Christmas with Grandma Elsie

by Martha Finley

  CHAPTER XVII.

  Capt. Raymond was met at the door by the youngest two of his daughters.

  "Papa, I'se been yaisin' seeds," announced little Elsie, running intohis arms.

  "Yaisin' seeds," he echoed; "what can that mean?"

  "She means seeding raisins, papa," explained Grace, with a merry laugh."We've been in the kitchen helping the cook. At least pretending to helpher. Perhaps we hindered more than we helped.'"

  "I dare say," he responded; "but I hope Elsie didn't eat the raisins,nor you either; they are quite too indigestible for your youngstomachs."

  "We each had one, papa; that was all. I told Elsie we wouldn't eat anymore till we asked leave, and she was a good little girl and didn'ttease for more."

  "That was right; but for your own sakes I must say that is all you canhave."

  He had paused for a moment in the hall to pet and fondle the two. Maxand Lulu stood looking on; Harold and Herbert were taking off theirovercoats near by.

  "You're a funny talker, Elsie," laughed Max.

  "Your English is not of the purest, little woman," said her UncleHarold.

  "Tell Uncle Harold he must not expect perfection in a beginner," saidher father. "Where are grandma and mamma?"

  "In the parlor I believe," said Grace. "Oh no! see, they are just comingdown the stairs."

  "Yes, here we are," said Violet; "anxious, for a report of the morning'sproceedings in the magistrate's office. Won't you walk into the parlor,gentlemen, and let us have it?"

  "Certainly, we will be very happy to gratify your very excusablecuriosity," returned her husband laughingly, as she came to his side,and he stooped his tall form to give her the kiss with which he neverfailed to greet her after even a brief separation.

  The older people all repaired to the parlor, but the children did notfollow.

  "I must go and look over my lessons," said Max.

  "And I'm going to my room," said Lulu. "Gracie, if you will come withme, I'll tell you all about the trial--if that's what they call it."

  "O yes, do!" responded Grace, as the two started up the stairs together."Were you scared, Lu?"

  "No; I didn't feel frightened, for I'm not timid you know, and papa wasnear me all the time; and he'd told me all I had to do was to tell astraightforward, truthful story.

  "I did hate to take the oath, but I knew I had to, and that it wasn'twrong, though it does seem a dreadful thing to do."

  "It isn't like other swearing," remarked Max, who was moving on up thestairs, somewhat ahead of his sisters. "There must be a right kind,because in the psalms, where David is describing a good man, he says ofhim, 'He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.'"

  "Yes, I know," said Lulu, "I can see the difference; and this must bethe right kind or papa would never have let us do it."

  "How do they do it?" asked Grace. "How did you do it, Lu?"

  "A man said over the words for me--a promise to 'tell the truth, thewhole truth, and nothing but the truth'--and I promised by kissing theBible; that was all."

  "That wasn't very hard to do," said Grace, "but oh I'd have been sofrightened to have to tell something with so many people listening!"

  "Of course; because you're such a weak, timid little thing; but I'm bigand strong and not afraid of anybody or anything.

  "There were a good many people there; the room was quite full; but Ifelt that that did not make much difference, when I thought about Godhearing every word I said and knowing if it was really the truth, thewhole truth and nothing but the truth.

  "Ajax's wife was there; crying fit to break her heart too; speciallywhen they took him back to jail.

  "Papa stopped and spoke to her before we got into the carriage to comehome. He said he was very sorry for her, but if she continued to behonest and industrious, he would see that she did not want; and he hopedher husband would some day come out of prison a better man."

  "Did she seem thankful to papa?" asked Grace.

  "Yes; and she said she didn't see how Ajax could be so bad andungrateful as to try to steal papa's money after he'd been so kind toher and the children."

  "Yes, and I pity 'Liza for being his wife, and the children because theyhave such a bad father.

  "Lu, let's ask papa if we mayn't buy some calico and other things, withsome of our benevolence money, and make clothes for them."

  "I wouldn't mind giving the money," said Lulu, "but I hate to sew onsuch things. You know I never did like plain sewing. I'll see about itthough."

  "You'd do it to please the dear Lord Jesus, even though you don't likeit?" said Grace softly.

  "Yes, that I will, if papa approves," returned Lulu warmly, her eyesshining. "Gracie, it's good--a real pleasure, I mean--to make yourselfdo distasteful things, for Jesus' sake.

  "I'll put my hat and coat in their proper places and smooth my hair, soI'll be neat for dinner, and we'll go and talk to papa about it at once.He's sure to approve, and I don't want to give myself any chance tochange my mind and give the thing up."

  "And we won't mind Grandma Elsie hearing," added Grace; "perhaps she'llknow what they need the most, and maybe she'll tell Rosie and Eva andthey'll offer to do something for the poor things too."

  "Oh yes: perhaps we can form ourselves into a Dorcas society. That'swhat they call societies that make garments for the poor you know,because of Dorcas in the Bible who made coats and garments for the poorwhere she lived."

  "Yes, Lu; but there's the dinner bell, and we'll have to wait awhilebefore we can talk to papa about it; for you know he says we mustn'ttalk a great deal at the table when there's company."

  "And I have to smooth my hair yet, and that will make me late. I'm sosorry, because it vexes papa to have us unpunctual. Don't wait for me,Gracie, for that will make you late too."

  "I'd rather wait for you, but I 'spose I ought to go at once," Graciesaid, looking regretfully back as she left the room.

  The blessing had been asked and the captain was carving the turkey whenLulu took her seat at the table, which was close at his right hand.

  He gave her a grave look.

  "I'm very sorry I'm late, papa," she said in a low tone, and castingdown her eyes. "I'd been so busy talking with Gracie that I hadn't myhair smoothed when the bell rang."

  "It has been a very exciting morning for you, daughter, and I'll excuseyou this time," he returned, speaking kindly and in as low a key as herown; "it is not often I find you unpunctual."

  Lulu heaved a sigh of relief, her countenance brightened, and her eyeswere lifted to her father's face with a grateful, loving look thatbrought a smile to his lips and eyes.

  She was very quiet during the meal, speaking only when spoken to, buther father kept an eye on her plate and saw that her wants wereabundantly supplied.

  On leaving the table all repaired to the parlor and Lulu and Grace,seizing the first opportunity offered them by a pause in the talk oftheir elders, told of their plan, and asked permission to carry it out.

  It was received with entire approval by all present, their fatherincluded.

  "I have no doubt that Rosie and Evelyn will be glad to join you informing a Dorcas society," said Grandma Elsie, "and if you like I shallbe happy to cut out garments for you to work upon, and to teach you howto do it for yourselves."

  "Oh thank you, ma'am!" responded the little girls; "we were sure youwould and it will be ever so nice."

  "Taridge tumin'! two taridge tumin'!" cried little Elsie, who hadclimbed on a chair, and was gazing out of a window looking upon thedrive.

  They proved to be the Ion and Fairview carriages, bringing the wholefamily of the latter place and all of the other who were not alreadypresent.

  "We have come in a body, as you see, to learn all about the strangeoccurrences of last night and the consequent doings in the magistrate'soffice this morning," Grandpa Dinsmore remarked, as he shook hands withthe captain and kissed Violet, first on one cheek, then on the other.

  "Tiss Elsie too, danpa," cried the little one toddling up
to him; "oomustn't fordet to tiss oor 'ittle dirl."

  "Certainly not," he said, taking her into his arms to kiss her severaltimes, then sitting down with her on his knee. "Do you know that you aremy great-granddaughter?"

  "Ess, Elsie knows dat," she answered, nodding her curly head wisely.

  Meantime greetings had been exchanged among the others, and the fourlittle girls had got into a corner by themselves.

  "O Lu, do tell us all about it!" cried Rosie. "I never did hear of sucha brave girl as you! Why I'd have been scared to death, and never havethought of such a thing as going down where the burglars were."

  "Oh I think you would if you'd been in my place," returned Lulumodestly. "You see I was afraid if I waited to tell papa about them,they might come out and see him ready to fight them, and kill him; but Ithought if I could get the door shut and fastened on them before theyknew anybody was there, nobody would be hurt."

  "And that's the way it was," said Evelyn. "But you _were_ a brave girland there's no use in your denying it."

  "Yes, indeed, you were," said Rosie. "But come now do tell us the wholestory; we want to hear it fresh from your lips."

  "And what went on in the magistrate's office too," added Eva. "Ohdidn't you dislike having to go there and testify?"

  "Yes; I begged papa not to make me, but he said it was the law, and nothe, that insisted."

  "Yes I know, and of course those things have to be done in such cases;but I hope my turn will never come. Now, Lu, please begin. You'll haveat least two very attentive listeners."

  "More than that, I think," said Rosie, as other voices were heard in thehall, quickly followed by the entrance of the relatives from the Oaks,the Pines and Roselands.

  And greetings were scarcely exchanged with these when the families fromAshlands and the Laurels joined the circle; so that quite a largesurprise party had gathered there unexpectedly to themselves as well asto their hosts. The same desire--to learn the full particulars of whathad reached them as little more than a vague report--had brought themall.

  These were given, and Lulu received so much commendation, and was solauded for her bravery, that her father began to fear she would bepuffed up with vanity and conceit.

  But at length that subject was dropped and the one of the proposedDorcas society taken up.

  Evelyn seemed quietly pleased and interested, Zoe, Lora and Rosie readyto enter into the work with enthusiasm, while the Dinsmore girls gave arather languid attention to the discussion.

  But when it had been decided to organize a society on the spot, and thebusiness of electing officers was taken up, they roused themselves to anew interest, and Maud was evidently gratified when Evelyn nominated herfor the secretaryship.

  Lulu seconded the motion and Maud was unanimously elected.

  Zoe had already been made president; Lora was chosen treasurer. Thesewere all the officers considered necessary, but Sydney, Evelyn and Luluwere appointed a committee to visit the poor families in theneighborhood and learn what articles of clothing were most needed bythem.

  It was decided that the society should meet once a fortnight at one orthe other of the homes of its members, taking them in turn; that atthese meetings reports should be given in as to the state of thefinances, work done, and articles needed; finished garments would alsobe brought in, examined and pronounced upon as well or ill done; themembers would busy themselves in cutting and basting new garments whiletogether, and each carry home with her one or more to be made in theinterval between that and the next meeting.

  Also each member was to consider herself under appointment to inviteher young girl, or young lady friends, from other families to join withthem in the good work.

  "Now I think that is all," said Grandma Elsie; "you are fully organizedand I invite you to hold your first meeting at Ion, next Wednesdayafternoon. That will give time for ascertaining the needs of some ofthose we wish to assist, and the purchase of materials."

  "But how are your funds to be raised?" asked her father.

  "By a tax on the members, and contributions from their friends, whichwill be thankfully accepted," she said with a pleased smile as he tookout his pocket-book and handed her a five dollar bill. "We are very muchobliged, sir."

  The captain and other gentlemen present--some of the ladiesalso--immediately followed Mr. Dinsmore's example.

  Then the question of the amount of tax on the members was discussed andsettled.

  After that the captain said he had a suggestion to make; namely that itwould be well for the little girls to be accompanied by an older personwhen making their visits to their proposed beneficiaries.

  "It will require some wisdom and tact to make the necessaryinvestigations without wounding the feelings of those they desire tobenefit, or injuring their commendable pride of independence," he saidin conclusion.

  "Thank you for the advice, captain," Grandma Elsie replied; "I think itmost wise. What have the members of the society to say about it?"

  All responded promptly that they would prefer to have an older personwith them on those occasions.

  "And we'd better begin that business to-morrow," said Zoe, "that whoeveris to do the buying of materials to be cut and basted at the firstmeeting, may have the needed information in season."

  "I hope Grandma Elsie will buy the things," said Lulu. "Don't you allvote for that, girls?"

  "Yes; yes, indeed; if she will," they all answered, and were pleasedthat she at once consented to do so.

  "Are we boys to be shut out of all this?" asked Max. "I don't see why weshouldn't take hold of such work as well as the girls. I'm conceitedenough to think I could wield a pair of shears and cut out garments, bya pattern or under instruction; and I know I can run a sewing machine,for I've tried it."

  "And certainly we could all help with the financial part," said ChesterDinsmore.

  "Let's take them in," said Sydney. "We want all the money we can get."

  "Of course we do," said Lora; "the more money we have the more good wemay hope to do."

  The others seemed to see the force of the argument and voted unanimouslyfor the admission of the lads.

  "What about home and foreign missionary societies?" asked Evelyn. "Ithought we had decided to have one of each just among ourselves. Was itthe girls only? or will the boys take part in them too?"

  "Of course we will, if you'll let us," replied Max; "and you can't havetoo much money for them, seeing there are millions upon millions ofheathen to be taught and furnished with Bibles."

  "Yes," said the captain, "boys should be as much interested in missionwork as girls, and I see no reason why you young relatives and friendsshould not work together.

  "But with your studies and other duties to attend to, you have hardlytime for such a multiplication of societies, and as the work is one, thefield the world, I propose that you form only one more society, whichshall be for both home and foreign missions."

  "A very good plan, I think," commented Grandpa Dinsmore.

  "And I propose that we proceed at once to organize such a society," saidZoe.

  "And shouldn't we have gentlemen officers?" asked Lulu. "I think UncleHarold would make a good president."

  "Thank you," said he, smiling pleasantly on her, "but I could not serve;because I must be off to college directly."

  "And the same objection applies to all of us except Max and littleWalter," added Chester Dinsmore. "We older lads can only pay our duesand perhaps meet with you occasionally when at home on a vacation."

  "Working for the good cause in the meantime, in whatever place we are,"added Harold.

  "Shall we proceed to organize?" asked Zoe.

  "Yes, if Grandma Elsie will help us as she did with the Dorcas," saidLulu.

  The others joined in the request, and Grandma Elsie kindly complied.

  Eva was chosen president, Rosie treasurer, and they would have made Lulusecretary but that she strenuously declined, insisting that she was notready enough with her pen to find time for that in addition to all thes
ewing and other things she was undertaking.

  "Then I nominate Max," said Rosie, giving him a bright look and smile.

  "And I second the motion," said Evelyn.

  Max made no objection and seemed gratified when he was pronouncedunanimously elected.

  They then settled the amount of their yearly subscription to each causeand the time of meeting, deciding that it should be on the same day andhour as the meeting of the other society, but on the alternate week.

  "And what will we do at our meetings?" asked Sydney.

  "What other people do at missionary meetings, I presume," answered Zoe;"read the Bible, sing hymns, pray for the missionaries and the heathenat home and abroad."

  "Pay in our dues too," said Max; "and I suppose each one will try tofind some interesting article to take to the meeting to be read aloud tothe others."

  "Yes; of course we must all do that if we want to have very enjoyablemeetings," said Zoe.

  "And we older people must see to it that you are well supplied withliterature bearing on the subject," said the captain.

  He was rejoiced to perceive that the interest of these new enterpriseswas taking his children's thoughts from the unpleasant occurrences ofthe previous night. Almost all their talk with him that evening when theguests had gone and the babies were being put to bed, was of the workthey hoped to do in connection with their missionary and Dorcassocieties.

  To Lulu had been assigned the duty of visiting the family of Ajax, forthe purpose of learning what were their most pressing needs in the lineof clothing.

  Speaking of it, she asked, "Ought I not to go to-morrow, papa? and willyou go with me?"

  "I say yes to both questions," he replied. "You may be ready for yourcall directly we are done with school duties; that will give us time togo and return in good season for dinner."

  "Yes, sir; I'll be ready. Thank you very much for promising to take me."

  "Liza must feel lonesome to-night, thinking about Ajax in jail,"remarked Grace thoughtfully; "but I'm glad he's there so that he can'tbe trying to break into anybody's house. Papa, could he get out and comehere again?"

  "It is hardly possible," answered her father, looking tenderly down intoher face, and smoothing her curls with caressing hand; "and he would notwant to hurt you if he could come into the house. I don't see how anyone could wish to harm my gentle, kindhearted little Grace."

  "Papa, shall I sleep in her bed with her to-night?" asked Lulu.

  "Certainly, if she would like it."

  "Oh I should!" Grace exclaimed. "I know our heavenly Father will takecare of me, but it's good to feel Lu's arms round me too."

  "Then you shall," said Lulu, giving her an affectionate pat, "your bigsister likes to take care of you."