The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-12-15
JOHNS CHRISTMAS BOX.

day. and honest John Grahame was
packing up his butter tubs and the rem.
nant of his Christmas marketing before
returning to his expeotant family far of
in the country. '
All day long the great market-ho1se
had been full to overlooking with an
eager crowd of psople, busy with the
buying of their Christmas cheer; and
Johu's fat turkeys, ducks, and country,
homemade sausages had been so well
patronized that not one remained to bur-
den his two strong horses. which had
drawn the whole heavy load into Il 9
great city on the afternoon previous.
Many kindly greeting of the season
had been given honest John by his smil-
ing Customers; for st. Nicholas gives to
all who love him a happy face and light
heart in his own festive season.
OAe thing yet remained to be done,
and John would have sooner lost his
strong right hand than have neglected
this pleasant duty. There must be 3
nice present bought for the kind wife al
home, e,and stop--a happy thought flashed
athwart the good mans mind. He would
buy Margery new bonnet, for times bad
been hard this winter, and although she
had made no mention of it, John well
knew in his heart that it would be the
very thing to please her. Then there was
his little Dolly, who, with her eyes as
black as sloe-berry and bright as stars
III frosty might, had stood on tip-toe &c
kiss him as he sat in his wagon, wei
lolled up in blanket to keep out the
cold, and who ran down tte walk to oper
the wide gate, kissing her hand to him
until he was hidden from her SIGHT by {
turn in the road.
PUSSY shall have her doll she hal
asked for so often and good big box o
sugar-plums, too. he softly promised
himself, loving look coming into hi
mild brown eyes; so, calling his boy t,
finish his preparations for him, he sal
lied forth on his errand of love. H
strolled along the busy streets, LOOKING
I into the store-windows with wonderini
curiosity until milliner's displa,
caught his eye, and he paused in front O
the window.
r His big, burly frame, with its rougl
overcoat, took up so much room an,
looked so utterly out OF place that man
curious, smiling look was cast upo
him. He stood so long time trying /
conquer his difidence aud enter tn
store that little street gamin sang out
with nasal twang, Say, old I'M, whic
suits yer complexion best2 Bay the on
with the peaked top, old cabbage-head.
John, thus rudely reused to sense {
his position, shook his big fist good-n,
: turedly ut the saucy uichin and entere
the store. Good humor aud love hel
= high carnival in Johns heart this blesse
e Christmas-tide, and left no room for nj
kind feelings for any one.
& The smiling saleslady. wondering I
# her odd customer, displayed sew aral boz
< nets 10 Johns astonished eyes, fairly b,
e wildering him with the variety of shape4
d colors, feathers, flowers, and the man
other varieties that she exhibited to hin
5 5 AT last he sank into chair, sayinI
IT "Well, ma'am, l guess Ill have to lea,
z it to you; can drive plow and MAJ
!, age farm, but can't buy a woman
+ bonnet"
u The woman laughed heartily, an,
g picking ont one OF quiet gray silk. wi
s, red rose and gray feather. presented
10 to his tired gaze, and our good farme
a glad to be quit of this herculean tai
70 (worse to him than a whole days ba
= makingl, clutched the bonnet box, al
n without murmuv paid the fashionab
9, price the woman named, only too glad
o; get of thus easily.
Next came the toy store. There
|, found less difficulty, and soon picked G
ie 1e an immense doll. almost as large as Il
to human Dolly, and 10 this was added Il
box of goodies so dear to the heart of /
little ones.
, Now then be was all ready, and in q
" other half-hour was rattling over 4
on stones Of the city toward the country.
10 The horses, as If knowing whittier tb
were bound, laid themselves to th'
n, work right willingly, every now Al
le' then playfully turning toward one q
nE other aud nodding, as If exchange
an %, theie ideas on the many q1eer sigi
they bad seen 10 the wonderful. eT,
city. John turned up the collar Of