The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1874-12-24
JACKS CHRISTMAS.

" Hurrah. No more school till after
Christmasr' shouted little Jack Harvey,
as he burst into his mothers room and
tossed his sachel from his shoulder to
the ceiling.
Mrs. Harvey looked up from her sew
ing and smiled. She called Jack to her
side, and as he bounded into her arms she
thought how bright his eyes were and
that the winter air had painted his
checks as red as the two big apples she
had slowed away in his lunch basket
that morning. Jack" she said as she
ran her fingers tenderly through his
golden hair, what do you suppose
Christmas comes every year for?"
Jack raised his eyebrows and opened
his blue eyes to their utmost He had
supposed that every baby knew the
purpose of Christmas and here was his
mother asking great boy of seven why
il came.
What for, mamma? Nhy every fel-
low knows that Christmas comes to bring
us holidays and toys and sugar plums
and"
But, my dear boy, that is only the
selfish part of ii. 1t comes also as
time to show our peace and goodwill to
everybody and to make their Christmas
as beautiful and happy as our own. |
have made up my mind, therefCGe," cen
tinued Mrs Harvey, ito give you a
Christmas party. This is the 23d OF
December. Tomorrow invitations shall
be sent to all your little friends, and
papa and | will select some pretty gift
for each one of them
"1hat'll be tip-topm cried Jack, but
the next moment = shadow stole over his
f,pa h... ii, Il. Il 4 III
children / know, mamma; but | want
you to leave out Rannie Mount"
Why" inquired Mrs Harvey.
Because he's mean fellow" Jack
answered, Indignantly. He borrowed
my new penknile the other day, that
nice pearl-handled one papa gave me,
and he took it home and brought it back
with the best blade broken Yesl and
what's more, h said he didn't do it. It's
very likely some one else did it when he
had itl'' cried Jack, in tone that showed
he believed Rannie had told him an IN
truth and thereby added insult to injury
Jack" said Mrs. Harvey, gently "it
might have been the fault of some one
Rannie was too generous to tell upon"
Wen, he could nave had a new blade
put in for me, anyway replied Jack,
doggedly, kicking the table as he spoke,
and thrustiug out his under lip some
thing very like pCut.
Probably he had not the money, my
child" urged Mrs Harvey, who seemed
determined to defend Rannie THE
Mounts are hard working and poor, and, |
am sure, not many pennies find their
way into Rannie's hands. At any rate" :"
she continued, as Jack fumbed in his
pocket for the injured knife, it will be
an excellent opportunity for you to throw
aside the grudgc and show him the peace
! and goodwill which belong to the sea
SON.
Jack made wry face at the easy man
ner in which mamma got over his afironts.
Lit L. boys are apt to think resentment
more manly than forgiveness. She was
patient because she was wise enough to
know that, if there was to be any real
goodwill in the matter, Jacks consent
must come from his heart BY and by il
! did, for his arms stole round her neck
and he whispered something in her ear
think he was ashamed to say the words
aloud, although no one was by to listen
Mrs. Harvey looked up with a bright
/ smile, and added Rannie Mounts name to
the list of invitations she had been max
! ing out for Jacks party. As for Jack he
/ seized his cap and ran down stairs, whist
/ ling all the way. Every boys, and in.
| deed everybody's, heart feels so light
( when it rids itself of the burden of anyill.
1 feeling.
| Rannie Mount missed that part of the
/ fun, for his mother had sent him on an
/ eTraDd, and he did not reach Jacks house
! till the little company were Ill the midst
/ Of a lively game. Mr.. Harvey had hung
/ a huge paper bag, full of sugar -plums,
/ between the folding doors of the parlol
and the children were all blindfolded in
/ turn and given long stick. OF course
whoever was lucky enough to strike il
would bring down IA rain of sweets and
the nimblest would be sure of the pref
tiest Mrs. Harvey, who had been look
! ing out for Rannie, called the little fellow
from the corner where he sat, shyly, as
if out Of place in his neat, but rather
shabby, dress. Rannie was duly blind.
folded and given the stick, but proved
as unsuccessful as those who had gonC
before him. At last Willie Ellis Il won
der if he peeped;) did strike the bag
and then the walls rang with the shout
ing and the merry scrambling after bon
bons and almonds and jelly cakes.
When every child had pocketfu
they were called to the nursery for the
giving of the presents. Of course the
boys were polite enough to let the girls
have the first choice
Now" said Mr.. Harvey, "Willi'
Ellis shall have the first choice amonl
the boys, as be was the first to break III,
bag of sugar -plums." Willie's selection
was neat box of tools. Then Bertit
Snyder picked out big red drum. g AnC
now" said Mrs. Harvey, " Rannie Noun
shall choose"
Rannie stepped out timidly, and witt
- Please, ma'am, might / take that:'
pointed TO Jacks locomotive, which
chanced to lay on the table.
You'll just please notr yelled Jack
as he sprang forward and grabbed Iii
treasure Indignantly. Rannie was no