, 1882-04-21
"lhe Thauk.YOu Came"

"What in the world is that?" asked the
young folk of Don and Dorry, and their
host and hostess candidly admitted that
they hadn't the slightest idea what 1t
was. They never had heard OF 1t be-
fore
well, then, how can we play it9" in
sisted the little spokespeople:
II don't know" answered Dorry, look
ing in puzzled way at the door. -,
"All join hands and form a circleE
cried voice.
Every one arose, and soon the circle
stood expectant.
Your dear great-great fairy godmother
is coming to see you," continued the
voice. "She is slightly deaf, but you
must not mind that"
"Oh, no, no." cried the laughing cir
Gle, mot in the least"
"She brings her white gnome with
her." said the invisible speaker, "and
don't let him know your names or he
will get you into trouble"
mo, no, NOT cried the circle, wildly.
A slight stirring was heard in the hall,
the doors opened and in walked the
fairy godmother and her white gnome.
She was tall, much-bent old woman,
in rutlied cap, peaked hat and long,
red cloak. He, the gnome, wore red
trousers and red sleeves. The rest of
his body was dressed in a white pillow
case with arm-holes cut in it. 1t was
gathered at his belt; gathered also by o
red ribbon tied around the throat; the
corners of the pillow Gaze tied with mar
row ribbon formed his ears, and there
was white bandage over the eyes, and q
round opening for s mouth. The goC-
mother dragged in large sack, and the
gnome bore stick wi h bells AZ the end.
"Let me into the ring, ,dears, squeaked
the fairy godmother.
'Let me into the ring, dears, "growled
the white gnome.
The circle obeyed.
"Now, my DEAR" squeaked the fairy
godmother, "I've brought you O bag
full of lovely things, but, you must
know, / am under an enchantment. All
/ can co is to lei you each take out o gift
when your turn comes, but when you
send me Thank you, don't let my
white gnome know what it is, for if he
guesses your name you must put back
the gift without opening tie paper. But
if he guesses the wrong name, then you
may keep the gift. SO now begin, one
at time. Keep the magic circle NOV
ing until my gnone knocks three times"
Around went the circle, eager with
fun and expectation. Suddenly the
blinded gnome pounded three times with
his stick, and then pointed it straight in
front of him, jingling the little bells.
Tommy Budd was the happy youth
pointed at.
"Help yourself, my dear" squeaked
the fairy godmother as she held the sack
toward him. He plunged his arm into
the opening and brought out neat
paper parcel.
"Hey! What did you say, dear?" she
squeaked "Take hold of the stick"
Tommy seized the end OF the stick, and
said, in horse tone:
"Thank you, maam.'
"That's John Stevens" growled the
gnome. "Put it back put it back"
But it wasn't John Stevens, and so
Tommy kept the parcel.
The circle moved again. The gnome
knocked three times, and this time the
stick pointed to Dorry. She tried to be
polite, and direct her neighbours hand to
it, but the godmOther would not hear Of
that.
Help yourself, child" she squaked,
and Dorry did. The paper parcel which
she drew from the sack was so tempting
and pretty, all tied with ribbon, that she
really tried very hard to disguise her
"Thank you" but the gnome WAS too
sharp for her.
"No, no - he growled. "That's
Dorothy Reed. Put it back put it
back p
And poor Dorry dropped the pretty
parcel into the bag again.
SO the merry game went on; some es-
caped detection and saved their
gifts; some we're detected and lost
them; but the godmother would not
suffer those who had parcels to try again,
and therefore, n the course of the game,
those who failed at first succeeded after
while. When all had parcels, and the
bag was nearly empty, what did that old
fairy do but straighten up, throw off her
hat, cap, false face, and if it wasn't
Uncle George himself, very red in the
face. aud very glad to be out of his
prison. Instantly one and all discovered
that they had known all along that it was
Mr.. Reed.
"Ha ha - they laughed; "and now,
let's see who the white gnome is p
They caught him at the foot Of the
stairs, and were not very much aston
ished when Ed. Tyler came to light.
"That is splendid game y declared
some "Grand !" cried Others. "Fine,"
''first-rate,' glorious" capital" as
good as Christmas" said the rest. Then
they opened their parcels, and there was
great rejoicing,-St. Nicholas.