The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-23

Clauss and she showed ouite a large /
parcel which she had been earefni7v /
coneeailng. The paper fell off and re- /
yealed 10 Elsie's astonnded ewes a very /
beaat'fui and expensive doll in lovely /
Poor Elsie's eyes flew open to a TER
rioie width She bit her Inns ard /
doubled up her hand. lest in her hun-
ger for il she snatch it suddenly from, |
the giver.
When she could command herself.
she held out her arms very tenderly.
saying, in dazed way:
to keeps''
On. to keep cried Ethel joyouslv.
as she lay the doll in her arms.
Essle's heart WAS so full she could
not speak Tears stood upon her
lashes, and seeming to forget the
world about her. she went slowly over
10 the box again. and sat down and
gazed at her doll as though she feared
Il was dream that would vanish
away.
oh. Miss Ethel, she said. never
looking un, you are q real. true angel,
and l shall call my doll Ethel, and
We Il both love you ali tho days of our
life
''Tony! called Ethel out the door.
and her papa's coachman came in and
set down a little girls 5 chair and table
and a dolls bureau. and then went ont
and brought in two pasteboard boxes,
which, as Ethel gently pushed Elsie in
/ the chair, she opened, and behold
/ set OF gray furs and tea-set; in the
| bureau were night-clotheS and changes
| for Dollie
Wheels stopped and Tony entered
with large market basket, and man
followed with barrel OF flour, and it
was time for the older Hills to open
their eyes, for there was creature COM
fort laid upon their rickety table,
which made Its legs bend
"Oh. Ionyi why did you not wait till
| was gomez said Ethel abashed, as
they began to overwhelm her with
blessings. Tnen Ethel ran over L
Elsie, partly to hide her confusion anc
whispered something about Christ
mas tree" in her ear, and vanishe,
from the door quick as a wink.
Outside she was caught in a pair o
strong arms and lifted up.
Z Papa! she exclaimed reproachful
ly, you have been listenings
Yes; so this accounts for the paper
muslin tunic and your Christina
; money"
, She hung her head.
? Yes, papa; had not enoug
money and was sure you would nc
object to my spending my Christina
money as | pleased. As to the tuni,
| did not think that would be noticed
, and used the money you gave me fC
Elsie before yon gave ne the Chris
mas money.
But the girls on the stage mu.
have observed the tunic and made II
MARKS
| Il would not have minded that
you and mamma had not noticed it. -
: Il do not understand" said he
father Why did you not ask for tn
money? 1t was not much. -
Because | feared you would no
approve of buying toys for poor pee
ple's children; out | am a child my
self and can imagine how happy the
would make Elsie.
so you are glad in your heart tha
you forego your Christmas for tn
sake OF that poor family"
Yes, very, father" said Ethel, witt
radiant face. Il would rather b
called a sytblag than selfish"
When Ethels mother had related t,
, her the events of the evening, her eve
swan with tears. She then rehearseC
for her husband her conversation witt
Ethel about Santa Claus.
For child so sensitive to good in
fuence, wife," said he, ''there is n,
need of enforcing the lesson further
, By-by." said he, hurrying out of thu
front door in time to catch a train t,
the city, leaving his wife, with Tony
and maids assistance to dress th'
tree as usual
In the morning Ethel hastened earl
to the tree, in order TO see what triile
were hanging upon its limbs whic
would afford a variety TO add to Elsie
treasures, and was not disappointed
There were dainties of every shape an
variety, and, much to her surprise
modestly hidden among the branche
and wrapped in tissue paper, wer
some exquisite and costly presents il
scribed Ethel"
A shapeless mass of articles wei
thrown across a sofa, which, upo
examining, Ethel found to be a worl
mans warm overcoat and stout mi
tens, warm gown and child's car
and hood, also some good blanket
These were inscribed: