Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-12-08
Christmas Presents.
A STORY FOR THE HOLIDAYS



"DiDN'T he make you a present Of any.
thing, Lizzyt asked Margaret Granger
Of her cousin Lizzy Green.
mo, not even Of a strawberry cushion"
spoke up Lizzy's sister Jane, 'that he
might have bought for a sixpence. I think
he's right down mean, selfish, siingy Eel.
low, so ! do; aud if he doesn't keep Liz.
~ on bread and water when he gets her,
my names not Jane Green"
81 wouldn't have him." said Margare'
testing. yet half in earnest. Let Christ
mas go by and not make his sweetheart or
sister present of the most trihing value
He must have a penny soul. Why, Harry
Lee scn, me the Leaflets OF Memory and
pair of the sweetest nower.vases you ever
saw, aud he only comes 20 see me as a
friend. And Cousin william made me a
present Of a splendid copy Of Mrs Halls
Sketches. The most interesting book ever
read. Besides. received lots Of things
Why my table is full Of presents +"
"You have been quite Fortunate" said
Lizzy, in a quiet voice; "much more 20
than Jane and I, If 10 receive great ma
ny Christmas presents is to be considered
fortunate"
But don't you think Edward might
have sent you some token Of goodwill and
affection IN this holiday SEASON, when every
one is giving or receiving presents 7" ask
ed Margaret.
Nothing OF the kind was needed. Cous
in Maggy, as an expression of his feelings
toward me-" replied Lizzy. ale knew
that understood their true quality, and
felt that any present would have been !
useless Formally.
''You can't say the same in regard L
Jane. He might have passed her the usua
compliment of the season."
Certainly he might" said Jane. Liz
zy needn't Try 10 excuse him after this lam'
fashion. OF course, there is no cause fo
the omission but meanness-that's my opiu
ion and speak i, out boldly"
ut isn't right to say that, sister," re
marked Lizzy. edward has other reason
for emitting the prevalent custom at thi
season-and good reasons, am well assur
ed. As to the charge Of meanness, / dom
think the fact you allege a sufficient grounl
for making it,"
swell, do them" said cousin Margaret
"Why, if were young man and engage'
in marriage TO lady, I'D sell my shoes bu
what I'd give her something as Christina
present"
"Yes-or borrow or beg the money, ;
chimed in Jane.
every one must do as he or she think
best" replied Lizzy. "As for me, an
content To receive no holiday gih, beini
well saiiied that meanness on the part O
Edward has nothing TO do with it,"
But outstanding Lizzy said this, sh
could not help feeling little disappointe'
more, perhaps, on account OF the appear
ance OF the thing than from any suspicion
that meanness, as alleged by Jane, had any
thing TO do with The omission.
II wish Edward had made Lizzy som
kind of present" said Mrs Green TO he
husband day or two after the holiday ha
passed "if i, had been only for the look
of the thing. Jane has been teasing he
about IT ever since, and calls il nothing bu
meanness in Edward. And I'm afraid h
is a little close"
Better that he should be so than to
Free" replied Mr. Green though ] mus
confess that dollar OF two, or even te
NDhuot eHtHt AZ OuflstilNS vs. p'cSCHt w
his intended bride. could hardly have bee
set down 10 the score Of Prodigaliiy.
does look mean certainly"
He is doing very we'll"
"He gets salary Of eight hundred do
lars, and suppose il doesn't cost him owe
four or FIVE hundred dollars to ive-at lea,
il ought not 10 do So"
"Ile has Dough, himself a snug liul
house, am told"
"lf he's done that, he has done yer
WE'LL" said Mr. Green; "and can forgiv
him for not spending his money il Chris
mas presents, that are never OF much us'
say the best you will of them. I'd raih,
Edward would have a comfortable house
put his wife in than see him loading h,
down. before marriage, with presents
J one foolish thing or another"