Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-12-19

i laughing, and turning somersaults, and
hailing each other as they sported around
the gables and whistled and rumbled in
key holes and chimneys wild with mirth
at the coming OF Christmas; and old Joe
Darling 5 small house, in a remote street
of the great city seemed especially hon
ored by the hobgoblins, who shook the
windows till they ratified again.
A great fire was burning and the
breakfast table was set, and old Joe
rubbed his hands in front of the blaze
and looked out of the window, when q
voice behind him with rush of laughter
in it, and sounding like silver bells, ex-
claimed:
"Christmas gift, father dear. I've
caught you"
Old Joe turned round. As he did so
a pair of rosy lips pressed his cheek and
two arms chung round his neck belong.
ing to a little fairy of seventeen.
q Why, you look like a sunbeam,
Daisy" he said.
And indeed her face resembled one, so
brilliant was the light Of the eyes.
Daisy was small, with neat, coy figure,
IN plainsbut pretty dress; and you saw
at glance that this was one Of those
nimble-finger fairies who are the bless
ings Of the homes in which they rule.
Her father smiled and fondly passed
his hand over her hair. AS he gazed at
her ne thought Of his well-nigh penni-
less condition and heaved sigh.
"Poor little lady-bird. have moth
ing for you," he said, signing again.
But Daisy did not seem to regard the
circumstances as at all depressing. On
the contrary her face glowed, and turn
ing her bright head toward one side she
whispered:
> "Pve got; a Christmas gift for you,
father, dear"
"Have you? Now, you've gone and
worked your little fingers to the bone.
It's a cravat, Or"
"No, indeed, I've done nothing of the
sort-that is not your present."
The rush Of joyous laughter in the
girls voice nearly drowned her words.
She seemed bursting to reveal some Sc
cret. Their talk was interrupted, how
ever, by the appearance of Mother OAR
ling and her flock, with old Uncle John
looking wise and secretive.
Daisy had procured, somewhere, the
handsomest Christmas tree Imaginable
bushy cedar, full of light blue berries ;
and; having returned from church,
whittier she went dutifully with the rest,
she proceeded with the aid of Uncle
John, her prime friend and favorite, to
deck the wondrous tree with it's brilliant
ornaments. AS evening drew on it was
finished and erected On the sideboard-
its paper baskets and presents and tapers
making it a magic spectacle to the young
Darings, who gazed at it with open-eyed
wonder.
Then the Christmas dinner appeared,
and riveted all eyes. The great roast
turkey and round of beef and thanking
side dishes aroused wild enthusiasm in
the young ones-old Joe devoutly said
grace-and the youthful members of the
Darling family, chirping like flock OF
birds, called each others attention to the
splendid banquet.
All sat down. Old Joe looked round
"There's one seat too many" he said
II set it there, BROTHER" said Uncle
John, TRANQUILITY.
|'For whom, brother? Have you in
vited some friend?'
Ono. brother; I thought of our Ed
mund."
The old bookkeeper looked wistfully
at his brother, and then went and held
out his hand to him.
"Thank you, BROTHER" he said. in 8
low voice, returning to his teat.
| When the first pang had passed. il
seemed satisfaction to old Joe to gaze al
the vacant chair, and to think of his sor
as present and enjoying their happiness
And when at last the dessert came. and
the wine was poured out, the old mar
looked toward the vacant chair "a he
raised the glass to his lips.
Suddenly the voice Of Daisy rang out
half choked with laughter:
"Why, we are forgetting our treep
she cried, 1--WE are really losing sight O.
our tree, uncle dear. Did anybod,
ever"
And, not waiting for "anybody" t.
reply, Daisy started up, and assisted b,
Uncle John bore the magical cedar il
its neat box, covered with evergreens. Il
the centre Of the table. :
| ,-.SAA~ AASs>A ~OaAAO AO"3 0uO tUo G8O6I
on the tree were lit. As the fairy snec
tacies OF many colored baskets, ,cand,
cornucopias and presents of needle-worf
and books, and garlands flashed forth Il
the light OF the tapers-as this splendid
Christmas tree burst forth on tie ewes q
au-the young Darlings uttered q ann
pressed cheer and Pet" in curls and,
\ pinafore, made reckless and desnerat
attempt to climb upon the board an,
carry the prize at the point of his bah,
spoon.
No, Pet" cried Daisy, s. wait til
sister gives you yours. But first, INCL
John Is going to tell beautiful story
WIN .you listen, sfatherd dear and mother
Its lovely -',s-,
The rush Of langhter il the voio
made al look at Daisy. Why did th
child's cheeks full Is. and xhv ths
dazzling light IN her eyes7
But now Uncle John alldden1v rivetal