River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-12-21

pink ham and sandwiched it in between
the daintily-thin buttered bread.
well have tea and coffee both, Be-
linda" said Aunt Isabel, and pass the
things around" And Belinda, smiling
broadly in pleased anticipation of the
unusual thing which was about to hap
pen, deftly spread the snow-white frost
ing over the big fruit cake she had al
lowed to cool.
sit will be nice, that's a fact" she
said, theoretically. It's wonderful,
Faint it, what jest one girl can set ago
] ing when she takes a notion!"
At seven o'clock the Promised Land
people presented themselves at Uncle
Ben's front door. The old man, shining
with hospitality, beamed upon his
guests and welcomed each one with a
hearty handshake. And next came
Joyce with a bright word for every one
and a smile and a happy welcome for
each and every child. The young girls
looked at Joyce in bashful admiration.
How pretty she looked in her soft
blue dress, with one of Aunt Isabel's
geranium blossoms in her hair!
They came and came and Uncle Ben
overfowed with genial warmth, while
Aunt Isabel, whose rheumatism kept
her closely to her chair, smiled peace
fully upon them all and never once
thought of her bright rag carpet un-
der all those snow-dampened feet. Uncle
Ben had made a fire in the big sitting
room fireplace, and around this the
older folks gathered for a friendly
visit.
At half-past seven Joyce opened the
front room door and ushered the chill
dren and young people into the blaze
and glory of the first Christmas tree
some of them had ever seen. Right
proudly did Joyce view the pretty scene,
the hemlock-garlanded room, the
wreaths above the pictures, but over all
and crowning all the lovely tree, tower
ing to the ceiling. aglow with the soft
light of dozens of candles, agleam with
| snowy festoons of popcorn, golden or
anges and bags of candies. Joyce had
worked hard all day and was tired-at
least she had been tired before the peo-
pie came-but now as she looked into
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felt that it had paid.
Who could tell of all the joys of that
wonderful Christmas Eve, How aston
ished each boy was when Uncle Ben
loudly read his name and handed down
to his eager hands some mysterious
PARCEL How ~radiantly happy was each
small girl who received some pretty
.ls-- r.~, +ba+ xrOpdarfnf 4~eaf ApI
no child was forgotten. And then how
they all shouted when Uncle Ben peereG
through ais glasses at the parcels he
found on the tree for himself! And
how they all exclaimed when Joyce I'M
did Aunt Isabel's bundle and laid a
beautiful, soft, fieecy, white shawl
about her shoulders! And then when
Uncle Ben, who had privately invited a
minister from the village, asked fer a
few Christmas remarks, they all lis
tened reverently while that sweet old
story of the Babe Of Bethlehem was told
once more.
And after the candles had burned
down, sputtered and gone out, the front
room was deserted in favor of the big
kitchen, where all sorts of gay. romp-
ing games were played. Joyce, flushed
and merry, wondered once or twice if
the girls at Jeans Christmas party were
having as much fun as she.
Presently Belinda. important and
smiling above her snow-white apron,
passed plates and napkins. and Joyce
helped her serve the delicious cake and
sandwiches and pour the tea ard coffee.
Nhat a rayal good time it was, and how
lovial the old men were, and how viva
eious the old ladies. Aurt Isabel ard
Uncle Ben were plainly happy, n so