Mexico Missouri message., 1900-12-20


rems wondered how it were possible
for so man. children to 1--we in so
small house. When DIR. pertram
built the house 1t was considered OF
very good size. but that was many
years ago. and since then five bright.
happy children had come TO crowd the
little brown house. On ono side OF
them lived little boy who was an
only child and the idol of his father
and mother. lie had the enViab'e
reputation Of having everything he
wanted When some of the little Bert
rams wished they were as fortunate
as Lawrence Cole, their sister Helen,
who was II. would say:
"Oh. it wouldn't be nice to have all
the things we want-thcre wouldn't be
anything to wish for. and wishing is
such fun"
or their neighbor on the other side
the children stood in great awe. lie
was bachelor named Samuel Jorden,
who lived all alone. and who detested
children; and how in the world he
happened to build a house right next
" the hltlt DlO"u EouSC luIl VI Ihc4Ai
is not known.
Bat, in spite OF all tine wealth on
either side of them, the Bertrams were
the Aappiest, most contented of fami-
lies. There was always such fun
there. with never dull day, so that
every child in the neighborhood loved
to go there, but after dinner at night
was the jolliest time. when DR.. Bert
ram was at home They would all
gather around the open fire in the Ii
brary and everyone had to tell what
he and she had been doing all day.
Then they would have little music
from Helen and her mother. and the
girl would transfer them all to an
idea! world with the music from her
violin. Then came the procession to
bed. where Marjorie would be carried.
half asleep The queer thing about
the Bertram family was that everyone
was utterly different in look and char
acter. so that one never knew just
which one they loved best
1t was only the third day before
Christmas. when Dorothy. who was
just half past six" went up stairs
to find her mother. She had a wistful
look on her little face that one could
never resist.
Mother, dear have I got something
for everybody now"
Yes, Dorothy, | think you have,
and you have helped me very much,
| besides" answered her mother.
We'll, then. would you please give
| me just fifteen cents more and let me
| go out all alone and spend it?"
why. yes, my child. you may have
that. l suppose it is some great mys-
terry, isn't 1t. and | mustn't ask" said
| Mrs. Bertram.
mo, please don't ask-ever," said
the child earnestly.
Ever" thought her mother. as the
child went out, what can she be going
| TO do with it?
1t was almost dark when Dorothy
| opened the door OF florists little
shop, two blocks down the street New
err was a child who loved flowers more
than this little maid, and she would
talk to them as she would to her dolls.
She was a frequent visitor at this
shop, and when the other children
| hurried off to a candy store with an
occasional five cents, she usually spent
hers for a few pretty flowers. So as
she stood there hesitatingly, the man
smiled and asked her what she
| wished.
Il want all you can give me of some
kind that smells sweet. for fifteen
cents. suppose the flowers are all
very dear, aren't they?" she added du-
biously, but the man had disappeared
inside the glass closet, and when he
brought out a lovely bunch of Doro-
thy's favorite cinnamon pinks, she
fairly danced. He was very generous
with his little customer and gave her
eight blossoms, sweet and fresh.
1t was quite dark whel Dorothy ar
rived home, but she went straight on
| past her door. and. wonder OF won
| ders! she turned in at the gate OF Mr.
Jorden's house!
| please might see Mr.. Jorden fol
| a minute?" she asked the astonisheC
maid who opened the door just wide
enough to look out.