The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1891-12-24
CHILDISH
A Little story for the Christmas Sea-
son.

8tAa
II was about the middle of the after
noon. The car was full Of suburbanites
returning home laden with purchases
for the holidays.
A lady entered the car, followed by a
little girl Both had as many bundles
as they could carry, and when the lady
had been provided with a seat there
was only one other TO be had. IL was
by the side=ef a large man with closes
ly cropped beard The little girl was
duly installed in that scat, her pack
ages disposed Of TO her satisfaction,
and as the rain.started of she began a
conversation with the large man. lie
had smiled at her and taken apart of
her load on his own lap.
awful hard work buying so many
Christmas things, isn't it2" she OBJ
served.
Eyes, IL must be hard work"
"But I like ft. I'd most rather buy
Christmas gifts than to go skating, and
I'd rather go, skating than do anything
else 'cept eat candy-and go to Sunday
school" she added, pulling down the
corners of her mouth as il with a sud-
den fear that she was giving out an
impression of personal giddiness not
warranted by all the facts in the case.
That's my mamma over there that
lady with the brown hair. It's all her
own hair, too. Don't you think my
mammals nice2"
Indeed / do"
$50 does papa. He takes mamma on
his lap sometimes, just like she was a
little girl. Don't you think she'd be a
pretty big armful?"
"H'm-no; none too big"
"Well, l guess that's what papa
thinks. He's a big man-nost as big
as you are. And he's just as strongi
He carries me round on his shoulder
Sets me up on it, you know. and hold
on by his head, and amt a bit afraid.
You can't guess what I've got for my
papa in this bundle"
"A pound of candy?"
The little girl laughed Rleefully.
mo. l 'speet he's got a lot Of candy
for me. Guess again.
"A necktie?''
mo. 'Tisn't that Mamma tends
TO his neckties, and they're always
nice"
"Tve no doubt Of IT,"
You'd never guess I'll have TO tell
you It's a mustache up. It's just
the loveliest one | could find, and it's
awful pretty. Papa, he's got n great
long black mustache. Wouldn't you
think II would be dreadful unhandy TO
kiss anybody with a long mustache?"
why"
well, 1t isn't. You got used TO H.
you know. When you want 70 kiss
anybody right bad you amt going to
let a mustache stop you"
A young lady on the seat Immediate
ly in front was seized with a violent
fit Of coughing that made her face very
red, and she pulled down the blinds To
keep the sun out of her eyes.
rMost every body in.this car is load.
ed down with Christmas things, amt
they?" went en- the little girl. TITS a
good thing your seat isn't, or I'd a had
10 stand up. Don't you have any
Christmas at your, house?"s
ayes. We always have Christmas
in some shape"
'May be you haven't got amy little
folksP"
ooh, yes. I've got . little girl about
your size"
"IAsh a good little grip"
"Indeed she is"
Doesn't she ever pout?"
Never"
.'Well, / do sometimes when they
won't give me another piece Of cake,
Doesn't she ever go of in some corner
and throw herself down on the lounge
and kick the floor with her toes and
say she's mad and hates every oody9'
Never"
"Never acts a bit cross and naughtyS'
-"No-never."
"she must be a dear little girl. Don't
you love her very much9"
"Yes-Oh, yes"
Then why haven't you got youl
arms full Of Christmas presents TO take
home TO her?"
"She doesn't need them, my dear"
said the gentleman, gently stroking
the little girls glowing cheek "she
has gone TO live with the Angela
Oh icago Tribune.