Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-01-02

too big.
Poor Billy! 1t seemed rather hard
that little boy who had meant only
about half what he had said should
be so taken at his word but he bore
it bravely, and made no sign, having
been greatly strengthened by Tommy
in his recent interview. Still twasn't
really enlivening to think that all the
rest were going to have a "Merry
Christmas and he alone to be left
out. Perhaps after all, Tommy had
been telling him stories. But no!
perish the thought! Tommy had
never failed himyet, and why should
he doubt him now. He resolved to
wait and watch, and il possible de-
tect and expose mamma before Christ
mas came. That was Tommy's adj
vice.
For the next two weeks Billy was
as restless a little urchin as ever an
ticipated Christmas. Inspired by
Tommy, he constituted himself pri-
vate detective, following his mother
and Unexpectedly appearing before
her at themost inopportunemoments,
whether in the pantry, cupboard,
chamber, or cellar. If she went on a
shopping expedition, he followed her
at distance, slipping slyly into the
store behind her, and watching her
eagerly while she made her purchas-
es. Sometimes startling her by sud-
denly jogging her elbow and inquir-
ing anxiously, "What you buying,
, map" AT home, every trunk, band
box, bureau drawer and closet was
overturned and examined in the hope
, of revealing hidden treasures. But
all his watching failed to disclose any
, thing out of the ordinary. To be sure,
/ mamma made purchases, but only of
such things as she always bought be-
, fore the Christmas holidays, apples,
, raisins, currants, citron, and frosting
t sugar for mince pies, plum pudding,
, and Christmas cakes. Turkeys and
/ suet were ordered from the market,
and cranberries, celery, spices, and
/ sweet cider from the grocer's, all to
be delivered in time for the Christ
: mas feast but no sign of candies or
' nuts, toys or tory books, nor any.
thing that could possibly be crowded
e into a stocking was discovered to re,
ward his discreditable search.
= One afternoon when his mother
| was out, and Tommy and he were
holding high carnival at home, ferret
r ing into every fresh and UNEMPLOYED
: corner the house contained, his eye:
suddenly lighted on a big brown
/ paper parcel tossed carelessly on the
; floor behind the parlor sofa.
: go Tommy, come quick" he cried
: his face all animation, and his voice
e eager and excited at the unexpected
"find." "Let's hurry and see what i
;. sbefore mamma comes. 1t knewwe'(
Y find something at last, five only KEEP
4 on"
O They seated themselves on the foo
II and proceeded to unite the heav,
! package. A roll of checked black ant
white flannel, wire hustle, box @
d thread and pair ofsides classics wer
g what the bundle revealed.
8 80 DEAR" sighed Billy, 81 though
l. it was something for the stockings
D but it's only the flannel for papa
t winter shirts.
e Poor Billy was getting Discourage
at his unsuccessful hunt.
t. When Christmas Eve came at last
the little boy wasso sober and down
J.! cast that Nelly begged hard for mann
n ma to allow him to hang up his stock
IF ings too. at wouldn't be any flu
without Billy" Mamma willingl,
l. acquiesced, having no desire to en-
d force his self-infiicted punishment
d and glad to see the serious little fac
l. brighten.
d In few minutes the children wer
y all romping and laughing as the
ransacked the stocking-bag for tn
is biggest and longest pairs to hang u
er before they went to bed. The selet
le tons made, they carried them t
10 mamma, who was busily sewing o
r: one of the colored shirts, to tack ther
l. together in pairs so they wouldn't &c
lie them "mixed."
I'd 1t was goodly sight to watch tn
;" glowing faces lit with interest and e2
a. element as their mother told theI
De the story fthe Blessed Babe born III
Mt der the stars at Bethlehem on thu
re first Christmas night so long ago, an
is how He was the first Christmas Dre