Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-01-25

On, grandpa, coms hMsls oal1ed
0racie, suddsnly.
'sWhat i il, Pamyi" asksd NJ.
lAngdon, approaching The tiny rocking.
There il sons4hing whiAs stisLins
ont from t1At .psat41 wreath," aaid
Qfacis, pointing With her vel foss-
finger.
$50 there is. Hare Fred, come and
80 Whist this dainty lady has discov-
eFed.
AZ the summons stalwart Young TEL
low left the group around the piano, and
approached. It was but the work Of IN
instant for him to take down the garland.
dislodge the paper from it, hiding place,
and hand it, with low bow, 70 his little
cousin.
"Why, it's 3 letter. she exclaimed.
"You read it, grandpa.
The whole company had now gathered
round, aud putting On his cye-glaasss,
grandpa read aloud Jim'snole; and - he
finished exclsmations OF wonder and pity
sounded ON al sides: s'What strange
letter-box," "Poor childrenl something
ought to be done for them;" while little
Oracle, with her big eyes filled with
tears, ran to her grandfather sobbing,
Oh, grandpa, lam 90 sorry for Millys
Here, take my new dolly, and send il to
her for New Years gift.
]" To be sure ! will" said Mr.. Lang
don, catching the generous little maiden,
IN his arms and giving her what she
called q bears hng," while for some
reason his glasses did not seem - clear
- usual.
It was the first day Of january, clear,
crisp and cold; but il was hardly : happy
New Year in the Bertram household, Tor
the green's had not brought a. much -
they expected, and after the rent for the
small house and farm had been paid,
there was little left for food and clothes,
and the mothers heart was heavier than
ever, and Jim had to whistle 10 keep mp
his spirits as he choppedaway at the pile
Of wood in the yard.
Mily, too, was feeling rather disoonso-
late ~ she stood by the window making
"peep-holes with q hot penny in the
thick frost which completely covered the
panes, while Araminta Cleopatra looked
more forlorn than ever, perched ON the
sill by her side.
With her eyes at one OF the "peep-
holes" Milly saw . wagon come lumber
ing slowly up the road and stop at the
gate, and mans voice was heard with
out inquiring il chilly Bertram lived
there" and Immediately after the door
Was burst open and in rushed Jim,
hpoo kh1oau ~ysx1, awns<ovsnonk ~
lowed BY neighboring farmer bearing
. large box.
"There, Mise Mile, he said, III
found that down at the Corner for
you, so thought I'd bring it along.
Guess somebody's been sending you a
New Years. But / can't stay to see, for
my horses won't stand this swapping
weather; 80 good mornin', and many
happy returns Of the day."
"The aame to you, cried Milly, land
thank you so much for bringing this up.
Oh, Jim, do hurry and open the box y
But her brother was already at work
with his Ratchet, and the cover was quick
removed, and revealed the beautiful wax
image, the loveliest thing Milly had ever
beheld.
"Ohl is il alive ?" she asked in an
awstruck tone, clasping her hands; and
it was some time before she ventured to
touch the dainty doll, dressed in satin
and lace, who had such bright eyes, that
opened and shut, curls Of real glossy
hair, and when spring was touched
cried i" Papa, mama" in such o ,ifellke
manner. Indeed, she could hardly be
persuaded that il was not real living
child.
Pinned to her skirt WAS Q paper on
which was written, "a New Years Gift
for Milly Bertram, from her new friend,
little Oracle Langdon. Her name 10
Blanche Lillian White"
"Oh, the dear, darling little girl!"
cried Milly. :" But look! thereare more
things in the box"
And, indeed, there were. Aud as
package after package was drawn forth,
and disclosed dresses and shawls for both
Milly and her mother, clothes, and an
elegant pair of club skates labeled for
"James Bertram, who thought only of
his little sister, T" and, lastly, q purse well
filed with gold and silver, the joy and
ecstacies of the children knew NO bounds,
while the mother wept from very glad
ness.
That was indeed a happy New Years
day; and when in the evening they sat
before the fire of pine knots, the mother
wrapped in her new shawl, and with the
old care-worn look quite banished from
her face, Jim polishing his new skates,
on which he had enjoyed fine race in
the afternoon. and Milly with Blanche
Lillian White and Araminta Cleopatra
Fitz-James side by side in her lap, Jim
remarked, "It must be nice to make
other people happy; and next Christmas
Giraffe Langdon shall have the very
abandonment box Of evergreens that goes
into New York City, in return for Milly's
New Years gift. ~ Agnes Carr in
Christi0n linton.