The Portland daily press., 1886-12-25

When John, with no undue haste, came up
| the street with rope of evergreen colled in
| his arms, he stopped half way OF the cross
| ing and rubbed his eyes as II TO clear his
vision from some strange spell that was
| come over it,
That was his own shop, the number over
| the door had not been tempered Without
| what was the matter with the window? Just
then the moist warm nose OF horse touched
| his shoulder, and the driver OF coal cart
| changed his tune of Charcoal, COAL coalr'
| to tenor recitative of Look out there, if
| You don't want to get run over" The fact
was that John was staring with wonder at
| the astonishing window of his shop where.
| among allssorts of dainty Christmas gifts sat
two Christmas fairies, large as real children,
dressed all in wool, white and soft as the
fleece of snowtiakes.
mice dolls,' commented the coal dealer.
By this time John had gained the sidewalk
in safety. One of the Christmas sprites
sneezed, and the other called out "There's
papaw
The spell was broken. John recovered
from his amazement and recognized his little
girls, lovely to look upon, in their new coats
and bonnets.
The twins were charmed with their posi-
ton in the shop window, and much magni-
fed their office. They were irresistible in
their baby freaks. Sometimes they would
play be dollies," and sit motionless longer
than one would have believed possible for
the active little creatures. Then when a suf-
icient number of persons surrounded the
window, Silvia would cry MERRY Kissmus,
or Rosa would catch up some toy and offer it
with her shy baby grace Warm and bloom
ing, in their white coats, in the midst of de-
licious confusion of pretty things and
framed by the dark evergreens-Ro and
Silvia were the sweetest sight to be seen in
all the windows that Christmas day.
The father and mother had all they could
do to attend to the customers who thronged
the shop attracted by the little girls in the
window. Polly had presented John with his
muffier when she sent him forth to buy the
evergreen rope; but he. in the rush of bust
ness, had forgotten to give Polly her pin.
But at noontime, when lull in custom gave
them opportunity to congratulate each other
upon their good fortune, John took the little
box from his vest pocket and opened it.
poly" said he, "here is a very plain pin
for you, but know you will accept it as if
it were diamond"
AT this word they both started, for as
John lifted the cottonwood that protected
the pin, great bright drop like tear. fell
ON the floor. But it was not tear, for it
made sound when it touched the floor, as
the penny had done the evening previous.
sit is diamond" cried Polly, picking it
% ho.ro ;,,t \
in some way"
Take your pin, Polly" said her husband.
! must hasten to Goldstone's and give them
their stray diamond" At that moment
customer claimed Polly's attention, and John
went his way to the jewellers establishment.
The beautiful fairy stood in the window,
stately as ever; and John instinctiyely
glanced at her. In the clear daylight, her
exquisite face showed no sign of any smile
or frown. John did not delay to augur eth
er good or evil fortune, but went straight to
the desk, where, behind metallic screen,
sat Mr.. Goldstone, in the midst Of such
treasures of art such devices of gold and
jewels as the proprietor of the shop around
the corner had never seen before. But
then-the enchantress in the great window
was only waxen image, and his Christmas
fairies were living. loving babies!
John Vanlyne soon explained his erraad,
and the jeweller called up the salesman who
had been so careless as to leave diamonds ly-
ing loose upon the counter, where they might
be caught up with the cottonwood of the
next purchase. tAnd if it were net Christ
mas day." said Mr.. Goldstone, ''you should
hear more of such heedlessness; but as it is,
go back to your place, and do not let such
thing occur again."
Then he turned and looked John Vanlyne
in the face. SIS there anything can do for
you?" asked the old merchant kindly. II
should be glad if there were" His keen eye
had noted Johns well worn coat and a GER
tain expression of care in the lines of his
young face.
II wish | could find some work to do,
answered John frankly.
"Can you keep books ?" inquired the Jewell
Ter. ''My cashier is leaving and if you could
give me some references, would like to try
| you in his place."
81 can give no reference, | fear" said
| John. 81 have no acquaintance in the city.
/ brought my wife and little girls here less
| than year age We keep the small variety
shop around the corner"
"Are those your little girls, sitting in the
Windows" asked Mr.. Goldstone, with .
| genial smile.
"They are" replied the proud father.
"They will do for your reference, should
say" said the old gentleman, his smile
deepening into laugh. "When 1 came
| along this forenoon to my business one of
them, the little dark-eyed thing. held up an
absurd doll at me. Merry Kissmus, says
she, isn't 90 some little dirls danpa. and
doesn't 90 like dollies?'"
| 81 was in hurry then, for | had promised
to meet an old customer, who thought he
could not choose a set of fire-opals unless l
helped his selection; but meant to see your
| little girl again and buy her doll. She's
| good business head; pity she wasn't a boy,
| for she would be a capital runner,
with her taking ways. Well, to
return to our subject, / should be
glad to engage you as cashier, Mr.. p"
"Vanlyne," supplied John. "And we will
| talk about terms later. Meanwhile / will
walk around the corner with you, and buy
that doll. only wish / could buy little
grandchild as pretty as your daughter there,
| and give the doll to her."
So the two merchants, great and small.
went around the corner and into the shop
together. John presented Mr.. Goldstone to
Polly and the twins. He bought all the toys
remaining in the window, paid for them,
and divided them fairly between his favor
tie Rosa and the gentle Silvia. Then he de-
parted, leaving the Vanlyne family in a
state of perfect content.
Before the New Year, the little variety
store was rented to a dealer in boots and
shoes; and as Jane O'Neil had promised,
more than year before, to marry that young
man, it is probable that by this time they
keep the shop in partnership. And we may
wish to them, and to John and Polly and
Silvia and Rosa and to all the readers of the
PORTLAND PREss-A MERRY CHRISTMAS !
|