Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1882-12-21

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up on the platform, and leaving a des-
criptiOn of it, went rather fOrlornly
back to the house. Here terrible up
turning everything took place; draw
crs were emptied, cupboards ransacked,
trunks explored, even the camphor
chest examined toits depths and every
thing in it shaken out.
You don't suspect Mrs. Sack?" in
Quired Maria.
"Sallio Slack!no, indeed. I've known
her thirty year, Maria; she's honest as
the daylight"
Still Maria thought it best to send
for Mrs. Slack and inquire if she had
seen 1t when she was at the house.
Certain, ccrtain!" answered the
good woman. II see Mis- Grant hev
it into her hand when she went up
charmber; ] hed't took no notice of it
before but she spoke up and says, says
she, Tll 90 right up now, Mis- Slack,
for I'm in some of hurry, bein' that
I'm goin' in the cars to Bosstown for to
buy our folkses' Christmas things; so
then took notice t she he'd pocket
book in:o her hand.'
This was valuable testimony, and
Mrs. Slack's face of fhonest concern and
sympathy showed her innocence in the
matter. Next day there was an adver-
tisemcnt put in the paper, for the fam
lily concluded Grandma must have
dropped her money in the street going
to the station, but the advertisement
proved as fruitless rs the search, and
for once in her life the dear old lady
was dOwncaSt enough.
"Thc first time | never gave 'em a
thing on Christmas | do feel real
d0wnhearted about it, Maria. There's
Annic's three girls lottcd 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 fresh when they did
want it; and poor Gcrty's new cloakm
"Oh, never mind that, mother |
can sponge and turn and fix over the
old one; a plush collar and cuffs will
make it all right"
"But there's the boys. Tom did
want that set of tools and 4 bench for
EN-; and rcckoned on seeing Harry's
eyes shine over Il 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 90 to Thomas's now for va
cation; oh, dear!"
Don't worry, mother" said Maria,
but Grandma went on.
"Kate and Rosy, too, they won't get
their seal muifs and caps, and dear
little Hal! how he will long for the
books | promised him. It's real trying,
Maria!" and Grandma wiped Il tear
from her eye, most unusual symptom.
But it was her way to make the best
of things, and she sat down ut once to
tell Thomas of her loss, and then put it
out of her mind as well as she might.
1t spoke well for all those ten grand
children that they each felt far more
sorry for Grandmother Grants disap-
pointment than their own, and all re-
solved to give hor II present much
nicer and more expensive than ever
before, pinching Il little on their other
gifts to this end; and because they had
to spare from their other presents for
this laudable purpose, it was natural
that not one should tell another what
they meant to send her, lest it should
seem too eXtrayagant in proportion to
what the rest of the family received.
Christmas morning the arrival began.
The stocking of Grandpa's which Gerty
had insisted on hanging to the knob of
Grandma's door was full, and when she
came down to breakfast she brought it
with her still unsearched, that the
family might enjoy her surprise.
At the top n square parcel tied with
blue ribbon was marked "from Gerty,"
and proved to be little velvet port
monnaie.
"Dear child! how thoughtful!n said
Grandma, giving her kiss, and not
observing that the Doctor looked fun
nily at Mrs. White across the table.
The ncxt package bore Johns name
and disclosed pocket-book of Russia
leather.
$50 usefuln' said Grandma, with q
twinkle of gratitude in her kind old
eyes.
Harry emitted n long low whistle,
and his eyes shown as the next paper
parcel with his name on it showed an
honest black leather pocket-book with
a steel clasp.
Grandma had to laugh. DR.. White
roared, and Tom looked little rueful
as his bundle produced another wallet
as like to Harry's as two peas in a pod.
"Dear boys!" said Grandma, shaking
like liberal bowl of jelly with the
laughter she tried to suppress in vain;
but it was the boys turn to shout as
further explorations into the foot of the
old blue stocking brought up lovely
seal-skin wallet from their mother, and
a voluminous yellow leather one from
the Doctor.
"'Sx' souls with but a single thought
six hearts that beat as one;n
misquotcd Mrs. Maria, and n chorus of
laughter that ratified the windows fol-
lowed her. They were still holding
their sides and bursting out afresh
every other minute, when little Sylvia
Rutledge sailed into the dining room
with delicate basket in her hand.
"Morry Christmas!" said she, "but
you seem to have it already"
The boys all rushed at once to ex-
plain.
"Wait minute" said she, "till |
have given Grandma her gifts" and
she produced successfully frem her
basket four parcels.
Silvia's held another velvet port
monnaie; Annie's contained a second
of hand painted kid, daisies on back
: ground; and Amelia's was third
pockst-book of gray canvas with Rus
sia leather corners and straps; while
Mrs. Rutledge's tiny packet produced
an old fashioned short purse with steel
fringe and clasp which she had knit
, herself for her mother.