The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-12-28

KILN uUL NY WAdt,l UISilS XVI SOu1OtAAIS A5
could not name.
The room was still. yet he could not read.
Though the evening news was interesting he
could not fix his mind upon his newspaper.
He saw between him and the printed column,
the sadly serious countenances, that were, by
this time, laid upon the pillows. He wonder
ed if the pair would cry themselves to sleep.
Yes they were fine children, if he did say
it, and dutiful children.
His wife had an excellent method Of dis
cipl1ne and deserved much credit for her sue
cess in train her offspring. She was 9 good
woman, misunderstanding he could not bear
the idea that his blooming little Fanny might
one day become a toil-worn, painstaking wife
and mother. He would like to keep life
fresh and bright for his darling as long as he
| could. She would find out soon enough
what q dry, detestable cheat the world is. 1t
| be might have his way she should be q child
| always; q merry, simple hearted, trusting
child, in whose love and purity he could find
| refreshment when disheartened by the faith
~lessness Of his fellow men. He wished that
be had spoken kindly TO them, instead Of the
silent salute he had vouchsafed their mutely
offered lips. He wondered if he could not
slip noislessly to the small chamber adjoin-
ing and solace his uneasy spirit by a low
ing goodnight" The moonlight streaming
through the window showed the father as he
stood without the open door. The forms that
ought TO have been snugly tucked under the
blankets, were sitting up in bed, and the low
hum of their earnest voices arrested the faith
er's attention 50 tnat;,he paused to listen.
II wonder if papa and mamma were a lit
tie boy and girl. how they would like it,"
said Walter in q doleful key. "When the
boys were all talking about Christmas and
New Years gifts and what they expected to
get, they asked me what | was going to get,
and I told them that we did not keep the
holidays at our house. One fellow said he
guessed they did not care much about me,
and it made me feel real bad; Mamma was
awful cross tonight, and scolded like every
thing. just hear the boys shouting outdoors
and the people laughing and talking, as they
60 along. 1t is q downright shame; it is
mean Of them when they known that there is
to be no New Yearin our house. Ishate this
old house,
s.Why, Walter that is wicked" said Fan
ny in gentle tones.
"Well, / don't care, if q boy is never to
have any fun, what is the use of living. If
| was the wickedest one in town I could
not be treated worse than I am now. { wish
| was Dead" and poor Walter burst out cry
ing. NH
Mr. Roberts could play the eavsdropper
no longer. He hurlied back into the ..parlor,
where be behaved more like a crazy man,
than The sober, self-possessed head of 8 staid
and descent household. Going into the hall
he took his great coat from the rack and put
it on, and rushed into the street.
He had gone but a little way when he began
to wonder what his prudent and sedate help
mate would say. She ~disapproved Of toys
except when great moderation was displayed
il their selection and bestowal. Then what
would he get to please the unsuspecting
twain at home. civil just state my dilemma
and take what they advise Thus resolv-
ing, he entered the largest and most brilliant
store he had yet seen.
Reader, we will pass over the selection of
toys, and follow Mr.. Roberts as he goes
home, his pockets crammed with packages
Of presents. Quietly he slips into the house,
expecting to find Mrs. Roberts in bed. He
pushed open the door Of the smaller cham
Der beyond and entered. The lamp was
burning, not brightly, but it enabled him to
see his wife standing at the bedside. She,
too, had overheard the children's lament and
hadlbeen out to buy them toys.
81 have been a hard, un%sympathizing
mother" she thought. Il wonder what Mr..
Roberts will think when he learns how
much I have spent On these toys and can
dies p And just then her husband entered
The detected culprits stared at one another
for an instant, then burst out laughing as the
truth daWned upon them. Then she threw her
arms around her husbands neck and Wept,
and told him how she had heard the children
talking about her and that they thought her
unkind to them, and it had made her feel
miserable all evening.
well, don't think Of it any more, my
dear, and " viii try and make it as pleas
ant for them as we can. Tie we have made d
mistake we are both willing to correct it.
And soft should be. Try and make it pleas
ant for the little ones. Cares will come soon
enough, Let them believe in Santa Claus,