The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-01-01
TWO CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
How Margery Got a Horse and Cart ana
Robbie Il Pretty Doll.

How Margery Got horse anu S"'a "Hu
Robbie Il Pretty Doll
Margery stood by the window looking
out into the street. If you watched the
faces that went hurrying by. you would
have known at once it was Christmas.
Even the policeman on the corner Tor
got to frown at the crowd OF boys VINO
passed along blowing their tin horns
with all their might. But II you had
looked at the window where Margery
stood. with her hair all tumbled, and
frowns that were enough to startle the
policeman. | do not know what day you
would have decided 1t was but you
would never have dreamed from that
face that it was Christmas. Why was
it Margery frowned So do you suppose?
Because she found wooden horse ana
cart among her Christmas things. and
carts and no. she thought, were
meant for boys. So all the pretty
things that were scattered about her
room did not drive the trowns away.
She did not tell why she felt so injured;
she was ashamed, / think. The frowns
and sulks made every one uncomfort-
able, and tho Merry Christmas greet
ing was only on the lips Of the family.
1t was not very large family. to be
sure-only just a father and mother and
Bridget and Mary, but then. you see,
they all loved Margery, and did all they
could to make her happy. and Is 1t any
wonder that when they failed SO COM
pletely on this day, Of all days in the
year, they were made unhappy? Sud
denly the bell rang, and Margery smiled
as she heard boyish voice call out: II
ant Marcy as loudly as If Margery
we're blocks away. She hurried from
behind the curtain, and, standing at the
top of the stairs, answered:
Il here. Robbie"
'oh, Marcy. OF you got?'
wave of color crept into Margery's
face as she led the way into her own
room. Robbie came up the stairs and
followed her as quickly as his fat legs
would let him. Such lot OF things!
A tin kitchen, lovely doll. with a
trunk of clothes. a doll carriage, and
two chairs, set of ''Lulu's Library"
and tricycle.. Robbie looked search
ingly about, though he was polite and
looked at every thing Margery showed
him. At last he asked, with peculiar
voice:
"You didn't Diet anything else. Marcy
no horse with beautiful red cart.
did you. Margy?" Margery's cheeks
grew very red, and she hesitated a mo.
ment. but finally reached down under
the bed, crawled under SO nothing but
two fat legs and pair OF red boots
were in sight, and began backing
slowly out till she stood on her feet
holding a string. Putting her other
I hand to her face. she dragged slowly
/ into sight brown wooden horse, at
! tached to wooden cart that was paint
ed bright red The horse and car
were on their sides. Aren't they boo
tiful. exclaimed Robbie, as he rightec
them. Il buyed EN-" But in mo
ment two fat hands were over hi'
mouth, while his eyes said so plainly
'.Oh.'
Margery looked at him, and then a
the despised horse and cart. She wa
very quiet for moment, but at las
bent down, patted the horse, and said
You is very good, Robbie, to buy THU
pretty horse for me-"
"Oh! Marcy! | was 'fraid you didn'
like it, and do you really? | Tough
and fought, and then | 'membered 'ou
little dolls, and fought 'em touldn't fal
out of at cart Is you glad ! dot it.
Margy?" and Robbie's eyesgrew bigger
as he waited for the answer.
Marcy hung her head at first but a
last she said. as she kneeled beside thu
horse and cart on the floor: Yes, | is
cause you gived it to me-" Anothe
,, thought entered Margery's head at this
moment She had a whole dollar
|, and she would spend it t
buy Robbie and his baby siste
, Christmas present She flew down
stairs to her mother, who listened t
the plan that Marcy should ask Robb
TO go with her TO a store on the avenu
that they knew was open, and sh
:. would not tell him for whom she wa
a buying the things.
= Mary went with the children an
:, waited outside, talking to a friend, tina
4. the children might be free to max
" their selections. A pretty basket hun
!. on Margery's arm 1t did not take Ion
y to decide what the baby would lik'
and the clerk rolled up the white raj
bit and gave it TO Robbie, VIII
II CARED it tenderly: tin hor
> was Rohbie's purchase out OF h
' own money, which stuck out OF h
Z pocket as if indignant that it was N
. used. Margery felt sure that the bal
/ would like two little dolls, which 81
II crowded into her pocket without wra
y pings, "'cause dolls don't like the
'e heads wrapped" she said.
- Robbie, if you tould have just VIII
you 'anted, 'ouldn't you have that Low
ly doll that jumps SO beautifully whe
you 'aise the lid Of the box?' inquire
Margery, pleadingly
'e "Iruther have that big ELEPHANT" q
~ swered Robbie.
~ Margery looked down as she said. wi
=, quivering lips: II don't like ELEPHANT
y" but dolls is"
>. Lovely" interrupted Robbie; q
- tourse. Buy it, Marcy"
- you WEAKLY and truly like it?" s
- aeke |, eagerly.
'0f toarss, II gov do" was the q