The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-11-10
A HOLIDAY PRESENT.

A HOLIDAY PRESENT.
was hastily swallowing my break
fast, with my overcoat and valse lying
on a chair. prepared for starting on a
brief business trip to the metropolis.
My mother was pouring out my sec
ond cup of coffee-my sister Sophie, to
save time, buttering a roll; while
Dickey and Lottie, for once forgetful of
breakfast, stood at the window, prepar-
ed to give warning of the appearance of
the tram-car which would take me to
the railway-station, a short distance
away.
Here's the postman!' cried Dickey.
And both he and Lottie. rushing to
the front door, Immediately returned,
each exultantly holding aloft letter.
''One for me, from Cousin Dora,
said Sophie, examining the address;
1.-THE other for You, mamma strange
handwriting, and with a strange post
mark wonder who it can be from?''
open it." said mother. still occupied
with the coffee; and Sophie obeYed
''From Adaline Porter. Cordely West
Mother looked up with sudden in
terest
Dear me! Cousin Heetor's daughter!
What does she say, Sophie?'
'.She says = Sophie glanced rapidly
over the letter-''she has been spending
some months in Cornwall, and, being
now on her return home, proposes to
stop, with her little girl Tiny, and pay
us few days visit. She wishes to see
the relatives of whom she las heard her
father so often speak"
Il shall be very glad to have them
come-veryr mother said, warmly. at
is really sad to think how our relatives
have drifted apart in the last thirty
years. Why, if our children should
meet now-married, and with strange
names-they would not know each
other Yes. this must be Hector's
daughter, Adaline-it was grand
mothers name-who married about six
years ago, and was left rich and hand
some widow in less than two years after
her marriage. And she has little girl
poor thing!-about Lottie's age, ]
should think.
"Oh, I'm SO gladn' exclaimed Lottie.
with enthusiasm. Won't it be nice to
have another little girl to play withp'
"A young widow, rich and hand
some, said Sophie, glancing arcbly al
me- What 4 pity You should be going
away, Aleck. We must try and keep
her until your urn
I'VE viii pr, re the east room at.
once" mother resumed, practically,
land put up the little trundle-bed for
Tiny. But when are we to expect them,
Sophie?'
80 soon as she hears from us, being
now on her way home. win write at
once
Hello! Look out. Tram comingn'
shouted Dickey-
And / had just time to hurriedly kiss
| them all round and make a rather un-
dignified dash after the tramcar as it
was disappearing round the corner.
In the eight days of my absence re-
ceived two letters from home.
The first was a hurried one from
mother, saying all were well. Mrs.
Porter and Tiny had arrived. and were
charming, and she hoped | would be
back in time to see them. And then
she proceeded with some directions in
regard to certain purchases with which
| she had commissioned me.
| The second letter was a scrawl from
Lottie:
DEAR BRoTHER ALEcK,-We are all
| well. Tiny Is lovely, and | do love her.
1
| so sorry she left her lovely doll at home
/ She wears lovely dresses. Her mamma
/ gave me one OF her sasheS-blue, worked
\ with daisies. / would like to have pink
| sash. IL you bring me any presents, be
sure to bring Tiny some. She loves French
| bon-bons-she said so-and SO do L-f our
| devoted little sister, 'LoTTIE."
Artful little Lottiei / smiled at her
cunning suggestions. through which
was apparent a characteristic honesty
| and frankness-
And the day before left the city for
home, | stepped into shop and pur-
chased few presents wherewith to de-
light her heart-not forgetting the pink
sash and the French bon-bons; and for
Tiny | selected beautiful doll. to re-
| place the one she had unfortunately
forgotten to bring, and also Noah s
ark, which | know to be that most fas
cinating of all toys Tor small children.
1t would be well. considered. in case
of my liking the mother, TO begin my
| advances by courting the favor of the
daughter.
1t was late in the afternoon when |
| reached home. Betty, who opened the
door for me- informed me that '.they
| were all out-missus and Mrs. Porter
gone a-driving, Miss Lottie at dancing
school. and Miss Sophie just stepped
out for little while and left Miss Tiny
asleep in her room -
The packing-case which / had ORDER
ed to be sent on / found just arrived
and deposited in the hall Opening it
in search of a particular article, found
on top the box containing the presents
for the children, and | amused myself
with arranging them on table-Lot-
ties on one side and Tiny's on the
| other-in readiness for their appear
ance, knowing that Lottie, at least,
would have no rest until they were in
her possession.
1 Then, feeling fatigued. lay down on
a lounge. and fell into a half-doze,
from which / was awakened by shrek
of rapture. and Lottie's arms thrown
SO tightly about my neck as to nearly
strangle me.
! ..Oh. what dear. good brother. Are
they all for me?''
/ Certainly not You wouldn't wish
to be so greedy. would you? The doll,
and the Noah's ark, and half the bon
Il bons are for Tiny. Run upstairs, and
II she il awake tell her to come down
and see Cousin Aleck. who has some
thing pretty for her. :"
! Away few Lottie. and in momeni
returned. flushed and excited
.sShe's coming down now / told her
to hurry. And she's 50 sprised. But |
didn't tell her what you'd brought
wonder if she'll like emp added Lot
tie, with little shade of doubt crossing
her bright face.
u Presently light step crossed the hall,
and looking round saw standing in the