The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-12-25

, SOIVeu tnut sue Wouiu not pine ant
fret over the trouble she could in
measure remedy for Maynard, ever
/ if her own love dream was shadowet
for ever. So she rang the bell t.
have the breakfast dishes removed
and went to dress for walk.
Those young ones of Marion:
will want their Christmas Tree if ev
erybody in the world fails" she said
stufiing her porte-monnaie with bank
notes, land there is only one NOR,
day to do miles of shopping"
Nobody would ever have accused
Eta of being a lovesick maiden i
they could have seen her on that day
going from store to store, sending
home enormous parcels of toys and
confectionery, and stuffing her shop.
ping satchelAxith little articles of jew
elry and triles too small to warrant
the attentions of an errand boy on
that busy day. She made one odd
purchase, that she put away in heI
pocket and did not mention to her
sister, when she finally entered that
lady's parlor, to give an account ol
the bundles she had been sending
there all day.
"Your five children are an awful
bother to me at Christmas, Marion p
she said. Have | forgotten any Of
the promises | have been making
since last December? l ordered
Clara the biggest doll | could find,
with bedstead to match her proper
tions, and Miss Vanity Lily shall
have her coral pin and earrings As
for Eddy, bless his blue eyes, have
bought him half toy shop, and ex-
pect Ralph to scream over real
watch that will tick and 60"
a watch for Ralph? You dar-
ling! | wanted to get him one, but
bis father thinks he is too young"
Twelve! Oh, it will teach him
to be careful. Oh, the sled is for
Rob, but the rest of the traps we will
distribute as you think best. l will
come in this afternoon and help finish
the tree"
"Oh, stay now. The children are
to have their party tonight"
Christmas Eve. I'll come back.
| must go now. have note to
write"
ado it here"
Cant! Goodbye! I'll be back
in time"
Maynard Wight had passed busy
day. His father had accepted bus
mess opening in Chicago. and the
Young man had half resolved to ac-
company him. A few days only
were left him, before he must refuse
the offer of Hill & Hill that would
once more open the path of prosperi-
ty for him. He did not despair. He
was young yet, in good health, and
full of energy, but yet at his heart
one thought lay with dull. heavy pain.
1t was not for the mere fancy of q
young girls vanity that made Eta
sure that Maynard Wight loved her.
He had given her o perfect and true
love, but, as she rightly judged, his
pride closed his lips, when business
misfortunes fell upon him. She was
wealthy, and he would not offer less
income than her own. He was no
fortune hunter, to live upon his wife's
money, or even to take her money for
the stepping-stone to his own pros
perity.
As he strobe home in the dusk Of
the December evening, the bright
shops. the busy crowds attracted his
attention.
Christmas Eve" he thought. at
will not be very merry Christmas for
US, but brighter times may come before
another year. had hoped to have
the right to give Eta Christmas
gift, but that too must wait till bright
er days. wonder if some more for
tunate suitor will win her before |
feel free to speak 2"
Such thoughts are none too lively
for the holiday season, but Maynard
could not turn his mind to brighter
subjects. 1t was hard trial for him
to meet these heavy reverses in the
very commencement of his business
career, especially as he felt assured
that he conld have averted them if he
had bad full control in the business.
Could he but accept the offer of Hill
4 Hill he was certain that-in few
years he could take a stand again
amongst the successful merchants of
the day.
There is a package in your bu-
rcau, Mr.. Maynard" the servant
said, as she opened the door for him.
at was left few moments ago by
little boy"
"AIl right. Is my father in p
"In the dinning-room, SIR"
"Get the package and bring it
there
1t was a small package, directed in
a stiff hand, the letters being printed
in ink, instead of written. The gen.
tlemen bent over it with some Curl
ositv.
Somebody has sent you Christ
mas gift, Maynard said Mr.. Wight.
OF all the odd gifts, this seemed
the oldest. 1t was q knit cotton
sock, of gay colors, with red and blue
stripes, and row of yellow stars at
the top. A folded paper was in the
toe, and on this was written, in the
same stiff hand as the direction
Kriss Kringle to Maynard Wight"
Bnt inside the paper were Eve new
crisp notes for one thousand dollars
each. Maynard could scarcely be-
lievc his eyes. dtlag
"Hill g. Hill!" shouted his father.
/" Now / can 60 to Chicago with an
easy mind. 49,"
"But who could have sent it
Pinch me and see if am awake"
"Who sent it Kriss Kringle, of
course Here is his own word for it."
1t was useless to speculate about
the generous giver, but it was quite
against human nature not to do so.
One friend after another was men
toned, and the probabilities discuss
ed, but not once was the blue-eyed
girl named, whose heart was full of
joy at the thought of her power to
aid the friend who was dearest of all