Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-12-18

ITO him that hath shall be given"
al wonder if shall be able to buy any Christ
mas presents" soliloquized a lady as she sat
near bright fire with a baby on her lap.
" How would like to buy material for a dress
ing gown for my husbandi 4 have a pattern
and could make it myself. Then would like to
buy my darling boy Harry a microscope; he
talks so much about one; and would like to
buy him that book Of travels to which he took
such fancy when We were in the bookstore
together. How he did beg me to buy it for him.
And then there is my blessed Bessie;-if had
money would buy her a magic lantern; often
hear her and Harry talking about a magic
lantern"
Just then her husband, who was a Govern
ment clerk, entered.
"Well, little Bessie" he said. after he had
greeted his wife and baby, Christmas is coming;
what would Bessie like for a Christmas pres
ent 2"
Papa" said Bessie, Harryis birthday is on
the 26th of December, the day after Christmas
day, and Harry would like to have party, and
invite all the little girls and boys that are our
friends; and, papa, would like for present
magic lantern; then we-and all the little boys
and girls-can have so much pleasure at the
party with the magic lantern. Shall Harry
have a party, papa, on his birthday?''
" We will see, my darling" said her papa
" Your mother and 1 would like to do a great
many things We cannot Had money enough.
would buy your mother a handsome present.
and you and Harry and baby should have many
pretty and useful things"
81 would like to make some presents, ;, said
Mrs. COwperthwaite, smiling, ''to my husband
and my babies. Can it be done ?'
"Well, Margaret, /" said Mr.. Cowperthwaite to
his wife, "I will make rough estimate of ex-
penses that must be met the coming month, then
we may know: Rent. s25; girl, ss; fuel, 81:
provisions, sI5; gas, IS; car tickets, s4-ss2,
leaving s22 for whatever we may need through
the month";, -
"Well, )" said Mrs. c., d" want oil and needles
for my sewing machine-oil, 50 cents; needles.
80 cents. Then you must have two pairs Of
socks, as yours are completely worn Quito
cents. Your shirts are badly worn; suppose we
buy material for only one this month-sI5O.-
"And," said the husband, al am really
ashamed to go to the office, my shoes are so
shabby; took them to the shoemaker but ne
saysit would not pay to repair them"
:" Let me sec them, said Mrs. Cowperthwaite
Herewith taking them in her hand; sswhy they
are in bad condition, broken I'm several places.
what will a new pair cost?"
81 might get new pair for five dollars,
"You must have shoes,n said Mrs. c., $50 pu;
down five dollars for yours and two dollar.
for pair for Harry; his take in water and can
not be mended."
"Very well; - said Mr.. c., "all these necessi-
ties leave S12.15."
"Wen,' said Mrs. c., Bessie has but one
apron; she must have another; that will csst 6s
cents; so We have twelve dollars left"
"And," said Mr.. c., sit won't do to be with
ost money all through the month, we onght to
reserve at least S5 for sundriesn
!. That than: -LA >As,ii~s- -1.lA~~>.
dollars
"Oh!" rejoined Mr.. c., I forgot; "they have
been around to each clerk in my bureau to sign
names for an amount required to buy a Christ
mas present for the chief clerk"
"And did you agree give anything?n
"Yes, 1 subscribed dollar. L think the
practice is outrageous; but certain gentlemen
think, Isuppose, to curry favor in this way;
then it would not look well to refuse; or If tn,
Chief Clerk should be a mean, small man, he
might work against those who did not sub
Scribe"
"The Chief Clerk should make presents to
the under Clerks" said Mrs. G., laughing sit
any one should make presents; here we are with
only seven dollars for our Christmas presents.
and out Of that one dollar must 60 as tax to a
man who receives four hundred dollars more
per year than any other clerk I'm your Bureau"
That is so," said Mr.. c. "when these
chief clerks and chief officials show their fine
Christmas presents to their friends, it would be
well If a voice should say aloud, These beauti-
full presents were purchased with the money
taken from twelve or fourteen hundred dollar
clerks-money that should have been appropr-
ated for Christmas presents in their own homes.
that should have purchased presents for the
children Of those homes"
eyes" rejoined Mrs. c., and really it does
seem, as if the poor little children that are only
ememberedonce year, are cheated, that those
chief clerks may have gold headed cane, a
gold snuff box, or a tea set, 'as a mark of
respectn Ihave no doubt that if one could look
into the hearts of each one of the subscribers
to this mark Of respect one would see instead
contempt"
"Yes, you would see, sconfound the thing,
1 have heard many of them say those very
words"
"If you ever become a chief clerk, my DEAR
said Mrs. Cowperthwaite, 81 hope you will
never take present"
1 never will, i assure you"
"That is right; but don't let us talk about il
any more. One dollar has gone from our Christ
mas present fund to your chief clerk now We
have six dollars left"
Sulluren, SAID tnelr mother, "yOu 90 to bed
now, 80 that your papa and can talk about the
presents"
"Iam thinking, remarked Harry, the schief
clerk in papa's Office, may have stolen m,
microscope"
This made them all laugh.
perhaps more truth than poetry" said his
father.
"If," said Bessy, Z" he has stolen my magic
lantern, he ought to be arrested" at which they
all laughed again.
"Good night! good night" The children left
the room and were sound asleep and dreaming,
while the father and mother talked about the
six dollars.
81 saw something to-day" said Mr.. Cowper-
thwaite 1 would like to have bought YOU.
Margaret, for present; but IL cost s2.75, which
was more than thonght we could afford; but
you would have liked 1t, 1 am sure.
"Never mind George; don't buy me a present;
II you only remember my birthday, George,
with some little present it will be as pleasant to
me-" Il
ga microscope, Margaret, will cost $3.50:
Harry must have that, 1 suppose ?"
80, yes he viii be delighted and then IL is 80
useful; and the magic lanternI'
al saw one that will cost s1.5o; would like a
better; but when We cannot DO the best We will
do the hest Wa cap