Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-01-03

C~"@ANe~
Of whom he had also heard that her |
pockets were full of good things for |
and that her first name was
Mary. ''Where's Navy Quismas?"
he demanded.
go you're knowing youngster,"
laughed Tom, as he rolled up the
cherub in the blanket and tossed him
over his shoulder: "Christmas isn't
woman, Dick; it's a dsy. 'Tisn't
Mary Christmas, it's Merry Christ
mas Dick still looked dubious.
sWell," said Susie, s'there was
man that had something to do with it;
perhaps he's thinking about the story
in the Testament. But say, Tom, is
this Christmas day, truly?"
you're right, it is,'' said Tom,
''the rale ginooine Christmas day.
But look here, ducky, we're not 60
ing to have any presents to-day; be-
cause, you know, mamma has been
sick, annd she hasn't been able to
get anything ready for Christmas, or
even to think about it. Now don't
you say a single word about presents +;
that would make her feel badly, you
know. Let's see if we can't have a
jolly old Christmas all ON our own
hook. That'll DO her lots Of good.
Come on, let's go down and wish hel
Merry Christmas! Softly! We wont
wake her if she is asleep"
They knocked gently at mothers
door.
Come in," said mother.
"Merry Christmas," chanted the
trio in unison.
Mother was sitting up in bed with
hel breakfast shawl round her Shout
ders. She was mush better, but her
face wore q troubled look, that quick
lt passed away when the happy little
group stood 10y the side of her bed.
where's Navy Quismas?" per-
sisted Dick. The irrepressible young
ster was determined to spoil Tom S
plans.
80, mother!" he laughed, "this
baby thinks Christmas is a girl, and
her maine is Mary"
"Well, children, DEAR Mrs. No
BILE began, ''Pm sorry
"Now, mother, DEAR" said Tom,
gently putting his arm around her
neck and stopping her mouth with a
kiss, don't you say another word.
I'm not sorry bit. 1 was, little,
but Eve got all over it. Are you
SueE'
No." said Sue, gravely.
"Are You, Dick?'
mo, l isn't sawy," crowcd the
little cherub, tapping the wings OF
his nightgown; ''but Is hungwy,
vough. l wants my bextuf.'
"Bless his heart" said grandma,
''his breakfast he shall have right
away"
Now just let me fix this thing"
cried Tom. ''Atter breakfast I'm
going up TO the woods to cut q nice
little Chri 'tmas tree and get it ready
for evening. Christmas evening is
just as good time for a Christmas
tree as Christmas eve. Then we'll
all go out and have some jolly fun
sliding down the little hill behind the
house. After dinner, I'll pop good
lot of corn, and Sue and Dick can
string that while l go up TO Holmes
hill, if mother says l may, and have
an hour or two of royal coasting. All
the fellows are to be there this after
noon. Then after supper, I'll build
a roaring fire in the big-sitting-room
fireplace, and We'll bring in our
Christmas tree, and festoon it with
popcorn, and hang some of those
bright balls on it that we had last
year, you know, mother, with some
apples and things, and l know We can
make it look as pretty as a picture.
Then well crack Il lot of walnuts and
butternuts, and make some molasses
tatfy; and we'll play some games,
and sing 'Wc Three Kings of Orient,
and / shouldn't wonder if we would
all felt as happy as kings" !"
"'Very good, Tom," said Mrs. No
bic; "your programme is a capital
one. My children have been SO good,
all summer, and especially my dear
boy, that felt very sorry because L
was not able to prepare for their
Christmas bat know that if each
one tries to make the rest happy, we
shall all have a merry Christmas. I'll
ask the doctor when he comes, and
perhaps he'll let you and grandma
help me into the big rocking-chair,
and draw me out into the sitting
room for a little while this evening""
.'Do it, mother, 7" shouted Tom.
Good for you! Won't that be STAY
ing to have you round again."
With his heart full of his plan TO
make the most of his Christmas. Tom
put on his cap and mittens and sail
ed forth into the frosty air to do his
chores before breakfast. The sun
was just looking over the top oi
Holmes hill, and the meadows be-
meath, white with snow that rain and
frost had enamelled with glitterine
crust, shone like crystal sea. Ton