Arizona republican., 1900-12-25

EN convinced. in the old fair grounds, which were not very far away, and he remembered how, drowsy as hs was, he finally put his head in his aunt's lap and went to sleep. When he awoxe, his aunt had gone, and he had not seen her since. That was four years ago, and some sentiment respecting the absent sister had caused Mrs. Shaw to keep the me- loieon locked ever since.
 Mrs. Shaw was engaged in her usual occupation of mending when her hus- band returned. I've sold the melode- on," he said, and heres the money" he added, putting three five-dollar bills in his wifsis hand. "Perfesser Wilson said he wouldn't send for 1t till the day after Christmas
 So they sat and planned what should be done with the money. Finally 1t was portioned out as seemed best about four dollars for presents for the boys, including not only toys but us's- ful articles as we'll; four dollars to the doctor, two dollars and a half for little ,;okens for others, and the balance was to be expended on good things to eat. Monday was a busy day in the Shaw household. The boys presents were safely hidden away, but there was no keeping from them the secret of the edible part of the preparations. Even in these preliminary indications Of what was to be merry Christmas, there was much joy for the lads. A nl.niature pie was made for each, and the turkey was, for the time being, of more absorbing interest than even the venison steak and roasted ears of corn upon which Keen Knife regaled him self in spare moments.
 Mir Shaw could not help remarking to his wife as he saw the generous preparations for the morrow that these advantages might have been more com- mon, if-things had been different. Tt always seems as though our troubles came at once. First, paying them notes, then losing them government bonds and Lucy going away" added his wife.
 When the boys had gone to bed, which was a reluctant duty on their part, the stockings were filled, and W cles was placed upon the table. There was a rousing snowstorm just begin ming: the air had a penetrating chill; though it was still early the street was very quiet, except for the cracking of the branches Cf the trees as the wind swept through them. MT. Shaw took buu a brief survey of the scene, Ge- marking:
 Well, I guess, mother, we're goin to hev real Christmas weather"
 ''Wou1dnt' mind anything. Samuel, s I5ng's the boys had a good time. eN- cept th' melodeon," she responded, pat ting the instrument tenderly.
 Mrs. Shaw sat down before it and played q few chords softly. As they died away Ehe wind moaned dismally around the window. A loose shutter rattled aH the gust struck it. Mrs. Shaw began an old air she had known when a girl, and then suddenly the sound ceased, though hcr hands still touched the keys.
 Why, whats the matter with it?' she exclaimed. Tt must be broken"
 MT. Shaw booked it over. Then he carefully removed the top. Some pa pers lay upon the bellows. His wife, who had been looking on intently, picked them up.
 "Something the boys have dropped in!" exclaimed Mrs. Shaw
 No, 'taint" he replied. Let me have 'em. They look like -iike-they are mother sure's you're born, they're the tonds!''
 Yellow and dusty and wrinkled-there they were, those precious bonds, thousand dollars worth of good, nego- tiable government promises. The cou- ple looked at each other in astonish- ment
 "They"ve been there more'n three yearsr" exclaimed Mrs. Shaw.
 "Yes, an I recollect now how it was. too" said her husband. "Twas that warm nightu in September I threw my coat across the melodeon. l never thought about the bonds not being in my pocket until I went 10 the bank in the mornin' The coat laid there all night, an I never missed 'em till I got to the bank"
 Mrs. Shaw again seated herself in front of the melodeon. Well sing one verse even if it does wake the boys" she said. and the little melodeon enthu- siastically responded to Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow"
 The snow was still coming down when the family were at breakfast Christmas morning. The window sash es were piled high with it, and the drifts We're deep in the front yard. All hands went into the shoveling business and none 100 soon, for a way to the front gate had scarcely been cleared before there was a demand for it. The big sled belonging to the Beebe house was around leaving the arrivals from