The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1882-12-20

4
Dis the daylight.
SIN Maria thought it best so send for
Mrs. Slack and inquire if she had seen 1t |
when she was at the house. But to no
| purpose, but for once III her life the dear
| old lady was downcast enough.
THE first time never gave 'em
thing on Christmas do feel real down
hearted about it, Maria. There's Armies
three girls lotted SO on their gloves an
| nicknacks for parties this winter, for
was goin' to give them gold pieces SOS
they could get what they wanted sort OF
flesh when they did want it; and poor
Gerty's new cloak"
"Oh, never mind that, mother. can
sponge and turn ana fix over the old one
q plush collar and cuffs will make it all
| right"
But there's the boys. Tom did want
tina: set of tools and tet,eh. for 'em; and
| reckoned on seeing Harry's eyes shine
over a real Newfoundland dog. That
makes me think; won't you write to that
| man in New York? I've changed my MIND
about the dog. And Jack can't 60 to
| Thomas's now for vacation; oh DEAR.
Don't worry, mother" said Maria; but
Grandma went OH: !.
But it was her war TO mike the best OF
thirigs. and she sat down at Once 70 tell
Thomas Of her loss, and then put 1t out
Of her mind as well ss She might:
1t spoke well for all those ten grand
children that they each felt far more
sorry for Grandmother Grants dlsap-
pointment than their own, and all re-
solved to give her q present much nicer
and more expensive than ever before,
pinching little on their other gifts 10
this end; and keeause they had to spare
from their other preseiits tof this laud-
able purpose, it was natural enough that
not one should tell another what they
meant 20 send her, lest it should seem
; too exsayagant in PROPORTION to what
the rest of the family received.
Christmas morning the arrival began.
The stocking Of GrandPa's which Gerry
had insisted on hanging to the knob of
Grandma's door was full, and when she
came dorr 70 breakfast she brought it
with Der still unsearchea, that the family
; might enjoy her surprise.
At the top a square parcel tied with
blue ribbon was marked "from Gery,"
, and proved to be a little velvet porte
monnaie.
aDear child. how thoughtful! said
Grandma, giving her kiss, and not OBJ
serving that the Doctor looked funnily
at Mrs White across the table.
The next package bore Johns name
; and disclosed pccket-book of Russian
leather.
$50 useful!" said Grandma, with a
twinkle of gratitude in her kind old eyes.
Harry emitted long low whistle, and
r his eyes sho1e as the next paper parcel
with his name on it showed an honest
black leather pocket-book with steel
clasp.
2 Grandma had to laugh. Doctor White
reared, and Tom looked little rueful as
his bundle produced another wallet as
S like to Harry's as two peas in pod:
sDear boys" said Grandma, shaking
like liberal bowl ofjelly with the laugh
, ter she tried to suppress in vain; but it
was the boys' to shout as further explor-
> atoms into the foot of the old blue stock
ing brought up lovely sal-skin wallet
f from their mother, and yoluminous vel.
low one from the Doctor.
, "'six. souls with but single thought
u six, hearts that beat as one"
Misguided Mrs Maria, and chorus Of
e laughter that almost ratified the windows
e followed her. They were still holding
L their sides and bursting out afresh every
other minute, when little Sylvia Rutledge
:, sailed into the dining-room with deli
Il cate basket in her hand,
4 "AIerry Christmas" said she, ''but yor
!. seem to have it already
lrx-c II r,,cbal OF opoo RI a~nlair
y "Wait minute" said she, 'till I have
K given Grandma her Christmas gifts" ant
t, produced from her basket four parcels
Silvia's held another velvet porte-mon
MAE. Armies contained second o
hand.painted kid, daisies on blaci
ground and Amelia's was third poke
book of gray canvas with Russia ieathe
n corners and straps; while Mrs. Rutledge'
:. tiny packet produced an old-fashione'
L L short purse with steel fringe and cias
d which she had knit herself for her moth
er.
/ How can words tell the laughter whicl
hailed this repetition? The boys rolle'
4 off thei chairs and roared till their yer
y sides ached tears streamed down Mn
y Whites fair face; Grace gazed at tn
le presents with look half rueful and hal
:. funny, while the Doctors vigorous "hav
le haw! hawI" could have been heard haI
le mile had it not been happily the seaso
l Il of shut doors and windows, while Sylvi
y y herself perceiving the six pocket-booI
- which had preceded her basketft
~ appreciated the situation and laughe
all the harder because she was not tire
u, with previous fit of mirth, and Crane
e ma sat shaking and chuckling in he
AZ chair, out of breath to be sure, but he
~ face rosy and her eyes shining more tina
Nc ever. Suddenly a loud knock at til
=, funt door interrupted their laughte
as Tom ran to admit the intruder; it VIZ
AZ the expressman with box from Ne
eh York directed in uncle Toms hand
.e, Mrs. ]. G. Grant.
ts Something better than pocket-bool
III III this time, mother!" said the Doctor,
- - Tom ran for the screw-driver; but ala
IT. the very first bundle that rolled out ar
!. fell heavily to the floor, proved indie,
W. when picked up to be another poke
vi VI book, cornered and clasped with silvt
US, and Grandma's initials on the clas
les beautiful as the gift was it was thru
d. H. aside with certain impotence, for t
VI next package, labelled "from Rosamonf
~, but openedonly to display the very cou
us ns terpart of Amelia's gift; and paper b
vi i'll with Kate's script outside held the rec'
ID as rent pocket-book again in black vel,
VI and gilt corners, with little cary
white-wood box, the work of Halls
shs tent fingers, showed within its lid
e ta.s purse of silvered links which had cost
ons his years savings.
go This was the last touch. Hitherto tn
, noa curiosity as one thing was displayed at
, ,d,, another, had kept them in sort of b,
,aa bling quiet, but this final developm'
! ~ was too much they laughed so loud a
,;rs so long that old Hannah, hurrying fir
.,s the kitchen and opening the door to
LILY wSat was the matter, looked thund
JUS struck rs she beheld the whole fam
j, shaking; choking, rolling about or he
IN, ing on to each other in roars of 81