Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1894-12-26

cake Then he took another bite ol
cake and looked around, wholly un-
! conscious that some one had heard
what he had said. "What a nice
warm ii {" he went on, ''if | had
money | would buy wood and clothes
aud new blankets and shawl for
mother an" here he stopped, for
just then Mrs Bird came with pair
OF shoes a d stockings, mittens aud a
warm cap. After thanking her Peter
Went, very happy over this unexpect-
ed good Christmas. Then Dolly
jumped out from behind the curtain
and told Ler mamma what she had
heard; then she whispered something
in her mothers ear, who nodded and
smiled.
Then they both went to get their
wraps and announced that they were
going down to papa's, Although it
was Christmas they were quite few
people on the street. When they
came to Mr.. Birds large store and
told him their plans, good Mr.. Bird
smiled and went to another depart
ment of his store. Mrs. Bird and
Dolly followed and soon there was a
large bundle ready. They then went
to another store and got another
bundle. From here a boy got the
things and took them to the McGreg's.
Bat he did not stop to knock. He
went up aud down the rickety stairs
as quiet as he could. Mr. Bird Joined
them and they went home again.
Dolly felt SO happy that she skipped
all the way home
Peter had gone about to his other
places, sold all his papers and carols,
and, as it was about dinner time,
went home. He now told all that had
happened to him and while he was
talking dinner time drew near. AL
though it was very small dinner,
though it was more than they had
had for many day. ''Peter," said
his mother, "go into the yard and see
if you can find any chips for the fire."
As he opened the door how astonished
he was to find some bundles lying
there, They surely were not there
when ne came and no one had come
up, for who can come up those old
stairs without making noise, he
thought. 1t was quite a mystery.
But he took the things in and found
why the very things he had wished
for and many more too. Such hap
py Merry Christmas as it was. On
zach bundle was card which said,
"A Merry Christmas" in neat hand.
Mrs. McGreg cried and laughed to-
together for joy, and silently prayed
So they had very happy Christmas.
But the Birds who had given this
'amily SO much JOY were not to be left
)ut in the way of surprising. After
dinner it started to snow real hard,
md when all were sitting around the 4
ire enjoying its warmth, ring was
heard at the door. Mr. Bird hastily
vent to the door, while the others 4
we're all wondering and guessing who
t 1t could be that would come in such '
! storm. Presently the door opened {
md Mr.. Bird came in and was fol- 4
owed by quite handsome, jolly
ooking young man, and beautiful =
woman, holding by the hand little &
lark eyed and haired girl, about the 4
ge Of Dolly. Oh what welcoming
nd talking there was. 1t was Mrs. Z
Birds sister whom she had not seen G
or years, with her handsome hus-
'and and little girl. Mr.. Ashly, or 9
Jncle Will as Dolly, of course, called d
i'm, looked as if he was Santa Claus, 2
or he was justwhi,e with snow. They &
ad had dinner and so only took :
up of coffee to get warm again, as 6
hey had come long way to the a
Birds home. =