The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-06-07

Jacks heart was very heavy as he walked
out of the gay store with such little pack.
age, but it sank still lower when his father,
tall form loomed up suddenly before him
right in front of the door.
What are you doing here p he asked,
sterDly.
Been buying few things said Jack.
Let me see EN- said his father.
Jack trembling opened his package.
'Where'd you get the money!
With quails, said Jack, meekly.
His father tumbled over the things with
his big mittened hand, and said, quite gent.
ly, For the girls, spose.
Yes, sir answered Jack, beginning tc
feel relieved
We'll, run along home.'
Jack was only too happy to do so. There
wasn't much sympathy between him and his
father and any of the family-that is, there
didn't seem to be; but ! guess the stream
was frozen over, and only needed a few
CLEANS of sunshine to make it bubble on
laughing and gurgling as in the best of
hearts,
Jack related his adventures to his mother
in whispers, and hid the Christmas articles
in the wash-boiler until such time as they
should be wanted for certain small stockings
He told his mother how sorry he was not Ia
have present for her, and that little speech
went a long way toward making her happy.
That night she sat up-I wouldn't dare tell
you how Alternating cookies-something
that hadn't been in the house before that
winter. She cut them out in all manner of
shapes that feminine ingenuity and case.
knife could compass, not forgetting bird
for Janey, with remarkably plump bill,
and little girl for Mary, with the toes
turned out. She also made some balls of
brown sugar (the Boyds never thought OF
such luxury as white sugar., to make be-
lieve candy, for she didn't know Jack had
bought any candy.
Now l am going to tell what Mr.. Boyd did
after he met Jack by the toy store. He had
gone to the village to have a good time.
That didn't mean, as it does with some men
to get tipsy; but it meant he WAS going to
Munger's grocery, where he could meet peo.
pie, and talk and joke, and keep warm.
Mr.. Boyd had been choppng wood for a
farmer, and had received his pay but in.
stead of going dutifuly home and consulting
his wife about what he should buy, he was
going to look around and see what Munger
had. He was touched at the sight of Jacks
poor little package of gifts but doubt If i,
would have made much impression on hi.
mind if somebody hadn't walked into Nun.
gers and asked. in brisk, loud voice, go,
any Brazil nuts, Munger3"
The man with the brisk voice bought ]
don't know how many quarts of Brazil nuts
and walnuts, and filberts, and almonds with
all the loungers looking on, very much in.
terested in the spectacle. Then be bought
raisins, and candy and oranges, Mr.. Munger
growing more smiling every minute.
Going to keep Christmas II guess, said he,
rubbing his hands together.
That am I; Christmas comes but once q
year, and there are little folks up at our
house who've been looking for it with all
their eyes for fortnight
Then he bought a bushel of apples, and
filling peck measure with them passed
them around among the men who sat and
stood before the stove
Take 'em home to your little folks il you
don't want 'em, he said, when any one hes.
itated.
There were three or four apiece, and Mr..
Boyd put all in his pocket with slight
feeling of Christmas warmth beginning to
thaw his heart.
After this CHEEKY purchaser had gone,
some one asked: who is that cbap?'
Hes the new superintendent of the Or
phan Asylum answered Mr.. Munger rub
bling his hands again, and q mighty nice
man he is, too. Pays for all them things out
of his own pocket. Very fond of children.
Always likes to see 'em happy.
There were two or three men around that
stove who hung their heads, and Mr.. Boyd
was one of them. He hung his the lowest,
perhaps because he had the longest neck.
don't know what the other men did-some-
thing good and pleasant, hope-but Mr..
Boyd thought and thought. First he
thought how the orphans were going to
have brighter and merrier Christmas than
his own children, who had both father and
mother. Then he thought about sweet, pa
tient little Janey, and quiet Mary and gen.
erous Jack, who had taken so much pains to
give pleasure to his sisters, and a great rush
Of shame filed his heart. Now, when Mr..
Boyd was once thoroughly aroused, he was
alive through the whole of his long frame.
He thumped his knee with his fist. then
arose and walked to the counter, where he
dealt out rapid orders TO the astonished gro.
Ger for nuts, candies and oranges not In
such large quantities, to be sure, Is the or
phsns,' friend had done, but generous enough
for three children. And he bought calico
dress for his wife, pair OF shoes for each OF
the little girls and a cap for Jack. The
store contained everything from grindstones
to slate pencils. and from whale oil to pep
permint drops. These purchases together
with some needful groceries, took all Mr.
Boyd's money, except few pennies, but Z
Christmas, don't'care feeling pervaded hi,
whole being, and he borrowed bag into
which he slowed his goods and set out fol
home.
1t was pretty heavy bagful, but its heav
iness only made Mr.. Boyd's heart the light
er. When he reached home. he stood tn,
bag up in one corner, as if it held turnipS
aud said, Don't meddle with that children.
Then he went out and spent the rest of th,
day in choppipg wood, which was very
cheering to his wife. So msny Sundays hse
dawned with just wood enough to cool
breakfast, that Mrs. Boyd began to dress
that day particularly, for her husband wa
almost sure to 20 right away after break fast
and spend the whole day at the neighbors
/ hnuaaa x.hila hsa e.