The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1883-12-26

rs-eIved generous eift in addition to
tro money due her. at wish could
el'eer her M q little, Y and So fhInk ng,
store the Windows of which were gay
Niti, fragrant evcrgfeens and ibril hf-
huod flowers. 'sOli what preity hollyl
and how Christ naslike Il looksif I wish
Mrs. Howard could see tbs. for 1 know
she Is fond OF it.N SO, on Kind deed in
tentthe girl entered the shop and In
eluifpd the price Of the bunch Of holly.
Il came within her slender means, and
with glowing face she hastened back
10 the darkened house, and with .
courtesy and q Pardon me, ma'arn,
but I have Just brought you . bit Of
Christmas, laid the messenger from
the pine woods on her lap.-"Ohi thank
You. Maggie; this Is really beautifully, 7,
said Afrs. Howard; aud, glad TO see her
smile eysf 50 family. the girl left with
. lighter heart But q moment later.
tears vere falling among the scarlet
berries, and sparkling IKE fdsY-d drops
on the dark-green leaves, as slowly the
lady untled the bunch, intending 70
decorate her chiidren's portraits with
the humble gin. q Her fhoughts had
Wandered far away INTO the sad land oi
rusflinf beneath her fingers brought
her back 20 the present. and With sur
prise she drew forth from is green bed
and read tho little nnto sent by Katy
and Phil 'from their mountain home IN
New England. ~
The holly messenger had done It's
mission, and done Il we'll, for with o
new and happier look on her face than
Il hadWorn for months, Mrs, Howard
laid down the letter exclaiming; ',fo N
little onesl they shall have merry
hastily looming hat and cloak, she
Joined the laughing. hurrying throng
without On his return home that
evening. Mr. Howard was both sur
prised and delighted 10 find his wife
bright and Interested. buslly packing a
large box with clothing. toys, and
swootmeats, 10 which she even added n
little gown that had belonged TO her
own littlo Helen, who was just the ago
OF wee Nelly. The holly had proved q
blessing 10 both sender aud receiver,
itwGs Christmas eve. cold and frosty;
tho snow falling In largo flakes, quietly
and gently, around tho lonely little cot
taQe on the border OF tho pino forest.
But within, II looked quito gay and
fustal. Tor the children had covered the
old cracked walls with garlands OF
gruun. and stood great hemlock
branches n tic corners, while the pine
knots burned a. though they know itwas
Christmas, and close 70 tho chimney
| hung two little striped stookings, fast
| onod up thoro by Nelly aud Molly, who
| were now fast lsloep In an adjoining
room, "whilo visions Of sugarsplums
| danced through their heads. ~
failed. y whispered fhn toKaty. as he
| carefully shaped small wooden boat
| no was whiting out Tor Molly. Eyes. !"
sighed Katy. glancing up from the, bag
| she was hlllng with beans, lis Il gottinQ
| vory lale." NiIere u all there b q pul
/ Ia tho stockings, ~ said Mrs, Holland,
| emerging from tho cupboard with two
1 rod apples, doughnut man and woni'
| an, aud some handouts OF ohostnuts,
Poor dotsl am afraid they VIII be
disappointed. not 70 find even stick OF
Al that moment q laundering rap.
mp.tap sounded through the house. and
made them all jump. "Who can thai
ho. this timo Of nlghtpn said the mother
starting 10 open tho door; but Katy wa'
before her, and ushorod IN q neighbor,
Ing farmer covered with snow, and
hoaring a hpge box, which he sol dowr
With ~ thuhip, saying, s'Thero, Mrs
Holland, l found that down 10 the vii
lagc. directed 70 you. 30 list brough'
Iit up. 'srhenk you yory much
Though don't know what \ can be. !
IA Christmas-box. may belN laughes
1.-THE man, s'hut must hurry along
while PIN and Katy seemed 20 hay'
suddenly lost their sonses. as they won
dancing wildly around the room. clap
ping thclr hands. aud oryingi ems th'
hollyl the hollyt aud Christmss hal
como after allr' greatly 10 the mystlil
cafion OF their mother. until, while Phi
ran for a hatohet Katy tols
her = OF the lottor they has
sent In tho barrel Of greens. She cqGl'
hardly believe hor ears, and still les
her eyea, whom the oovor having baoi
knocked OF. they drew forth tho oon
tans Of that wonderful Christmas tox
"lloro arc tlsp skates, and the shoes, AM
the candy. and tho. oraugest orerythinI
tho children wished forF' cried Katy, \
4 ccstacyj sand q honutIfnl hat and thlc I
warm drcss for both Nell and Noll: oh
won't they ba pleasedl" s,And yo
older ones are not forgotton, iaid Mr..
Holland, holding up two packages, al
lin n Iol,.nd - ana ,i sv,,,eh & wcrc fonnd 1
cannfSin fhe prrftie.t suits thew had eve
seem 'toecther With various asticies dea
"a The 6earts Of rirls and BOYS. an
which they declared to be lust what the
wanted 4 while oven the mother was No
rccleciei Tor n warm blanket shaw
and 4 lira latter cncios,rg ION -doila
biii' sent The rratsfuI Tears wellIng 4