The Arizona sentinel., 1886-01-02

''Who tContd you like" retorted Jane, scornfully.
 "O,. don't know!' answered Robbie. ''Not her, anyhow! She scowled at me one day when stepped on the train of her dress. And l heard her say, Clumsy boyp to her sister.
 ssAnd she was very right, :" didactically observed Jamie. ''You ere clumsy boy, Rob.
 Perhaps said John, tits Mrs. Bricknor. There's a sumner for you! Aint she always dressed like the Queen of ShebaP"
 ''I can't bear Mrs. Bricknor," said Bell. She laughs too loud, and her false teeth don't fit, and I don't think she likes little boys and girls. She looked real cross at the Thanksgiving party when we had them funny games, and told Mrs. Fenwick that she didn't think children ought to be allowed to make so much noise. ''
 ''Tll tell you who does love children, thought suddenly exclaimed Jamie. ''And / love her, too. and I wish papa would marry her. Miss Polly Pritch- ardr'
 .'What, that Miss Polly that has the blue Maltese cat, and the red cardinal bird?" said Robbie. ''Well, it ain't a bad idea, She gave me some bread and jam, the night I got lost, blackberrying, on the hills, and told me such nice story about Fortunatus and his Purse, when was resting on her sofa."
 'Yes, and what do you thinkP' eagerly struck in Jamie. 'She's dress ing eighteen dolls, now, for the poor little orphan girls in the asylum, and she has bought eleven jack-knives for the boys; because she says all children ought to have Christmas"
 ''She's trumpr' declared Robbie, pounding both hands down upon the table. II declare, I've most mind to marry her myself! But look here, Jamie, ain't you going to help fellow with these long-division sums, before papa calls us in to recite?"
 And then the noise of all four talking together drowned the sense of what they said, and MT. Mellen, smiling to himself, pushed back his pen and ser mon paper.
 ''Out of the mouths of babes and suck lings," he said, mildly. '.Who knows
 
 been sent to guide my footsteps aright? It was sweet and gracious idea, that of preparing a Christmas for the little homeless ones who have no parents to take tender thought for them. think 1 will go out and quiet my troubled meditations with walk!'
 And his walk led him to the little red farmhouse in whose wing Miss Polly Pritchard sat diligently at work over the eighteen dolls.
 The parson was sensible, straight forward man, who comprehended none of the sinuous wiles of society. He knocked at the door and walked in.
 All looked cozy and comfortable there, from the big geranium in the window and the Maltese cat on the rug to the shaded lamp and the work-basket beside the prim little spinster. And Miss Polly herself, with her thick brown hair coiled in knot at the back of her head, and faint, carnation-like bloom on her cheek, was not the least attract i've element of the scene.
 ''So these are the dolls for the little waifs and strays of humanity, eh?'' said the parson, looking kindly at the maiden lady.
 ''Yes," said Miss Polly. ''But Idon't know how you heard anything about it, MT. Mellen. It was to be a profound secret"
 T will keep it most profoundly. said the parson.
 You see," blushingly explained Miss Polly, '1 am fond of children, and it's a real pleasure to do anything for the little things. I've often thought should like to adopt child.''
 ''Miss Polly,' said the parson, bluntly. to you about. What do you say to adopting four?"
 "FourP" repeated Miss Polly.
 ''Yes,' said the parson. ''Mine! And their father thrown into the bargain. What do you say, Miss Polly? Will you marry meP"
 'I-Tm afraid I am not good enough" said Miss Polly, with a little gasp, as if the tide of unexpected hap piness was surging up into her very throat.
 If ever there was good Christian, Polly, you are one," said the parson. 'Or else," putting his hand lightly upon the tiny heap of dolls, you never would have taken all this pains for Christ's orphan little ones. Only say Yes Polly. That is all I want
 And Polly said: ''Yes."
 Mrs. Gribbage was quite incredulous when she came home and heard the news.
 T thought it was to be Georgietta Fullerton, sure enough" said she ''But how ever came MT. Mellen to think of yoo?''
 .1 am sure I don't know" said Miss Polly, with humility.
 So, like the old-time fairy stories, our tale ends. And they lived happily ever after" For Mrs. Mellen was a model step-mother, and the four young rebels at the parsonage loved her heart fly.
 This was Miss Polly Pritchard's last Christmas in loveless solitude. For when the next Christmas came she was the happy little mistress of the parson- age.-M r. Ledger.