The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-03-12

oy artlhclal hight, stood tho Christmas
Tree. The kind father of course
made believe that he was much
surprised, tho tho same thing had
occurred to him for the last three
years; and the younger children
danced about and clappcd their hands
with delight, as he advanced towards
the tree, and examined its decorations.
For dear Papa sho read on the
label neat little box that was sus.
pended from one of the principal
boughs.
James blushcd. lie had mcchan-
ical genius, and his father having on
the last Christmas Eve placed samll
turning lathe and neat assortment
tools beneath the shadow of the
Christmas Tree, the boy had since
made good use of them. His pres
ent to his father was very handy
little box, to place on Mr.. Crawford's
writing desk, for the purpose of hold
ing steel pens, odd bits of sealing.
wax, and so forth.
The children now began to look a
little closer; for while their father
pretended to be merely examining
the tree, lie was in reality feeling in
his pockets for various trifles therein
deposited; which he quietly placed
Oh the earth inside the tub, as kind
Of ornamental barrier roud the tree.
Stand eff! you young rogues,' he
playfully shouted, making a great
demonstration Of fits and squared ell.
bows: stand Of, until I have taken
possession Of my share Of the good
things
ooh, papa! papa is eating all the
figs. cried one. There goes my
great bunch Of raisins,' shouted an.
other. Me some!' begged little
Willie, the youngest. Me some,
para"
Look here, Emmelinc,' said Mr.
Crawford to his wife, who stood by
enjoying the scene. Some fairy has
procured you the very thing you wan
ted-a new sheath for your spccta-
cles; and here is a pincushion; and
there a bag all for you.
Come away, papa---.naughty papa
cried the children, who were tired of
remaining inactive spectators. Papa
is doing everything
Papa was oustcd from his promi.
ncnt position, and then commenced
a general distribution of presents.
Even little Willie had been able to
contribute. With this store of saw
cd-up-pennics he had walked with
Harriet to the town on the previous
Saturday, and there bought some
pretty tliilcs for dear papa AID man.
ma.
Now let us look under the tree
SAID mamma, when nothing remained
on the branches but the tapcrs, and
a few apples and oranges. Louisa,
my love, the first present Imcct with
is labelled with your name
'Oh what a pretty hox!' said the
children. What is inside? Let me
look 'And me- 'And me-
Stop, my dcars, said their man.
ma; Louisa must open it hcrsclf.'
why don't you como forward to
receive your present, my lovc?' i'll.
quircd her father. 'Itis q crochet
and knitting box, or whatever you
call that work you arc SO fond of. /
thought you would like something of
the kind
Louisa blushcd, and the tears stood
i'll her eyes. Tell them. James, she
whispered, that 1 can take it. /
have given no present to any body.
When Mr.. Crawford knew how it
was, he was very sorry; but lie did
not rcprovc Louisa just, then, for her
own sense Of wrong was punishment
enough, and he could not bear to
see her young and sorrowful face on
that festive evening. All the chill.
dren we're made happy-cach in his
or her own way; and then they left
the Christmas Tree in its native sim.
plicity, with the remains of one or
two dying tapers Pickering among its
branches.
The next morning was Christmas
Day, and no work was thought of;
but the morning aftcr--lhe children
having no lessons that week Lou.
isa set herself with steady purpose
to an undertaking she had planned
III her own mind. Her mother com
ing into the school room, found her
in the midst Of pieces of discarded
rug and crochct-work and skcins of
knitting and crochet cotton, which
sho was sorting and folding up with
the various pieces of work they were
intrndet to complete.
Mamma she said, rising and