The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1899-12-08

YOUNG FOLKS COLUMN.


though she knew they were the biggest
and best. She had lost the greatest ex-
element of the day-thc delightful bur-
rowing into the yielding stocking. and
, the hauling forth of the hidden packages
and she felt that nothing would or could
make up for her less,
She watched the others as they
emptied their stockings and tried her
best to be very brave and good. but it
was hard work.
Everyone was very much puzzled. Nc
body had come into the house. for the
doors and windows were all fastened up
as tight as ever. and then besides. if any
one had come in, they would not have
been apt to carry off just one stocking,
and that the smallest of the lot. too.
And who in the house would steal the
baby's stocking? Christmas was spoiled
for everybody from good-nat,red Norah.
out in the kitchen, to father. because
they all thought SO much of the baby,
and hated to see her disappointed:
Evening came and still the stocking
mystery had not been cleared up. Rich
ard and Amy were going out to a dance
that night, and as it was showing hard,
rubbers and leggings had to be brought
out.
"Never mind, youngster,'' said Rich
into the hall. her mOurnful little face all
rcd and stained with tears ".Never mind.
I'll get You more than Il stockingful OF
presents tomorrow, all nicer than the
things in that one Cheer up now. and
we'll bring you home some maccaroons.
see if we don't. Where the dickens is
that gaiter:" and Richard divcd FRAN
tically into the darkness of the closet
once more.
May he it's got in this corner, under
the c,lshions,' said Roxy. pulling aside.
the pile of gay-co!ored porch cushions,
slowed away for next summer. and then
suddenly she gave Il great start. pulled
at something that stuck out among the
pile. and the next minute. with a scream
of joy, Roxy had pumped down in the
middle of the dark closet, and was diving
deliciOuSly into the depths of her Christ
mas stocking.
Richard Strengthened up and looked
down at her wonderingly. But there was
no doubt about it. 1t was the missing
stocking. safe and sound. though torn
here and there, with funny little ragged
holes. that looked as if someone had BIT
ten into it.
By this time all the family had gath
cred as they had in the morning. and
they were all set to wondering again.
But it did not take so long to clear up the
mystery now As soon as Roxy. who
never noticed them any more than if they
had not been there. had taken every bun
die out and thrown the packages aside,
Richard picked it up and Looked at the
funny little holes very hard.
Then he put it down. and Scowled ut
Muggins, who had just come prancing
into the room, ready for a game with
tho boys.
Il know who did it now" said Rich
ard, and without another word he point
ed to the dog.
Muggins opened his lips over his sharp
white teeth. until it almost looked as if
he smiled. and CAV" short. sharp bark.
He did not realize what Il very awful
thing he had done when he took that
stocking.
found it very hard to think that his pet
would do anything of the kind
But Richard stopped him. Look here.
then" he said. ''see where his teeth went
in, and here is where he dragged it along
the floor. You know it was right here by
the sofa, where he could reach it. and l
don't doubt he thought it was put there
lonesome in the night, you know. and
tears around by himself, and l suppose
he thought that was great thing to
play with
WELL" said Paul, regretfully, then l
suppose l must whip him. for it was aw
full to steal the baby's stocking" and he
started toward the corner where the
"h'p was hept, W MuSSlhS great ilStoll-
ishment. He had not the least idea that
he had done anything SO very naughty.
But here Roxy herself interfered. She
loved Muggins too, and hated to see him
whipped. Don't. Paul." she cried, jump.
ing up from the floor. "Muggy didn't
know any better, and 'spose he wanted
a stocking, too. poor doggie 1t doesn't
make so much difference, after all, you
know. just so did get it Christmas day,
and it's Il truly Christmas stocking But
I'm just going to give Musgins one all
his own next year.
And so she did.-AIary Hall in Cleve-
land plaindealer