The Press., 1884-12-25

Issued Every Thursday ETenilg.
 Mrs. Brownlow was fairly at her wits, ed for tin soldiers, solid regiments of them sprang up, like Jason's armed men, at her bidding. At the suggestion of doll, the the world seemed suddenly and solely pso- pied with these little creatures, and wink ing, crying, walking and talking dolls crowded about the bewildered customers, dolls with faxen hair, and dolls with no hair at all dolls of imposing proportions when viewed in front, but of no thickness to speak of, when held sideways; dolls as rigid as mummies, and dolls who exhibited an alarming tendency to double their arms and legs up backward. To add to the con- fusion the air was filled with the noise O trumpets, drums, musical boxes and other in- struments, which were being tested in va- rious parts of the building, until poor Mrs. Brownlow declared she should go distracted. At length, however, she and her hus band, with the assistance of their polite friend, succeeded in selecting two or three dozen small gifts, and, whom the last purchase was concluded, started for home, After walk of ten minutes, they reach ed Boylston Market, where they were st once beset by vendors of evergreen and holly wreaths, crosses and stars of every description. Mr. Brownlow bought half . dozen of the cheaper sort of wreaths, which the owner kindly threaded upon his arm, as If they were 8 sort of huge, fraeant heads. Then he selected tree, and, after short consultation with Mrs. Brownlow, decided to carry it home himself, to save 8 quarter. A horse-car opportunely passing, they boarded it, Mrs. Brownlow and her bag being with some difficulty squeezed in through the rear door, and MT. Brownlow taking his stand upon the front platform, from which the tree. which had been tightly tied up, projected like bowsprit, until they reached home.
 Great was the hustle at IF Shadow st. Parcels were unwrapped; the whole house was pleasantly redolent of boiling molasses and frem the kitchen there came at the same time 8 scratchy and poppy sound, denoting the preparation of mounds of feathery corn. Bob and his father took upon themselves the uprearing of the tree. On being carried to the parlor it was found to be at least three feet too long, and Mr. Brownlow, in his shirt sleeves accomplish ed wonders with saw, smearing himself ] in the process with pitch, from head to foot.
 The tree seemed at fixst inclined to be sulky, perhaps at having been decapitated and curtailed; for it obstinately leaned backward, kicked over the soap-box in which it was set, bumped against Mr. Brownlow, tumbled forward, and in short, behaved itself like tree which was de- termined to lie on its precious back all the next day, or perish in the attempt. At length, just as they were beginning to de- spair of ever getting it firm and straight, I it gave little quiver of it's limbs, yielded gracefully to 8 final push by, Bob, and stood upright, as fair and comely Christ. mas tree as one would wish to see. MT. Brownlow crept out backward, from un. der the lower branches, (thereby throwing his hair into ,he widest confusion and ad. ding more pitch to himself) and regarded it with sigh of content Such presents as were to be disposed of in this way were now hung upon the branches; then strings of popcorn, bits of wool, and glis tening paper, 8 few red apples, and lastly the candles When all was finished, which was not before midnight, the family with drew to their beds, with weary limbs and brains, but with light-hearted anticipation of tomorrow.
 s'Do you s'pose Mrs. Bright will come with her children, John ?' asked Mrs. Brownlow, as she turned out the gas. l uldn't-wonder" "-s sleepily from the four poster.
 "Did MT. Bright say anything about the invitation we sent, when he paid you off?"
 Silence. tr
 More silence. Good MT. Rrownlow was asleep, and Clarissa soon followed him. | Meanwhile the snow, which had been falling fast during the early part of the evening had ceased, leaving the earth as fair to look upon as the fieece-drifted sky above it. Slowly the heavy banka of cloud rolled away, disclosing atar after star, un- til the moon itself looked down, and sent | soft ''Merry Christmas" to mankind. Al of sunlight and church-bells and glad voices, ushering in the gladdest and dear. est day of all the year.
 | The Brownlows were early astir, full ot the joyous spirit of the day. There was g clamor of Christmas greetings, and a de. lighted medley of shouts from the ohil. dren over the few simple gifts that had been secretly laid aside for them. But the ruling thought in every heart was the party. It was to come off at five o'clock in the afternoon, when it would be just dark enough to light the candles on the tree.
 In spite of all the hard work of the pre- ceding days, there was not moment to spare that forenoon The house, as the head of the family facetiously remarked, was perfect hive of B's.
 As the appointed hour drew near, their nervousness increased. The children had been scrubbed from top to toe, and dress ed in their very best clothes Mrs. Brown low wore cap with maroon ribbons, which she had nisgiving were too gaudy for 2 person of her sedate years. Nor was the excitement confiued to the interior of the house. The tree was placed in the front parlor, close to the window, and by half past four dozen ragged children were gathered about the iron fence of the little l front yard, gazing open-mouthed and open eyed at the spectacular wonders within. At quarter before five Mrs. Brownlow's heart beat hard, every time she heard . strange footstep in their quiet street. IL was little odd that none of the gussta had arrived; but then, it was fashionable to be lateI . .ft',i
 Ten minutes more passed. Still no ar- rivals. It was evident that each was plan ming not to be the first to get there, and that they would all descend on the house and assault the door bell at once. Mrs, Brownlow repeatedly smoothed the wrin- kles out of her tidy apron, and MT. Brown