St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-17
CHRISTMAS CONSULTATION
BY A. G. Plympton, Author of
"Dear Daughter Dorothy"

ScENE-Parlor in the house of a strug-
Cling lawyer.
PERsoNs-Ethel and Maud, daughters
of the lawyer.
Maud-December is half gone, and as
yet we have done nothing about our
Christmas presents. 1 have counted
twenty-one persons who will expect
something from me, and l really ought
to decide at once what to give them.
Just think of 1t Ethel. Maria Wall says
she does not intend to make a single
present this yearl
Ethel-How very mean!
Maud-So it is, but l am ever so glad
to know it; for now. you see, l shan't
trouble myself to make her one. She
says that since her father failed she has
not asked him for an unnecessary cent,
and even refuses an allowance.
Ethel Il should think her father
would be ashamed to accept such a
sacrifice! However, that is no excuse
for Maria. l would 60 without clothes
and save the money to buy my Christ
mas gifts with. rather than seem so
stingy. Now, for instance, you know 1
gave up the shopping bag l meant to
make for myself of that pretty blue
velvet mamma gave me for one, and
am making this photograph case of it
for Lou. Holds up her work and gaZes
at it with admiration.)
Maud-That was very sensible, for
after you had that handsome leather
one given you on your birthday you
had no use for another. And Of course
you would be ashamed to give a two
cent thing to Lou.
Ethel (absently) = Yes, she always
shows her presents to everybody and
she has so many stylish friends.
Maud-So she has, and 1 haven't
thought yet of a thing that will do to
send her.
Ethel - Why not your crochetted
capep
Maud-I did think Of it. They are so
o~ld-fashioned now l never shall wear
it. but h knows of coarse they are out
of style. No, it's better to give the cape
to Aunt Porter. She lives in the
country and it's good enough for her.
In fact, it's too good and | shall pull all
the ribbons out and use them in my
table scarf.
Ethel-Why Maud. the cape isn't
nearly large enough for Aunt Porter.
Maud-No; but l am not supposed to
know that. 1t wont fit, Of course, bat 1t
will count for a present all the same. l
shall have to tease mamma for money to
buy a present for Lou.
Ethel-She wont be willing to give
you any. for you know she said when
she gave us the SIS for those books for
papa that If we had to have any more
she would be obliged to take it
from the sum she has set aside foi her
winter coat.
Maud (thoughtfully)-Do you think
her old coat looks so very shabby. MAN.
ma Toes not go out very much you know.
IL seems to me to be a pretty good coat
yet, and, OF course, every one makes
sacrifices at his season. | wouldn't be
mean at Christmas time.
Ethel-If she doesn't have the coat
she can give us enough of the money for
two or three more of our presents.
There is Aunt Rosamond, for Instance.
She always sends US something hand
some. This year [ hope it will be the
pearl rings that she has promised us.
Ii she gives us something else l should
think papa might buy the rings for US.
Especially since we have those beauti-
full books for him. Well. we certainly
must give Aunt RoSamond a respectable
present.
Maud-Yes. and tina; is the only way
We can get it. Mamma doesn't really