The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-12-16
ACHRISTMAS DIAMOND,

But, papa, there is nothing else I
want. Maud has a diamond ring, and
/, one year younger than l."
am very sorry, little daughter" "
said Mr.. Montague, passing his hand
gently over the golden hair of his child,
6 but do not think it wise or proper
for children to wear diamonds"
You are rich, papa"
Yes, Ethel, but hundreds are poor,
and the money you desire for an orna.
ment would provide several families
with many comforts. Papa seldom de,
nies you anything, little girl, and in this
case you must con slider it wisest and
best for him to decide"
Ethel did no consider anything at
that moment, except her desire to pos =
sess diamond as large and as costly as
her cousin Mdud's.
1t was a few days before Christmas, and
Ethtl was going with her parents 10
spend it with Maud's father aud mother
Mr.. Montagua was q wealthy merchant
and man OF exec lent judgment. When
his wife entreated him to withhold cer-
tain articles of dress from their little
daughter lest she should become vain
and fond of SHOW. he readily agreed
with her, and Ethel was, in conse-
quence. we'll and neatly, but never
showily dressed. Her parents disliked
to see mere child loaded with jewelry {;
and, as Mrs. Montague remarked !:
Ethel would enjoy no hing in antici-
patton if every wish was lavishly sup
Piled"
For several days Ethel went about in
an unhappy frame of mind. She no
longer ran TO meet her father, no longer
sat for hours in bis la) and listened to
his very interesting conversation about
scientific subjects, or wstched him as be
examined objects under his microscope.
AS sue expressed it, " she was real cross
with apa."
Mr.. Montague being fond and indul-
gent father, might have given up to this
exacting spirit if it had not been for his
wife, who insisted on permitting the
evil to work its own cure.
"Ethel," said her mother, one morn
ing, you and l will go out to Aunt
Carries to-day. Papa cannot come out
before Christmas eve"
don't care when we co." said Ethel,
carelessly, still thinking Of her coveted
treasure.
Aunt Carrie was delighted to see them.
and Immediately asked them to assist
her in preparing for the family festival.
Ethel forgot her disappointment for a
time as she and Maud filed cornucopias
or dressed dollies. At night, however
whe1 the cousins were in bed, Ethel
returned to her complaints, and Maud
quite agreed with ner that sit was real
mean In Il rich papa TO deny his only
child diamond ringm
The girls were too busy all day prepar-
ing presents to lind time for repning,
ami Maud's papa was so full of fun be
kent them all in good humOr.
,,fn l., l.
"what time shall we look for Charlie?
propose to drive down my new trotter
and bring him up from the station"
II have no iCea what train he will
take" said Mrs. Montague. He has
several purchases to make, and certain
Gals which he never neglects on Christ
mas eve"
Would you ask the master to step
here a bitF' asked Maurice, the coach
man, of Annie, the sewing gill, who was
busy weaving evergreen wreaths.
Annie consented, and in few mo-
ments Mr.. Merton stood in the hall,
"Well, Maurice" said he, cheerfully,
"have you come to ask for Christmas
outP"
mo, yer honor" said Maurice, "and
il you'll be so kind as to speak low, ]
would be after telling you there's 8
Smasn-up on the express, and L wa:
thinking the ladies need not know. It'i
five miles below, and the word has jus
come. | wouldn't bother the ladies
about it, yer honor"
Mr. Merton took the hint, and said, ii
load tone: Yes. Maurice, put TIN
trotter in the light buggy, and go down
with me to the station"
1T you'll pardon me, yer honor, tn,
carriage would do better, as mistress i
expecting some bundles by the fou
o'cio,k train"
"All right" said Mr.. Merton; "bu
get ready as soon as possible"
The happy group in the music-roon
hea' portion OF the conversation AM
went quietly on with their work. Mr.
Merton, however, did not return I,
them, but went at once to his dressing
room. Thanks to his own love of orde
and the excellent management of hi
wife, he knew where to find at ono
every article he required, and, by th
time Maurice appeared, he was quit
ready, with mysterious packages peer
ing out of his pockets.
Goodbye, ALL" he said, hurriedl
opening the door to loUk in upon Tia
busy group. "Don't worry if you d
not see Charlie and me until quite lats