The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-12-21

Christmas morning, and the snow was
falling and the wind whirling IL about
like mad. 4 thousand COLLINS seemed
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's 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 a
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. Az he did so
a pair of rosy lips pressed his cheek and
two arms clung round his neck belong
ing to little fairy of seventeen.
Why, you look Ike 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 plain but pretty dress; and you saw
at a glance that this was one of those
nimble-fnger fairies who are the bless
ings of the homes il which they rule.
Her father smiled and fondly passed
bis hand over her hair. As he gazed at
her he thought of his well-nigh penni-
less condition and heaved a sigh.
Poor little Iady-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:
eve got a Christmas gift for you,
father, dear"
"Have you? Now, you've gone and
worked your little fingers to the bone.
It's 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
q 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, t.
deck the wondrous tree with It's brilliant
ornaments. As evening drew on il was
finished and erected on the sideboard-
its paper baskets and presents ana tapers
making 1t a magic spectacle to the young
Ddrlings, who gazed at it with open-eyed
wonder.
Then the Christmas dinner appeared
and rivetad all eyes. The great roast
turkey and round of beef and thanking
side dishes aroused wild enthusiasm in
the young oues-old Joe devOutly said
grace-and the youthful members of the
Darling family, chirping like q 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
:" / set it there, brother said Uncle
John, TRANQUILITY.
"For when, brother? Have you in
yited some frieDdP'
No, brother; thought Of our Ed
mund."
The old bookkeeper looked wistfully
81 his brother, and then went and helc
out his hand to him.
Thank you, brother" he said, in
low voice, returning TO his teat.
When the first pang had passed, il
seemed a satisfaction TO old Joe to gaze a
the vacant chair, and to think of his SOL
as present and enjoying their happiness
And when at last the dessert came, anC
the wine was poured out the old MAJ
looked toward the vacant chair as be
raised the glass to his lips.
Suddenly the voice of Daisy rang out,
half choked with laughter:
why, we are forgetting our tree p
she cried, swe are really losing sight OF