The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-12-26

rubbing his hands in front Of the blaz
and looking out OF the window, when
voice behind him, with rush of laughte
in it like silver bell. exclaimed:
Christmas gift, father. dear. I hav'
caught you"
Old Joe turned around. As he did so
pair OF rosy lips pressed his cheek an,
to little fairy of seventeen.
"Why, you look like sunbeam, Daisy,
he said
And indeed the face resembled one, s,
brilliant was the light of her eyes. Dais,
was small, with neat, coy figure, in {
plain but pretty dress; and you saw at ;
glance that this was one Of those iittle-fg
ured fairies, who are the blessings Of tn,
homes in which they rule.
The father smiled and fondly passed HI,
hand over her hair. As he looked at hel
he thought Of his well-nigh penniless con
dition and heaved sigh.
''Poor little lady bird! have nothin 2
for vou!" he said, signing again.
But DAISY did not seem to regard the
circumstances as at all depressing. On
the contrary her face glowed, and, turning
her bright face toward one side. she whis.
pered:
"I've got Christmas gift for you, faith
er dear"
'Have you9 Now you've gone and
worked your little fingers to the bone. It's
a cravat. or -"
mo. indeed, I've done nothing of the
sort-that is not your present"
The rush Of joyous laughter in the girl 5
voice nearly drowned her words. She
seemed OVERLOOKING with some secret
Their talk was interrupted, however, BY
the appearance of Mother Darling and her
flock, with old Uncle John, looking wise
and secretive.
Daisy had procured, somewhere, the
handsomest Christmas tree imaginable
bushy cedar, full of hight blue berries, and,
having returned from church, whittier she
went dutifully with the rest, she proceed
ed, with the aid of Uncle John, her prime
friend and favorite, to deck the wondrous
tree with it's brilliant ornaments. Aseve-
ming drew on it was finished. and erected
on the sideboard-its paper baskets, and
presents, and tapers making it magical
spectacle to the young Darlings, who gazed
at 1t with open-eyed wonder.
Then the Christmas dinner appeared
and riveted all eyes. The great roast tur-
key and round of beef, and fanking side
dishes, reused wild enthusiasm in the
young ones. Old Joe devOutly said grace,
and the youthful members of the Darling
family, chirping like flock of birds, cal
led the others, attention to the splendid
banquet.
All sat down. Old Joe looked around.
There's one seat too many he said
Il set it there, BROTHER sand Uncle
John, TRANQUILITY.
For whom. brother? Have you invited
some friend?
mo brother; ] thought Of our Ed
mund.
The old book keeper looked wistfully at
his brother, and then went and held out
his hand to him.
Thank you, brother" he said, in a low
voice. returning to his seat.
When the first pang had passed, it
seemed a satisfaction to Joe to gaze at the
vacant chair, and to think of his son being
present and enjoying their happiness.
And when, at last, their dessert came and
the wine was poured out. the old man look
ed toward the vacant chair as he raised the
glass to his lips.
Suddenly the voice Of Daisy rang out,
half choked with laughter.
why, We are forgetting our tree!"
she cried; 1--WE are really losing sight
of our tree, uncle dear. Did anybody
ever!
And, not waiting for anybody" to re-
ply. DAISY started up, and. assisted by
Uncle John, bore the magical cedar in its
neat box covered with evergreens to the
centre of the table.
Night had now come, and the tapers on
the tree were lit. As the fairy spectacle
of many-colored baskets, candy cornuco-
pias. and the presents Of needle-work and
books and garlands flashed forth in the
mellow light of the tapers, the young Oar
lings uttered a suppressed cheer, and
ret' IN curis ana pinaiore. MADE des-
perate attempt 70 chmo upon and carry
the prize az .he point OF MS baby spoon.
NO. rex SAID Daisy. want tlit sister
gives You yours. bu. nrst, Uncle John IS
gong 10 tel ceautiiui story. WI you
listen, father dear, and mother! 1t Is
lovely.
me laughter IN tne voice made all look
AZ palsy. why did the child cheeks
hnsh so. and why the dazzling hight IN
heI eyes!
but now Uncle John riveted everybody
attention.. for the moment he was the
enter OF excited interest Tor the whole
Earning family. ne seemed 70 ieei the re-
'Ponsioiiify resting upon him he reject
d for moment-smiled dreamily;
~