The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-12-20
OUT UPON THE PRAIRIE.
A Christmas story.

"FoR my part" said Clara Day
to some of the young people gathered
At the church sociablc. Il am so brim-
full of henevolcnce since the Thanks
giving dinner that do not know what
shall do about it, but it will be some
thing. and that before long
Fortunately for YOU, Christmas is
Just At hand" said Charlie Darling sug-
-e>tively.
"Oh. all my Christmas presents were
finished long ago, and there is not much
novelty about that. Father always
wears out his drcssing-gown about that
time. and the boys slippers grow shah
10y. Besides. that is no outlet for be-
nevolence. for you give, not only eN-
pecting to receive again, but knowing
that YOU will
Il have been thinking" said Dora
Darling, and Dora's thoughts were sure
to bring forth fruit. "that it would be
nice to send some presents away oft
TO some persons who never have Il
Merry Christmas, and give them one,
for once.
ITO some poor minister slyly said
Fred Sharpe.
NO. to some poor children" said
Dora.
TO the whole family, father. moth
er and ALL" added Clara. Lets do
it. Wen send 4 box, Christmas
poN!'
TO somebody away out West" said
Fred
And there shall not be one useful
thing in it," continued Clara.
Il wouldn't give much for your box
them said Hattie Smith.
"a box Of cigars suggested Charlie
Darling.
"A barrel of powder-crackers. said
Fred.
Il mean such things as they would
need to have anyway, Christmas or no
Christmas said Clara.
There are plenty of things that are
pretty and useful" said Dora "Clara
doesn't mean those. Now if half Il
dozen of us join in it. we can make a
splendid box for somebody. How l
should like it,
I'VE are going to do it, of course
said Josie Sharpe, ''but L want to
know first to whom it is going, and
how large the children are, and all
about it.
THAT is just what want to know
replied Dora. 1T certainly would not
do to select people at random
There must be six children" said
Clara, decidedly. "You can't fill up
any kind of box for less than six
..And it must be a minister's family
said Hattie. ...
Perhaps Mr.. Truman will know Of
some One,H said Charlie.
Mr.. Truman being accordingly called
in to the consultation, said that he
knew a family to whom such a present
would be most acceptable, and might
be the means of doing more good than
any one could fOresee.
The minister's name is Grey, said
Mr. Truman, 'and he was classmate
of mine in the seminary and had Their
a small family. He received an appoint
ment as home missionary, away off or
the prairies of Iowa. and have known
little about him since, until lately
""..l that the Home Mission Society
hau decided to abandon the field; bu
he felt that he could not leave it, ant
would remain as long as it was possible
in any way to support his family. HI
is Il thoroughly good man, and his wife
is Il help-meet for him."
Just the ones for us, should say, ,
remarked Fred.
"How many children has hep aske,
Charlie.
IL do not know" answered Mr.. Tru
man. His Oldest son must be twelv
years old now, and the little girl abou
nine.H
perhaps you would be so kind as t
write and find out about them, or woul
it be too much trouble, or wOuldn'
there be timer" said Clara.
Il think can obtain the information
YOU DESIRE" said Mr.. Truman. And s
it came to pass that Mr.. Grey, in hi
distant home, received letter from hi
old friend, expressing SO much symps
thy and showing so much interest il
him and his family, that he immediate
ly replied to it, and most unconsciousl
furnished all the information that thes
young people could possibly want.
Soon many fingers were busy enough
and the tongues were not far behind
for all the preparations must be mad
in one short week.
Clara had said, eff the rest of yo
girls will do the sewing will do tn
begging, only some one must 60 wit
me for company"
The "some one'' proved to be Dora
younger sister, Nellie, and togethe
they soon made known their plans t
half.the people in the village. The
paid an early visit to the shOe-store
and actually succeeded in obtaining tw
pairs of shoes at each place,