Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-12-23
CHRISTMAS TALE.
From Godey's Lady's Book.
CHRIsTMAs PRESENTS.
A STORY FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

thing, Lizzy % asked Margaret Granger o
her cousin Lizzy Green. s. s......- ...
mo, not even of strawberry cushion,
spoke up Lizzy's sister Jane, 'that he might
have bought for six-pense. think he's
right down mean, selfish, stingy fellow
so do; and if he doesn't keep Lizzy on
bread and water when he gets her, my
names not Jane Green.' ...
q wouldn't have him." said Margaret
jesting, yet half in earnest. sLet Christmas
go by and not make his sweetheart or sister
present of the most trifing value He
must have penny soul. Why, Harry
Lee sent me the Leaflets of Memory and
pair OF the sweetest flower-vases you ever
saw, and he only comes to see me as a
friend. And Cousin William made me a
present of splendid copy of 'Mrs. Hall's
Sketches the most interesting book l ever
read. Besides, received lots of things
Why my table is full of presents.'
you have been quite fortunate,' said
Lizzy, in quiet voice smuch more so
than Jane and I, if to receive a great many
Christmas presents is to be considered fortu-
nate.'
'But don't you think Edward might have
sent you some token of goodwill and affec-
tion in this holiday season, when every one
is giving or receiving presents . asked
Margaret.
Nothing Of the kind was needed, Cousin
Maggy, as an expression of his feelings to-
wards me- replied Lizzy. He knew that
| understood their true quality, and felt that
any present would have been useless for
mality.'
you can't say the same in regard to
Jane. He might have passed hertz usual
compliment of the season.
Certainly he might said Jane. 'Lizzy
needn't try to excuse him after this lame
fashion. Of course, there is no cause for
the omission but meanness-that's my opin-
ion, and speak it out boldly
ut isn't right to say that, sister," remark
ed Lizzy. Edward has other reasons for
omitting the prevalent custom at this sea-
son-and good reasons, l am well assured.
As to the charge of meanness, don't think
the fact you allege sufficient ground for
making it,
well, l do then," said Cousin Margaret.
'Why, if / were a young man and enga-
ged in marriage to lady, I'd sell my shoes
but what Pd give her something as Christ
mas present.
'Yes-or borrow or beg the money!
chimed in Jane.
Every one must do as he or she thinks
best replied Lizzy. Gas for me, ] am con-
tent to receive no holiday gift, being well
satisfied that meanness on the part of Ed
ward has nothing to do with it,
But notwithstanding Lizzy said this, she
could not help feeling little disappointed
more, perhaps, on account of the appear
ance of the thing than from any suspicion
that meanness, as alleged by Jane, had
anything to do with the omission.
q wish Edward had made Lizzy some
kind of a present. said Mrs. Green to her
husband day or two after the holiday had
passed; 'ifit had been only for the looks
of the thing. Jane has been teasing her
about it ever since; and calls it nothing
but meanness in Edward. And Pm afraid
he is little close.'
Better that he should be so than too
free,' replied Mr.. Green; though ! must
confess that a 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 prodigality. 1t
does look mean, certainly
'He is doing very well.'
'He gets salary of eight hundred dol
lars, and 1 suppose it doesn't cost him over
four or five hundred dollars to live-at
least it ought not TO do so.'
'He has bought himself snug little
house, am told.'
'If he's done that, he's done very well,
said Mr.. Green, 'and can forgive him for
not spending his money in Christmas Pre-.
sents, mat are never of !.iucn use, say the
ocst YOU will OF them. I'd rather Edward
would have comfortable house to put hi
wife in than see him loading her down, be-
fore marriage, with presents of one foolish
thing or another"
sTrue. But it wouldn't have hurt hin
to have given the girl something, if it hat
only been book, purse, or some sucl
trife.' ...
sFor which trhes he would have been a
strongly charged with meanness as he i
now. Better let it 60 as il is. Nodoubt h
has good reasons for his conduct"
Thus Mr.. Green and Lzzy defended Ed
ward, while the mother and Jane scolde'
about his meanness to their hearts content
Edward Mayfield, the lover of Liz.
Green, was young man of good princi
Piles, prudent habits and really generou
feelings but his generosity did not consis
in wasting his earnings in order that h
might be thought liberal and open-heartet
but in doing real acts ofkindness where h
saw that kindness was needed. He ha
) saved from his salary, in the course of fou
or five years, enough TO buy himself a yer
snug house, and had few hundred dollal
in the Savings' Bank with which TO furnis
,, it, when the time came fof him to get maj
!, ried. This time was not very far off whe
the Christmas, to which allusion has bee
, made, came round. At this holiday sc,
) son, Edward had intended to make bot
Lizzy and her sister a handsome presen
and he had been thinking for some weel
II