Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-03-01

| 49,, "ion pilese weightleF matters,
iler own preparations went on
Inc girls" could not understand
why Their aunt wore those shabby
SHOES, when Sarah had helned her
puy new pair, or why she made
such a mystery of even n counle az
Ilat pins which their mother careless
" bestowed upon her one day. and
winch disappeared and were no more
seen, though her bonnet hung awrv
upon the good gray head as usual
Poor Miss Marial She found IL
ilard work, but she never reIoxed
ller ardor, now that this idea was
lieFs. Her winter plenishing was
bought IN an off-hand, careless fash
ION which puzzled Mrs. Joseph. used
already to the country woman's love
OF detail and a trifiing excitement.
20 Christmas eve came round.
After the Go'clock dinners, through
whose courses she hurried her way.
MISS Marin shut herself in her own
room, and began at once her work for
the night. Her withered checks were
q dull red with excitement; her faded
eyes glowed like youth again. An
the family presents to be resorted
ana tied up with lavish expenditure
OF paper and twine- "lt's such fun
openin' emf she thought.
Then came the only private pleas
ure. Back and forth tripped Miss
Maria, back and forth between bu-
reau and chimney, till the long, dang
ling gay stocking was stuffed and
rigid, and the floor beneath piled up
with packages. 1t was only s 0 o'clock.
but she was used to early hours.
I'm be up before tn light.
she thought, with her simplest
look, so she went to bed straight
way and very soon to sleep.
Now 1t happened that the Conways
had not only been generously remem-
bered by their late boarder at this
holiday time, but, strange 10 say,
they had remembered her. Everyone,
from him" down to next to the
baby, had helped fill a good-sized
box, with which the expressman came
banging on The door about 8 O'Clock.
The Bascoms were genuinely pleased
and little ashamed when they took
in this token ofgoodwill. Bella said,
after little talk:
Cant | run up to Aunt Maria's
room with it, right away? She'll be
as happy as child. and it seems TO
good 20 keep till morning"
The rest approved, and Bella
tugged bravely at her load to the
door, where only a glimmer of fire.
light met her eyes as she CROPPED her
why in. Aunt Maria was uncon-
scious OF her knock and OF her en-
trance. But some one on the hearth
rug started guilty, aid turned to
meet the young girls face with a very
shameinced air.
Molly" cried Miss Bella.
Molly had long. plump stocking
in her hand. Mistress and maid
stood together before each other.
The maid was first to speak.
Sci she said, huskily. What
that poor souls done fer 'erself, nn'
gone L sleep. like TIL baby she is.
Been her own Senty Claus, she has.
an me nj cook maxim up this"
(shnding the strange thing she held,
with n superior smilel, so rs she
quite miss a Christmas"
The ready tears sprnng to her mis-
tress' eyes.
30, never dreamed il was like that
to hcr!' she gasped. "You make me
so. so ashamed. Molly! We must do
something tool"
She hustled about the room de-
posting the Conway box at one side
OF the CRATE, and helping Molly sus-
pond her own tribute.
This shall be the sweetest sur
prise the dear thing ever knew"
whispered Miss Bella, with catch in
her whisper. Il hope it isn't too
late to make her very happy yet"
And the Others were much astonish-
I'd at sight, n littlelater oftheyoung-
est Miss Bascom, in furs and dainty
toaue, equipped for walk. Not less
when. as in response to
their inquiries, she burst into tears,
and, turning to her mother, caught !
her around the waist in gale of |
kisses.
Suppose it had been you'll" she
,nid, STRANDED among set OF heath
m, who never expected you to do I
anything but live upon pictures and
drink. you darling"
"Belia, are you dnft?" asked Sarah,
n some scorn.
"No, but Aunt Maria is, and we
lidn't care, and let her fiji her own
christmas stocking"
They were sympathetic enough
low. and Bella told the whole story,
Everybody offered, in much good
mmored contrition, to accompany
his last Santa Claus on her tour,
I'M Mrs. Bascom settled the matter,
n her comfortable way, by announc-
ng:
"WeIl all 20 out and make an oc-
nsion oft, and perhaps papa III
AXE us into Caramel's for soda wat
RI"
oi course Mr.. Joseph did,
IL was the gayest time imaginable,
mining along overth cold, brilliant
: lighted pavements, jostling busy
eorle. heavily laden, in and of the
"a ll....... tf1