Connecticut western news., 1884-11-26
THE KINGSTON FAMILY.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

don't care," growled Fred King ston, Sits too downright mean that we can't have any good time Christmas. " "Why, what's the matter ?" said his sister Fannie. "We had a lovely day last year; such beautiful presents, just what I spoke for; and told father and mother weeks ago wanted sealskin cap and muff, and lots of other things" sWell, Miss Flamina Flaminga p pet name for Fannie, which he delighted to u~e. sfYou won't get seaIskin cap, or any other skin cap, not even cat skin. Fathers given out that he is short of funds, and we can only have a few stingy dollars to buy presents for each other, and for all the Kingston an- cestors and descendants that arc to visit us. If that pack of cousins were not coming from out West, wouldn't care so much, but they have never been here before, and I did want to show them that we knew how to keep Christmas. Now, it's all up"
 sI don't believe a word of it." said Fannie. ''You're joking. Father didn't tell me"
 ''He didn't dare to tell you, for fear you'd shed such a copious shower of tears as to deluge the whole Kingston family, so have broken it to you gent ly, my dear Flamina Flaminga, haven't I? Father pretends to be as poor as Jobs cat, but I believe he is growing mean"
 Just then Fred looked up and received areproying glance from his mother, who was sitting on the other side of the room. In moment he was by her side, humble and crestfallen, saying: sI didn't mean that, mother. have got the best father in the world. I'm sorry, but was so outrageously aggra vated."
 ''If you had seen how badly your father felt when he asked me how he could tell you children that we mustcur. tail in our Christmas expenses, think you would pity him, instead of your selves. We must remember that we art not debarred from receiving the greates of all gifts. the Christ Child, who through the celebration of his birth seems to be offered to us afresh eacl Christmas. If you accept this gift yol are far richer than with all that wealtl can bestow. '1t is no matter if we can't have an,
  great time. You tell father we don care" said Fred, bravely.
 ''But," answered his mother, ''I knoy father will be far from happy that day unless he can see you all having merr, time, and l have been trying to think 0 some inexpensive plan for our amuse ment. With contented mind a littl may give great pleasure"
 'Oh, mother, you always think o such lovely things. Now, do tell u your plan" said Fannie, settling hersel on hassock at her mothers feet, whiI Fred stret ed himself at full length O the lounge, with his hands clasped owe his head, eagerly exclaiming:
 Your just sp,endid, mother l No proceed. Your audience is ready"
 "Since we cannot remember eac other by our usual costly gifts, we migt exchange imitation presents, which W can make ourselves, at very little e pense, and yet have some of them yer pretty. and many of them quite anu ing"
 That will be jolly, mother. " exclaime Fred. "Can't we make them for or company, too? tell you we'll ha1 fun. Let me see, what will I contriv for Miss Flamina Flaminga. I que PIl-''
 Don't tell me" interrupted Fanni excitedly, putting both hands over h. ears. '.I want to be surprised"
 T thought we would, each of us continued Mrs. Kingston, ssprepare