The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-12-21
PATTY,S DULL CHRISTMAS.

sitting alone in the parioT. working
fast to finish q soft white hood for
Aunt Annie, who was expected on
Wednesday to spend q week. She
loved her Aunt Annie dearly. and
every few minutes, for the last
few days, she had remembered how
soon she should see her. Then the
most contented, happy feeling would
come, and Patty would smile joyfully.
The postman rang, and Mr.. Redington,
who happened to be in the hall just
then. took the letters and brought Pat
TVS to her, u think this is from your
Aunt Janet, said he. Il wonder why
she has written you.
The letter was in a very old-fashion-
ed handwriting and written in a pre-
else fashion, with a wide, even mar
gin on the left side Of the page. This is
what Patty read:
my DEAR GRAND-NEIcE PATTY:
''Your Aunt Katherine and I would like
very much to have you pass Christmas day
with u.s. and stay as long as you are able, ii
your parents have no objection. You must not
! look tor gay visit, torwe are dull old women,
who have fallen sadly behind the fashions. 1t
is a long time since we have seen you-mOre
|
break any agreeable engagements to accept
this invitation, can assure you that your &C
ceptance would afford US much pleasure.
With kind remembrances from US, both to
your father and mother, as well as yourself,
believe me your
''Ahectionate Grand Aunt.
JANET REDINGTON."
''Oh! dear mel said Patty and
she looked up at her father with her
eyes full of tears and she gave him
/ the letter. AUNT Annie is coming,
you know, Papa. and only for one lit
tie week and it is vacation, and |
meant to do so many little things here
at home. and we girls have planned
half d dozen good times. Now they
are spoiled. 1t SO poky there, and
never have been without your or
Mamma, any way
But q girl fifteen years old must
begin to make visits by herself, said
Papa, kindly, "HOwever you needn' t
go, my dear. wish you to do just as
you please. and always like you to be
happy OF Christmas Day. Perhaps
the aunts will; like it Just as we'll if
you write a nice letter and ask if you
may come a little later. since your
Aunt Annie is to be here and you do
not like 30 break some plans you have
made. But don't forget. little girl,
that, whether you 90 or stay, the
surest way to make the DAY pleasant
for yourself is to try and make other
people happy. should send my let
ter this afternoon. for your aunt will
wish to know. Mind. | wish you to DO
just rs you please. and shall not
blame you il you stay here. shall
like it, for my own sake.
Then Nj. Redington went into the
library, and Patty knew he was not to
be disturbed unless somebody had a
very good reason.
Quarter past Two. said Patty to
herself, looking up at the clock. Il
must make up my mind soon. OH,
dear what made them ask me And
then she thought of the reasons why
she should stay at home. She had
never been away IN her life AZ this
time, ana Papa and Mamma would
miss her. And then. wouldn't it be
impolite to leave Aunt Annie during
50 much of her visit. And then she
thought of the contrast between the
day in Boston aad with her Aunt
Janet. Patty had been homeslck there
when she was 4 child : and she had
not entirely forgotten it. They would
like it just rs we'll ii she went by and
by, rs Papa had suggested. She took
up the hood and crocheted energeti-
cally. while she thought what she
should say to Aunt Janet. Presently
Oh be Los
it over. She had been so grieved at
first that she had not noticed how
kind it was and that Aunt Janet's hand
trembled d good deal. She wondered
if they would be much disappointed.
Wouldn't it be kinder to 60 ! They
lived such a quiet life now, though
they used to go about great deal
when they were young. They must
have cared to see her to have taken
this trouble. She had had great
many jolly times at Christmas. And
she would have walks and frolics with
her cronies nearly all the year round.
And. after all. wouldn't dear Aunt
Annie and Mamma and Papa be glad if
she were unseltish about it. even if
they missed her. 1t wasn't SO very
much matter if she did have one dull
| Christmas Day.
| And Patty ran upstairs and wrote
/ this note. though she had taken longer
I 10 decide than | nave taken 10 tell
You:
| DEAR AUNT JANET:
/ II think YOU and Aunt katharine are very
kind to ask me 10 spend Christmas with you.
! | should like il very much
She hesitated minute after she
had written this. for perhaps it was
not quite true. Then she said Il do
wish 10 go. and am going TO try 10 be
| just as nice as possibly can.
Il will he there Wednesday afternoon.
| Please don't mind ii this letter is very short
| fer am in hurry TO finish something | am
making. Thank you both ior wishing
would come.
''Iour loving PATTY"
/ Patty directed the letter and put or
the stamp ana then took 1t herself IL
the box Oh the lamp-pose at the corner
of the street. When it WAS fairly in.
she longed with all her heart 10 take
| il out again but that wish went away
/ Iiraptly