Bridgeton pioneer., 1885-12-24

blue snood binding her soft yellow
hair; and, hugging her first real doll
} closely in her arms, never realized that
she was an express package, until
Hollywell was reached just after dark.
More sad good-byes had then to be
said, and she was given to the tender
care of an eXpressman, with covered
wagon and pair of prancing horses.
The cosey parlor behind Miss Han
ford's shop was vision of comfort
and honely cheer on that Christmas
night, with the crimson curtains
drawn, and a glorious fire cracking
merrily on the hearth. And the we'll
washed faces of the four little Bats
reflected all the brightness as they
gathered around the simple Christmas
tree twinkling with tiny lights, and
made their mouths into round O's,
with delight Miss Hanford hustled
around like a motherly old hen, pass
ing doughnuts, filling mugs of sweet
cider, and distributing the little gifts
of which she had robbed the store, to
gladden. the occasion.
How the tongues ran. How Tommy
Bait beat his big drum, and Mat
footed his tin trumpet! How Hette
hid behind the sofa, to read her new
fairy book, and how Patsy caressed a
coveted doll, with rosy cheeks, wild
with delight while Christmas cheer
and charity reigned over ALL
1T is shamem exclaimed Mat, as
he set down his mug, drained of the
last drop; ''every one has a present,
except Miss Hanford; it isn't fair"
1T is enough for me to see you so
happy at my little party" their host
ess opened her mouth to say, when
she was interrupted by a tremendous
knocking at the front door, and hur-
ried off in &. furry, to open it,
There stood very large man and a
very small girl, looking like the big
bear and the little bear of the old fairy
story, wrapped in their fur coats.
Here, Miss Hanford I've brought
you jolly Christmas-bo box this time,
and no mistake" said the big bear;
express charges all paid
'Bless us, and save u.s." cried Miss
Hanford, feeling for her spectacles; but
the man had disappeared and the little
bear was clinging to her skirts and
stammering out, YOU'RE Aunt Han
nah, know, and please, I'm Nugget,
from Gold Ore Camp. Pop says I'm
to live with you, and go to school; and
here is paper to tell you all about it,
Three minutes later, Miss Hanford
was reading a letter from her long-lost
brother Cy., in which he. begged her
to care for his motherless girl, crying
and laughing over Nugget, while she
warmed the child's hands at the fire.
and feeling that she was no longer all
alone in the world.
Now | know why l wanted so to
make Christmas tree" she thought,
as the graceful little figure danced
round the evergreen, exclaiming with
delight 1T is ever SO much prettier
than the trees in Redskin Canon, and
must have grown in Heaven, [ am
sure" while the quartette of Bats sat
by in surprised silence
And then the quaint little child drew
from beneath her scarlet gown an old
blue woollen sock that was fastened
about her waist. 1t was filled with
rich gold dust and ore, gift from "Cy
Hanford to his dear sister Hannah
So Miss Hanford had her Christmas
present after all, and said it would
more than make up for all she had lost
by the new store, while visions of a
plate-glass window in her own little
shop, danced through her head.
1t was perfect evening to all, ex-
cept Tom Tucker, who considered his
nose out Of joint, and sang in vain for
his supper, until Hettie took compass
sion on him and gave him half a
doughnut.
Nugget said, she was 80 glad she
had come in time for little bit of
Christmas, and the lovely tree" and
when at midnight Miss Hanford bent
over the golden head, nestled in the
centre of her big feather pillow, she
was sure no one in Hollywell had had
so sweet Christmas box as her prec-
ious little Nugget from Gold Ore
Camp."-Agnes Carr Sage.
The season of swapping presents is
drawing near. The old-time custom
of giving to those who could give
naught but thanks and gratitude in re-
turn has much to commend it.