Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-12-25

WU1Q VIM = nco4ts m ar they
SEPARATED st IL corner, - <murmured
.Lst ~ keep . good heart yet ole
friend
IL.
Christmas mornine, and the snow wa,
falling and the wind whiting il about
like mad. A thousand COLLINS seemed
laughing, and turning somersaults, and
hailing each other asshey sported around
the gables and whistled and-rumbled in
key holes and shimneys wild with mirtl
At the coming Of Christmas; and old joe
Darling ssmall houss, in a remote street
of the great city seemed especially hon
ered By the hobgoblins, who shook the
windows till they ratified again.
a greA s6re ~ WsSniA6 snQs the
breakfa8 stAbh vas -; and 6lN yot
rubbed his hands in front of the blazs
and looked ont Of the window, when .
voice behind him with q rush of laughter
y il aada scsnding ifte silver bslls ex.
= Chsist.nas gift father dear. I've
caught you"
Old Joe turned round. A. he did sc
. pair OF rosy lips preesed his cheek and
two arms chung round his neck belong.
ing to . little fairy Of seventeen.
Why, You look like a sunbeam,
Daisy," he said.
II And4indeed her face rescmbled one, 90
brilliant was the light of The eyes.
Daisy was Aznall, with Z neat, cory figure,
In . plain but pretty dress; and you saw
1t q glance that this was one of those
nimble-6nger fairies who are the bless
ings of the homes in which they rule.
Her father SMILED and fondly passed
his hand over her half. As he gazed at
her he thought of his .weli-nieh penni-
less condition and heaved a sigh.
"Poor little lady-bird. I have moth.
ing for you," he said, signing again.
But Daisy did not seem to regard the
circumstances AZ at all depressing. On
the contrary her face glowed, and turn.
ing her bright head toward one side she
whispered: Sc sE .a =
eve got q Christmas gift for you
father, dear"
Have your q Now, you've gone and
worked Jour httles fingers to the bone
It's a cravat, Or"
"No, indeed, I've done nothing of tn,
s0rt-that IL not your present"
The. rush Of joyous laughter in thu
girls voice nearly drowned her words
She seemed bursting to reveal some re
cret. Their talk was interrupted, how
ever, by the appearance of Mother Oar
ling and her Hook, with old Uncle Johr
looking wise and secretive. q
Daisy had procured, somewhere, tn,
handsomest Christmaa tsee 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 Uncl,
John, her prime friend and fayorite, t,
tdtck the wondfous tree With ID ,brilian'
ornaments As evening drew on it wa
finished and erected on the sideboard-
its paper baskets and presents and taper
making IL . magic spectacle to the youn,
DarlingA who gazed at it with open-eyet
wonder.
Thenthe ChristSnas dinner appeared
and riveted all eyes. The great roas
turkey and round of beef and fankins
hide dishes aroused wild enthusiasm II
the young ones-old Joe devoutly said
grace-and the youthful members Of th,
Darling family, chipping like 4 aock O.
birdA called each Others attention to the
splendid banquet.
All sat down. Old Joe looked round
"There's one seat too many" he said
yet it there, brother" said Uncle
John, TRANQUILITY. *
"For whom, brother! Have you in
ttKited some fri40df
=" No. bsOtheG; ! thought of our Ed
f00ndse ss ssxas sS ss
The old bookkeeper Looked v~istfullv
o. his beOtkers and then vent and held
cut Iii hand to hinnvs Va
"Thank you. brother" he said. in =
low voice, returning to lis teaf.
s.Wl1En he 49, pana IA Iaked, IL
| p1pnea q atisfdti9n . oadJue Is rae a,
~ saeant chair and 10 think Of Iii son
~ peaeatsand entoyirw their hArpiness
4pdSssa t laut tle csaass and
the WINS was poured out, the old man
looked toward the vacant chair as he
faissd TIE glass to his lips.
Suddenly the voice of Daisy rang out,
INA choksds
Why,Es'&s faEgetting our tree!''
our tree, uncle dear. Did anybody
ever
| the CAutfe of thA Table.