The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-17

shall have to tease mamma for money to
buy present for Lou.
Ethel-She won't be willing to give you
any, for you know she said when she
gave us the So for those books for
papa that II we had to have any more
money she would be obliged to take it
from the sum she has set aside for her
winter coat.
Maud 0houghtfully)-Do you think her
old cloak looks so very shabby? Mamma
does not go out very much. you know. 1t
seems to me to be a pretty good coat yet.
and of course everybody makes sacrifices
at this season. wouldn't be mean at
Christmas time
Ithel-If she doesn't have the coat
she can give us enough of the money Tor
two or three more of our presents. There
is Aunt Rosamond, for instance. She
always sends us something handsome.
This year hope it will be the pearl rings
that she has promised us. If she gives us
something else 1 should think papa might
buy the rings for us. Especially since we
have those beautiful books for him We'll
we certainly must give Aunt Rosamond a
respectable present.
Maud-Hes, and that is the only way we
can get It, Mamma doesn't really need the
coat ana / wouldn't like to have Aunt
Rosamond think US mean; SO that's set
tied, and now for those tiresome children,
Jack and Daisy. / am thankful that we
nave no more little brothers and sisters.
ithel-Mamma suggested my giving my
silver bangle to Daisy, 1t viii lust fit her
arm, | know, for it's very small for mine,
and | shall tease mamma after Christmas
TO give me that beauty 1 saw in Tifrany's
window.
Maud-I shall get the chlldrens presents
at the 5-cent store. ! have too much con-
slderation to spend his money in expensive
toys WIN you give anything to cousin
Edward?
Ethel-I haven't quite decided about that.
Some years he gives us presents and some
years ne doesn't Dear me, 1 always feel
mean II he does and / haven't. / wish
one could know beforehand
Maud-I think we may as well wait and
see II he does we can return It on New
Year's Day That's what New Years Day
IS for. and If he doesn't how glad we
shall be that we saved our money!
Ethel-Thats good scheme and settles
cousin Edward Next, there Is Annie
Drew, from whom, you know, we always
receive some tribe, the last thing IN the
world usually that anybody would want.
Last year / remember it was paper cut
Ter. nave that paper cutter yet and
think II would be a capital plan TO send
Il to janet Brown. am perfectly sure
she doesn't know Annie.
Maud-Nery likely she doesn't, but my
dear, ! think She does know the paper cut
ter. You have kept it too long on your ta-
ule 10 escape notice But 1 viii give you
in exchange for 1t that ugly neolStie that
Mrs. Bradley gave me, which you can
safely send to Janet AS for the paper
cutter Mrs Bradley has never been here
since / have had it. So It viii make
lovely present for her. You have to use
so much tact. you see. about these things.
Ethel--Very well, then, I'll send that
necktie 20 Janet and card will have TO
do for Annie. A card is as good as a pa
per cutter.
Mainland shall make cards do for
those tresome cousins OF ours at Checker
berry Villa, old ones of course, and also
Tor the girls az school. Now for the SER
wants. / intended to make an apron for
each OF them, but ! do loathe sewing.
Ethel-lou know, Maud, II we don't get
anything for them mamma always gives
them something In our name. 50 In any
case they are provided for. I think 1t is
dreadfully mean TO overlook the servants.
Maud--So do /. besides II you do, they
are sullsy and refuse 10 wait on you.
Yes I'm always very particular 10 remem-
Der them.
sthel-But after all / rather bsgrudge
the money, / would rather spend II on
something else Well we have gone
through the list, ] believe so let Us get
ready for our drive. l think Lou said the
carriage would be here for us at o'cioeK.