The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1899-12-22

Kneeling down by the side OF the sofa
cushion, she opened the stocking to its
utmost width. She laid 1t over the bun
die, entirely covering it, and tucked it
around the sides, so that it looked as If
it We're a stocking filled to Its greatest
capacity. Then she arose, gazed at her
arrangements with smile and left the
room.
Mr.. Rowley slipped off his coat and
drew his feet out of HIS slippersi then.
as gently as WIS possible for him, he
Got int, into bed and covered 3D., himself up to
IF it squcals," he said to himself, lit
will be the same as the alarm clock at Z,
but l must not wait for either of them"
Turning toward his wife he gave her
little push. .,
She opened her eyes and looked at him
sleepily.
mot quite said he, but it is Christ
mas morning. Merry Christmas, my dear!
your stocking"
In moment she was wide awake.
"Oh, yes, let us look at our stockingsw
she cried. And with this she bounced
out Of bed. Almost in the same second
David was on the floor and had touched
the button Of the electric light
At first Mrs. Rowley stopped aston
lshed. not seeing her stocking where she
had put it. Then. perceiving it on the
cushion, apparently stuffed very full, SHE
immediately imagined that it was so
heavy it had dropped, and stopped to
pick it up. As she did so, however, she
| drew back with cry:
ut moves" she exclaimed. ut is
something alive!'
II hope So" said Mr.. Rowley, who
was now crouching by her. II should
have been terribly shocked if it had
| died"
Mrs. Rowley looked at him in aston
lshment. Before she could speak. how
ever, there was a convulsive movement
of the stocking, very little fist was
thrust from it and the upper part of one
OF its severed sides fell back. Mrs Row.
ley restrained scream
1T is baby" she cried.
Yes, said her husband, that is what
it is. Santa Claus must have thought
it would be useful. especially in holiday
to me in confidence) he could not think
| OF anything else which would so we'll fit
that StOcking!'
Mrs. Rowley did not answer. She
stopped and gently took up the baby.
She sat on the floor and held it in her
lap: 1t fixed it's round eyes upon her
and feehly smiled.
David Rowlesy," said she, "where did
| this come frOm?''
You must ask Santa Claus about
that said he. AT least you can ask
two of his assistants who are downstairs.
Good women, both-and they will assure
you that everything is all right"
The two women We're kept waiting a
long time downstairs, but at last Mrs.
Rowley, who was now sitting in a chair
| with the baby in her, arms, told her hus-
band that he might 60 down and ask
them to come up.
But before l co." said he, II want
you to know that | have named it. |
have named it Jane Rowley after my
mother
why didn't you name it after me?'
she asked quickly.
NO., indeed, madam said he.
..Theres never to be but one Martha
Rowley in this world for me. That is
the reason l was so quick about it,
Now, Mrs. Rowley greatly disliked the
name of Jane, but, of course, under the
circumstances, she could not say so.
Would you mind" she asked ''if we
call it Christmas Jane?'
Il wouldn't mind it Bit said he.
Crissy is growing up to be a fine girl
| and considering the manner of her in.
PRODUCTION into the Rowley family, it is
not likely that she will ever fail to hang
| up her stocking on Christmas eve.