The Arizona sentinel., 1886-01-02
MISS POLLY'S CHRISTMAS.
She Receives a Surprise" From
 the Parson.

It was the week before Christmas, and Miss Polly Pritchard sat alone in her little room, diligently at work.
 So far, it had been hard winter, with the ground all iron-bound with cruel frcst; the river clad in steely links of ice, the sky full of snow, and wind, and tempest. But Miss Polly was very comfortable in the little red farmhouse, of which she occupied one wing, the other being rented out to Farmer Crib bage and his wife. There was always a cheerful fire of logs blazing on the open hearth, always plant at the window, and cat purring on the rug.
 .'To be sure, it's rather lonely" said the little old maid to herself" never to have a soul to speak to. But it is what one must expect when one outlives ones family and friends,"
 So she sat here on this gray winters afternoon, singing some half forgotten song, and plying her busy needle, when Mrs. Gribbage, the farmers wife, came in.
 Dolls, I declare!" she exclaimed, looking at the boxes on the table. And as her quick eye fell on the work in Miss Polly's hand, she added: And, as true as 1 live, you're a-dressin' 'em."
 Yes said Miss Polly, coloriEg a soft, autumnal pink.
 ''For the toy shop?" said inquisitive Mrs. Gribbage.
 .'Well-nor' acknowledged Miss Pol ly. ''They are for the little girls in the orphan asylum. They don't have any one to think of their Christmas, you knowr'
 Well, I declarer' reiterated Mrs. Gribbage: Why there's eighteen of 'em. You don't mean to say that you're dressin' eighteen dolls?"
 ''Yes," said Miss Polly, in deprecating tones.
 "Humph! Well, I just came in to tell you that I'm going up to Miss Georgietta Fullerton's to tea "
 Are you?" said Miss Polly.
 Mrs. Gribbage nodded complacently Didn't they ask you?' said she.
 Miss Polly shook her head.
 Well, it's your own fault" said Mrs. Gribbage, not without asperity Look at that old faded, turned dress of yours. Miss Georgietta Fullerton is very particular about her dress. And now that she is engaged to be married to the minister
 Miss Polly gave the least perceptible start at these words, and asked:
 ''ls she engaged to be married to him?"
 ''So folks say,' complacently an- swered Mrs. Gribbage. ''And I don't suppose he could have made better match. Miss Fullerton is an excellent housekeeper, and has got little money of her own. And it is high time there was some one at the parsonage to keep those four noisy children in order"
 And Mrs. Gribbage sailed away in her rustling silk gown and red plumed hat, leaving Miss Polly alone with her dolls
 The parson sat alone, also, that gray, threatening December afternoon in his little study, with heap of sermon paper in front of him. He had sat down to write his Christmas sermon; but, some- how, the ideas refused to come. There was general aspect of forlornness about the room which the poor man realized, but could not explain.
 its all very uncomfortable, said MT. Mellen to himself, biting thought fully at the feather end of his quill-pen. And, somehow, always feel it more at Christmas time than at any other. Hear those children screamI One would think they might play without making quite so much noise. But they are not managed as they were when poor Isabel was alive. I suppose am not good disciplinarian, or perhaps should have them in better training. Really, don't know but that the good ladies in my congregation are right, and that ought to
 "Get married againr' Robbie Mel len shrill, little voice uttered, just at this moment '.Oh, Hike abGt! That's pret- ty note! Our father get married again! Nonsense. Bell, some one has been examining your
 But it's true," retorted little Bell, full of indignation, land you needn't laugh. I heard old Miss Grampus say so ro Miss Collyer, last week, when they all fought 1 was asleep on the bed, at Scr ng Society-that papa was going to marry again"
 "N no was it?'' breathlessly demanded Jane, tall girl of eleven ..'The lady, l mcanr'
 They didn't say," Bell answered.
 stMiss CeorOie Eu1larton I,oSf.i