The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-24
on CHRISTMAS EVE.

"Money for Christmas presents, in
deedr cried Mr.. barrow. That's all
nonsensep'
"My dearr' said Mrs. barrow, depre-
catingly.
''But there's an end to mans
purse?' said the head of the family.
'tRent, taxes. insurance, school-bills,
church expenses. and now on top of all
the rest, like the last hair that breaks
the camePs back, comes demand for
Christmas presents! can't do it, my
dear, and won'tr'
but the childreny" said Mrs: OAR
row, who sat with her hands folded in
her lap, with a frightened air, as if
some great catastrophe were about to
befall her.
To her, Christmas had always been
the great festival of the year, the day
when earth and Heaven came nearest
together-the time to rejoice and be
glad with exceeding great joy.
80, the childrenr' and Mr.. barrow
shrugged his shoulders. "They won't
suffer! Didn't give AddIe a doll on
her last birthday? And hasn't Joe got
a pair of skatesp And what has become
of little Bessie's blocksP Besides, chill
dren should be brought up to know that
life isn't all play. was cash-boy in a
store when l was only two years older
than Joen
Eyes, l know" said Mrs. barrow,
meekly; "but they have been looking
forward all the year to Christmas, and
don't know how they'll endure the
disappointment
sit won't hurt 'em," said Mr.. OAR
row, as he buttoned his coat-pockets.
'.Times are hard. and man must be-
gin to economize somewhere"
Mrs. barrow sat down when the
heavy footsteps of her lord and master
had ceased to clink down the frosty
pavement, and began TO calculate.
The noisy singing OF the canary in
the gilded cage disturbed her, and she
hung it in another room; the unaccus-
toned task of trying TO make two and
two make five drew wrinkles on her
forehead, and brought sharp pain be-
hind her eyes. She had Just so much
housekeeping money allotted to her
every month, and, good economist
though she was, it was impossible 10
save much. Mr.. barrow was a thrifty
man. and for every dollar he prided
himself upon getting a dollars value.
Il was going to buy new wicker
hamper for the Clothes" said Mrs. Oar
row, land set Of new table napkins.
But must darn up the old linen TO last
a few weeks longer, and do without the
hamper, so as to have few dollars to
buy toys for the children. Ican't cheat
them out of all their Christmas happi-
ness, poor little dearsp'
MIR. barrow was sauntering comforta-
bly, up the snowy street, the day before
Christmas, when he saw his wife.
dressed in the little seal brown velvet
hat and neatly trimmed cloth cloak
which he knew SO well. enter toy store
on the opposite corner. He looked
hard moment, then followed her.
ut can't be, after all that said," he
thought, that she actually means to
set me at defiancer'
There she was, however, in the
crowd of buyers, edging her way pa
tiently up TO the counter, handling the
cheap tags pending over their relative
attractions.
Yesl She was actually turning out hel
purse. The shopman was looking
around for his wrapping-paper and tbs
sue. Now was the time for him to in
terfere. Mr.. DArrow stepped up to tn,
counter and laid his hand authoritative
ly on her shoulder.
"What are you buying, AbbyP" sal,
1e.