The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-12-24

fastidious taste, she left an order with
the proprietor to be sent to the city
and filed. Then, visiting some other
stores to complete her list of presents,
the problem was solved.
The following week, Maggie invited
her mother, Mrs. Ripple, and the girls,
Annie and Katie, to spend a long day
with her. Pa Ripple was to come home
with Dick at noon. 1t was an occasion
when Dick and Maggie felt very anxious
that their little establishment should
have its best foot FOREMOST" for,
although the family had dropped in :"
singly, time and again, at meal-time,
this was their first attempt to have
them all at formal dinner The table
looked very pretty in all the bravery of
bridal linen, china and silver. AS
Maggie proudly surveyed it, she heard
her father and Dick come in. The lat
ter came hurrying out, his arms full of
bundles. "See here, Pet" he began,
in pleased tone, "I saw them unpack-
ing these grapes and oranges as we
came along, and / thought they would
give just the right look to the table.
And look at this" opening long pack
age; remembered how | have had
to carve with the butcher-knife all
along, and thought it would never do
with all our finery to-day, and / saw
this nice carving set at Hardy's, and
couldn't resist. Perhaps it was extrav-
agant," he continued, answering an in
applicable look on her face, "but we
will call it part of our Christmas in ad-
vance. Is it all right" eyes, of
course, you dear fellow ~ she answered,
swallowing a great many unspoken
thoughts. 1t is just what was
wishing for. Now 90 in, and make
yourself charming, while l take up
dinner" "You are sure you are
pleased | thought it would just
suit" eyes, yesl" she said hurriedly,
"go, or things will surely scorchl"
When all were seated around the gilt
tering table, and Dick, with flourish,
took up the new carving knife and
fork, Annie and Katie exchanged
glances, and then looked at Mrs.
Ripple. Something new?" asked
the latter. eyes," said Dick, "I got
them to-day; l was tired of carving
with the butcher-knife. Katie looked
at Annie again, and both giggled.
What's the Joke?" said Dick. Moth
ing" said Katie. Pa and Ma Ripple
were both smiling now, and Dick looked
stupidity from one to the other Il
declare, don't see anything funnyl"
he said at last. "Tell him!' cried the
two girls, now laughing outright " Yes,
do" said Dick. "There, there, girls,
don't be silly! They are laughing,
Dick, because when we went to the
city shopping, two weeks ago, we all
settled on handsome carving set as a
Christmas present for you and Maggie;
for we remembered you had none, and
thought it would please you both"
Did you'll" cried Maggie, a." and only
last week, l left an order for one at
Steele's for Dicks Christmas gift, be-
cause he told me to get something we
both wanted, and / thought we needed
that most of ALL" "There | knew you
were not pleased, somehow, when l
came with this! No wonder!" Ha!
ha! hal" He! he! help Ho! ho!
how Long and loud, they all laughed,
some one of them beginning again,
and so starting the others, every time
meal.
40 tllcy dlOeo IueIo were sOuDuS VI
an arrival in front of the house-wheels,
then the gate latch clicking, and voices.
Going out, they found Dicks father
and mother, just in from their home in
the country. As soon as the confusion
had subsidized, they were told the " cary
ing-set joke" They were not so much
amused as had been expected, but
looked at each other, and said: We'll,
did you everl" NOaC what's the mat
teri" exclaimed Dick. "Why, pa and
l." said his mother, had sent for one,
too. We noticed, when we were here
last, that you didn't have one" Here
the old lady's voice was drowned in
shouts of laughter. Hoao they laughed
and laughed! Il hope and trust"
said Dick, finally wiping his eyes, that
nobody else has noticed that we haven't