Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-12-17

might be kept in the kitchen. He
would like to have opened it, for n
ray of light from his mothers dim
lamp, but it would make her colder;
so he kicked off his Shoes not parting
with very much else, for it was too
cold to undress, and jumped into bed
and in n few m~utes was fast asleep
dreaming, perhaps, of Christmas feast
ings and SAINTS Claus.
Arthur had not been dreaming long
when low knock startled Mrs. Hill.
What could it mean? And she trem-
bled little as she walked to the door
and opened it.
A kind-faced man with merry blue
eyes was standing there; he had very
fat pockets, and sled in one hand and
q parcel in the other; and Mrs. Hill
trembled more than ever, but from
quite another emotion than fear.
Mr.. Morris explained his erraud; and
as he stepped into the room there was
sound Of other footsteps in the little
entry. but he shut the door and I'M
loaded his pockets and laid his parcels
down.
''NIy children sent these things to
Arthur" he said, laughing, as bags of
candy, nuts and raisins came out in
company with ''jumping-jacks' and
picture books 81 hope Arthur won't
be offended" and he drew a little doll
from the depths of one pocket.
my children are all girls, and the
youngest one looked so disappointed
when / suggested that n doll was not
just the thing for boy that l con-
Guided to bring it along"
Mrs. Hill had hardly spoken; her
eyes required n great deal Of attention,
and her lips had an Overmastering
tendency to tremble; Mr.. Morris, to
relieve her. looked us little as possible
in her direction.
But finally there was an end to
apples and oranges, toys, strings of
popcorn and candy, and the rest of his
errand must be accomplished: so clear
ing his throat, and looking hard at the
ceiling, he said:
''My wife thought the incest thing
for the mother would be q ton of coal
and barrel of -four"
Poor Mrs. Hill-poor Mr.. Morris! for
it was almost as trying for one as the
other; he walked to the window and
examined the frost-wors; it was so
thick and fine that he glanced at the
stove next, and then at the empty wood
box and scuttle. The table, with its
dim light, row of spools and scissors,
with the unfinished coat in the chair,
told the story plainly.
Mrs. Hill looked up at last, and tried
to thank him; and Mr.. Morris SAID how
happy they had all been in answering
Arthur's letter; md he looked so happy
as he said it, that no one could have
doubted him. Then he opened the
door and q man set large basket in
side and went away directly.
81 shall see you again, Mrs- Hill,
and hope you and Arthur will both
have a very merry Christmas. Good
night" and he had gone before Mrs.
Hill could speak. He went directly to
a coal dealer and ordered bag Of coal
and basket of wood sent at once, and
did not leave the place until he had
seen them on their way.
Mrs Hill was still sitting in the chair
where Mr.. Morris had left her when
the heavy step of the men with the
coal and wood, and their loud knock at
the door, reused her from her reverie.
The first thing she did after they had
gone was to make a rousing fire. How
it cracked and snapped! and she bent
over the stove and rubbed her stiff