The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-12-25
MISS PRIM'S SURPRISE,
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

VI don't believe there's person In the
village who hasn't Christmas present"
exclaimed Little Nell Dutton, dancing
around her own treasures, which were
spread ont ON the floor, "unless It's
old Miss Prirn. I don't believe anybody
would give her a present"
sat by the window sulkipg. Not because
abe had been neglected, but because she
had not received the little gold watch and
chain she had set her heart on. Some.
how Nellle's careless words brought to
her mind, as in flash, the forlorn and
lonely home Of the Door little sewing wo.
man. She could see the tiny brown cot
tage Of two rooms, with its patient, sad
eyed tenant, sitting by her low window,
sewing. No Christmas tree even no Christ.
mas dinner, she feared, for she knew Miss
Prim had to sew early and late to earn her
living.
~ don't see how can help it," Maud
said to herself, for she couldn't avoid feel.
ing that somebody ought 10 do something.
"Ivc spent every cent l had"
For while she sat thinking silently.
Then, almost to her own surprise, she
exclaimed: -.,.
MEL, Nell, suppose we give her some
thing.
"Who!" said Nelly. 20! Miss Primp
What can we give her? She wouldn't
care Tor my things, and you can't give
away presents, you know,
mo, l don't mean that; let's make her
sOmethirg-not to wear, or to eat, but to
enjoy. Letme see"
"Oh you make her a ferneryw
u can't do that, on such short notice;
but know what can make, and be-
lieve I'll do it now"
Among the rubbish in the wood.shed,
she had noticed an old dripping. pan. Now
she went and got 1t, asked her mother if
she could have it-telling her something
Of her plan-and at once proceeded to
work.
"What can you do with that old black
thingY asked Nell, in disgust. "Pm sure
Miss Prim won't thank you for that"
won't she, Miss Nelll You come up
into the attic with me, and see II she
won't"
Now Maud was very fond Of the woods,
and every few days through the long sum.
mer and fall, she had made excursions in
TO them, returning loaded down with
treasures she couldn't bear to leaye-beau.
titul moses and lichens, lovely stones, and
thousands OF things you woods-lovers
know.
Now Mrs. Dutton was a neat house
keeper, and abhored "a litter" So she
forbade Maud's filling her pretty room
with these things, but gave her free &C.
cess to the attic. Sundry trunks and
shelves therefore held all these beauties
and to them Maud and Nellie went,
First" said Maud, II must cover the
bottom OF the pan, so it won't soil Miss
Prim's neat house"
After some hunting, abe found an old
moth.eaten cloth cloak, which she said
was just tho thing. Cutting piece a
few inches larger than the pan, she Gov
cred the bottom Of tho much used article,
brought 1t up on the sides, and fastened 1t
securely to the wire around the edge, by
means Of holes which she punched with
sharp nail and a hammer.
1.-THE next thing is to cover the sides Of
the pan, so It will be ornamental"
"Thc sides arc covered said Nell, who
was impatient to seeby what necromancy
Maud could turn an old dripping.pan into
q work Of art.
"Yes, ! know they are-with old cloth,
but ! don't think that's very pretty, do
your"
"Well no-nOt very, but it's as pretty
as the inside"
"oh! you wait till get at the inside,
Miss Nell" said Maud now in high spirit.
Next must make some glue"
From shelf she took an old tin Gun
and some pieces Of glue, and went down
TO tho kitchen 10 meltit. Mrs. Dutton
was busy helping Bridget cook the big
Christmas dinner, to which lousef,ll Of
friends were expected, but she told Maud
she would take time 10 pRcka few GIroo6.
les" for Miss Prim's table.
With the pot Of hot glue Maud went
back to the attic, and soon had the sides
Of the pan covered with pieces oil delicate
bark and twigs, and here and there an
acorn, or small conc from an evergreen
tree. When done it looked rustic and
pretty. Maud was satisfied and Nell was
in ccstacies @'~'' was
III a ISS' 10 :. ,..,,.
c.,. Now VIZ, LUZ tno lnslue, sald Maud land
i''I Illus .Lus' sSs some gooa soil.
Ia. n ,h;s .;, Journey was mace, 70 Inc eel
i. ai .iI s ''!nc' wueIea poA!ul OF earth was
,,lH,. W 'no ai9ner 10 Start his early
forming tho soft earth into bills and val
leys and uneven shapes. Then she found
p'e SS",, " oLoNen looking glass, which
II ,h " so;i VI U,'o "nu carefully moedded
an , TU,' f. Un U ~ sue. making soping
iI,,i, w po ,,Sn 'ne s'aSs' II looked like
IN" "Nowp G Noirn .o,a u.ra u.-,u