Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-01-21

81 i il t. T. s
fir the Npn4e Tirfle.
FRITZ AND HIS CHRISTMAS GIFT.
A STORY FOR THE LITTLE FOLKS.
Little Fritz was lazy fellow, and ev-
erything he had to do seemed too much for
him. He would almost begin to perspire
beforehand as soon as he heard that any
work was to be done. Consequently, he
learned very slowly, and was one Of the
dullest scholars in the school. I do not
know what would have become of him if
his parents had not had several servants in
the family, for Fritz would scarcely do
anything at all for himself. He even
thought it was too much to comb his own
hair. If ever button. .holeseemed alittle
bit too small for his buttons, or his coat
seemed to get on little harder than usual,
OF, his boots got little dry by being wet
the day before, he invariably made loud
complaint about it and got somebody to fix
them for him. Even at the table, be- grum-
bled fthe food was not prepared Just as he
wanted and, if his piece Of beef seemed to
be a little tough, he would scarcely touch it
until somebody had cut it up for him.
Many time he had been told by his par
ents and teacher that, if he continued his
lazy habits in that way, he would never be.
come successful man. But still this same
lazy Fritz expected his fine clothing and
his handsome presents just as much as any
of his brothers and sisters, and no sooner
was Christmas talked about than his eyes
began to brighten up, for, of course he ex.
pected, if not the best, at least one of the
best, presents that were made. Every year,
great calculation was made on old Uncle
Jonas Christmas presents, for he was a
kind hearted old man, who had no children
Of his own, and took greatpleasure in max
ing handsome Christmas presents to his
nepheWs and nieces.
On December Oath, 1863, large ex.
press wagon drove up in the yard, and it
was almost filled with Christmas presents
from old Uncle Jonas. Fritz father knew
what the express wagon was there for just
as soon as he saw it, but he determined
that none of the children should see the
presents until that night, which was Christ
mas.eve, when they would all be found to-
gether, with the names of the owners on
them, either hanging on the Christmas
tree or placed on the table near by. The
children made guesses as to what Uncle
Jonas had sent to them, but Fritz was so
lazy that he soon got tired of guessing
what was for him, and he allowed his BROTH
ers and sisters u continue that kind of
work to their hearts content, while. he loll-
ed on the sofa, and>almost fell asleep.
By and by, as evening came on, he
seemed to be quite as wide awake as any of
the rest, for, at eight o'clock, they were all
to enter the Christmas room together,
when they would see the Christmas tree,
lighted up with many tapers, and all the
presents arranged in order. At last, the
time came, and all stood around the illumi-
mated tree, by which Fritz's mother sat
and called out the different names, handing
the presents first to the one and then an
other. Fritz, who was leaning up against
the side of the door, wondered why his
name was not called off; but, after awhile,
sure enough, his mother. called out his
name, but Fritz was at loss to see what
it was he was going to get.
His mother said to him 81 am sorry,
Fritz, that 1 cannot hand you your pres:
ent here it is beneath the Christmas tree !;
it is this heavy box, which you must carry
yourself, for am sure that cannot carry
it to you"
Fritz thought to himself: ''Now, that is
really too bad. Just see what bright,
shining presents my brothers and sisters
have, and what miserable old box this is
for me!'
However, he thought. perhaps, there
Was fine suit of clothing in it, or some
thing else that was very nice and he slowly
went to the box, and dragged it over to a
corner, and began to try to open it. 1t
was covered over with canvass, which was
sewed so closely that it was not an easy
matter to undo it. But he had sharp
knife in his pocket, and, when he could not
pull stitch out, he would cut the canvass,
and, at last, got the box out of it. But he
now seemed only little nearer than he
WAS before to finding out what was in the
box. After a good deal of trouble, he
got the box open, and behold inside Of it
was still another box, which was nailed
very tight. Hewas now persEiring as if
he hal been hard at work half day in the
field, and he got out of patience many a
time with Uncle Jonas and all his Christ
mas gifts
However, he took courage, and deter
mined to persevere until lie found out
what was in the box. After getting the
top of, he found large bundle, which was
tied and strapped all around. He cut the
straps and strings, pulled off the thick pa
per, and found inside of that another box.
And so he kept on finding boxes, thoug
with great labor, until he came to the tenth
one.
SNOW" said he, 81 shall stop this bust