The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-12-20

garded the second array of China as a
'must have" "Now, perhaps, you will
look at a tablet" pursued the woman lead
ing the way to the back of the store.
awe have a novelty in that line-an ex-
table"
"Of course! how stupid in me not to
remember that the China would be use
less unless she had something upon which
to arrange it!' zeae9se
Mr.. Dryden had entered thoroughly
into the spirit of the enterprise, and was
highly diverted at his oversight; very
grateful to her who had corrected his
blunder. The table was neat affair, with
turned legs and polished top, and con-
structed, as had been SAID, upon the ex-
tension principle. Mr.. Dryden took it on
the spot.
"Chairs?" he said interrogatively
1t was now the lady Us turn to be asham-
ed of her forgetf1lness. Half a dozen
cane seat chairs were added to the pile,
which betokened Mr. Dryden to be val
liable customer. Then followed a case of
knives, knife box, and an assortment of
silver CD ware, and both parties came to
momentary halt. The gentleman re-
covered himself first. s4sF3q
"Now, a doll-for which she can keep
housed" f
aWax, finish, porcelain, biscuit or rub
ber?" said the other, glibly. Dressed, or
undressed?" st a9q
"Dressed-I suppose, since tomorrow
is so near AS to the rest am no judge.
But | want the prettiest doll in the es-
tablishment"
His experience in this species of mer-
chandise was SO limited thathe might we'll
be excused for starting at the wonderful
ly life-like lady paraded for his inspec-
ton. Her hair waved in natural ringlets;
she rolled her eyes as the shop-woman
moved her to and fro. She was dressed
in the height of the mode-neither gloves,
nor hat, nor parasol being wanting to
complete her toilet; and when, in obedi-
ence to dextereus pull of wire upon
her left side, she squeaked mammal and
responding to similar twitch of the cor
responding muscle under the right arm.
she cried "papa!" Mr.. Dryden was over
whelmed.
"What soiU toy-makers do next?" he
articulated.
.'The art of manufacturing dolls is
carried to great perfection, quietly re-
piled the woman. "Did you say you
would take this, sir?"
Take it! what could have bribed him
to forego the treat Of witnessing Nettie's
rapture in the survey of this resplennd-
ent and accomplished demoisella?
"We have some very pretty doll-carria-
ges, in which the lady can take, the air. :
was the next attack, and Mr.. Dry fell
willing sacrifice to this new snare.
In very compassion for her victim, the
woman directed his thoughts to the boys
gifts. 4 velocipede, wheelbarrew, with
spade, rake and hoe; set of jackstraws
for winter evenings; a football and sled
made up the complement that was to
transport the semi-infdel to the seventh
heaven of ecstasy.
Truth obliges me to mention that the
lavish parent sustained a slight shock
when obliging saleswoman figured up and
presented the amount of his indebted
ness; but he rallied bravely.
"Christmas comes but once year!' he
said manfully and paid his bill with good
lgrace.
"You could not purchase the same
quantity of happiness SO eheaply in any
other manner" remarked the bland mer-
chant, oracularly. s.
The d-bit of wisdom was assuredly
mot original with her, but it impressed
the hearer as profound and truthful OBJ
servation-one we'll worth remembering
He was getting on very swiftly, indeed, in
the acquisition of Christmas lore. @
mYou have but two children, then, sir?
remarked the lady, casually, in handing
him his change.
/ "Bless my lifel I forgot the twinsl
exclaimed the father aghast. "But sup
Ipose they are too young to appreciate
Christmas presents.
"What age?' queried the other, sweet
lly.
"Two and a half"
"My dear sir! they would be disconso.
late if they were overlooked! Children
understand these matters astonishingly
lsoon."
| And having ascertained the sex of tht
twins, she selected two rubber balls, ane
two sets of building blocks for their de
lectation.
j Our porter will take them for you,
lshe said, amused at Mr.. Dryden's amazed
contemplation of the dimensions of the
lpyramid she constructed of his purchases
Please favor us with your address"
"Really. little more practice will rem
der me an adept in toy shopping! tho
Mr.. Dryden, complacently, when he wa
beyond the enchanted ground, the seduc
tions of which had lishtened both hear
. and pocket. 1t is not difficult or disa
greeable operation after all"
Il As he neared his own door on his re
turn, his pockets crammed with comica
/, packages of sugar plums, nuts, and crys
; talized fruits, he overlook the porter wit
his barrow.
"Quietly, my manl' he said insertin
his latch-key in the lock with secret trep
+ idation Of spirit "It would never do
: awaken the children" 'sOr, to attrae
my wife's attention." he added, inly.
. The porter's load was transferred t
the hall so silently that even Mrs. Dry
| den's cat-like ears did not hear any busti'
: Mr.. Dryden sent the man off with grs