St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1881-12-31


dol to my sister milly, she never saw one
ccpt aramintcr kleopatrer ii zianes who is
nothin but Il corn-coh. We are orfni poor ano
make up greens e sci. millS Bunches and
| mother and tie. We has not had krisinas
or New Ycers present since Il tree fell on
father and killed him plecsc bee so kind as tc
| send the dol il woode max us so glad. miy is
seven and | am ten.
Yours truly, jim BERTHAM.
THE CoRNEKs,' b Country, Maine.
This epistlc Jim read aloud with a
great deal of pride; and Their he and
Mlly tied it securely in among the grace
full hemlOck branches; while the mother
laughed at heirfoolishness, even though
she hoped and prayed that they might
not be disappointed; and two days later
the "postman WREATH as the children
called it, was packed with hundreds of
others and shipped to New York, where
it was bought by an uptown dealer and
sold to an old gentleman who carried it
home to his daughter, and she, pro-
nouncing it ''eNqusite,' gave it the
most conspicuous place on the pulor
wall, without, however, discovering the
little missive so snugly hidden away.
1t was Christmas night, and Mr.
Langdon' spacious house was brilliant
with fire and gas-light that shone re-
splendent and lit up the garlands and
wreaths that bordered the costly paint
ings and decked the freScoed walls;
while music sounded through the apart
ments, and in carol, dance and game
children and grandchildren joined to
celebrate the happy festal day. But in
low chair by the fire sat the youngest
darling and pet of the household. Oracle
Langdon, a fairy-like little creature,
with soft blue eyes and golden curls
clasping tightly in her tiny arms an inn
mense waxen doll-a present that very
day from good old Santa Claus.
She sat very still, and slowly her blue
eyes travelled around the room until they
We're finally raised to a picture of the
Madonna and Child above the mantel,
over which hung the .spostman' wreath
made by the little children so far away
in their lonely home.
"Oh, grandpa, come herer' called
Oracle, suddenly. What is it, Pussy?"
asked Mr.. Langdon, approaching the
tiny rocking-chair.
There is something white sticking
out from that pretty WREATH said
Oracle, pointing with her wee fore
finger.
$50 there is. Here, Fred, come and
see what this dainty lady has discov-
cred"
At the summons a stalwart young fell
low left the group around the piano and
approached. 1t was but the work of an
instant for him to take down the gar
land, dislodge the paper from its hiding
place, and hand it, with low bow, to
his little cousin.
"Why, it's a letter. she exclaimed.
You read it, grandpa
The whole company had now gath
cred round, and, putting on his eye
glasses, grandpa read aloud Jim's note;
and las he finished, EXPLANATIONS of Won
der and pity sounded on all sides:
"What a strange letter-box:' Poor
children! something ought to be done
for Them" while little Oracle, with her
big eyes filled with tears, ran to her
grandfather, sobbing: "Oh, grandpa, l
am so sorry for Milly! Here, take my
new dolly and send it to her for New
Years gift
Ito be sure I WILL" said Mr.. Lang
don, catching the generous little maiden
in his arms and giving her what she called
a g bears hug" while for some reason
his glasses did not seem as clear as
usual
1t was the first day of January, clear,
crisp and cold; but it was hardly a hap
pay New Year in the Bertram house
hold, for the greens had not brought as
much as they expected, and, after the
rent of the small house and farm had
been paid. there was little left for food
and clothes, and the mother heart was
heavier than ever, and Jim had to
whistle to keep up his spirits as he
chopped away at the pile of woodin the |
yard.
Milly, too, was feeling rather discon-
ISOLATE as she stood by the window
making peep-holes' with hot penny
in the thick frost which completely |
covered the panes, while Araminta
Cleopatra looked more forlorn than
ever, perched on the sill by her side.
With her eyes at one of the "peep-
holes," Milly saw wagon come lum-
bering slowly up the road and stop at
the gate, and mans voice was heard |
without inquiring if .'Miss Milly |
Bertram lived there;;" and Immediately
after the door was burst open and in
rushed Jim, breathless with excitement,
closely followed by a neighboring farmer
bearing large box.
"There, Miss NIilly,'' he said, 81
found that down at the Corners for
you, so [ thought I'd bring it along.
Guess somebody's been sending you a
New Years. But I can't stay to see,
for my horses won't stand this swapping
weather; so good morning, and many
happy returns of the day
The same to you," cried Milly,
&C and thank you SO much for bringing
this up. Oh, Jim, do hurry and open
the boxy'
But her brother was already at work
with his Ratchet, and the cover was
quickly removed, and revealed the beau
tiful wax image, the loyeliest thing Milly
had ever beheld.