Christmas, A Happy Time | Page 5

yard.
'Well--what do you think of them,' said Mr. Mortimer. They were
pronounced beautiful by both the boys, and their father then told them
they had been purchased for their use, and that of their sisters; but that
they would not be fit to be ridden till the summer. He designed to have
them properly broken in by the next holidays, and the boys were
delighted with the prospect of riding them on their next return from
school.
'If the young gentlemen would like a ride this Christmas, Sir,' said the
kind farmer, 'my Thomas's poney is a nice quiet little fellow, and Tom
would be proud to lend him.' John and Frederick looked at each other,
and at their father, but at length John suggested, that as only one could
ride at a time they had better put off their rides till the summer; and
Harriet and Elizabeth were both pleased that such was the decision.
The next visit was to the parsonage, where many a round happy
countenance greeted the return of the young Mortimers: and while Mr.
Mortimer was engaged in conversation with the excellent pastor of the
village, Mr. Wexford, the young people were introduced into the
play-room of the little Wexfords. Mr. Wexford made a petition that the
young people should spend the day together: but as it was the first of
the Mortimers being at home, their father declined it for them, at the
same time promising that they should have the indulgence in a short
time: and also expressing a hope that the Wexfords would return the
visit at Beech Grove.
At that time of the year there was little to be seen out of doors, but one
curiosity the Wexfords described, to which they were very anxious to
introduce their young friends: and this was a little group of robin
red-breasts which had been hatched in their summer-house, and which
now took shelter there every night, and were regularly fed by the
family.

'The gardener says they do not do us much good,' said Maria Wexford,
as they approached the summer house; 'but I do not like that they
should be destroyed.'
'Oh no, I could not have them destroyed,' replied Harriet Mortimer,
'even if they spoiled my flowers, they are such pretty creatures. But
where are John and Frederick?'
John and Frederick had scampered off with the young Wexfords, and
presently returned with a pan of bread crumbs, which they had begged
from the cook, and which they now hoped to see the red-breasts eat.
But the little creatures were alarmed at seeing so many visitors; or the
sun enticed them to extend their flight beyond the green house; for on
the entrance of the boys, they all took wing and flew away.
'I am sorry we frightened them,' said Harriet.
'Do you not think they will ever come back again?' asked Elizabeth.
'Oh yes, they will be back in the evening or before,' replied Maria
Wexford; 'they often fly out in the day-time when it is fine. But perhaps
you would like to run round the garden; you will be cold standing still.'
The party was preparing for a race when Mr. Mortimer appeared to
summon that part of it which belonged to him; and, having arranged a
day with Mr. Wexford, for the families to meet at Beech Grove, Mr.
Mortimer and his children returned towards the park.
As they approached the sheet of water, which Frederick again surveyed
with a longing eye, they perceived that Mr. Wexford's large
Newfoundland dog had followed them from the parsonage, and the
boys directly began throwing stones and sticks before them for the
animal to run after and bring back to them.
This dog was particularly fond of the water, and John having thrown a
stick to the edge of it, it had slipped over the side and the fine animal
immediately sprang after it. The boys for an instant were both inclined

to smile at the animal's finding footing, when he had expected to sink in
the water, but they both turned pale, and looked at their father, when
they almost immediately saw him disappear under the ice. It had been
so partially frozen that the weight of the dog in plunging, had broken it,
and he had sunk to rise no more. Mr Mortimer's heart sickened as he
contemplated what might have been the case had his own children
ventured on the ice, and he blessed God that their dispositions were
such, as to make them obedient to his wishes. Every means were taken
for the recovery of the dog, and after some hours he was extricated
from the ice; but he was perfectly dead, and apparently had been so
some time.
[Illustration: "They are coming papa, they are coming mamma."]
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