The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-12-22

nothing destroyed the magnificent Of.
feet OF the treasures % curiously collect
cd in the night Puss had Left the kits
asleep. and gone down to get her own
breakfast, and there. in the middle Of
the ruffied apron, a. II in . dainty era
die. lay the two Maltese darlings. with
white bibs and boots on. and white tips
to the tiny tails curled round their little
noses in the sweetest way.
Polly aud Dolly could only clasp their
hands and look in rapturous silence for
minute; then they went down ON their
knees and reveled in the unexpected
richness before them.
81 do believe there i, Santa Claus,
and that he heard us, for here Is eyerv-
thing we wanted,' said Dolly, holding
the Carnelian heart in one hand and the
plummy one in the other.
ut must have been some kind of q
fairy, for we didn't mention kittens, but
we wanted one, and here are two dar-
lings." cried Polly. almost purring
with delight as the downy lunches un-
rolled and gaped till their bits of pink
tongues were visible.
Mrs. Smith was one fairy, guess,
and Miss Kent was another, for that is
her apron. shouldn't wonder if
MIR. Chrome gave US the oranges aud
the money; men always have lots, and
his name is on this bit of paper" said
Dolly.
"Oh, I'm 50 glad! Now we shall
have Christmas like other people, and
I'll never say again that rich folks
don't remember poor folks. Come and
show all our treasures to mother and
the babies; they must have some," an
swered Polly, feeling that the world
was all right, and life not half as hard
as she thought it last night:
Shrieks of delight greeted the sisters,
and all that morning there was joy and
feasting in Mrs. Blake's room, and in
the afternoon Dolly and Polly went to
the Museum, and actually saw "Puss
in Boots;" for their mother insisted on
their going, having discovered how the
hard-earned quarters had been spent.
This was such unhoped-for bliss that
they could hardly believe it, and kept
smiling at one another SO. brightly that
people wondered who the happy little
girls in shabby cloaks could be who
clapped their new mittens 50 heartily,
and Laughed till it was better than mt,-
sic to hear them.
This was q very remarkable Christ
mas day, and they long remembered il;
for while they were absorbed in the
fortunes of the Marquis of Carabas and
the funny cat, who tucked his tail in
his belt, washed his face SO awkward!y,
and didn't know how to purr, strange
things were happening at home, and
more surprises were in store for our
little friends. You see, when people
once begin to do kindnesses, it is so
easy and pleasant they lind it hard to
leave off; and sometimes it beauties
them so that they find they love one an
other very much-as Mr.. Chrome and
Miss Kent did. though we have nothing
to do with that except to tell how they
made the poor little tree grow and bios
som.
They were very jolly at dinner, and
talked a good deal about the Biakes,
who ate in theirown rooms. Miss Kent
told what the children said, and it
touched the soft spot in all their hearts
to hear about the red shirts, though
they laughed at Polly's lament over the
bird with only one feather in its tail.
I'D give them better tree if had
any place to put it. and knew how to
tr m it up." said Mr.. Chrome. with a
sudden bVrst of generosity. which so
pleased Miss Kent that her eyes shone
dixie Christmas candles, and she said:
Put it in the back parlor. All the
Browns are away for week, and we'll
help you trim it--won't we, my dear?"
cried Mrs. Smith, warmly, for she saw
that he was in sociable mood. and
thought it pity that the Blakes should
not profit by it.
Eyes, indeed; should like it of all
things, and it needn't cost much, for I
have some skill in trimmings. as you
know" And Miss Kent looked so gay
and pretty as she spoke that AR.
Chrome made up his mind that millin-
cry must be delightful occupation.
"Come on then. ladies, and we'll
have little frolic. I'm lonely old
bachelor. with nowhere to go to-day,
and I'd fike some fun.''
They had it, assure you; for they
all fell to work as busy as bees, flying
and buzzine about with much laughter
as they worked their pleasant miracle.
Mr.. Chrome acted more like the father
of large family than crusty bache-
lor, Miss Kent's skillful fingers few as
they never did before, and Mrs. Smith
trotted up and down as briskly as if sho
We're sixteen instead of being a stout
old woman of sixty.
The children were so full OF the play,
and telling all about it, that they forgot
their tree till after supper; but the seed
from which the little pine tree grew 80
quickly and beautifully.
When tho moon came to look in at
the window on her nightly round two
smiling faces lay on the pillow, which
was no longer wet with tears, but rath-
er knobby with the mine of riches hidden
underneath -first-fruits of the neigh
borly friendship which fiourished in that
house until another and merrier
Christmas came. Louisa II. AicoN.