The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-12-22
m. AFrER CHRISTMAS.

'Don Z cara: nope Sne nearu! was
Sarah's response.
II. AFTER CHRISTMAS.
Sarah Grant was the first in the school
room on the morning after the Christmas
holiday. Emma Porter and Gerty Smith
soon made their appearance.
Sarah met the newcomers at the door,
fourishing two handsome books over her
| head.n
IF didn't get just what wantedr'
she cried, excitedly.
80 did To- Z So did Ir' eagerly
exclaimed both girls.
- These lovely books, They are full
OF pictures -gilt-edged and all; Just seer'
Sarah went on. Aren't they elegant?''
"Yes, yes; but who gave them to YOU
SarahP We haven't the least idea where
our presents came from; have yOu9'
mo-" replied Sarah, Il haven't, and
L don't know as care, so long as | have
them. @. they are so lovelyr'. and the
excited girl hugged them close
MY skates are beauties" said Emma
Porter. and Gerty's doll -"
Z" A wax doll with real curly hair,''
put in Gerty." and lots of candy, choco-
late. and cocoanut, and peppermint and
everything what l wished for that
/ day-lt so 1unny.
''Girls. girlsr' burst in Katie Cohn,
running up to the noisy group. - I've
got new sled, and l don't know where
| in the world it came from, Mother SAYS
there isn't any Santa Claus, butt believe
/ there iS.'
There's Mary Iwonder if her wish
came true.n
I've got a pianor' began Mary, as
soon as she caught sight of the others.
You don't mean it, Mary Tuckerr'
Il do" said Mary, half crying and
half laughing. "A man brought it
Yesterday afternoon, and he wouldn't
tell mother who sent it, only that it was
forme. And besides, there was a beauti-
ful shawl and cashmere dress came last
night for mother, and-oh, girlsi Here
poor Mary broke completely down.
''What are you crying for, little goose?''
exclaimed Sarah Grant. - Guess L
wouldn' t cry because 1 had piano. Who
sent it. do you suppose? Some of your
rich relations2'
II haven't any, and 1 have been so
afraid that the man made mistake and
would come and take it away"
"Well, shouldn't want TO give up
my new shawl" said Sarah, displaying
| it proudly. Just see how thick and
warml But the best of all is, that Mr..
Northam has raised pa wages
=. So has he raised fAther'sr' said
Emma Porter
..And my fathers, toor' echoed the
others in chorus.
=" He has?''-Sarah stopped suddenly,
and fora a moment her face was study
1t wore a puzzled expression, as if she
We're trying to see her way out of a diff
Guilty. She turned in her quick way to
Gerty Smith:
4" Do you suppose she heard? Could
she have sent-?'' Sarah glanced to-
wards a desk in the corner. Its quiet
little occupant seemed to be studying;
her eyes were fixed upon her book.
I'm ask her-rn find outp' said
| Sarah Grant.
There was no smile on Sarah's face.
as she crossed the room; instead. a
/ troubled, set look about the mouth.
She stopped in front of Hetty's desk.
..See herer' she said sharply, "did YOU
have ANYTHING to do with our Christmas
/ thingsP-my books, and Marys piano.
Did you" still more sharply.
Hetty hesitated; herface was flushed.
and the girlwas fairly trembling with
excitement. For moment no answer
came, and then she took refuge in the
monosyllabic "WhyP''
II want to know; did you or did You
not?' demanded Sarah harshly.
"Ye-yes," stammered Hetty, fright
ened at Sarah's sternness. II
thought you would like them.'
.'Do you mean to say that you heard
what we said that day what | said
about you2" questioned Sarah, in a
queer, strained voice.
II heard some -I--but I'm not
proud a bit, Sarah; 1 wanted you to
know it,
"And you gave me those booksl o.
Hettyr'
There was a tremble in the hard
voice, and then Sarah Grant put her
arms around Hetty Northam, and hid
her face in the dainty white apron.
By that time everybody was over by
Hetty's desk, all talking at once, Mary
thanking Hetty over and over for her
share in the gifts, while Hetty explained
that she had lately had n new piano, and
she couldn't possibly use two.
Tears were plenteous. but after all
smiles predominated.
''What presents did you haveP'
somebody asked of Hetty.
Hetty did not reply at once; she
blushed painfully.
Not much; some money!" she said
finally. as her questioner pressed her.
Sarah Grant was quick to think
''Hetty Northam,n she said, slowly,
"did you give up your Christmas for us
girlsp And | said / hated you-and you
heard mer'
''Why, I've had a lovely Christmas;
wanted to do it, said Hetty, simply;
81 had things enough
just at this juncture the teacher APP
peared in the doorway. and noting some
unusual stir. hastily inquired the cause.
Sarah Grant was too deeply buried !
amid Hetty's ruffies to explain, and some /
body else had to tell the story
Katie Cohn afterwards asserted that
there were tears in Mr. Bacon's ewes as
he put his hand on Hetty's head and
stroked her soft curls, and nobody else
could see clearly enough at the time to
contradict her.
True to nature, Sarah Grant could not
let the affair end without putting in a
word:
..Mr. Bacon. Hetty Northam is an
angelF TO which he answered:
She has given good for evil, Sarah,
and that is more than angelic; it is
Christlike, Golden Rule.
"A Colorado Sherifr undertook fo ar. !