Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-12-20


could not safely return for one year; posi-.
bly, he must remain even longer.
The first step in economy was taken |
when two of the fine upper rooms were
rented to some maiden ladies who had seen |
better days and were fond of talking about |
them every day; that would meet the |
taxes.
Wise Mrs Vanness had never given up |
her music, and a few pupils were taken |
which brought in the small amounts needed |
for daily use.
1t was a bitter cross to sell the horses,
but Nettie could not enjoy them with her
husband sick and away, and beside, he
must have plenty of ready money for doc
tors bills and the remedies an invalid re-
quires are always expensive.
At the end of year Mr. Nanness was
better, but still forbidden to return home
so the little group of brave souls at Kinkey,
House kept steadily on their way. The
| first year no one cared to do anything for
Christmas, save TO send such danties as
| could be transported by mail to papa 1t
| had been a sad Christmas and Nettie de-
| cided that it was neither wise nor just to
repeat it.
When Tess and Lincoln were safe in bed
their elders took counsel together. 1t
would never do to touch the money which
some of papas clients had sent in; every
| dollar of that must go to him in comfort
| ing check.
1--WE cannot afford a tree and would never
| find presents enough to put on one, ~ said
Rob.
Mother will be sure to think of some
thing said Marguerite; ''she always
evolves something new out of our needs
Mother did plan; in the first place, the
check was sent to Robert, sr.; in the sec
ond as soon as her last music pupil had de-
parted she went to the very top of Kinkey
House and BEGAN to look over some boxes
and trunks.
1t is astonishing how many old things be-
come fashionable second and even a third
time if you keep them long enough. Old
ribbons ard laces, droll purses and books,
bits of gowns long since returned to dust
with the once loved wearers, all help to
make up things dainty, and possibly useful
and wise, for succeeding generations. The
collections made by her grandmother had
fallen to Mistress Nettie since her own
mother had been a bird of passage these
many years.
1t was decided 10y vote of the family at
table that each child should have guest
Rob- as the eldest, chose an orphan boy at
the store: Marguerite selected Miss Writ,
a motheress girl: she wrote at the ad Join
ing desk, Marguerite said, and was a
sweet, ladylike girl" Lincoln and Tess
spoke for the maiden sisters, who some
times called them little dears," and had
candy and nuts for them in small quaint
ties mamma said faithful old John" and
Christie was urged to ask her cousin, who
had recently arrived from Sweden, End
knew no soul but Christie in all the great,
new world.
Now, children" said Mrs. Vanness
when the invitations were decided upon
"you must each write your invitation in
due form, save little Tess: and you must
also adhere strictly to the rule not to buy
any present costing more than ten cent:
unless you add to its value by your own la
bor."
"Oh," said Lincoln that is no fun
there isn't any kind of present that car
be bought for ten cents. ="
cry it and see, my boy" said his moth
err The great fault of the present ag,
is extravaganza: we hear so much abou
millions that little things of real value ar,
overlooked"
Mrs. Vsnness was found one day not Ions
after making huge slipper out of some ole
pasteboard boxes Rob had brought her from
the store; it was large enough for giant
and when it was done and covered witt
evergreen it looked larger than ever.
All of the presents, as fast they wer,
made ready, were marKed and put into tn,
slipper. 1t was wonderful how much i
held and it was more wonderful to Sc,
how many useful and even necessary arti
cles could be purchased for dime.
n "The best thing about it is" said Mar
r guerite, that it sets us all to thinking anC
e doing; l never should have known how t,
S make such pretty picture frames of silk anC
/ ribbon, and these fancy cushions if you haC
not made that rule, mamma"
s eve always get the best out of thing
y when we put some of ourselves in, sait
+ her mother would you fancy for one mo
e ment that this pretty portfolio for Rob
:, drawings was made out of an old slat
coveri These bits of leather at the cor
:, ners were given me at one of the sho
l. shops where tried to purchase some, ant
q the rich ribbons which tie it were once on
party gown"
l. The maiden ladies in the north room
It were so much interested in the work o
/ preparation that they quite forgot to tall
l. of the good old days; and they begged per
IS mission to donate all the candy and nut
IS for the Christmas festivities
l. Christmas eve came and the guests also
d Kinkey House was bright from floor t,
# roof.
The huge slipper occupied the centre of
n large mahogany table ip the library, and
l. strange to say, it was not large enough fo
IS all the gifts.
o What did it hold! 1t would be Difficult
q to tell. Dolls dressed and undressed; mus
in sheets and in books; pictures framed anc
> unframed; photographs of noted place
d and noted people; plants in pots and flower
II in punches; bulbs to become plants; pins
v needles, combs, lead pencils, curos from
e foreign lands, portfolios with etchings
ii scrap books, with droll pictures, and joke
for every one.
II A trumpet for Lincoln to sound his owl
n praises; a tiny shoe brush for Rob, VIII
IS was little careless as to his "shines;"
z, small blue stocking for Marguerite, VIII
5, sometimes wrote verses; queer toys TO
10 Christie and the cousin, and a huge bah,
Is doll for old John, who was always saying
IS THAT hame was never a hame without
e wee bit little one in it,"
''Dear me" said Miss Hortense Legare
1t chow far ten cents will go when you he'll
a it little"
a eyes, yes" said Miss Honoria, land i
will last so long, too"
e Even the very best of good times can fin
=" higher superlative in human hearts, an
a SO it was that night for just as young Ro
10 had made a ridiculous joke which con
10 vulsed the entire party with laughter, tn
if bell gave loud jingle and everyone Lis
tened.
ID Nothing from grandpa or grandma, 70