The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-01-11

On the Friday before Hetty in her
turn, according to the custom of the
school, had recited Poe's Bells" and
their strange music had charmed Sarah
Grant, who, Notwithstanding her blunt,
sometimes coarse speech and hasty
temper, loved poetry, and she longed to
read for herself the words which had SO
pleased her.
so, you are crazy about those Bells, -
said Gerty Smith. ''It was splendid,
but there are other things r drather have
for Christmas / wish 1 could have
pounds and pounds of candy. just as
much as could eatfor once, and new
| doll Beatrice is all worn out and
| mother says she shall not get me
another she concluded, mournfully,
thinking of the forlorn darling with the
torn dress and shoeless feet. .5--r
'Humph! you may have all the dolls.
want a sled SO can slide down hill
with the boys,'' put in Katie Cohn.
$50 do [ want a sled, and a book full
of pictures, and bird, and new dress,
and-oh, ever so many things.'' said
little Hattie Morris, drawing long
breath. "What do you want, Mary?"
The. quiet, gentle girl addressed an
swered slowly:
Il guess I should rather have a new
dress and shawl for mother than anything
else.'f e Estf Eskafp S-Ta a.
"Why, of course we'd like lots of
things for other folks, but just for your
self; what doyou want most for yourself,
"Well, I want piano dreadfully; but
| shan't ever have that, SO I didn't say
it,'' replied Mary. h2E.<f 3U -
"Guess you'll have one as quick as we
shall get our things. Don't you think
so. Sarahp'
"Like enough" replied Sarah with a
scowi; 81 never expect to have anything.
Nobody does in Cotton Hollow, excep.
whoever has the mills. That's the way
to keep poor folks; screw 'em down
close, and put the money in your own
| pocket to buy fur cloaks and blue CASH
mere dresses withr1 - ' 8
"Sarah Grantr' whispered Gerty Smith
hurriedly as they rushed upstairs at the
sound of the bell; 81 do believe Hetty
Northam was at that window; caught
glimpse of somebody"
"Don't care! Hope she heardr was
Sarah's response. IS -.--, --.-sz,-sy
80 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. s
Sarah met the newcomers at the door,
aourishing two handsome books over her
| head. -
"If didn't get just what wantedr'
she cried, excitedly.
$50 did I!p i So did II, eagerly
exclaimed both girls.
g These lovely books! They are full
ofpictures -gilt-edged and all; just seem
Sarah went on. Aren't they elegant?''
"Yes, yes; but who gave them to you,
Sarah? We haven't the least idea where
our presents came from; have your
"No," replied Sarah, 81 haven't, and
don't know as / care, so long as have
them. o, they are so lovelyr' and the
excited girl hugged them close. s-a ~
"My skates are beauties," said Emma
Porter, and Gerty's doll III "a
"A wax doll with real curly hair
put in Gerty,'' and lots of candy, choco-
late, and cocoanut, and peppermint and
everything Just what | wished forthat
day-it's so funnyr'
'TaGirls, 'girlsw burst in Katie Cohn,
running up to the noisy group, g L We
got new sled, and I don't know where
in the world it came from! Mother says
there isn't any Santa Claus, but believe
there is 49, Is 0stgytfsfe3 s'7ts1e
There's Mary! I5wonder if her wish
came true.
1--we got apianor' began Mary, as
soon as she caught sight of the others.
"You don't mean It, Mary Tucker!"
81 dor' 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
for me. And besides, there was beauti-
full shawl and cashmere dress came last
night for mother, and-oh, girls! Here
poor Mary broke completely down.
What are you crying for, little goose?"
exclaimed Sarah Grant. 'F Guess I
wouldn' tcry because I-had a piano. Who
sent it, do you suppose2 Some of your
rich relationspn .tF
AZ haYen't any, and I have been so
| afraid that the man made a mistake and
would come and take it away Il
s~t'Well, shouldn't want to give up
my new shawl" said Sarah, displaying
it proudly. g Just see how thick and
warm! But the best Of all is. that Mr..
NOrthaTn has raised pas wages. !"
:" So has he raised father'sr' said
| Emma Porter. 10 <rEfk
And my fathers, toor' echoed the
Others m chorus. 80 Ca ,SIlsdy {, u
He has?'-Sarah stopped suddenly,
and fora moment her face was study.
ItMere puzzled expression, as if she
were trying to see her way out of diff
:ulty. She turned in her quick way to
5erty Smith:
e Do you suppose she heardP Could
he haye sent-?" Sarah glanced to-
Yards desk in the corner. Its quiet
tile occupant seemed to- be studying;
er eyes were fixed upon her book.
"rn ask her-rn find outr' said
arah Grant. Ey oft itfS.3 1Iff
There was no smile on Sarah's, face,
she crossed the room; instead, a
oubled, set look about the mouth.
lestopped in front of Hetty's desk. i
4 L.1v.- Il. .