Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-12-07
From G0dey'S Lddies BOok.
Oh RIsTMAS PRESENTS
A Story fyr The Holidays.
By I. 5. ARTHUR.

her cousin LlZZy Green.
"No, not even of a strawberry cushion,
spoke up Lizzy's sister Jane, - that he nigh
have bought for sixpence. think he's
right down mean, selfish, stlngy fellow, so
do; and if he doesn't keep Lizzy on bread an,
water when he gets her, my name's not Jan'
Green"
IL wouldn't have him." said Margaret
testing, yet half in earnest +" Let Christmas
go by and not make his sweetheart or sister
present of the most triilng value lie mus
have penny soul. Why, Harry Lee sent m,
tho Leaflets of Memory and a pair of til,
sweetest ilower-vases you ever saw ,and he on
" comes to see me as friend. And Cousin
William made me present of splendid cop,
of Mrs. Halls Sketches the most interest
ing book ever read. Besides. | received lot
of things. Why, my table is full Of pres
ents. D."
"You have been quite Fortunate" sal,
Lizzy, in quiet voice " much more so thai
Jane and |, if to receive great many Christ
mas presents is to be considered fortunate"
A" But don't you think Edward might have
sent YOU some token of goodwill and affection
in this holiday season, when every one is CIV
ing or receiving presents ~ asked Margaret
- Nothing of the kind was needed Cousin
Maggy, as an expression of his feelings to-
wards me-" replied Lzzy. " lie knew that
! understood their true quality, and felt that
any present would have been useless formal
ity."
4" You can't say the same in regard to Jane.
lie might have passed her the usual compll-
ment of the season.
/" Certainly he might" said Jane. Liz
~ needn't try 10 excuse him after this lame
l..rl l.rt 4 La.
omission but meanness-that my opinion, and
speak it out boldly"
" 1t isn't right to say that, sister, remark
ed Lizzy. " Edward has other reasons for
omtting the prevalent custom at this season.
and good reasons, am well assured. As ia
the charge of meanncss, don't think the fact
you alIcge a sufficient ground for making II -
"Wcll, do them" said Cousin Margaret
- Why, if were young man and engaged
in marriage to lady. Id sell my shoes but
what Id give her something as a Christmas
present"
ed in Jane.
Every one must do as he or she thinks
best" replied Llzzy. /" As for me, am con-
tent to receive no holiday GIFT, being well sat-
isfcd that mcanness on the part of Edward has
nothing to do with it,"
But Notwithstanding Lizzy said this, she
could not help feeling little disappointed
more, perhaps, on account of the appearance
Of the thing than from any suspicion that mean
ness, as alleged by Jane, had anything TO do
with the omission
:" wish Edward had made Lizzy some kind
of present." said Mrs. Green to her hus-
band a day or two after the holiday had pass
ed If 1t had been only for the looks of the
thing. Jane has been teasing her about ii ev-
Or since, and calls it nothing but meanness III
Edward. And I'm afraid he is a little close"
" Better that he should be so than too free"
replied Mr.. Green though | must confess
that dollar or two, or even ten dollars, spent
at Christmas IN present for his intended
bride, could hardly have been set down to the
score of prodigaty. 1t does look mean GER
tany."
lie is doing very we'll"
lie gets a salary Of eight hundred dollars,
and suppose 1t doesn't cost HIM over four or
five hundred dollars to Hye-at least 1t ought
not to DO so
"lc has bought himself snug little house,
| am told"
L" II he's done that, he's done very we'll"
said Mr.. Green land can forgive him Tor
not spending his money in Christmas presents,
they are never Of much use, say the best you
will of them. I'd rather Edward would have
a comfortable house 10 put his wife IN than see
hun loading her down, before marriage, with
presents OF one foolish thing or another"
True But ii wouldn't have hurt him To
have given the glr something, IT 1t had only
been book, purse, or some such trllle."
(" For which trles he would have been as
strongly charged with mcanness as he Is now.
Better let 1t 90 as il is. No doubt he has good
reasons for his conduct.
Thus Mr.. Green and Lizzy defended Ed
ward, while the mother and Jane scoldcd about
his mcanncss To their hearts content.
Edward MayGed, the lover of Lazy Green,
was young man OF good principles, prudent
habits aud really generous feelings; but his
generosity did not consist IN wasting his earn
lngs ~ order that he might be thought liberal
aud open. hearted, but IN dong real acts ot
kindness where he saw that kindness was
needed lie had saved from his salary, IN the
course of four or five years, enough tO buy
hImsei very snug house, and had few hun
drcd dollars III the Savings Bank, with which
to furnish II when the time came Tor him To get
married. Tins time was not very far oil when
the Christmas, To which aluslon has been
made, came round A this holiday season,
Edward had intended to make both llzzv aud
hcr sister handsome present, and h0 had been
thinking lor some weeks as tO what 1t should
be. Many articles, both useful and merely or
were thought Of but none Of them
exactly pleased his fancy.
a day or two before Christmas, ,he sat think
ing about the matter, when something or 9TH
rr gave a new turn to his reflections
They don't really need anything he
sand 10 himself, and yet propose Ia myself
to spend twenty dollars IN presents merely Tor
appearance sake. Is this right -
f" Right If you chose to do it'' he replied
to himself
Z" am not 50 sure Of that" he added, alter
a pause And then he Eat m quite muslng
mood Tor some minutes.
That's better" he at length said, rising
M aud walking about the floor. That
would be money aud good feelings spent to a
better purpose. -,
=" Bot they'll expect something he argued
himself the family will think 50 strange
Of II. Perhaps Id better spend half the
amount in elegant books for Lazy aud Jane,
. nd le. tho other 90 IN the way propose w