Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-03-06


Madonna and Child above the mantel.
over which hung the 'postman-wreath'
made by the little children SO Ear away in
their lonely home
oh grandpa, come here! cried
Oracle, suddenly.
What is it, Pussy" asked Mrs Lang
don, approaching the tiny rocHng-chair
There's something white sticking out
from that pretty wreath, cried Oracle,
pointing with her wee forehnger.
so there is Here Fred, come and
see what this dainty lady has discover
ed.
At the summons a stalwart young fellow
left the group around the piano and APP
preached Ii was but the work of an
instant for him to take down the garland,
dislodge the paper from its hiding place
and hand it, with a low bow, to his little
cousin.
"Why, it's a letter. she exclaimed,
You read it, grandpa
The whole company had now gathered
round, and putting on his eyeglasses,
grandpa read aloud jim note; and rs he
finished explanations of wonder and pity
sounded on all sides: "What strange let
ter box Poor children! something
ought to be done for them" while little
Oracle, with her big blue eyes filled with
tears, ran to her grandfather sobbing
"Oh, grandpa, ! am so sorry for Millyl
Here, take my new dolly and send it to her
for a New Years gift.
TO be sure will said Mr.. Langdon,
catching the generous little maiden in his
arms, and giving her what she called "a
bears hug, while for some reason his
glasses did not seem as clear as usual
1t was the frTs' day of January, clear
crisp and co,d but it was hardly happy
day for the Bertram household, for the
greens had not brought as much as expect
ed, and after the rent for the small house
and farm there was little left for food and
clothes, and the mothers heart was heavi-
er than ever. and Jim had TO whistle TO
keep up his spirits as he chopped away at
the woodpile in the yard.
Milly, too, was feeling rather disconso-
late, as She stood by the window max
ing peep holes with hot penny in the
thick frost which completely covered the
paneS, while Araminta Cleopatra looked
more forlorn than ever perched on the sill
by her side,
With her eyes at one of the peep holes
Milly saw a wagon come slowly numbering
up to the gate and a mans voice was
heard without inquiring 'if Miss Milly
Bertram lived here ~ And immediately
after the door was burst open, and in rush
ed Jim, GREATNESS with excitement. close
~ followed by a neighboring farmer bear
ing a large box.
There, Miss Milly, he said 81 found
that down at the Corners for you, so
thought | d bring it along. Guess some
body s been sending you a New Year s.
But ! can't stay TO See, for my horses won {
stand this swapping weather; so, good
mornin and many happy returns of the
day"
The same to you. cried Mily, "and
thank you so much for bringing this up.
Oh, Jim. do hurry and open the box!'
But her brother was already at work
with his Ratchet, and the cover was quick
~ removed, and revealed the beautiful
wax image, the loveliest thing Milly had
ever beheld
"Oh! is it alive?" she asked in an awe
struck tone, clasping her hands; and it
was some time before she yentured TO touch
the dainty doll dressed in satin and lace
which had such bright eyes that opened
and shut. curls of real glossy hair and
when. spring was touched cried papa,
mama. in such a life-like manner In
deed, she could hardly be persuaded that
it was not a real living child
Pinned to her skirts was paper on
which was written, "A New Years gift
for Milly Bertram. from her new friend,
little Grace Langdon. Her name is
Blanche Lillian White -
oh dear, darling little girl!' cried
Milly. But look there are more things
in the box"
And indeed there we're. And as pack
age after package was drawn forth, and
disclosed dresses and shawls for both Mil
lie and her mother, clothes. and an elegant
pair of club skates labeled for james Ber-
tram who thought only of his little sister,
and lastly, a purse well filled with gold
and silver the yand ecstacies Of the chill
dren knew no bounds, while the mother
wept from very gladness.
This was, indeed, a happy New Year
day; and then in the evening they sat be-
fore the fire of pine knots, the mother
wrapped in her shawl and with the old
careworn look quite hanished from her
face, Jim polishing his new skates on
which he had enjoyed fine race in the
afternoon and Milly with Blanche Lillian
White and Araminta Cleopatra Fitz-James
side by side in her lap, jim remarked, ut
must be nice to make other people happy
and next Christmas Oracle Langdon shall
have the very handsomest box Of ever
greens that goes into New York city, in
return for Milly's New Years gift. ~
Agnes Carr.