Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-12-26

his father and any one Of the family
that is, there didn't seem to be; but
guess the stream was frozen over, and
only needed few CLEANS of sunshine to
make it bubble on, laughing and gurg.
ling as in the best of hearts.
f.; Jack related his adventures to his
mother in whispers, and hid the Christ.
mas 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 to 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 late-mak-
ing 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 a remarkable plump bill,
and little girl for Mary, with the toes
turred out. She also made some balls
of brown sugar the Boyds never thought
Of such luxury; as white sugar), to
make believe candy, for she didn't
know Jack had bought any candy.
Now I am going to tell what Mr.. Boyd
did after he met Jack by the toy-store.
He had gone to the village to have q
"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 people, and talk
and joke, and keep warm.
Mr.. Boyd had been choppjng wood
for farmer, and had received his pay;
but instead Of going dutifully home and
consulting with 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 Jack s
poor little package Of gifts; but I doubt
if it would have made much impression
on his mind if somebody hadn't walked
into Munger's and asked, in a brisk,
loud voice: "Got any Brazil nuts,
Munger?"
The man with brisk voice bought,
don't know how many quarts of Brazil
nuts. and walnuts, and fIberts, and al.
monds, with all the loungers looking on,
very much interested in the spectacle.
Then he bought raisins, and candy, and
oranges, Mr.. Munger growing more
smiling every minute.
"Going to keep Christmas, I guess"
said he rubbing his hands together.
"That am; 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 fora fortnight"
. Then he bought a bushel of apples,
and, filling peck measure with: them,
passed them around among the men
who sat and stood about the stove.
Take 'em home to your little folks if
you don't want 'en,' he said, when any.
one hesitated.
There were three or four apples apiece,
and Mr.. Boyd put all his in his pockets,
with slight feeling of Christmas
warmth beginning to thaw his heart.
After this CHEEKY purchaser had gone
some one asked: "Who is that chap?'
"He's the new superintendent of the
Orphan Asylum" answered Mr.. Munger
rubbing his hands again; "and Almighty
nice man he is, too, Pays for all them
things out of his own pocket. Very
fond of children. Always likes to zee
'em happy"
AAVAO "VAC WV VI GA1C0 u1CA dIOuuu
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. l don't know what
the other men did-something good and
pleasant, l hope-but Mr.. Boyd thought.
First he thought how the "orphans''
were going to have brighter and mer-
rier Christmas than his own children,
who had both father and mother. Then
he thought about sweet, patient little
Janey, and quiet Mary, and generous
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 arc Sc and
walked to the counter, where. he dealt
out rapid orders to the astonished groce,
for nuts, candies and oranges; not in
such large quantities, to be sure, as the
"orphants' IS" friend had done, but gen.
erous enough for three children. And
he bought calico dress for his wife, a
pair of:shooes for each of the little girls,
and cap for Jack. That store con.
tanned everything, from grindstones to
slate pencils, and from whale oil to
peppermint drops. These purchases,
together with some needful groceries,
took all Mr.. Boyd's money, except q
few pennies, but Christmas don t-care
feeling prevailed his whole being, and
he borrowed bag, into which he slowed
his goods and set out for home.
It was pretty heavy bagful, but it.
heaviness only made Mr.. Boyd's heart
the lighter.~..When he reached home, he
stood the bag up in one corner, as If il
held turnipA and said, "Don't meddle
with that, children" Then he Went
out and spent the Fest of the short day
in chopping wood, which was very cheer.
ing to his wife. So many Sundays had
dawned with just wood enough to cook
breakfast, that Mrs. Boyd began to dread
that DAY particularly, for her husband
was almost sure to 60 right away after
breakfast and spend the whole day at
the neighbors' houses, while his own
family shivered around p half empty
stove.
Mr.. Boyd said never a word about the
bag, and the unsuspectin:: household
thought it contained corn, o. soue othe,
uninteresting vegetable, and I:,il iittlt
attention to it. It also stood tbr 70 al
the next day, and the children grew
quite used to the sight Of it. :, : .,,.''I-o.
7 sundayewent BY quietly and, to- thl
surprise, Of I'll, MI: lloyd stayed at home
making It bis especial business to- holt
Janey on his.lap, and keep the stow