The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-01-07
on CHRISTMAS EVE.

"Money for Christmas presents. in
dcedr' cried Mr.. barrow. That's all
nonsense!''
"My dear!'' said Mrs. barrow, depre-
catingly.
"But there's an end to a mans
purser' 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 cancels back, comes demand for
Christmas presents! can't do it, my
dear, and won'tp'
"But tho childrenw said Mrs: OAR
row, who sat with her hands folded in
her lap, with q frightened air. as II
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.
30, the children!' and Mr.. barrow
shrugged his shoulders. "They won't
sufferi Didn't give Addle 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
drcn should be brought up to know that
life isn't all play. Twas cash-boy in a
store when was only two years older
than Joer'
"Yes, l know" said Mrs. barrow.
mcekly; "but they have been looking
forward all the year to Christmas, and
l don't know how they'll endure the
disappointment"
cit 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 hel
forehead, and brought sharp pain be.
hind her eyes. She had just SO much
housekeeping-money allotted to hel
every month, and, good economis
though she was, it was impossible Il
save much. Mr.. barrow was thrifty
man. and for every dollar he pridet
himself upon getting dollars value.
II was going to buy new wicke
hamper for the Clothes" said Mrs. Oar
row, land set Of new table napkins
But must darn up the old linen to las
few weeks longer, and do without tn
hamper, so as TO have few dollars T.
buy TOYS for the children. Ican't chea
them out of all their Christmas happi
ness, poor little dears!'
Mr.. barrow was sauntering comforta
bly, mp the snowy street, the day befor
Christmas, when he saw his wife
dressed in the little seal brown velve
hat and neatly trimmed cloth cloa
which he knew 30 well. enter toy stor
on the opposite corner. He looke'
hard moment, then followed her.
1T can't be, after all that said,' b
thought ssthat she actually means :
set me at defiance!'
There she was, however, in tn
crowd of buyers, edging her way Pc
tiently no to the counter. handling Tn
cheap tags pending over their relativ
attractions.
Yes! She was actually turning out he
purse. The shopman was lookin
around for his wrapping-paper and u
sue. Now was the time for him to u
terfere. Mr.. barrow stepped up to tn
counter and laid his hand authoritative
ly on her shoulder.
what are you buying. AbbyF' sal
be,