The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1879-12-27
HOW JOE BROUGHT DOWN THE
HOUSE.
Marion Conant, in St. Nicholas. ]

Marion Conant, in ST. Nicholas
"Well, girls, there is one way we can
help both father and ourselves in these hard
times" said Bessie Foot. While her elder
sisters looked up from their occupations with
kind. interested faces I'VE can give up
our birthdays or Christmas" began Bessie
slowly.
THAT is a good idea," broke in Emily
the older sister. "These numerous gift days
and pleasure makings draw to heavily upon
all our pockets" s.But what will Joe say?"
This time they nearly all spoke in concert.
After little pause Bessie said, with hope
full decision:
sOh. perhaps he won't care"
Now Joe was the last, but by no means the
least, member in Mr.. Foot's family. He had
arrived late, after this goodly row of girls,
and after his parents had given up an earlier
and often expressed desire that boy might
be among the number. And ifhelpful hands
and warm hearts make the reception, Joe
came
--ssto the world gentleman comes,
To a lodging ready furnished"
He was now II years old, but had not
sworn out his welcome" Of plant, pleas
ant nature, he fully answered, so far, all the
demands made upon him. No one had ever
heard him speak rough or unkind word,
and in all the little affairs of every day he
was easily helpful enough to satisfy his loving
family. 1t is true Mr.. Foot, who had strug-
gled up through hard and self.denying
youth to an honorable position in the law,
began to have some uneasiness about his
sons character, and to suffer the first disturb
ing and perplexing doubt as to the future of
a boy to whom life was such holiday affair,
and who would never be able, he feared, to
take any other view of it.
But these fatherly thoughts and fears Mr..
Foot carefully kept to himself. His family
was very loving and confiding; and Mr. Foot
was not without courage, but | doubt If he
would have been willing to contemplate, even
in the retirement of his own thoughts, the
shock that would have come to all If this be-
loved son had been closely criticised. So Joe
spent his thoughtless, pleasant days undis-
turbed BY criticism, and when Bessie broach-
ed the question of the morning for her BROTH
er's observation-disclosures being nearly year
away and birthdays close at hand-he
chose in his easy way to keep the near
pleasure, and so it came about that there was
TO be no Christmas celebration that year
in Mr.. Foot's house.
Bessie's plan worked admirably. The birth
DAYS, scattered through the year. had been
made much of, and Joe's coming late in Sep
tember, had really been great affair. Joe
himself had enjoyed it wonderfully-even be-
yond his usual happy way. 1t was very graft
flying to have so many new things III adj
vance of all his playmates; even the latest
fashioned sled had been procured by
extra trouble and expense, and the
balls and the books and the knives and the
marbles were of the best, for 'Joe to have
no presents at Christmas, was the often ex-
pressed reason for extra indulgence on this
particular birthday. 1t was all very delight
full. and it made Joe quite t. hero OF the au-
tumn, creating any amount of envy in the
minds of other boys who must wait until
Christmas.
But Christmas was drawing on, and Joe
found himself face to face with anticipa-
ton which was not pleasurable-an entirely
new position in his experience. In fact the
numerous preparations in the world outside
began to produce a slightly depressing sensa'
ton in other members of Mr.. Foot's family
even Bessie. usually firm in her decisions
could not help wishing they had chosen
Christmas and given up the birthdays. Bu
il was too late now, so they all carefully
avoided any ailusion to the coming festival
each hoping by silence to create the lmpres
sion in the others that the whole plan wa
eminently satisfactory
Mr., Foot, quietly reading in his easy chair
was really the only one quite at ease, all tn,
minds of the family being more or less ruf
fed on Christmas Eve by some thoughts a
to what might be going on in Joes mind
for. contrary to his custom. he had betakel
himself to bed at an unusually early hour
Mrs. Foot and her older daughters were bus,
sewing near the table where Mr.. Foot wa
ENJOYING the cheerful fire and bis evening
papers. when Bessie suddenly broke into tn
room with the exclamation: Joe has hun!
up his stockings Mr.. Foot laid his pape
on his knees and the busy needles mad
slight pauses. but no one spoke.
.He has hung up both; he never hung u
but one beforel" added Bessie, dropping
helplessly into the nearest chair.
sThat was naughty in Joe" said Mr.
Foot, in a tone in which despair and apolog
were oddly mingled.
Mr.. Foot neditated apparently unheedinl
while the girls went on with their sewing.
Some time elapsed during which no on
ventured remark, and Mr.. Foot still locke
into the fire. Strangely vivid remembrance
cam to him of country boy. long-forgo
ten Cnristmases, an empty stocking and di
appointed heart BE slowly took down b
eyeglasses from their perch and put them
his pocket; he folded up his paper softly, ar
carefully laid it en- the table, and with Il
air of a man who would rather the fa
should not be observed. rose quietly from b
chair and in very Indifferent voice said;
"Bessie, will you hand me my coat?"
"Why. are you going out?" exclaim'
Mrs. Foot, looking up excitedly.
ayes. think will take a short walk
replied Mr.. Foot, still indifferently, thous
knowing perfectly well walk was me
unusual performance for him in the evenil
after busy day.
~ believe 1 will go with you,' said
wife, cheerily, and going at once for her b
and shawl.
"Let us CO. too" said all the girls, wi
that liveliness which indicates relief from
dilemma.
All were soon ready, and, Mr.. and NJ
Foot leading the way. they were soon on I
pavement of well-lighted street, and mo
ing with the crowd or pausiug at the sho
windows to see the unusual and final attrs
tons 0f the season. saf.eE
v<Dple would dream facts, instead
Arso:ina dreams. Joe Foot might ha