The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-12-21

~re1&S &@~~L - 49,
"Better drop the subject then"
said Mr.. Holbrook. you'll excite
her suspicious if you persist in pre-
senting arguments why she shouldn't
have the watch"
eff only mamma hadn't sent me to
that drawer" Helen told herself. II
feel good deal like hypocrite and
I'm SO sorry l opened the case, buff
I hadn't, l should have been conf
dent that a gold watch lay inside all
the same"
1t was the week before Christmas,
and the Holbrook family were in a
pleasant hustle over Christmas pre-
parations.
II fear my lessons will suffer-" said
Edith.
"And mine too," said Helen; II
have so many things to finish"
"I'm glad Pm boy and don't have
to do fancy work." said Burton; cal
though it takes more chink to go the
rounds when body can't make
things"
"Some boys make things" said
Helen. II know two young men
who made silk bed quilt together,
and they had no end of fun, and it
was beauty too"
"Deliver me from ever being such
a sissy" said Burton scornfully.
II don't aspire to making silk
bedquilt," said Helen; "but l believe
person may indulge in any honora-
BILE work without loss of either man.
illness or womanliness."
"We haven't time for a discussion
said Edith. "Here, Burton, run over
to Hackett's and get some more of
this paper, that's dear And may
your very masculine legs carry you
with right masculine speed"
"Who was your humble slave last
year?" said Burton, making wry
face; but he did as his sister directed,
nevertheless. He returned painting,
and with his face glowing with ex-
element.
tom Baldwin has been knocked
down and run over, and they've taken
him to the hospital" he said, when
he had sufficient breath to speak.
eff that isn't too bad! Poor Mrs.
Baldwin! Do tell us how it hap
pened."
mo one seemed to know. Very
likely he had one of his dizzy spells.
Don't they have the worst luck,
thought"
"Poor unfortunate creatures! /
must drop everything and go to
them," said Mrs. Holbrook. "Per-
haps | can carry poor Martha some
ray of comfort"
"How they are to get along | don't
know" said Mr.. Holbrook that even
ing. "They always live from hand to
mouth, and now that Tom is stricken
down they will surely suffer if some
one doesn't step forward to help
them. I lay out so much money just
at this season that l really feel as if
l could do very little for them"
"Why not do more for them and
less for us, papas" asked Helen, tim
idly.
"Very fine talk" said Mr.. Hol-
brook, "but if l should put you child
rem off with insignificant gifts that |
might relieve the necessities of this
poor family, there would be pretty
tall rumpus, I'll warrant"
"Papa thinks we are a selfish set, !"
said Edith.
Not So" said Mr.. Holbrook; "but
l doubt if you have enough practical
sympathy for this unfortunate family
to be willing to forego your usual
gifts from the head of the house
hold"
at is more blessed to give than to
receive" said Helen thoughtfully.
I'D like to try in just this way for
once"
you're going to have something
splendid" said Edith. 81 know you
wouldn't want to give it up, Helen"
Il think 1 should" said Helen, hes
itatingly. mamma and l found
Mrs. Baldwin in such trouble this af-
ternoon, and little Grace is sick, and
now for some time there won't be a
cent coming in. We don't know any
thing at all about such poverty. We
might give of our superfuities and
not feel it in the least"
You'd feel it if you gave up your
present." said Burton. tits some
thing you've wanted for the last age"
AT