The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-28
ALDA'S CHRISTMAS.
BY SARA b. ROSE.

off or color it If II were mine.
at must be Skeneatles, then" cried
Hattie, who considered herself a wit, and
who was just out of school Skeneatles IS
just beyond Auburn"
Even Stuart Preston Joined in the burst Of
laughter over this geographical joke, and
Aida smiled also, as she wondered what had
changed her cousins. who always had pro-
fessed to love her SO much.
The tfnkling of the bell in her invalid
aunts room was an opportune chance tor
her to make her escape.
Scarcely had she departed when Stuart
Preston arose and s,rolled out over the
frosty lawn. Ben Gasoline yawningly
attempted to follow, but his sisters detained
him.
"Ben, don't go quite yet" said 10, ex-
citedly. I'VE want to talk to you about
Christmas"
the day with u.s." put in Hattie.
There is no need Of it" returned Ben,
sleepily. We have already planned TO
spend our Christmas together
Isn't that grandY cried 10, in ecstasy.
He must certainly be taken with one Of
US. or he wouldn' have promised you.
Yes, think he is taken" returned Ben,
significantly. " But not with you. 10"
times as much AS he notices her."
Hattie was framing an angry reply when
Ben interrupted dryIy;
Il should think it would be plain enough
for eyes 10 see who is the attraction"
al know whO you think il is" cried Hat,
with 2 significant curl of the lip. "Sken-
eatles."
Tie two girls went off into peal after peal
of deri,ive laughter at this, during which
Ben escaped. and then the sisters paused
and looked at each other
81 don't believe it" said 10.
"Nur l." returned Hattie. Lets have a
Christmas tree, and 1 will embroider Mr..
Preston a silk necktie with some strands Of
nv bonnie brown han"
"Skeneatles' hair will look better than
that"
No, its too fiery. I say, Jo, if we call
her Skenea:leS she will be Yexed, and
mas be leave Us"
Just what l hope she will do" returned
Jo Aida has all the money she wants
now. and she should not meddle with Stuart
Preston. He is our friend and not hers
she would never have known him if he
hadn't come here TO see rs"
But we shall miss the money she pays
for her board"
81 don't carel Wen do our best to get
rid of her until after Christmas, and then
coax her back again when Stuart Preston
has gone"
After this, preparations went on merrily
for the holiday at the Gasoline home prep
arations in which Aida soon saw that she
was not expected to participate; and this,
together with the nickname "Skeneatles"
which they persisted in applying to her.
caused the girl 10 accept with relief an invi-
tation to spend the holidays with her grand
mother a. the old Gasoline residence, away
back in the mountains of Maine.
The girls were delighted with this turn of
affairs and hurried her off while Ben and
on VIZ zh inn Hx-pn IL g.
few days.
She'll never see Stuart Preston again."
said 10, when her cousin had started on
her long, cold journey. "At least not until
he s safely engaged or married to me-"
''Or me-" put in Hattie, provokingly
wit is preferable to beauty at any time"
Judge then of their CONSERVATION when
Ben and his friend returned home again
and began most comprehensive cleaning
Of rifles, shOtguns and reVOlvers, prepara-
tory to more extended trip.
Where are you going now?" asked J 0 OF
her brother.
Hunting" grunted he, with a cartridge
in his mouth.
- But YOU are not going to stay very long
areyou? Inquired Hattie. sharply. "Wher
do you intend to come back ?'
About the middle OF January" replied
Ben. with grin.
"Oh! oh! ohp' cried 10 in despair" "It':
useless to have any Christmas celebration al
all now. I'm going to take the presents Pve
been making and put them into the kitchen
fire."
"a Christmas without beaux is like a
desert without water, isn't 1t, sis?" asked
Ben, mischlevously.
Yes, or an asylum without imbeciles
like yourself" retorted Hattie, sharply
what are you going to hunt, may l ask p
from his corner and leaving the girls to theil
disappointment.
Hattie, what's caribou ?" asked 10.
Before I'd be such an ignOramus as you
areP' returned Hattie, in disgust. IT'S 6
KIND OF crocodile, of course"
Then they are going South" reasoned
10. oh, dear! How l wish Aida was
here! She is 80 kind-hearted, aud always
ready to DO little things for me-"
Meantime, Aida was borne away to the
lonely farmhouse to visit Grandma easel
dine. whom she had met but few times
In her lie. Mrs. Gasoline was delighted
late
But why don't you come to the city
grapdmaP" asked Aida.
Il like the country better And | am NO
always lonely" replied Mrs. Gasoline
1t is often very lively here in winter Mer
come up from the city to hunt, you know.
mad letter only this morning from YOU
cousin, Ben Gasoline, who wrote that
might expect him any time. together with
another gentleman, and that he meant t.
for Christmas"
From Ben CaseldineW exclaimed Aida
with bright color in her face. "Why, |
nave just come from his home. and he die
not say one word to me about this"
Here is the letter, dear" said grandma
With smile. ~ gu can see for yourself
There II was, In Ben's big, sprawline
hand-writlng. and Alda's cheeks became
brighter when she learned that Stuart Pres
ton would accompany him.
nat Will the girls say?" she thought
as she folded the paper and rose to assist
grandma with her preparations.
Ihers was no sign of Ben aud his friend
until the very night before Christmas, wheI
an expressmau drove up with a big trupI
and letter.
I'VE are coming in the morning." the let
ter said. I'VE have been hunting for ,
:. week and have just brought down GU
day to cook him."
True 10 his word, they came early in tn,
morning.
II have brought you Christmas present
Aida" said Ben.
..Where is itp" she asked quickly.
Don't be in such hurry" he laughed.
p. He put on big apron ard brought out
big carving-knife and fork, which he ha,
once used at political barbecue, and begal
operations on the caribou which he ia,
brought all nicely dressed for the occasion
Grandma Gasoline he established a
queen of ceremonies; Aida he allowed /
hold the pepper and salt and help haste tn
roast; Stuart was given the long poker AM
the title of fireman, while the Two servants
Ruth and Dan, who enjoyed the fun. wer
general assistants.
That Christmas dinner was not cere
menious, but 1T was one never to be foI
gotten.