Judge — December 31, 1898 — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

440 CHRISTMAS DINNER AND A NINE-PIN. SMALL nine:pin, one of a set given to Pengrubber’s heir by a distant maiden aunt, entered so largely into the oc- casion at, Pengrubber’s” Christmas dinner that’ it seems worthy of men- tion. The little thing rolled about on the floor fora time with its fellows, and finally settled down near the door leading to the dining-room, looking too innocent for anything. Mr. Pengrubber was the first to step on it. He executed a series of gymnastics, righted himself, and kick- ed it into the dining-room, which as “a man Of sensehe shouldn't have done. A few minutes later Miss Hall- way, Mrs. Pengrubber's sister, stepped on it, frantically tore several handfuls + of atmosphere from the head of steam the janitor had furnished for the occasion (it being a mild day), uttered a number of shrieks and plumped into the arms of young Mr. Dinkerton, who wanted her hand for a Christmas gift, but was afraid to‘ask for it. Bridget, entering with the goose, stepped on it and stood with her head on the goose for the space of a full minute, after which she retired permanently amidst most excessive blushing on the part of young Mr. Dinkerton. Mrs. Pengrubber, in attempting to rescue the goose, stepped on it, struck both elbows on the table, went under with a wild sob, and was discovered to be in a bad state of hysterics when the cloth was raised, going to her chamber accom- panied by Mr. Pengrubber. Mr. Dinkerton and Miss Hallway retired to the conservatory. Pengrubber's heir yelled himsetf hoarse at being left alone, then clambered down from his chair, picked up the nine- pin and spoke to it. “Oo’se been ‘ost, hasn't 00?” he said tenderly. “ Nobody knew where oo was at all.”” Then he put it in the box with its eight com- panions. An hour later dinner was served. It was the success that all gatherings are when those pres- ent have suffered ina common cause. Mr. Dinker- ton and Miss Hallway announced their engagement, and Mrs. Pengrubber, who had all but despaired of making the match, wept tears of joy behind the coffee-urn. DAVID M. TALMADGE. * THE novel with a strong purpose not io have a purpose seems to serve best the purpose for which many of us require a novel. DOUBLE ENTENTE, Saint Nicnotas (filling Miss Oldmayde's stocking)—'* Ha! ha! It will be just the thing to * fill up” her stocking if she follows directions in taking.’ “Now, you kids, if you promise not ter git frightened I'll show you how I kin make dis Punch dance — HYPNOTIC. —by jist passing my hands at him an’ lookin’ him in de eyes, an'—— — he'll go all day. Ha! ba!" comicbooks.com