The Forrest City times., 1900-12-21

ate and drank the fruits of her labor her children's love, poured back into the emptied measure of her life.
 Back before her cozy fire (which ] Jerry religiously kept burning) she accepted the blessedness of rest. l Dreams overlook her.
 Climbed over the window sill" es- caping into the fair. lost land of child hood. Through the whole afternoon she slept, and the little house hushed itself as though life or death were at issue. Even Jesse never once hal looed, or stamped his boots, or whis- tied, for which unprecedented good behavior Jack gave him a penny, and drew long chalk mark on the smoke house door.
 Early next morning tantalizing little odors began to sneak into the apartments of the new boarder. Now she was sure it was turkey. now it seemed to be mince pie and hot cake. Then she remembered it was Christ mas eve, and rolled up her knitting decisively.
 "The dear girls." she thought. They'll burn up and spoil everything they undertake! They'll not be sor- ry to have nanny back in the kitch- en!"
 But she had reckoned without her host. The door between her and the kitchen was locked, and when she at- tempted the dining-room entry Jack stopped her decidedly at the thresh. old. 'I beg your pardon" she said, with polite severity. "You rented the parlor and bedroom only, I think. In- deed we don't mean any incivility. but we just can't have our boarders clut- tering up the kitchen on busy days, and will take it as a favor if you'll go back to your own quarters and get ready for little outing. You haven't seen your old crony Mary Ann Griggs, since she moved away, have you? Jer- " wants to drive you down there in the cart to spend the day"
 Mrs. Merrie's eyes lighted with pleas ure. Well, really" she admitted, 'if you won't let me help you-aH should like to see Mary Ann-powerful we'll! l really should enjoy to go."
 Jerry brought her back in the early | q, again sleep brought its healing.
 Christmas morning came in with soft | unsandaled feet. All the earth was wrapped in the whiteness of snow. The Christ-child was born anew. and the great Mother, tenderly. in the hours of darkness, had spread her softest coverlet about His feet.
 Four bright-eyed faces, with Jesse below and the big male-Jay above, peeped in, and the simultaneous shout of "Christmas Gift." brought Mrs. Merrie up from among her blankets We'll I never!" she ejaculated "I reckon this is the first Christmas you all ever caught ma a-nappin'! I ain't got no Christmas for you neither think of that!"
 'Never mind," Jesse soothed We've got"-but Joe had him by the shoulders, and shook his mouth shut. There would have been instant war then, but-well, Jesse knew what he knew, and the balance of power re- mained unmistakably with the girls.
 The dining-room door remained ob stinately locked all day. Breakfast was eaten in the snug little kitchen, dinner served in state in the parlor There were no guests at all save old Granny Woods, a half blind pauper, who always presented herself on rec ognized holidays, and was served with the best
 During the progress of the meal the tempting, secretive odors unveiled themselves. King Gobbler had yielded to the inevitable, and, more lovely in death than in life, adorned the center of a generous feast. "A reg'lar blow out" as Jesse expressed it, and there were no failures this time. The energy and talent of the whole family of Jays (minus it's head) went to the making of a success so brilliant as to mark an epoch Just see what you-all can dol" Mrs. Merrie said over and over, her eyes bright with pride. Why, can't hold a candle to such cookin' as thisl"
 But the day was to crown itself with greener laurels. Each year since their infancy she had planned surprises for them: now had come the hour to reverse the story. When the lamps 1 were llb they iOOk DtI iulO the ulUIHR- room, where handsome tree gleamed with light and color. The fact that there were more candles, tinsel paper and popcorn balls than presents did not detract from its beauty. Behind it on the wall was the legend; Mothers Christmas" wrought in evergreen. Mother sat down in the big new rocker, cushioned with one of Jerry's con science-stricken crazy quilts, and yield ed to tears.
 Mother" Jack said, tenderly, kneel- ing beside her, ''our self3shness was un- intentional; we didn't know we were driving you 10 death, In our hurry to get an education we-forgot. You know my poor little pay as country school-teacher barely dresses us, but can see my. way plain to hire help for