my pocket now." +</p> +<p> +He unfolded the sheet of paper, and handed it to Alice, who read aloud: +</p> + +<h3> +MY BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT. +</h3> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> Some two score years, and more ago, </p> +<p class="i4"> A father gave his child away: </p> +<p class="i2"> It was a Christmas gift, you know, </p> +<p class="i4"> Because 'twas done on Christmas Day. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> That little maid was given to me; </p> +<p class="i4"> I took her then for weal or woe. </p> +<p class="i2"> The years have passed so happily </p> +<p class="i4"> It does not seem so long ago. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> No other gift in any year </p> +<p class="i4"> Has e'er excelled, or equaled this; </p> +<p class="i2"> The others evanescent were </p> +<p class="i4"> While this has shed perennial bliss. </p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page30" name="page30"></a>[30]</span></p> + +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> For it has multiplied with time </p> +<p class="i4"> And added blessings, year by year; </p> +<p class="i2"> She came to me in youthful prime </p> +<p class="i4"> And still remains, though in the sere. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> Her children, and their children, too, </p> +<p class="i4"> In number, just about a score,— </p> +<p class="i2"> I count, as blessings, to her due: </p> +<p class="i4"> May God repeat His gift once more. </p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> My little wifey, always dear, </p> +<p class="i4"> When Christmas comes, I think back then </p> +<p class="i2"> And greet you with increasing cheer, </p> +<p class="i4"> My Christmas Gift, returned again. </p> +</div> +</div> + +<p> +"It's a beautiful idea, Dick, but it won't do now. There's too much +pathos in it for this occasion. When I read the lines myself, I am +blinded with tears, for I realize all too keenly that we may not have +him another Christmas. Some time, it may be a great comfort to mother +to have it. Keep the idea in mind and work it out some day." +</p> +<p> +So the little poem was folded up and laid away for another year. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page31" name="page31"></a>[31]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0008" id="h2H_4_0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + IV. +</h2> +<p> +Several days passed and grandfather seemed to improve. The spirit of +Christmas pervaded everything, and even the invalid playfully asked +Alsie if she could give him a hint as to what he might find in his sock +on the eventful morning. Uncle Dick had been instructed to bring home +all the Santa Claus posters that might be found in the newspaper office +or bookshop, and there was already quite a stack of colored pictures on +hand, showing Santa Claus in every stage of his wonderful yearly trip +round the earth. Both Alices had spent some time selecting the little +white Santa and sleigh for the top of the pie. The reindeer were +hitched, tandem style, to the sleigh, harnessed and reined with the +gayest red ribbon. +</p> +<p> +The packages and letters began to + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page32" name="page32"></a>[32]</span> + + come, in considerable numbers, during +the next few days, and several more "plums" were given into Alice's +care, not to mention the <i>dates</i>, raisins, currants, and the like, for +every check or coin was classified with the <i>fruit</i>, for the <i>filling</i> +of the pie. It began to look as if that pie was to be a very rich one +after all. +</p> +<p> +One morning, several days before Christmas, Mrs. Gordon came out of the +sick-chamber, to the breakfast table, with a beaming face, saying: +</p> +<p> +"Captain Gordon spent the best night he has had in months, and he feels +so bright and well that he wants to be brought into the library and rest +awhile on the couch there." +</p> +<p> +What joy this announcement brought to them all! The rolling chair was +drawn forth, and little Alsie led the way from one room to another with +feet that fairly danced. +</p> +<p> +No ill effects followed the experiment, and it was repeated the next day +with + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page33" name="page33"></a>[33]</span> + + even greater success. It really appeared that some of the most +persistent features of Captain Gordon's illness were yielding, perhaps, +to the treatment—at any rate, the beloved invalid was better, and the +leaden weight of apprehension, which had so burdened the hearts of each +one of them, was disappearing and a wonderful joy was taking its place. +</p> +<p> +A white-winged, invisible guest had arrived, before time, to spend the +Christmastide with them. It was the Angel of Hope, sent by the pitying +hand of the Father in Heaven, and with it came peace, joy, love, and +merriment. +</p> +<p> +What a host of Christmas cards came in, on the morning mail, just +preceding Christmas Day. Little Alsie was almost wild to begin work on +the pie. After breakfast, Aunt Alice said calmly, "Alsie, come with me, +for I have an important errand, and would like to have company." +</p> +<p> +"O, Auntee, how <i>can</i> you be so composed + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page34" name="page34"></a>[34]</span> + + when there's such a big pile +of bundles in your bedroom closet, and have you seen the lovely palm +sent to grandfather by the members of his literary club? It's a beauty, +and so big that it looks almost like a small tree!" +</p> +<p> +They wended their way to Alice's room, and locked the door. Going to the +closet, Alice brought forth the largest round hat-box that any of them +had ever seen. It must have been two feet or more in diameter, but it +was only seven or eight inches high. +</p> +<p> +The Christmas paper was next brought out, and what a wonderful variety +there was—Santa Claus, in all phases of his yearly trip, was pictured +on some rolls, while festoons of holly and ribbon were outlined against +a background of white on others. +</p> +<p> +After considerable discussion and comparing of effects, it was finally +decided that the outside crust of the pie should be of white paper, +decorated in holly and ribbon, so the needles and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page35" name="page35"></a>[35]</span> + + pastepot were both +used in preparing the lower portion of the box. The top was treated in +an entirely different fashion. It was covered over with the whitest of +white cotton batting, and the glistening little sleigh was securely +fastened to the center of the top. Fragments of the cotton fell over the +edges, and when Alice sprinkled over this, the "diamond dust," it looked +as if real icicles were dropping from a bank of glistening snow. +</p> +<p> +"Auntee, it's the prettiest thing I've ever seen!" exclaimed Alsie +enthusiastically, after the lining had been neatly pasted in. +</p> +<p> +Then began the work of fixing up the packages to fill the pie. Aunt +Bettie's contribution was unique—a beaten-biscuit gentleman, some +twelve inches tall, who was certainly most "fearfully and wonderfully" +made. The eyes, which had been so carefully put in with a fork, were +a little too close together, and the dough nose, which had been + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page36" name="page36"></a>[36]</span> + + so anxiously applied, had risen unduly in the baking, to the great +detriment of the biscuit gentleman's appearance. The mouth was all +right, however—big and smiling. His legs looked very much like he had +a bad case of locomotor ataxia, but the buttons on his coat were quite +regular and his arms hung at his sides like ramrods. +</p> +<p> +After careful inspection which occasioned considerable laughter, the +beaten-biscuit man was rolled up in tissue paper and placed in a +Christmas box "just his size." On the card was this message: "The Bible +says, 'Love your enemies'—here is an enemy for you to conquer," for it +was a well-known fact that grandfather found it hard to overcome his +dislike of the "hardtack," as he denominated the beaten biscuit prepared +for him. +</p> +<a name="image-0002"><!--IMG--></a> +<div class="figure"> +<a href="images/ill-042.jpg"><img src="images/ill-042t.png" width="325" height="471" +alt="AUNT BETTIE'S CONTRIBUTION WAS UNIQUE--A BEATEN-BISCUIT GENTLEMAN, SOME TWELVE INCHES TALL." /></a> +<br /> +AUNT BETTIE'S CONTRIBUTION WAS UNIQUE—A BEATEN-BISCUIT +GENTLEMAN, SOME TWELVE INCHES TALL. +</div> +<p> +The doctor's turkey was next inspected—a nice little brown roasted fowl +in appearance, but in reality one of the cunning little pasteboard +devices that + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page37" name="page37"></a>[37]</span> + + Alsie had so often seen in the confectioners' shops. There +was plenty of stuffing too, for Dr. Emerson had filled it full of pills +and capsules. There were pink pills and blue pills and green pills and +lavender pills, and hidden among them was the prescription, with one +end sticking out of the opening. It read: "For Captain Gordon—Pills +of every color, size, and variety, warranted to cure every known pain +or ache—to be taken with your Christmas pie." The little turkey was +carefully wrapped in tissue paper and garnished with a spray of holly. +</p> +<p> +Next came the tiny basket of fresh eggs from the merry little next-door +neighbor, whose big, fine chickens had been coaxed to lay a dozen eggs +for the Christmas pie. The basket would not hold the dozen—O no! for +its greatest capacity was four; but the remaining eight were set away in +a safe corner of the pantry. The four eggs were laid in a perfect nest +of red and + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page38" name="page38"></a>[38]</span> + + white tissue paper, and holly and ribbon were twined round +the edges and handle of the basket. On the card was written the +following bit of rhyme: +</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2"> "Now, what can be nicer </p> +<p class="i2"> Than for folks to remember </p> +<p class="i2"> The friends that they love </p> +<p class="i2"> With <i>fresh eggs</i> in December?" </p> +</div> +</div> + +<p> +"We shall have to get help, Alsie—just look at the books to be put in, +and half the presents sent by the children must be wrapped and tied up, +for you know every single thing must have a ribbon attached, by which it +is to be pulled out of the pie." +</p> +<p> +So Alsie was cautiously sent out to get her cousin Emily, the oldest +granddaughter in the family, a quiet young girl of fourteen, who was +exceedingly fond of reading. +</p> +<p> +"For goodness sake, let's get the books all in the pie before Emily gets +here, Auntee, for she will want to read a little out of each one to see +what it is + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page39" name="page39"></a>[39]</span> + + like, and we'll get no help from her," exclaimed Alsie. +</p> +<p> +Aunt Alice laughed, and replied, "Well, we must get through this work +somehow, for Uncle Dick is coming out early this afternoon with the +cedar, holly, and mistletoe, and will help us decorate the library. +Speaking of cedar, let me show you what dear Aunt Cecile has sent in +her Christmas box, besides the gifts." +</p> +<p> +Taking off the top, Alice lifted out a huge bunch of beautiful galax +leaves and another of the daintiest sprays of evergreen. +</p> +<p> +"Just a suggestion of the bracing mountain air which you are to enjoy +with me as soon as you are well enough to travel," was the message that +came with it, for Aunt Cecile lived far away in a mountain climate, and +was deeply disappointed at not being able to spend this holiday season +at home, as she had intended. All sorts of curiously shaped packages +were taken out + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page40" name="page40"></a>[40]</span> + + and laid aside for the various members of the household, +but the largest share was to go in the pie. Tiny Bess had made a big +shaving-ball at kindergarten, and this was sent to grandfather with +a Christmas greeting. Bobby's contribution was a highly decorated +three-layer blotter with grandfather's name and address in red ink on +the top layer. It was not a thing of beauty, being the work of his own +clumsy little hands, but he felt sure it would be appreciated, for he +had heard grandfather wish so often that "somebody" wouldn't take away +the blotters from his desk. +</p> +<p> +"I have such a cute little lemon that I want to put in the pie, Auntee, +and yet I don't know exactly <i>how</i> to work it in. It would be too unkind +to say that anybody would 'hand out a lemon' to dear, sick grandfather, +but it's so tiny and cunning—hardly bigger than a lime. The groceryman +found it in a box of lemons and gave it to me, asking if I needed +anything that size for the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page41" name="page41"></a>[41]</span> + + pie—you know I told him all about it. He +said there was nothing in his Christmas stock too good for the Captain, +and he'd like to send something, but it really seemed like all his +goodies were forbidden fruit." +</p> +<p> +"We'll put the message in with the lemon, Alsie, and that will make it +both funny and kind." So the tiny specimen was done up in a dainty box +and on the large card was written: "The groceryman offered his choice +stock of figs, dates, confections, and fruits for Captain Gordon's +Christmas pie, but found nothing acceptable but a small-sized lemon, +which he presents with the hope that it will furnish all the tartness +necessary." +</p> +<p> +"Have you opened Aunt Margie's box yet?" was the question asked by Alsie +as the work of filling the pie was drawing to a close. +</p> +<p> +"I opened that some days ago," replied Alice, with a smile. "There were +a good many things in that box for + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page42" name="page42"></a>[42]</span> + + general distribution, and, by the +way, Alsie, this goes into the pie, but I think it will interest you as +much as father." +</p> +<p> +She had stepped to her dresser, and opened a drawer while speaking, and +now held up to view what seemed to be simply an envelope. On turning it +over, however, a pretty little border of holly was disclosed, painted +around the edges. "A Reminiscence" was written in the center. +</p> +<p> +"What is it, Auntee?" exclaimed Alsie, reaching out her hand. +</p> +<p> +"We'll let you guess awhile, dearie. I am going to drop it in the pie +now, and <i>that</i> will be one of the surprises that you will enjoy with +grandpa." +</p> +<p> +Alsie was quite curious over the Reminiscence, and wondered what it +could contain to be of such interest to her. +</p> +<p> +"Well, I won't have to wait long, anyhow," she finally exclaimed, with +a laugh. +</p> +<p> +"One of the presents will have to stay on ice until to-morrow morning," +explained + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page43" name="page43"></a>[43]</span> + + Alsie to Emily, "but we'll show you the card. It's from Mr. +McDonald, the druggist. He's been on a little hunting trip and this +morning sent over the finest, fattest little quail you ever saw. On the +card was written: 'Dear Captain: I filled this prescription for you +myself, independent of the doctors, but I think they will approve. Take +it to-morrow at one o'clock and see if you don't feel better.' Isn't it +a cunning idea? It is to be the last thing put in before grandfather is +brought into the library, Emily, so don't let us forget it." +</p> +<p> +"I won't," promised Emily; "but where are you going to put all those +bottles of wine and brandy, Aunt Alice? Do you think the pie will hold +them?" +</p> +<p> +"If that problem puzzles you, just <i>how</i> do you suppose we are going to +get <i>this</i> in the pie?" replied Alice, lifting from its position behind +the bed a box so huge that the pie itself seemed almost diminutive in +comparison. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page44" name="page44"></a>[44]</span> +</p> +<p> +"O, Auntee," cried Alsie in astonishment, "do tell us what it is!" +</p> +<p> +For answer Alice set the box on the bed, untied the string, and lifted +off the top. A dainty and beautiful silken comfort was disclosed to the +view of the admiring group. The background was of white, and scattered +over it were clusters of the most exquisitely colored pink roses and +green leaves. The edges were prettily bound with satin ribbon of an +old-rose shade, and a huge bow adorned the center. +</p> +<p> +"It is made of the warmest and softest wool, and every stitch was put in +by hand," murmured Alice softly, smoothing the comfort caressingly. "It +is beautiful to look at, but by far the most beautiful part to father +will be the thought that every one of his teachers wished to have a hand +in the giving of his Christmas gift, and to this end they came together, +with needles and thimbles, and the stitches were veritably put in with +love." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page45" name="page45"></a>[45]</span> +</p> +<p> +"But the pie won't hold it, Aunt Alice—what are you going to do about +it?" inquired practical little Emily. +</p> +<p> +"This big box goes behind the piano, and any other packages that can't +be accommodated inside the pie, will be hidden around in various other +little corners of the room. My plan is to have the <i>cards</i> in the pie, +however, and as they are drawn out, the directions as to where the +packages they represent are deposited, can be followed. Is that a good +idea, Alsie, or do you think of something better?" +</p> +<p> +"It can't be improved upon, Auntee—you always think of the best plans. +But let's hurry up now and finish, for the pie is about as full as it +will hold." +</p> +<p> +A half hour more of work, and the pie was finished. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page46" name="page46"></a>[46]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0009" id="h2H_4_0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + V. +</h2> +<p> +The workers were all quite ready to do justice to the lunch spread out +for them by Aunt Bettie. Uncle Dick came in during the meal, exclaiming, +"O, do save me a sandwich, Alsie, for I'm almost starved!" +</p> +<p> +"Where's the holly? Did you get any mistletoe? Are there any wreaths? Is +there plenty of cedar?" were the questions poured out upon him before he +had opportunity to sit down. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, to all the questions, and I'll begin work just as soon as I rest a +bit and eat a bite," laughingly answered Uncle Dick. "Does that satisfy +all parties?" +</p> +<p> +Uncle Dick was a great favorite with the children in the family—he +loved them and seemed to find genuine pleasure in playing, talking, and +romping with the "small fry," so it was not + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page47" name="page47"></a>[47]</span> + + surprising that they should +take almost complete possession of him whenever he came. +</p> +<p> +"Your father's improvement continues," said Mrs. Gordon with a happy +smile, in reply to her son's question as to how the invalid was feeling. +"He seems so bright and well to-day and sat in the invalid chair this +morning for more than an hour. I think he is surely gaining strength at +last." +</p> +<p> +"He's looking forward toward to-morrow with lots of pleasure, too," said +Alsie. "Yesterday, when I was in his room, he asked what I expected to +find in my stocking, and playfully suggested that he and I would have +to be careful not to get our stockings mixed. Do you know, Uncle Dick, +I had hardly given a moment's thought to what I was going to get, for +I have been so busy——" +</p> +<p> +Alsie caught herself just in time to keep from disclosing the secret to +the + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page48" name="page48"></a>[48]</span> + + busy little grandmother, who, a few moments later, hurried out of +the dining room to resume once more her position in the sick-chamber. +</p> +<p> +"Look out the window, Alsie!" exclaimed Emily at this point, "it looks +like our hopes for a white Christmas are going to be realized." +</p> +<p> +Sure enough, the snow was falling fast and the ground already began to +look white. +</p> +<p> +"If it just keeps up, Auntee, won't we have a beautiful Christmas?" +exclaimed Alsie enthusiastically. Alice had been looking out, too, and +the shadow of doubt pulled at her heart-strings. +</p> +<p> +<i>Could</i> it be the last Christmas—O, surely such a terrible sorrow was +not in store for them all! What would the merry season be without him? +</p> +<p> +These were the thoughts that flashed through her mind, but at the sound +of the clear little voice beside her, she dismissed them and answered +cheerily, "I think we are going to have a beautiful + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page49" name="page49"></a>[49]</span> + + Christmas—in every +way—but it's time to be about our work now. Ask Uncle Dick if he left +the cedar out on the porch." +</p> +<p> +The cedar was brought in—likewise the holly and mistletoe—and oh, how +pretty the red berries looked, and how pretty the garlands of evergreen +looked when tied up with the crimson ribbons! +</p> +<p> +"How do you like these?" called Uncle Dick as he smoothed out a great +roll of posters. "I picked them up around the office, and thought they +would help in the decorations." +</p> +<p> +Alsie and Emily were filled with delight at sight of the great colored +newspaper sheets, covered with all manner of pictures of the dear old +saint. There he was just ready to climb down the chimney—another poster +pictured him on his annual journey driving his reindeer over the snowy +ground. And so on—it seemed as if every stage of the Christmas trip had +been photographed in colors. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page50" name="page50"></a>[50]</span> +</p> +<p> +"I will pin this life-sized portrait of Santa Claus over the fireplace +here," said Uncle Dick, "and you two girlies may get busy at once making +garlands of evergreen to drape about him, and also over these others, +for they must all have a touch of green; isn't that so, Alice?" +</p> +<p> +"By all means," answered his sister, with a laugh. "It's really a very +clever idea, Dick, to bring all these posters out, for they give a +festive touch to our decorations." +</p> +<p> +After two hours of hard work, in which hammer, nails, and stepladder +played a considerable part, the library was almost transformed in +appearance. Every window and picture was festooned with Christmas green, +and the merry face of Santa Claus was visible from the bookcases, the +desk, and many other nooks about the room. +</p> +<p> +"What about the pie, Auntee? Aren't we ready for it now?" questioned +Alsie and Emily with impatience, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page51" name="page51"></a>[51]</span> + + as a general survey of the room was +taken. +</p> +<p> +"This is just the time where we will have to be very careful," was the +reply. "Alsie, suppose you and Emily offer to walk out with grandmother +when she goes to meet Aunt Martha and little James, on the five o'clock +train, and as soon as you get her safely out of the house Uncle Dick can +bring the pie and other things into the library, where we can all have +a hand in fixing it up later. Of course I shall carry the key to the +library the rest of the evening, for after keeping the secret this long, +I am determined that mother shall have as much of the surprise and +pleasure as father." +</p> +<p> +Seeing a look of disappointment on the two little faces at the idea +of being banished just at the most interesting stage of the fun, Alice +continued reassuringly, "It is almost train time now, chicks, and you +know I can't go with grandmother to-day, so practice + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page52" name="page52"></a>[52]</span> + + the Golden Rule and +run along. After your return from the station, you may come again to the +library for, as you know, grandmother will want to have a good hour's +conversation with Aunt Martha before tea-time." +</p> +<p> +No further urging was necessary. The two girls skipped away cheerfully, +and a few minutes later were out in the snowstorm with the little +grandmother between them, all three being well bundled up in coats and +overshoes. +</p> +<p> +In less than an hour they had returned, the greetings were over, +grandmother had taken Aunt Martha off to her room for the predicted +chat, and the two little girls were taking their cousin James to the +library. He had been told about the pie and was curious to know what it +really looked like, for James was not gifted with a vivid imagination. +</p> +<p> +He soon found out, however. Aunt Alice had covered over the entire top +of the old mahogany library table with + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page53" name="page53"></a>[53]</span> + + soft cotton, and hanging from +the edges was a deep border of the lovely Christmas paper which is used +so much in these latter days for decorations. Around the edges were laid +sprays of the rarer and more delicate evergreen sent from the South +by the loving daughter. In the center rose the pie, and over all was +sprinkled the glistening powder, which gave the whole an appearance of +real snow. It was, in truth, a wonderful creation, and the children +gazed at the lovely vision in speechless delight. +</p> +<p> +"The big box, containing the comfort, is behind the piano, James, and +there are lots of other things, too big to go in the pie, stowed away in +the various corners of the room, but the cards are all in the pie, and +each tells just where to find a package. Some lovely flowers and plants +have been sent in this afternoon, but we'll wait until morning to bring +them into the library. There is the couch close beside the fireplace, + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page54" name="page54"></a>[54]</span> + + and if dear father is just able to be brought in to-morrow I think he +will fully enjoy the Christmas we have had so much pleasure in preparing +for him. Suppose we go out now, for it is tea-time, and, besides, almost +everything has been done." +</p> +<p> +So saying, Alice turned to the door. The little party hastened out, and +its members were soon engaged in a romp with Uncle Dick in the sitting +room. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page55" name="page55"></a>[55]</span> +</p> +<a name="h2H_4_0010" id="h2H_4_0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + +<h2> + VI. +</h2> +<p> +A more beautiful Christmas Day could scarcely have been imagined than +dawned the next morning. The earth was covered with a carpet of snow, +and the trees seemed to glisten with diamonds as the sun rose, although +the air was crisp and frosty. +</p> +<p> +"Merry Christmas!" sounded in Alice's ears before she had fully wakened, +and looking round with a somewhat sleepy expression she beheld the form +of her beloved pet, arrayed in pink dressing-gown and slippers. A +beaming smile adorned the face of the little girl, although the greeting +had been so subdued as to be scarcely more than a whisper. +</p> +<p> +"I just couldn't wait to show you how well I look in them!" exclaimed + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page56" name="page56"></a>[56]</span> + + Alsie as she jumped into bed with Alice, and almost smothered her with +hugs and kisses. "You can always think of the prettiest things for me, +dear Auntee, and I do love pink so dearly," she continued with an +affectionate glance at the pretty slippers, adorned with the daintiest +of ribbon rosettes. +</p> +<p> +"Did grandfather have a good night? Do you think he will be able to come +into the library?" +</p> +<p> +"One question at a time, dear. I rather think father had a good rest, +for I heard the nurse only once during the night, and that is a good +indication. If he is as well as he was yesterday, I feel sure Dick can +bring him into the library, and the couch is there, so that he can lie +down if he gets tired." +</p> +<p> +Almost an hour was spent in showing the contents of Alsie's stocking and +discussing plans for the day. +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps we had better get dressed now, and be ready for breakfast when +it comes, but of course we mustn't + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page57" name="page57"></a>[57]</span> + + disturb father, even though it <i>is</i> +Christmas morning," said Alice with a smile, and she began to make haste +with her toilet. +</p> +<p> +"Have you ever noticed what a long wait people have for breakfast on +Christmas morning, Auntee?" +</p> +<p> +"That's because some people rise at such unearthly hours," answered +Alice with a laugh, "but run along now, Alsie, and let's see which will +be dressed first." +</p> +<p> +An hour later found the family grouped around the breakfast table. Each +member had been in to the sick-room and given his greeting to the dear +invalid, who had appeared so bright and cheerful that he seemed almost +like his old merry self. When Alsie was recounting to him all the pretty +things she had found in her stocking, he said, teasingly, "Now don't get +into mine, too—I'm going to wait until Uncle Dick and his little tots +come before I take my allotted hour in the library." +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page58" name="page58"></a>[58]</span> +</p> +<p> +By ten o'clock Uncle Dick's family had arrived, and the big, stalwart +son went into the sick-room to assist the pale, weak father into the +library. A pang came to the heart of the former as he thought of what a +contrast was this Christmas with the one of a year before, when the now +wasted form had been so vigorous and handsome. A feeling of misgiving +came as to what the next Christmas would bring to them. +</p> +<p> +When the chair was rolled into the library, what a sight was displayed +to the wondering eyes of the astonished old gentleman! +</p> +<p> +The room was almost transformed in appearance with the elaborate +decorations, and, added to this feast for the eyes, was the perfume +of fresh flowers, for several boxes of roses and carnations had come +in with Christmas greetings during the early hours of the morning. +</p> +<p> +Grandfather's breath was almost taken + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page59" name="page59"></a>[59]</span> + + away. He looked at the eager +faces gathered all round him, and said helplessly, "What does it mean? +I don't exactly understand." +</p> +<p> +"It's <i>your</i> Christmas pie, grandfather, for we couldn't let the day +go by without your having a taste. When you find all the good things +that are in that pie I don't think you'll feel slighted, even if Aunt +Bettie's <i>mince</i> pie is denied," exclaimed Alsie enthusiastically. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, light in," added Uncle Dick, "and I'm here to help you, so we'll +station ourselves around the fire and all assist <i>you</i> to enjoy it, +slice by slice." +</p> +<p> +For a little while, however, it was only inspected, as Alice told the +story of how the idea had come to little Alsie, and how all of them had +assisted in working it out. Uncle Dick finally lifted off the top and a +perfect network of narrow Christmas ribbons was disclosed. +</p> +<p> +"Each ribbon holds a dainty morsel," + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page60" name="page60"></a>[60]</span> + + said Emily, as grandfather reached +forth his hand to grasp one. The first "draw" was a fortunate one, for +it proved to be a tender note of love and greeting from one of his most +faithful and valued friends. The next brought forth Aunt Bettie's +biscuit man, which looked so funny that every one burst into laughter. +Then books and presents of many varieties followed. Every few minutes a +card would be drawn out bearing a message from some dear relative or +friend in a distant city or State. These tender reminders that so many +of his friends were thinking of him with affection and sending him such +cordial good wishes and hopes for recovery seemed to please Captain +Gordon greatly. +</p> +<p> +As for the little "wifey"—she just sat at her husband's side and +enjoyed the same measure of surprise and pleasure. +</p> +<p> +The package of receipted bills—gorgeously done up in Christmas +style—was not forgotten, and brought forth + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page61" name="page61"></a>[61]</span> + + the predicted satisfaction, +even if there was considerable laughing also. +</p> +<p> +"Handle this with care," laughed Uncle Dick, as he gayly lifted out the +tiny basket of eggs. "This is one slice of the pie at least that you can +eat." +</p> +<p> +The lemon was pulled out in the course of time and proved not to be too +sour for enjoyment. Alsie waited patiently for the envelope containing +the "Reminiscence," and at last, when it came forth, she drew very close +to grandfather to watch him open it. A puzzled look was on his face as +he unfolded several yellow sheets of paper and recognized his own +handwriting. He began to read a few lines, however, and a kindly smile +spread over his countenance. +</p> +<p> +"I rather think this will interest somebody else, too. Suppose you read +it aloud, Dick," remarked grandfather. +</p> +<p> +It was dated ten years before, and proved to be one of the vivid, +interesting letters that none could write so + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page62" name="page62"></a>[62]</span> + + well as Captain Gordon. +It was written at the time of Alice's memorable year's trip abroad with +some friends. Alsie was then a tiny girl of two years. The letter gave +a detailed account of one of baby's escapades. It read as follows: +</p> +<p class="quote" style="text-align: right;"> + "The Old Kentucky Home. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "My dear Alice: +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "It pleases me greatly to know that my young daughter is having + such a glorious time abroad with her friends, even though I do + miss her sorely at home. The letter written by me a day or two + ago, which will probably reach you along with this, informs you + that we are all well at home, and it contains as much neighborhood + gossip as Wifey was able to think of at the hour of my writing, + along with considerable instruction about certain points in + sightseeing. Your letter this morning, telling the amusing little + story of the Italian baby, made me wonder if you wouldn't like a + 'baby letter' in return. So here is the answer: +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Last Sunday morning your little + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page63" name="page63"></a>[63]</span> + + namesake was dressed up in her + prettiest white dress, with an abundance of blue ribbon adornment, + and seated on the front porch, with careful instruction not to + soil her clothes but to wait for mother to get ready to escort her + to Sunday-school. It developed later that the first part of the + injunction seemed to make an impression to the exclusion of the + last order. At any rate, Alsie's mamma was somewhat delayed in her + preparations, and when, twenty minutes or half an hour later, she + appeared on the porch, no baby was in sight. A number of calls + brought forth no response; a messenger was dispatched to the back + lot, where the dandelions grow, another to the north side of the + house, where the little maiden has been so occupied recently picking + violets, while still other couriers were hastily despatched to all + the neighbors. The report came back from all—no baby girl had been + seen by anybody. The situation began to be a little alarming. The + messengers were again started out, with instructions to go farther + and report at once if any trace was found. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page64" name="page64"></a>[64]</span> +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Ten or fifteen minutes passed, and by this time Alsie's mamma was + in a most excited state of mind, as you may well imagine, and felt + perfectly sure that the little curly-headed damsel had been kidnaped. + She was reproaching herself roundly for putting such a tempting + morsel of humanity right into the hands of the cruel villians, when + a sharp ring of the telephone brought the remnant of the family, who + were not on searching duty, flying to the table in the hall, which + as you know holds the receiver. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Being the least agitated member of the group, I boldly called + 'hello,' and was asked by a masculine voice if Mrs. Stratton's little + daughter didn't have blue eyes and brown hair and if she wore a white + dress with blue—— +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "It was not necessary to finish the description. My informant then + stated that the little lady in question was at that moment occupying + a high seat on top of the counter at the drug store, which you know + is some five blocks away, and was surrounded by an admiring group of + men and boys, to whom she was affably chatting. He said + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page65" name="page65"></a>[65]</span> + + that she + refused to be led away, but was quite happy to eat the candy, chew + the gum, and play with the various other offerings that were handed + out by the amused group of auditors. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "Of course I started at once, and a few moments later I walked in on + the baby, who was sitting, according to description, on the counter, + explaining, 'Must keep dress kean—mamma take me Sunny Sool.' When + I entered she held out her little hands to me with such an innocent, + happy smile that I had not the heart to scold; but it was some time + before I could persuade her to return to poor mamma, to whom the + scant hour's parting seemed almost a year. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "You can imagine the rest of the story, but to relieve your + misgivings I'll assure you that the cunning little tot escaped the + well-merited punishment. +</p> +<p class="quote"> + "This is quite a letter, so I'll wait a few days to write again. As + you're probably in France by this time, I'll close my letter with an + <i>au revoir</i>. +</p> +<p class="quote" style="text-align: right;"> + Yours, &c., +<br /> + R. A. Gordon." +</p> +<p> +Alsie's cheeks glowed with excitement + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page66" name="page66"></a>[66]</span> + + during the reading of this letter, +and at its close she exclaimed, "O, Auntee, have you had it all these +years and never showed it to me?" +</p> +<p> +"It was among my foreign letters, dear, and I had not thought of it +for some time, but I well remember what a pleasure it was to read that +letter and hear of the escapade of the dear little baby namesake at +home. I have always meant to show it to you when you were old enough to +enjoy it," answered Alice. +</p> +<p> +After a good deal of laughter and comments among the various members +of the family, the card bearing the order to look behind the piano on +the left side was pulled out of the pie, and Uncle Dick was dispatched +for the package. It proved to be the huge box containing the silken +coverlet. Grandmother's enthusiasm was awakened at the sight, and she +commented many times on its softness, warmth, and beauty. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page67" name="page67"></a>[67]</span> +</p> +<p> +Books, cards, and gifts of all descriptions from the little tots, were +taken out, inspected and complimented, to the immense satisfaction of +the younger members of the family and the entertainment of the older +ones of the group. +</p> +<p> +It really seemed impossible to empty that pie, but after an hour or more +had been spent in the occupation the ribbons began to grow thin. +</p> +<p> +"This is to be the last one," said Alice, slipping her hand over a +ribbon that Captain Gordon was just about to pick up. +</p> +<p> +"All right—just as you like. There have been so many goodies in this +pie that I hardly see how it would be possible for anything better to +be saved for the last," answered Captain Gordon with a loving smile. +</p> +<p> +The last ribbon was finally drawn, and tied to the end was the "box +of fruit" that Alice had taken such pains to make attractive. Captain +Gordon + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page68" name="page68"></a>[68]</span> + + slowly untied the ribbon and took the top off the box. He picked +up a small sealed envelope bearing the inscription, "A plum from Dick," +and in it was a shining gold piece. Each little envelope (and there were +quite a number) contained a peach, a plum, a raisin, a currant, or a +date. The "plums" were all gold pieces, but the checks were put in under +other names—according to their value—and the silver pieces and bright +pennies were all in the raisin and currant envelopes. +</p> +<p> +One envelope, bearing the name "Date," when opened disclosed a small +card on which was written: +</p> + +<p class="quote" style="text-align: center;"> +CHRISTMAS DAY. +</p> + +<p class="quote"> +When I "call to see" you, this "date" will be exchanged for a "plum." +</p> + +<p class="quote" style="text-align: right;"> +HAROLD. +</p> + +<p> +This occasioned a laugh, and Mrs. Gordon began at once to sum up the +total. +</p> +<p> +"It's to buy you anything you want—a + +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page69" name="page69"></a>[69]</span> + + comfort and luxury fund," +explained Alice, "and all the members of the family join together in +giving it." +</p> +<p> +"Grandfather, we hardly knew what to call your pie. It was not a chicken +pie, even though it did contain a bird and a turkey. It was not a lemon +pie, even if there was a lemon in it. It could not be called an apple, +peach, cherry or mince pie, though there <i>was</i> plenty of fruit in that +box, wasn't there?" said Alsie, with a laugh, when everything had been +examined. +</p> +<p> +"I think I shall call it my 'Love Pie,' for never was a pie so highly +seasoned or delightfully flavored with love as this has been," answered +grandfather softly, "and I want the dear little girl who thought of it +to know that I have enjoyed it more than any pie that I have ever eaten." +</p> +<p> +The invalid was a little wearied with the unusual excitement of the +morning, and was soon ordered back to his bed for a little rest. +</p> +<p> +<span class="pagenum"><a id="page70" name="page70"></a>[70]</span> +</p> +<p> +In the afternoon Alice went into the sick-room for a chat, while her +mother went out for a little walk in the fresh, crisp air. +</p> +<p> +She told her father of how the silken comfort had been planned and made, +and Captain Gordon, after a long pause, turned to her with what seemed +to Alice the most beautiful expression she had ever seen on his face, +and said, "Bring it to me, daughter." +</p> +<p> +She brought it forth and held it out to him that he might smooth its +folds and look again at its rosy color. +</p> +<p> +"Spread it over me, dear, and let it cover me—as long as I need it." +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p> +And it covered him for the six weeks that it was needed, when it was +replaced with a coverlet of roses and lilies provided by the same loving +hands. +</p> + +<div style="height: 6em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Grandfather's Love Pie, by Miriam Gaines + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE *** + +***** This file should be named 20197-h.htm or 20197-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/1/9/20197/ + +Produced by David Garcia and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Grandfather's Love Pie + +Author: Miriam Gaines + +Release Date: December 27, 2006 [EBook #20197] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + + + + +[Illustration: "AUNTEE, I'LL THINK OF SOMETHING--I PROMISE YOU I WILL."] + + + SECOND EDITION + + + + + GRANDFATHER'S + LOVE PIE + + BY + + MIRIAM GAINES + + + + ILLUSTRATIONS BY + JOHN EDWARD WHITING + + + + 1913 + JOHN P. MORTON & COMPANY + INCORPORATED + LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY + + + + + COPYRIGHT, 1913, + BY + MISS MIRIAM GAINES. + + + + + TO THE MEMORY OF MY BELOVED FATHER, + JOHN THOMAS GAINES, + THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS DEDICATED. + + + + + + +GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE + + + + +I. + + +"O, Auntee, what is it?" + +The awed young voice paused at the threshold. + +It was a sight the little girl had never witnessed before--she had seen +Auntee sad at occasional intervals, and a few times had looked upon +tears in the usually merry eyes of her beloved chum, but never before +had she beheld Auntee sobbing in such an abandonment of grief. + +There was a very tender tie of love between these two--Alsie, the dear +little twelve-year-old daughter of an older sister of the family, and +Alice, the only remaining unmarried child of a household of many sons +and daughters. + +The family circle had never been broken, however, and it was a household +where love prevailed, for although several members lived in far-away +homes, the flame of affection burned as brightly and the cord of love +bound them together as strongly as did ever the same ties bind their +sturdy Scotch ancestors into clans. + +Auntee (for that was Alsie's baby name for the aunt, with whom so many +happy hours had been spent) rose half way up from the bed with a +somewhat startled movement, but the sight of the stricken little face at +her side seemed to bring back afresh the reminder of her pain, and she +again buried her face in the pillow with a sob. + +After a few moments, however, the young woman put her arm tenderly +around the little namesake and tried to explain. + +"I did not intend to burden you, Alsie dear, with my grief, but I feel +so sad and somehow I just couldn't keep it shut in any longer--it _had_ +to come out. But I thought you were playing with your little friend +Margaret, and I knew mother had started for the drug store on an errand +which would surely keep her an hour." + +"Auntee, are you so sad because dear Uncle James has gone away? You know +grandma said he had been called to his heavenly home, and there are lots +of us left to make you bright and happy." + +"So there are, Alsie, and I will try to take courage in that thought, +for surely God wouldn't take another loved one away from us so soon--so +soon." The last two words were spoken pensively and as though she was +unconscious of the presence of the child. Little Alsie's face became +white. + +"O, Auntee, you don't mean that dear grandfather"--her voice faltered +and she finished in a whisper--"is worse?" + +Auntee regained her self-possession in a moment and said hastily, +"No, dear child, no worse. But sit down with me and I will tell you all +about it. You must promise not to mention it to grandmother, however, +for we will have to be brave together." Then, sitting side by side in +the pretty little blue bedroom where only a few months before so many +joyous hours had been spent in fixing everything up daintily to meet +the gaze of returned travelers, Aunt Alice related to young Alice the +story of her trip to the doctor's that very day, and how he had told +her that the chances were against the recovery of the beloved father +and grandfather, lying so patiently on his bed of pain in the south +bedchamber. + +His health had begun to fail in the spring, but grandfather, with his +broad shoulders, military bearing, and six feet of noble manhood, had +never been sick within the memory of either of these two, and it was +hard for them--or, indeed, any other--to conceive that it was more than +a passing ailment, and would soon disappear. The family became vaguely +uneasy as the spring merged into the summer, and a plan was proposed for +the plump little five-foot "wifey" to take her big husband, the Captain, +on a long trip to the seashore and mountains. + +The trip had been taken, but Captain Gordon's condition did not show +the improvement that the anxious members of his family had so earnestly +hoped to see, and after the return the busy little wife immediately set +about securing a couch for his office, for the invalid insisted that +he was able to resume his duties. She explained that "the Captain +might rest a little now and then from his labors," for the sturdy old +soldier would not for a moment entertain the thought of giving up his +work--the loved, chosen profession which he had followed so faithfully +and successfully since he came out--a gallant young officer of +twenty-three--from the Civil War, the sole survivor of the four members +of his household who had gone forth to fight for what was to be the +Lost Cause. + +Everything at the office was made especially comfortable, for how +willingly would every one have spared the quiet, kind professor, who +combined so wonderfully strength and manliness with gentleness and +lovableness of disposition. + +The experiment lasted one week--he came home at the close of the sixth +day and said quietly, "I must get a substitute until I am well enough to +attend to my work as it should be done." So the substitute was secured +and a consultation of doctors followed, with the result that a new line +of treatment had been adopted. A few weeks failed to bring good results, +so other treatments had been tried, until, a few weeks before, a skilled +specialist had ordered him off to the infirmary for a period of several +weeks. + +The days spent here were days of great suffering, but grandfather was a +man of monumental patience, and no word of complaint passed his lips. It +was just at this time that a crushing blow had been dealt the hopeful, +cheery little wifey, who had always been laughingly termed "boss of the +ranch," "head of the house," and suchlike terms, but whose right to +these titles had never been disputed by the indulgent husband or devoted +sons and daughters, for her ready hand always carried with it relief, +and her merry laugh brought cheer and sunshine. + +Her only brother had been stricken, and died within a few days, but the +brave little wife and mother had hidden her deep sorrow in her bosom, +and after a few days, only a smiling face was presented about the house. + +When the allotted time at the infirmary had expired, the young doctor, +who had studied the case with such zeal and attended his patient with +the tender care of a son, brought him back to his home. + +After having put her father to bed, to rest from the weariness of the +trip, Alice turned around to the waiting physician, a foreboding anxiety +in her heart, and tried to make her question quite natural: + +"Well, doctor, how soon can your friend, the specialist, have father +well again?" + +After a pause Dr. Emerson replied, "He will not continue on the case, +Miss Gordon." + +"O, doctor, what do you mean? He has not given it up? I can not +relinquish hope--I won't." + +"And I do not wish you to, Miss Gordon. Dr. Helm did not find your +father's condition to be what he had expected, but we are going to begin +at once a treatment that has been practiced with great success in +Germany, in cases like his." + +Nothing more was said at that time between them, but the memory of that +conversation was indelibly printed on Alice's mind, and a long night of +the keenest anguish she had ever experienced, followed. + +She thought, and thought, and thought, until the sounds from the +sick-chamber near by, would bring a flood of tender memories and her +pillow would be wet with tears. + +It was thus that most of the night was spent. Toward morning she sank +into a deep slumber, but, when she wakened, a terrible leaden weight +seemed to oppress her, and it was several hours before the buoyant +cheerfulness, with which she was by nature endowed, could again assert +itself. + +After several days and nights spent thus, Alice came to the wise +conclusion that the situation _must_ be faced, for obvious reasons. + +After this decision was reached, she became more calm, and the next day, +without consulting any member of the family, slipped away to the doctor's +downtown office, and waited patiently until he was at leisure to see +her. + +Dr. Emerson seemed a little surprised at her appearance, but said, "What +is it, Miss Gordon--what can I do for you?" + +"I only came, Dr. Emerson, to say to you that I am now ready to hear +what you have to tell about my father. I want to know just how much we +may hope for--or how little." Her voice faltered, but she continued, "I +could not listen a few days ago when you suggested that Dr. Helm was not +able to relieve him, but tell me all now." + +Perhaps it was because the kind physician felt sorry for the sorrowing +daughter, or perhaps it was because, personally, he cherished a deep +affection for the scholarly old gentleman on whom he was expending his +most earnest efforts, but whatever the reason, he told her in the +gentlest, kindest manner, enough to make her understand that the chances +were against her father's recovery. His concluding remarks, however, +were reassuring. "Please do not understand for a moment, Miss Gordon, +that I have given up hope. I do not agree altogether with Dr. Helm, and +I feel that we have good ground for expecting favorable results from the +treatment that we have recently begun." + +After hearing the news, Alice returned home, to find a letter in which +was a small check from one of the loving family circle, to be spent in +a Christmas present for the dear sick one. + +It had come to be a sort of habit in the family for a few of the +far-away members to send little sums to Alice at Christmas time, in +order that the presents should be such as would give service as well +as pleasure. + +The carrying out of these commissions had always been a source of +delight to both big and little Alice, for did _they_ not know best of +all the individual needs and hopes of each member of the household? +Who, then, could so well plan and shop for the merry Christmas, which +was _always_ a success in the Gordon household? + +Yes, a merry, happy season it had always been for, while all the +comforts of a refined home had ever been theirs, the provision of +these comforts had required constant economy and management on the part +of the busy little "wifey" of the house. As the former children had +grown up and flitted away from the home nest to establish families for +themselves, they had gradually come to realize that it was because of +_not having_ so many things that they were enabled to get such a degree +of pleasure from those gifts which just fitted the need, or perhaps +those gifts, for which the ordinary craving might be counted an +extravagance. + +It had always been the custom for each one of the family to hang up his +or her stocking, and when the grandchildren began to appear upon the +scene, grandfather's big sock always held a conspicuous place among the +stockings of all sizes. + +It was the remembrance of all these established customs that had caused +the entire breakdown of Alice's walls of self-control (which she thought +had been so well built), and when little Alsie found her there, alone +in her chamber, in such deep distress, it was not surprising that the +little maid was frightened. + +This was the first time that Alice had ever confided to the child +anything that was, even, in a remote degree, depressing, but her heart +was so overwrought that she had poured out the whole sad story to the +little girl before time could be taken for consideration of the wisdom +of such a course. A flicker of doubt, however, came to her as she saw +the troubled look of the child deepen into an expression of pain and +perplexity, and she continued, half apologetically, + +"I ought not to feel so discouraged, dearie, I know. I ought to be +brave, but when I tried to think what I _could_ get for dear father with +the checks that will surely be coming in to me, within the next two or +three weeks, I felt so utterly broken-hearted that I could do nothing +but cry." The child put her arms tenderly around the neck of her beloved +aunt, and gave her message of sympathy in mute kisses. + +"I am completely at a loss to know what to do," said Alice, with +emphasis. "Here is Christmas, only a month distant--I have made no +preparation, for I have had no heart for it; we can not hang up the +stockings after the usual merry fashion, for it would be only a farce; +we should cry instead of laugh when we see them, so I feel almost +desperate to know _what_ to do. O, Alsie, can't we think of some plan +by which we may give dear grandfather a merry Christmas, especially +if it is to be his last with us?" + +"Auntee, I'll _think_ of something--I promise you I will--and it will be +soon, too--perhaps by to-morrow--but anyhow by the day after, so trust +to me and let us both hope that grandfather will get better." + +"I will, dear--I will. There! I feel more hopeful already. Don't you +remember, when you were a wee tot, and would come in and ask me for a +piece of cake? When I would say, 'Well, now, I wonder where grandma has +put that cake?' you would reply, so eagerly, 'Fink hard, Auntee--fink +hard.' You knew well that a real hard _think_ would bring results. Now +we must both 'think hard' and see if we can't produce a little genuine +Christmas cheer." + +They parted with this compact, and when Alice, half an hour later, +walked into Captain Gordon's sick-chamber, a pleasant smile was on her +lips and her voice had regained its usual composure. + + + + +II. + + +A day or two passed with little change in the condition of affairs, +in the Gordon household, but on the third afternoon, following the +conversation between the two Alices, the younger one came in rather +suddenly, and announced, in a whisper, that she had an idea. + +In a little while Aunt Alice had suggested a walk "for a breath of fresh +air," with the result that they were soon out together, alone, walking +in the lovely park which was close by. + +"You see, Auntee," began Alsie, "it was this way--I tried and tried to +think of some celebration, which would make us all cheerful and happy at +Christmas, but the more I thought, the harder the problem seemed to get. +We couldn't have plays, for that would tire grandfather; a Christmas +tree would remind us all of last Christmas, when dear Uncle James +had such a beautiful one at his country place. It would make grandma +cry--and perhaps the rest of us, too--to remember that _that_ home had +been broken up by the loss of the father and husband. Altogether, I was +beginning to feel real discouraged. Mamma took me down town to lunch +with her to-day, and the waiter brought in such a big, luscious piece +of pie. You know, Auntee, I have always loved pie 'most as much as +grandfather. I began to think how long it had been since he had had +a single taste of pie, and yet he has never complained. I began to +wish--O, so much--that grandfather could enjoy that delicious bit of +pie. The tears came into my eyes, Auntee, and I said to mamma, 'If +grandfather could just eat this one piece of pie, mamma, I would be +willing to do without pie for the rest of my life.' + +"It was then, Auntee, that the idea came to me. Couldn't we have a +Christmas pie for grandfather which, instead of having a filling of rich +custards or fruits, would contain all the cunning little presents that +we grandchildren could make for him?" + +"Why, Alsie, what an idea! I've heard of the Jack Horner pie and other +varieties, perhaps, but who would have thought of the idea of a +Christmas pie of that kind! We'll certainly carry it out, for your +pretty idea was the offspring of an unselfish impulse, and a sympathetic +tear, and it surely will thrive and bear fruit." + +"Let's see, Auntee--a pie must always be round, mus'n't it?" + +"And this one will have to be big, too," replied Alice, "for there are +lots of us who want to have a finger in it. Those dear co-workers with +father, who have kept his sick-room so fragrant and beautiful with +flowers, must each be allowed a little space for a card of greeting. +In fact, Alsie, I think it would be a good idea to invite all his +most beloved circle of friends to send a little message of love, for +only the other day he said to me, 'There is nothing so acceptable to a +man lying on a bed of sickness as an offering of love--be it a message, +a flower, a visit, or a delicacy--it is delightful to be remembered.'" + +"Well, Auntee, I'll see all the cousins within reach and write to the +others, and you do the same with the grown folks of the family, and the +rule must be that each is to put into the pie something that will please +grandfather or make him laugh." + +"Fine, Alsie, fine. It's a good rule to make, for it's a '_Merry +Christmas_' we are striving for, and I don't believe our efforts will +fail if we put into them all the love and energy which the family say +you and I possess, in a like degree." + +"We haven't much time to lose, either, Auntee, for we have lots to do +in the three weeks that remain to us. Now, as to business, what are we +going to make the pie-crust of--I mean what material will take the +place of the pie-crust, which you know is what holds the goodies?" + +"It must be considerably stronger than the crisp, brittle crust which +Aunt Bettie brings to _our_ table," replied Aunt Alice with a laugh. + +After a moment she continued, "I wonder if we couldn't get hold of one +of those hat-boxes which are made to hold the enormous 'creations' +we see every day in the milliners' shops, and on the heads of so many +pretty girls. We can make the effort, anyhow, and if we don't succeed +in finding just what we want, needles and cardboard are plentiful and we +can make a box to suit ourselves, for it must be at least twenty-five +or thirty inches in diameter and six inches high to hold the filling." + +They walked slowly homeward, discussing various little points which +occurred to them along the way, until, when Alice walked back into the +front door of her home, what was her surprise and delight to feel that +the weight of the sorrow, which had so oppressed her, was lightened. +She felt almost buoyant in her eagerness for Christmas to come. + +And now a busy season began. It was hard to think of anything suitable +for the invalid, for had not the loving hands of his wife and children +provided everything that might add to the comfort of the beloved head +of the household? + +There was one little feature that had been overlooked, +however--grandfather possessed no foot-warmers. So Alsie's energies +were at once set to work on these articles, which were destined to be +"real comforts" in the weeks which followed Christmas. + +The story of grandfather's pie was soon spread, not only through the +family, but also to a large circle of friends. Everybody was cautioned, +however, to keep the secret from Mrs. Gordon, for it was decreed that +the faithful little "wifey" (no one had ever heard the Captain address +his wife by any other name than _that_, which he had bestowed upon her +during their honeymoon) should share the surprise and pleasure with her +husband. + +"Mr. Doctor, what are you going to put in the Christmas pie?" exclaimed +Alice merrily one morning, after telling the physician of the plan. + +"I think I'll contribute the turkey," he answered with a smile. "A +turkey, of course, which won't take up too much space, and the dressing +I'll put in that turkey will be calculated to make any sick man well. +Do you understand?" + +Alice didn't quite understand, but was willing to leave the matter in +his hands. + +Little Jack was quite worried that he could think of nothing to make +grandfather laugh, and one day when he was in the sick-chamber he +blurted out, "Grandfather, what would you rather have me give you for +Christmas than anything else?" + +The laugh came then--before time--for it explained to grandfather the +uneasy, doubtful expression which had enveloped the little lad's face +just previous to the asking of the question. + +"Well, I'll tell you, Jack, what would please me more than anything +else--a perfect report from your teacher. If you could bring me this, on +Christmas Day, I would know that it meant hard work for a boy, who is as +fond of play and mischief as you." + +Nothing more was said on the subject, but little Jack passed out of the +room with a stern resolution that that report should be forthcoming, and +when Aunt Alice was told of it she exclaimed enthusiastically, "O, Jacky +boy, you _must_ get that perfect report, even if it does mean hard work, +and we'll lay it in the very center of the pie, sealed up in the +prettiest Christmas envelope that I can paint." + + + + +III. + + +"Aunt Bettie, what are _you_ going to put in the pie? For you know +everybody must put in something to please grandfather or make him +laugh," asked Alsie, after detailing the plan to the dear old black +mammy, who had been grandmother's maid when she was a young lady in +the long years ago. + +Aunt Bettie was considerably beyond sixty, but not many young "niggers" +could get around as lively as she, and no one, who had ever dined in +that household, could doubt her ability to cook the best meal ever +brought to a table. + +"Nevah you min', honey--Aunt Bettie'll have somethin' fur de +occasion--it's a shame dat doctah won't let Captain Gordon hab no pie +nor nuthin', but makes him eat jest dem beat biscuits, when he likes de +soft ones so much de best. I'll be ready, chile, on de day 'fore +Christmas, so don' you worry yourse'f 'bout me." + +"But you mus'n't make him anything that is bad for him, Aunt Bettie. He +can't eat the plum pudding, and other rich goodies like the rest of us, +you know, because he is too ill and the doctor won't allow it," answered +Alsie anxiously. + +"I'll 'member _all_ dat," laughed Aunt Bettie reassuringly, as the child +departed from the kitchen, but a feeling of sadness came to the faithful +old soul as she recalled the festivities of the year before, when +Christmas dinner had been prepared for the whole family of children and +grandchildren, and the thought of how the dear head of the family had +enjoyed that occasion brought tears to her eyes. + + * * * * * + +Such conversations were being held every day, and the days were passing, +too, with astonishing rapidity, just as they always do when one is +deeply interested in some absorbing project. + +Aunt Alice had been receiving, daily, numerous letters--several +containing checks--and little Alsie's correspondence had suddenly grown +to enormous proportions. + +Uncle Dick came in one evening, and slipping a gold piece into his +sister's hand remarked, "_I_ can't think of a thing for that pie, Alice. +I'm sorry to be so stupid, but I'll have to ask you to take this and see +what your clever brain can do with it." + +"O, Dick, it will make a grand 'plum' for the pie. I'll put it in, just +in this form, for I want all the money entrusted to me, as agent, to go +toward providing for father, comforts and luxuries, such as we might not +be able to afford under ordinary circumstances. And yet, it's almost +impossible to know exactly how to spend it just now," replied Alice. +After a little pause she added, "I believe I'll just put the gold pieces +and checks into a little box and label it, 'Fruit for the Pie.' My +biggest check may truly be termed a _peach_, and I can convert one or +two others into plums and raisins." + +"I think I know of several plums that will be forthcoming if that's your +idea, sis--it's a capital one, too," answered Dick. "I confess I'm +getting quite interested in the contents myself, and two or three times +I've come near asking about the progress of the pie, before mother, +forgetting that she's to share in the great surprise." + +"O, Dick, _do_ be careful, for we have arranged it all so nicely, and in +another week we'll be making up that pie, so don't spoil our plans now, +for how much more father will enjoy it if his dear little 'wifey' shares +the pleasure also. And, by the way, Dick, that reminds me of something +that must go in for mother. A few days ago, when I was sitting with +father, he directed me to get a trifling gift for mother, but with his +old-time humor he said, 'I believe the most acceptable gift that I could +make Wifey would be all the receipts of the bills that have come in, for +the little woman has worried considerably over the number and amounts. I +got in a pretty good check several days ago, but I'll not give any gifts +this year--the money must go to pay these extra expenses that have been +inevitable. I wish you'd see to it that Wifey has as big a bunch as +possible of receipted bills. It's the best I can do this year, and you +all understand.'" + +"Wasn't it dear of him, Dick, and who but father would have thought of +making a joke of something, which might seem to some, only a trying +duty?" + +"It just shows us again the sort of manly man father has always been; +but Alice, I had an idea that it would be a nice thing to take that +little poem father wrote to mother last Christmas--the one he presented +with his gift--and have an illuminated copy made of it for mother's gift +this Christmas. It pleased her so much at the time, and, in this form, +it could be framed prettily and hung over her bed. You remember the +lines--I have them in my pocket now." + +He unfolded the sheet of paper, and handed it to Alice, who read aloud: + + +MY BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT. + + Some two score years, and more ago, + A father gave his child away: + It was a Christmas gift, you know, + Because 'twas done on Christmas Day. + + That little maid was given to me; + I took her then for weal or woe. + The years have passed so happily + It does not seem so long ago. + + No other gift in any year + Has e'er excelled, or equaled this; + The others evanescent were + While this has shed perennial bliss. + + For it has multiplied with time + And added blessings, year by year; + She came to me in youthful prime + And still remains, though in the sere. + + Her children, and their children, too, + In number, just about a score,-- + I count, as blessings, to her due: + May God repeat His gift once more. + + My little wifey, always dear, + When Christmas comes, I think back then + And greet you with increasing cheer, + My Christmas Gift, returned again. + + +"It's a beautiful idea, Dick, but it won't do now. There's too much +pathos in it for this occasion. When I read the lines myself, I am +blinded with tears, for I realize all too keenly that we may not have +him another Christmas. Some time, it may be a great comfort to mother +to have it. Keep the idea in mind and work it out some day." + +So the little poem was folded up and laid away for another year. + + + + +IV. + + +Several days passed and grandfather seemed to improve. The spirit of +Christmas pervaded everything, and even the invalid playfully asked +Alsie if she could give him a hint as to what he might find in his sock +on the eventful morning. Uncle Dick had been instructed to bring home +all the Santa Claus posters that might be found in the newspaper office +or bookshop, and there was already quite a stack of colored pictures on +hand, showing Santa Claus in every stage of his wonderful yearly trip +round the earth. Both Alices had spent some time selecting the little +white Santa and sleigh for the top of the pie. The reindeer were +hitched, tandem style, to the sleigh, harnessed and reined with the +gayest red ribbon. + +The packages and letters began to come, in considerable numbers, during +the next few days, and several more "plums" were given into Alice's +care, not to mention the _dates_, raisins, currants, and the like, for +every check or coin was classified with the _fruit_, for the _filling_ +of the pie. It began to look as if that pie was to be a very rich one +after all. + +One morning, several days before Christmas, Mrs. Gordon came out of the +sick-chamber, to the breakfast table, with a beaming face, saying: + +"Captain Gordon spent the best night he has had in months, and he feels +so bright and well that he wants to be brought into the library and rest +awhile on the couch there." + +What joy this announcement brought to them all! The rolling chair was +drawn forth, and little Alsie led the way from one room to another with +feet that fairly danced. + +No ill effects followed the experiment, and it was repeated the next day +with even greater success. It really appeared that some of the most +persistent features of Captain Gordon's illness were yielding, perhaps, +to the treatment--at any rate, the beloved invalid was better, and the +leaden weight of apprehension, which had so burdened the hearts of each +one of them, was disappearing and a wonderful joy was taking its place. + +A white-winged, invisible guest had arrived, before time, to spend the +Christmastide with them. It was the Angel of Hope, sent by the pitying +hand of the Father in Heaven, and with it came peace, joy, love, and +merriment. + +What a host of Christmas cards came in, on the morning mail, just +preceding Christmas Day. Little Alsie was almost wild to begin work on +the pie. After breakfast, Aunt Alice said calmly, "Alsie, come with me, +for I have an important errand, and would like to have company." + +"O, Auntee, how _can_ you be so composed when there's such a big pile +of bundles in your bedroom closet, and have you seen the lovely palm +sent to grandfather by the members of his literary club? It's a beauty, +and so big that it looks almost like a small tree!" + +They wended their way to Alice's room, and locked the door. Going to the +closet, Alice brought forth the largest round hat-box that any of them +had ever seen. It must have been two feet or more in diameter, but it +was only seven or eight inches high. + +The Christmas paper was next brought out, and what a wonderful variety +there was--Santa Claus, in all phases of his yearly trip, was pictured +on some rolls, while festoons of holly and ribbon were outlined against +a background of white on others. + +After considerable discussion and comparing of effects, it was finally +decided that the outside crust of the pie should be of white paper, +decorated in holly and ribbon, so the needles and pastepot were both +used in preparing the lower portion of the box. The top was treated in +an entirely different fashion. It was covered over with the whitest of +white cotton batting, and the glistening little sleigh was securely +fastened to the center of the top. Fragments of the cotton fell over the +edges, and when Alice sprinkled over this, the "diamond dust," it looked +as if real icicles were dropping from a bank of glistening snow. + +"Auntee, it's the prettiest thing I've ever seen!" exclaimed Alsie +enthusiastically, after the lining had been neatly pasted in. + +Then began the work of fixing up the packages to fill the pie. Aunt +Bettie's contribution was unique--a beaten-biscuit gentleman, some +twelve inches tall, who was certainly most "fearfully and wonderfully" +made. The eyes, which had been so carefully put in with a fork, were +a little too close together, and the dough nose, which had been so +anxiously applied, had risen unduly in the baking, to the great +detriment of the biscuit gentleman's appearance. The mouth was all +right, however--big and smiling. His legs looked very much like he had +a bad case of locomotor ataxia, but the buttons on his coat were quite +regular and his arms hung at his sides like ramrods. + +After careful inspection which occasioned considerable laughter, the +beaten-biscuit man was rolled up in tissue paper and placed in a +Christmas box "just his size." On the card was this message: "The Bible +says, 'Love your enemies'--here is an enemy for you to conquer," for it +was a well-known fact that grandfather found it hard to overcome his +dislike of the "hardtack," as he denominated the beaten biscuit prepared +for him. + +[Illustration: AUNT BETTIE'S CONTRIBUTION WAS UNIQUE--A BEATEN-BISCUIT +GENTLEMAN, SOME TWELVE INCHES TALL.] + +The doctor's turkey was next inspected--a nice little brown roasted fowl +in appearance, but in reality one of the cunning little pasteboard +devices that Alsie had so often seen in the confectioners' shops. There +was plenty of stuffing too, for Dr. Emerson had filled it full of pills +and capsules. There were pink pills and blue pills and green pills and +lavender pills, and hidden among them was the prescription, with one +end sticking out of the opening. It read: "For Captain Gordon--Pills +of every color, size, and variety, warranted to cure every known pain +or ache--to be taken with your Christmas pie." The little turkey was +carefully wrapped in tissue paper and garnished with a spray of holly. + +Next came the tiny basket of fresh eggs from the merry little next-door +neighbor, whose big, fine chickens had been coaxed to lay a dozen eggs +for the Christmas pie. The basket would not hold the dozen--O no! for +its greatest capacity was four; but the remaining eight were set away in +a safe corner of the pantry. The four eggs were laid in a perfect nest +of red and white tissue paper, and holly and ribbon were twined round +the edges and handle of the basket. On the card was written the +following bit of rhyme: + + "Now, what can be nicer + Than for folks to remember + The friends that they love + With _fresh eggs_ in December?" + + +"We shall have to get help, Alsie--just look at the books to be put in, +and half the presents sent by the children must be wrapped and tied up, +for you know every single thing must have a ribbon attached, by which it +is to be pulled out of the pie." + +So Alsie was cautiously sent out to get her cousin Emily, the oldest +granddaughter in the family, a quiet young girl of fourteen, who was +exceedingly fond of reading. + +"For goodness sake, let's get the books all in the pie before Emily gets +here, Auntee, for she will want to read a little out of each one to see +what it is like, and we'll get no help from her," exclaimed Alsie. + +Aunt Alice laughed, and replied, "Well, we must get through this work +somehow, for Uncle Dick is coming out early this afternoon with the +cedar, holly, and mistletoe, and will help us decorate the library. +Speaking of cedar, let me show you what dear Aunt Cecile has sent in +her Christmas box, besides the gifts." + +Taking off the top, Alice lifted out a huge bunch of beautiful galax +leaves and another of the daintiest sprays of evergreen. + +"Just a suggestion of the bracing mountain air which you are to enjoy +with me as soon as you are well enough to travel," was the message that +came with it, for Aunt Cecile lived far away in a mountain climate, and +was deeply disappointed at not being able to spend this holiday season +at home, as she had intended. All sorts of curiously shaped packages +were taken out and laid aside for the various members of the household, +but the largest share was to go in the pie. Tiny Bess had made a big +shaving-ball at kindergarten, and this was sent to grandfather with +a Christmas greeting. Bobby's contribution was a highly decorated +three-layer blotter with grandfather's name and address in red ink on +the top layer. It was not a thing of beauty, being the work of his own +clumsy little hands, but he felt sure it would be appreciated, for he +had heard grandfather wish so often that "somebody" wouldn't take away +the blotters from his desk. + +"I have such a cute little lemon that I want to put in the pie, Auntee, +and yet I don't know exactly _how_ to work it in. It would be too unkind +to say that anybody would 'hand out a lemon' to dear, sick grandfather, +but it's so tiny and cunning--hardly bigger than a lime. The groceryman +found it in a box of lemons and gave it to me, asking if I needed +anything that size for the pie--you know I told him all about it. He +said there was nothing in his Christmas stock too good for the Captain, +and he'd like to send something, but it really seemed like all his +goodies were forbidden fruit." + +"We'll put the message in with the lemon, Alsie, and that will make it +both funny and kind." So the tiny specimen was done up in a dainty box +and on the large card was written: "The groceryman offered his choice +stock of figs, dates, confections, and fruits for Captain Gordon's +Christmas pie, but found nothing acceptable but a small-sized lemon, +which he presents with the hope that it will furnish all the tartness +necessary." + +"Have you opened Aunt Margie's box yet?" was the question asked by Alsie +as the work of filling the pie was drawing to a close. + +"I opened that some days ago," replied Alice, with a smile. "There were +a good many things in that box for general distribution, and, by the +way, Alsie, this goes into the pie, but I think it will interest you as +much as father." + +She had stepped to her dresser, and opened a drawer while speaking, and +now held up to view what seemed to be simply an envelope. On turning it +over, however, a pretty little border of holly was disclosed, painted +around the edges. "A Reminiscence" was written in the center. + +"What is it, Auntee?" exclaimed Alsie, reaching out her hand. + +"We'll let you guess awhile, dearie. I am going to drop it in the pie +now, and _that_ will be one of the surprises that you will enjoy with +grandpa." + +Alsie was quite curious over the Reminiscence, and wondered what it +could contain to be of such interest to her. + +"Well, I won't have to wait long, anyhow," she finally exclaimed, with +a laugh. + +"One of the presents will have to stay on ice until to-morrow morning," +explained Alsie to Emily, "but we'll show you the card. It's from Mr. +McDonald, the druggist. He's been on a little hunting trip and this +morning sent over the finest, fattest little quail you ever saw. On the +card was written: 'Dear Captain: I filled this prescription for you +myself, independent of the doctors, but I think they will approve. Take +it to-morrow at one o'clock and see if you don't feel better.' Isn't it +a cunning idea? It is to be the last thing put in before grandfather is +brought into the library, Emily, so don't let us forget it." + +"I won't," promised Emily; "but where are you going to put all those +bottles of wine and brandy, Aunt Alice? Do you think the pie will hold +them?" + +"If that problem puzzles you, just _how_ do you suppose we are going to +get _this_ in the pie?" replied Alice, lifting from its position behind +the bed a box so huge that the pie itself seemed almost diminutive in +comparison. + +"O, Auntee," cried Alsie in astonishment, "do tell us what it is!" + +For answer Alice set the box on the bed, untied the string, and lifted +off the top. A dainty and beautiful silken comfort was disclosed to the +view of the admiring group. The background was of white, and scattered +over it were clusters of the most exquisitely colored pink roses and +green leaves. The edges were prettily bound with satin ribbon of an +old-rose shade, and a huge bow adorned the center. + +"It is made of the warmest and softest wool, and every stitch was put in +by hand," murmured Alice softly, smoothing the comfort caressingly. "It +is beautiful to look at, but by far the most beautiful part to father +will be the thought that every one of his teachers wished to have a hand +in the giving of his Christmas gift, and to this end they came together, +with needles and thimbles, and the stitches were veritably put in with +love." + +"But the pie won't hold it, Aunt Alice--what are you going to do about +it?" inquired practical little Emily. + +"This big box goes behind the piano, and any other packages that can't +be accommodated inside the pie, will be hidden around in various other +little corners of the room. My plan is to have the _cards_ in the pie, +however, and as they are drawn out, the directions as to where the +packages they represent are deposited, can be followed. Is that a good +idea, Alsie, or do you think of something better?" + +"It can't be improved upon, Auntee--you always think of the best plans. +But let's hurry up now and finish, for the pie is about as full as it +will hold." + +A half hour more of work, and the pie was finished. + + + + +V. + + +The workers were all quite ready to do justice to the lunch spread out +for them by Aunt Bettie. Uncle Dick came in during the meal, exclaiming, +"O, do save me a sandwich, Alsie, for I'm almost starved!" + +"Where's the holly? Did you get any mistletoe? Are there any wreaths? Is +there plenty of cedar?" were the questions poured out upon him before he +had opportunity to sit down. + +"Yes, to all the questions, and I'll begin work just as soon as I rest a +bit and eat a bite," laughingly answered Uncle Dick. "Does that satisfy +all parties?" + +Uncle Dick was a great favorite with the children in the family--he +loved them and seemed to find genuine pleasure in playing, talking, and +romping with the "small fry," so it was not surprising that they should +take almost complete possession of him whenever he came. + +"Your father's improvement continues," said Mrs. Gordon with a happy +smile, in reply to her son's question as to how the invalid was feeling. +"He seems so bright and well to-day and sat in the invalid chair this +morning for more than an hour. I think he is surely gaining strength at +last." + +"He's looking forward toward to-morrow with lots of pleasure, too," said +Alsie. "Yesterday, when I was in his room, he asked what I expected to +find in my stocking, and playfully suggested that he and I would have +to be careful not to get our stockings mixed. Do you know, Uncle Dick, +I had hardly given a moment's thought to what I was going to get, for +I have been so busy----" + +Alsie caught herself just in time to keep from disclosing the secret to +the busy little grandmother, who, a few moments later, hurried out of +the dining room to resume once more her position in the sick-chamber. + +"Look out the window, Alsie!" exclaimed Emily at this point, "it looks +like our hopes for a white Christmas are going to be realized." + +Sure enough, the snow was falling fast and the ground already began to +look white. + +"If it just keeps up, Auntee, won't we have a beautiful Christmas?" +exclaimed Alsie enthusiastically. Alice had been looking out, too, and +the shadow of doubt pulled at her heart-strings. + +_Could_ it be the last Christmas--O, surely such a terrible sorrow was +not in store for them all! What would the merry season be without him? + +These were the thoughts that flashed through her mind, but at the sound +of the clear little voice beside her, she dismissed them and answered +cheerily, "I think we are going to have a beautiful Christmas--in every +way--but it's time to be about our work now. Ask Uncle Dick if he left +the cedar out on the porch." + +The cedar was brought in--likewise the holly and mistletoe--and oh, how +pretty the red berries looked, and how pretty the garlands of evergreen +looked when tied up with the crimson ribbons! + +"How do you like these?" called Uncle Dick as he smoothed out a great +roll of posters. "I picked them up around the office, and thought they +would help in the decorations." + +Alsie and Emily were filled with delight at sight of the great colored +newspaper sheets, covered with all manner of pictures of the dear old +saint. There he was just ready to climb down the chimney--another poster +pictured him on his annual journey driving his reindeer over the snowy +ground. And so on--it seemed as if every stage of the Christmas trip had +been photographed in colors. + +"I will pin this life-sized portrait of Santa Claus over the fireplace +here," said Uncle Dick, "and you two girlies may get busy at once making +garlands of evergreen to drape about him, and also over these others, +for they must all have a touch of green; isn't that so, Alice?" + +"By all means," answered his sister, with a laugh. "It's really a very +clever idea, Dick, to bring all these posters out, for they give a +festive touch to our decorations." + +After two hours of hard work, in which hammer, nails, and stepladder +played a considerable part, the library was almost transformed in +appearance. Every window and picture was festooned with Christmas green, +and the merry face of Santa Claus was visible from the bookcases, the +desk, and many other nooks about the room. + +"What about the pie, Auntee? Aren't we ready for it now?" questioned +Alsie and Emily with impatience, as a general survey of the room was +taken. + +"This is just the time where we will have to be very careful," was the +reply. "Alsie, suppose you and Emily offer to walk out with grandmother +when she goes to meet Aunt Martha and little James, on the five o'clock +train, and as soon as you get her safely out of the house Uncle Dick can +bring the pie and other things into the library, where we can all have +a hand in fixing it up later. Of course I shall carry the key to the +library the rest of the evening, for after keeping the secret this long, +I am determined that mother shall have as much of the surprise and +pleasure as father." + +Seeing a look of disappointment on the two little faces at the idea +of being banished just at the most interesting stage of the fun, Alice +continued reassuringly, "It is almost train time now, chicks, and you +know I can't go with grandmother to-day, so practice the Golden Rule and +run along. After your return from the station, you may come again to the +library for, as you know, grandmother will want to have a good hour's +conversation with Aunt Martha before tea-time." + +No further urging was necessary. The two girls skipped away cheerfully, +and a few minutes later were out in the snowstorm with the little +grandmother between them, all three being well bundled up in coats and +overshoes. + +In less than an hour they had returned, the greetings were over, +grandmother had taken Aunt Martha off to her room for the predicted +chat, and the two little girls were taking their cousin James to the +library. He had been told about the pie and was curious to know what it +really looked like, for James was not gifted with a vivid imagination. + +He soon found out, however. Aunt Alice had covered over the entire top +of the old mahogany library table with soft cotton, and hanging from +the edges was a deep border of the lovely Christmas paper which is used +so much in these latter days for decorations. Around the edges were laid +sprays of the rarer and more delicate evergreen sent from the South +by the loving daughter. In the center rose the pie, and over all was +sprinkled the glistening powder, which gave the whole an appearance of +real snow. It was, in truth, a wonderful creation, and the children +gazed at the lovely vision in speechless delight. + +"The big box, containing the comfort, is behind the piano, James, and +there are lots of other things, too big to go in the pie, stowed away in +the various corners of the room, but the cards are all in the pie, and +each tells just where to find a package. Some lovely flowers and plants +have been sent in this afternoon, but we'll wait until morning to bring +them into the library. There is the couch close beside the fireplace, +and if dear father is just able to be brought in to-morrow I think he +will fully enjoy the Christmas we have had so much pleasure in preparing +for him. Suppose we go out now, for it is tea-time, and, besides, almost +everything has been done." + +So saying, Alice turned to the door. The little party hastened out, and +its members were soon engaged in a romp with Uncle Dick in the sitting +room. + + + + +VI. + + +A more beautiful Christmas Day could scarcely have been imagined than +dawned the next morning. The earth was covered with a carpet of snow, +and the trees seemed to glisten with diamonds as the sun rose, although +the air was crisp and frosty. + +"Merry Christmas!" sounded in Alice's ears before she had fully wakened, +and looking round with a somewhat sleepy expression she beheld the form +of her beloved pet, arrayed in pink dressing-gown and slippers. A +beaming smile adorned the face of the little girl, although the greeting +had been so subdued as to be scarcely more than a whisper. + +"I just couldn't wait to show you how well I look in them!" exclaimed +Alsie as she jumped into bed with Alice, and almost smothered her with +hugs and kisses. "You can always think of the prettiest things for me, +dear Auntee, and I do love pink so dearly," she continued with an +affectionate glance at the pretty slippers, adorned with the daintiest +of ribbon rosettes. + +"Did grandfather have a good night? Do you think he will be able to come +into the library?" + +"One question at a time, dear. I rather think father had a good rest, +for I heard the nurse only once during the night, and that is a good +indication. If he is as well as he was yesterday, I feel sure Dick can +bring him into the library, and the couch is there, so that he can lie +down if he gets tired." + +Almost an hour was spent in showing the contents of Alsie's stocking and +discussing plans for the day. + +"Perhaps we had better get dressed now, and be ready for breakfast when +it comes, but of course we mustn't disturb father, even though it _is_ +Christmas morning," said Alice with a smile, and she began to make haste +with her toilet. + +"Have you ever noticed what a long wait people have for breakfast on +Christmas morning, Auntee?" + +"That's because some people rise at such unearthly hours," answered +Alice with a laugh, "but run along now, Alsie, and let's see which will +be dressed first." + +An hour later found the family grouped around the breakfast table. Each +member had been in to the sick-room and given his greeting to the dear +invalid, who had appeared so bright and cheerful that he seemed almost +like his old merry self. When Alsie was recounting to him all the pretty +things she had found in her stocking, he said, teasingly, "Now don't get +into mine, too--I'm going to wait until Uncle Dick and his little tots +come before I take my allotted hour in the library." + +By ten o'clock Uncle Dick's family had arrived, and the big, stalwart +son went into the sick-room to assist the pale, weak father into the +library. A pang came to the heart of the former as he thought of what a +contrast was this Christmas with the one of a year before, when the now +wasted form had been so vigorous and handsome. A feeling of misgiving +came as to what the next Christmas would bring to them. + +When the chair was rolled into the library, what a sight was displayed +to the wondering eyes of the astonished old gentleman! + +The room was almost transformed in appearance with the elaborate +decorations, and, added to this feast for the eyes, was the perfume +of fresh flowers, for several boxes of roses and carnations had come +in with Christmas greetings during the early hours of the morning. + +Grandfather's breath was almost taken away. He looked at the eager +faces gathered all round him, and said helplessly, "What does it mean? +I don't exactly understand." + +"It's _your_ Christmas pie, grandfather, for we couldn't let the day +go by without your having a taste. When you find all the good things +that are in that pie I don't think you'll feel slighted, even if Aunt +Bettie's _mince_ pie is denied," exclaimed Alsie enthusiastically. + +"Yes, light in," added Uncle Dick, "and I'm here to help you, so we'll +station ourselves around the fire and all assist _you_ to enjoy it, +slice by slice." + +For a little while, however, it was only inspected, as Alice told the +story of how the idea had come to little Alsie, and how all of them had +assisted in working it out. Uncle Dick finally lifted off the top and a +perfect network of narrow Christmas ribbons was disclosed. + +"Each ribbon holds a dainty morsel," said Emily, as grandfather reached +forth his hand to grasp one. The first "draw" was a fortunate one, for +it proved to be a tender note of love and greeting from one of his most +faithful and valued friends. The next brought forth Aunt Bettie's +biscuit man, which looked so funny that every one burst into laughter. +Then books and presents of many varieties followed. Every few minutes a +card would be drawn out bearing a message from some dear relative or +friend in a distant city or State. These tender reminders that so many +of his friends were thinking of him with affection and sending him such +cordial good wishes and hopes for recovery seemed to please Captain +Gordon greatly. + +As for the little "wifey"--she just sat at her husband's side and +enjoyed the same measure of surprise and pleasure. + +The package of receipted bills--gorgeously done up in Christmas +style--was not forgotten, and brought forth the predicted satisfaction, +even if there was considerable laughing also. + +"Handle this with care," laughed Uncle Dick, as he gayly lifted out the +tiny basket of eggs. "This is one slice of the pie at least that you can +eat." + +The lemon was pulled out in the course of time and proved not to be too +sour for enjoyment. Alsie waited patiently for the envelope containing +the "Reminiscence," and at last, when it came forth, she drew very close +to grandfather to watch him open it. A puzzled look was on his face as +he unfolded several yellow sheets of paper and recognized his own +handwriting. He began to read a few lines, however, and a kindly smile +spread over his countenance. + +"I rather think this will interest somebody else, too. Suppose you read +it aloud, Dick," remarked grandfather. + +It was dated ten years before, and proved to be one of the vivid, +interesting letters that none could write so well as Captain Gordon. +It was written at the time of Alice's memorable year's trip abroad with +some friends. Alsie was then a tiny girl of two years. The letter gave +a detailed account of one of baby's escapades. It read as follows: + + + "The Old Kentucky Home. + + "My dear Alice: + + "It pleases me greatly to know that my young daughter is having + such a glorious time abroad with her friends, even though I do + miss her sorely at home. The letter written by me a day or two + ago, which will probably reach you along with this, informs you + that we are all well at home, and it contains as much neighborhood + gossip as Wifey was able to think of at the hour of my writing, + along with considerable instruction about certain points in + sightseeing. Your letter this morning, telling the amusing little + story of the Italian baby, made me wonder if you wouldn't like a + 'baby letter' in return. So here is the answer: + + "Last Sunday morning your little namesake was dressed up in her + prettiest white dress, with an abundance of blue ribbon adornment, + and seated on the front porch, with careful instruction not to + soil her clothes but to wait for mother to get ready to escort her + to Sunday-school. It developed later that the first part of the + injunction seemed to make an impression to the exclusion of the + last order. At any rate, Alsie's mamma was somewhat delayed in her + preparations, and when, twenty minutes or half an hour later, she + appeared on the porch, no baby was in sight. A number of calls + brought forth no response; a messenger was dispatched to the back + lot, where the dandelions grow, another to the north side of the + house, where the little maiden has been so occupied recently picking + violets, while still other couriers were hastily despatched to all + the neighbors. The report came back from all--no baby girl had been + seen by anybody. The situation began to be a little alarming. The + messengers were again started out, with instructions to go farther + and report at once if any trace was found. + + "Ten or fifteen minutes passed, and by this time Alsie's mamma was + in a most excited state of mind, as you may well imagine, and felt + perfectly sure that the little curly-headed damsel had been kidnaped. + She was reproaching herself roundly for putting such a tempting + morsel of humanity right into the hands of the cruel villians, when + a sharp ring of the telephone brought the remnant of the family, who + were not on searching duty, flying to the table in the hall, which + as you know holds the receiver. + + "Being the least agitated member of the group, I boldly called + 'hello,' and was asked by a masculine voice if Mrs. Stratton's little + daughter didn't have blue eyes and brown hair and if she wore a white + dress with blue---- + + "It was not necessary to finish the description. My informant then + stated that the little lady in question was at that moment occupying + a high seat on top of the counter at the drug store, which you know + is some five blocks away, and was surrounded by an admiring group + of men and boys, to whom she was affably chatting. He said that she + refused to be led away, but was quite happy to eat the candy, chew + the gum, and play with the various other offerings that were handed + out by the amused group of auditors. + + "Of course I started at once, and a few moments later I walked in on + the baby, who was sitting, according to description, on the counter, + explaining, 'Must keep dress kean--mamma take me Sunny Sool.' When + I entered she held out her little hands to me with such an innocent, + happy smile that I had not the heart to scold; but it was some time + before I could persuade her to return to poor mamma, to whom the + scant hour's parting seemed almost a year. + + "You can imagine the rest of the story, but to relieve your + misgivings I'll assure you that the cunning little tot escaped the + well-merited punishment. + + "This is quite a letter, so I'll wait a few days to write again. + As you're probably in France by this time, I'll close my letter + with an _au revoir_. + Yours, &c., + R. A. Gordon." + + +Alsie's cheeks glowed with excitement during the reading of this letter, +and at its close she exclaimed, "O, Auntee, have you had it all these +years and never showed it to me?" + +"It was among my foreign letters, dear, and I had not thought of it +for some time, but I well remember what a pleasure it was to read that +letter and hear of the escapade of the dear little baby namesake at +home. I have always meant to show it to you when you were old enough to +enjoy it," answered Alice. + +After a good deal of laughter and comments among the various members +of the family, the card bearing the order to look behind the piano on +the left side was pulled out of the pie, and Uncle Dick was dispatched +for the package. It proved to be the huge box containing the silken +coverlet. Grandmother's enthusiasm was awakened at the sight, and she +commented many times on its softness, warmth, and beauty. + +Books, cards, and gifts of all descriptions from the little tots, were +taken out, inspected and complimented, to the immense satisfaction of +the younger members of the family and the entertainment of the older +ones of the group. + +It really seemed impossible to empty that pie, but after an hour or more +had been spent in the occupation the ribbons began to grow thin. + +"This is to be the last one," said Alice, slipping her hand over a +ribbon that Captain Gordon was just about to pick up. + +"All right--just as you like. There have been so many goodies in this +pie that I hardly see how it would be possible for anything better to +be saved for the last," answered Captain Gordon with a loving smile. + +The last ribbon was finally drawn, and tied to the end was the "box +of fruit" that Alice had taken such pains to make attractive. Captain +Gordon slowly untied the ribbon and took the top off the box. He picked +up a small sealed envelope bearing the inscription, "A plum from Dick," +and in it was a shining gold piece. Each little envelope (and there were +quite a number) contained a peach, a plum, a raisin, a currant, or a +date. The "plums" were all gold pieces, but the checks were put in under +other names--according to their value--and the silver pieces and bright +pennies were all in the raisin and currant envelopes. + +One envelope, bearing the name "Date," when opened disclosed a small +card on which was written: + + + CHRISTMAS DAY. + + When I "call to see" you, this "date" will be exchanged for a "plum." + + HAROLD. + + +This occasioned a laugh, and Mrs. Gordon began at once to sum up the +total. + +"It's to buy you anything you want--a comfort and luxury fund," +explained Alice, "and all the members of the family join together in +giving it." + +"Grandfather, we hardly knew what to call your pie. It was not a chicken +pie, even though it did contain a bird and a turkey. It was not a lemon +pie, even if there was a lemon in it. It could not be called an apple, +peach, cherry or mince pie, though there _was_ plenty of fruit in that +box, wasn't there?" said Alsie, with a laugh, when everything had been +examined. + +"I think I shall call it my 'Love Pie,' for never was a pie so highly +seasoned or delightfully flavored with love as this has been," answered +grandfather softly, "and I want the dear little girl who thought of it +to know that I have enjoyed it more than any pie that I have ever eaten." + +The invalid was a little wearied with the unusual excitement of the +morning, and was soon ordered back to his bed for a little rest. + +In the afternoon Alice went into the sick-room for a chat, while her +mother went out for a little walk in the fresh, crisp air. + +She told her father of how the silken comfort had been planned and made, +and Captain Gordon, after a long pause, turned to her with what seemed +to Alice the most beautiful expression she had ever seen on his face, +and said, "Bring it to me, daughter." + +She brought it forth and held it out to him that he might smooth its +folds and look again at its rosy color. + +"Spread it over me, dear, and let it cover me--as long as I need it." + + * * * * * + +And it covered him for the six weeks that it was needed, when it was +replaced with a coverlet of roses and lilies provided by the same loving +hands. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Grandfather's Love Pie, by Miriam Gaines + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRANDFATHER'S LOVE PIE *** + +***** This file should be named 20197.txt or 20197.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/1/9/20197/ + +Produced by David Garcia and the Online Distributed Proofreading +Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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