Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1885-01-09
fore Bijah knew what he was DONG ne
had slipped in.
De-. fl;:ohg Tbo H. rroe ~

nau Sllpped IN.
Poor Bijah! The moment he was in
he discovered that he could not climb
out He tried hard, but there was
nothing on the sides of the bag for his
feet to climb on. Next moment, too,
he wanted to crouch down as low as he
could, for all the noise seemed to be
coming nearer.
So it was, indeed, and at the head of
It were grandfather and grandmother
and the other grown-up people. trying
to keep back the boys and girls until
they should all be gathered
where's Bijah?' asked grandfather.
after he had counted twice around, and
was sure about the rest.
"Bjah" exclaimed Liph. "Why. l
looked in the store-room; he isn't
there"
Hope the little chap didn't get
scared and run away"
Dear mc-through the snow! ex-
claimed grandmother.
"Of course not said Aunt Jane.
He's around somewhere Let's let
the children in. They re all here"
Steady. noww said grandfather. as
he swung open the door into the dark
tptiu- Ion louCu ANY bullS III We
all get in. Stand around the tree"
He himself stepped right in front of
it. and he looked more like great tall,
old Santa Claus than ever rs he stood
there. The children's 5 eyes were open
ing wider and wider as they slipped
around in sort OF very impatient cir
Gle; but grandfather own eyes shut
for a moment. As they had 4 habit Of
doing sometimes. and his white beard
was all OF a tremble. 1t was only for q
moment, but when he looked around
again he said:
Now, children. wait Which OF you
into the world on the first Christmas
morning.
They had not been quite ready to an
swer question that came so suddenly.
and before any of them could speak.
clear. sweet little voice came right out
Of the middle OF the tree:
Il know. And the shepherds found
Him in a manger. and His mother was
with Him. He sent down after my
mother last summer"
"Bijah" exclaimed grandfather. but
grandmother was already pushing aside
the boughs. and now they all could see
him. Only his curly head and his lit
tie shoulders showed above the grain
bag. and Uncle Hiram shouted:
Father Vrooman. he is in your
stocking. Who could have put him
there?'
Il think know" said grandfather
In 8 very low. husky kind OF voice; but
all tbs Simpsons and Hopkinses and
Hardys broke loose at that very mo-
ment. and II took them till breakfast
time to compare with each other the
things they found in their stockings.
and all the other wonderful fruits OF
that splendid Christmas tree
Bijah was lifted out Of the bag. and
he got his stocking on. after it was
empty. For some reason he couldn't
guess why all the grown-up people
kissed him. and grandfather made him
sit next to him at breakfast
That Was great breakfast. and it
took ever 80 long TO eat il, but il was
hardly over before grandmother follow
ed grandfather into the hall, and the,
heard her say:
Now, husband. what are YOU wrap
ping up so for. just to go TO the barn?'
Barn. Why, my dear. I'm going to
town. told Pat TO have the team
ready"
10 town. Why, husband"
Mother. therc'll be stores open to-
day. can buy cords OF toys and can
dy and things. When get TO the Or
phan ASYLUM. TO tell 'em wha, has be-
come of Bijah. and why he won't come
back there again. I'm going to have
enough TO go around among the rest of
en- am, il il takes the price of q
COW"
Give en- something for me-"
Uncle Hiram heard il. and he shout
ed. And for me-" and Uncle John fol-
lowed. and all the rest. till the children
caught il up, and there was contribu-
tion made by every stocking which had
hung on that Christmas tree. They all
gave just As fast as they understood
what il was for. and the last one 10
fully understand was Bijah-
You amt going to take me!"
His lips quivered little.
No. BUah. not unless you want to
60. Wouldn't you rather stay here?"
Course would
That was not all. for both his hands
were out. holding up the store of things
which had come to him that morning,
and he added. Take en-"
Something was the matter again with
Grandfather Vrooman's beard. but he
told Bijah he would get plenty of other
things in town.
Keep EN-. Bijah. Good-by. all OF
you. I'll be back in time for dinner
Children, you and Bush must be kind
TO Bijsh. He came to us on Christ
mas morning. and he has come to
stay
Bush and the children did their part,
IL