The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-11-22
POLLY.

AT the tea-bells sound his dreams have flown,
And naught but q hungry boy Is he.
Ella FdrndB B Il@e inQRe.
-
POLLY.
Before. Christmas story.
"SANTA CLAusw exclaimed Ned, half
mockingly.
Yes" insisted Mamie, "what's he
going to bring you, Ned?''
II don't know, and | don't care
| much," he answered, "for there isn't
any Santa Claus"
"Why, Nedr' cried Mamie. in as
| tonishment. Even my big brother be-
| lieves in Santa Claus. He's coming
home from school tonight, and we're
going to hang up our stockings
"Pshawr' said Ned, ~ must 60
home. Goodbye
| Merry little Mamie stood in amaze
ment, and then ran indoors to her
mother with her perplexity.
"Why, mother!' she cried, ''Ned
Huntley said there wasn't any Santa
| Claus, and he was real cross about it
too"
"Well, Mamie" said her mother,
81 wouldn't take any notice of Ned's
being cross about Christmas-time. The
Huntleys don't keep Christmas.
Don't keep Christmas!'' exclaimed
Mamie, astonished beyond measure.
Seeing that her mother was busy, she
took her doll, Helena Margaret Con-
stance Victorjne. in her arms, and
talked the matter over with her.
| "What do YOU think, my DEAR said
she. athey don't keep Christmas at
Ned Huntley's house! l don't know
lust what mother means by not keep
| ing ii, sor YOU know Santa Claus comes
down the chimney. and so he can get in
during the night and leave Christmas
there. Oh, yes. but they don't keep it.
They turn it out, | suppose, Just like
mother told me they acted about the
dear little baby Savior; they hadn't any
room for Him, and guess Mrs. Huntley
hasn't room to keep Christmas in.
wonder what she does with the
Christmas things Santa Claus bringsp
| | wonder if she throws 'em awayP
mean to go and ask her." and putting
her child carefully in its cradle, Mamie
started.
| There was some truth in what Mrs.
CASTOR had told her little daughter; the
Huntleys did not keep Christmas in a
loving, hearty way. They kept it in so
far that on this very afternoon Mrs.
Huntley was busy making the mince
pies, dressing the turkey, and doing all
she could to be beforehand with the
extra Christmas dinner. Mr.. Huntley
had just stepped into the kitchen for a
moment to say to his wife, "What have
you settled on for Ned's Christmas"
"rve bought him pair of arctics- -
he needed 'em; and if you want to
spend more than common, you might
get him half dozen handkerchiefs.
"Well, wife, was thinking that per-
haps'' farmer tried to be particu-
lar about his words, for Mrs. Huntley
did not seem in very good hpnor-
81 was remembering how you used to
| enjoy giving the young ones candies and
toys; so, perhaps"
q Now, Noah Huntley, I'm surprised
at you! Buy candies and toys for i
great numbering boy like NedP Why,
you must be crazy, man! The next
thing will be that you'll want a Christ
mas tree yourselfr'
"Well, and it wouldn't be a bad
idea," thought the father. There's
my man, Fritz, he has been to the woods
and cut little tree for his children
and he seems to get heap OF pleasure
out of it. All! if only little Polly hat
livedr' Strangely enough, the wife
was thinking the same thing. as she
sliced and sifted and weighed. 81
little Polly had lived it would have beer
different, but we can't throw away
money on nonsense for Ned"
A little red cloak flashed by the win
dow. little bright face, just about tht
age of "our little Polly's," peeped il
at the door, and Mamie asked, g May
come in, Mrs. Huntley?"
=" Certainly, child. Here's a frcsl
cookie. / suppose you re full of Christ
mas over at your house?'
"oh, yes, ma'am! And I'm SO sorr,
you don't keepit. What $ the reason?
Don't keep it! Why, we have reg
ular Christmas dinner as sure as tn,