The Press., 1884-12-25
| sTAFFoRD SPRINGS CONN. DECEMBER a5 1884

BIER 25, 1884.
 MRS. BROWNLOW's CHRISTMAS PARTY. l MT. and Mrs. Brownlow, of Shadow-st, i, | Boston, had quietly talked the matter over together, and decided that, as there were three children in the family (not counting themselves, as they might well have done), it would be delightful and not too ex- pensive luxury, to give little Christmas party.
 s'You see, John" said, Mrs. Brownlow, sswe've been asked, ourselves, to half 8 dozen candy-pulls and parties since we've | lived here, and it seems nothin' but fair that we should do it once ourselves ,
 s'Thats so, Clarissy,,' replied her hus- baud, slowly s'but then-there's so many of us, and my salary Swell, it would cost considerable, little woman, wouldn't it ?"
 "I'n tell you what!'' she exclaimed. ssWe needn't have a regular grown-up party, but just one for children. We can get small tree, and bit of present for each of the boys and girls, with ice-cream and cake, and let it go at that. The whole thing shan't cost ten dollars"
 "Good!' P said MT. Br6wnlow, heartily. l Il hueWs you Scb SOue way out OA 1Us Let's tell Bob and Sue and Polly, so they can have the fun of looking forward to it. , | So it was settled. and all hands entered into the plan with such degree of earn estness that one would have thought these people were going to have some grand gift themselves, instead of giving to others, and pinching for month afterwards, in their own comforts, as they knew they would have to do.
 The first real difficulty they met twas in deciding whom to invite. John was for asking only the children of their immedi. ate neighbors but Mrs. Brownlow said it would be kindness, as well as polite, to include those who were better of than themselves.
 'sI allus think, John" she explained, laying her hand on his shoulder, ssthat its just's much despisin' to look down on your rich neighbors-as if all they'd got was money-as on your poor ones. Let's ask l 'em all: Deacon Holsum's, the Brights, land the Nortons." The Brights were Mir. Brownlow's employers.
 | Anybody else r queried her husband, with his funny twinkle. s'P'raps you'd like to have me ask the governors family, or Jordan & Marsh P
 sNow, John, don't yon be saucy," she I iauSuco, TeuoVeu Ab HaVAAg cdIIlco ueI l point. 'sLet's put our heads together, and notes in her nice hand, and Bob can de. liver them, to save postage"
 1 "Well, you've said three," counted MT. Brownlow on his fingers. 'Then there's Mr. Sampson's little girl, and the four Williamses, and-'' he enumerated one family after another, till nearly thirty names were on the list - .4
 Once Susie broke in, 70, pa, don't in vite that Mary Spencer; she's awfully stuck up and cross r
 ssGood !" said her father again. 'sThis will be just the thing for her. Let her be lcoffee ann you be sugar, and see how much you can sweeten her that evening"
 : You see, these Brownlows were such i old fashioned, unfashionable people!
 In the few days that intervened, before the twenty fifth, the whole family were busy enough, Mrs. Brownlow shopping, Susie writing the notes, and the others helping wherever they got chance. Ev cry evening they spread out upon the sit ting room floor such presents as had been bought during the day. They were not costly, but they were chosen lovingly, and seemed very nice indeed to MT. Brownlow and the children, who united in praising
 
 justifable pride she sat in the center oi the room, bringing forth her purchases from the depths of capacious carpet-bag.
 The grand final expenditure was left un. til the day before Christmas. MT. Brown low got off from his work early, with his months salary in his pocket, and 8 few kind words from his employers tucked away even more securely in his warm heart. He had taken special pains to in clude their children, for his party, and he was quietly enjoying the thought of mak. ing them happy on the morrow.
 By preconcerted plan he met Mrs. Brownlow under the great golden eagle al the corner of Sumner and Washington streets and, having thus joined forces, the two proceeded In company toward g certain wholesale toyshop where MT. Brownlow was acquainted, and where they expected to secure such small articles as they desired, at dozen rates.
 | And now MT. Brownlow realized what must have been his wife's exertions during the last fortnight. For, having gallantly relieved her of her carpet bag, and offered his unoccupied arm for her support, he was constantly engaged in struggle to maintain his hold upon either one lor the other of his charges, and rescuing them I with extreme difficulty from the crowd At one time he was simultaneously attack. ed at both vulnerable points, a very stout woman persisting in thrushng herself be- tween him and his already bulging carpet } bag, on the one hand, and an equally per. sistent old gentleman engaged in separat ling Mrs. Brownlow from him, on the oth CT. With flushed but determined face, he held on to both with all his might. when g sudden stampede, to avoid a passing team, brought such violent pressure upon him that he found both Clarissa and bag drag. I ged from him, while he himself was borne at least rod away before he could stem the tide. Fortunately, the stout woman immediately fell over the bag, and MT. Brownlow, having by this means identified the spot where it lay, hewed his way. fig furatively speaking, to his wife and bore her of triumphantly. At last, to the relief of both, they reached the entrance of the toy-dealer's huge store. MT. Brownlow at once hunted up his friend, and all three set about tour of the premises. as l z It was beyond doubt wonderful place. A little retail shop, in the Christmas holi- days, is of itself marvel; but this i'm mense establishment, st the haek doors of which stood wagons constantly receiving cases on cases of goods directed to all parts of the country, was quite another thing. Such long passage-ways there were, walled l in from floor to ceiling with boxes of pic ture- e-blocks, labelled in German; such