New-York tribune., 1900-12-25

Bobby quite sure he heard voices; ne sat up
in his little bed and stared about the dim room
with wide open eyes, but everything was fast
asleep excepting himself-the kitten on the rug.
the canary his perch. the fire in the CRATE
seemed to have only bright, red eye open wait
ing for Christmas morning. So Bobby lay down
again and tried to keep mis- eyes shut tight for
fear old Santa Claus. when he came down the
chimney, would be frightened away by wide
awake boy.
NO one said; 'I don't think he ought to
have aIl!'
Bobby sat upright, and his eyes grew big as
saucers for there the rug near the sleeping
kitten stood Tin Soldier talking to a Japanese
Doll
Goodness gracious mel I wouldn't belong TO
such bad boy for the world" piped a big Horn
that lay imprudently on the edge of the mantel-
piece. ''If you fellows with legs Will help me
down there I'll talk TO you about it,
'Al right" snapped a Jack-in-the-Box; but as
he was glued to MS case, of course he didn't stir,
so the Tin Soldier performed the act Of charity.
Now" said he. Tets get to business. In the
first place don't think ought to be martyrs
to the cause. Do you?"
What cause?' snapped the Jack-n-the-Box; but
nobody paid any attention to him, so. murmuring.
Cause se-because-a crow caws." ne shut the lid Of
his house with bang and subsided into silence.
g. i don't know,' said the Tin Soldier I'm used
ne5e a9g Pc but d for 1ce I'm to
peaceful existence and gentle treatment ia stay.
But, goodness! ! suppose wel all be headess and
II haven't arms" corrected the Horn. You
You've tongue, though" snapped the Jack-in-
the,Box' popping suddenly up again, as If he
time. -i'O-' imam
The Horn preserved a digniaed silence. ."of
really such bad boy, but he's careless. why. be-
pa to see paor little Tenf feDd Hp 10 Of hG mine nous with hos
broken head; she couldn't talk much. for fear Of
she had belonged to this Very same Bobby YEAR
ago. and that he deliberately threw her downstairs
Sba ax-OJl ldobf rid hiS old hrnlr
Hobby Horse Poor thing! She feared an acct
The Tn SGRPssd sighed P
fully d and put ~ his his @ hang on his sword as If he would
IT The .ld Horn n wiped J away tear What became of
oh they brought her to Toyland to be mended
but she always be an invalid and have to wear
angry" he Whispered but nobody, heard him. -
"oh dear! My gracious! Don't do thatr' cried
the Horn. n great agitation Il never could stand
Nor l." said the Tin Soldier. "Pd rather be in
The JAPANESE I Doll Wiped her queer little eyes
% h So the snd Sf her S oe only ss the bae
SO very. very much. With dear old Santa and S the
an aS snapped the
popping up on the scene An fools, 2o, | say Let's
"welI." sighed the Horn, ITS either death by
fire or death by torture at Bobby's hands sooner
or later; for my part ia jus Just as SOC soon be melted
At this moment a violent wriggling took place in
the toe OF the stocking and jolly old Orange
and a Gingerbread Man tumbled the rug
wait a minute. fellows" pufed the Orange He
was very fat, and rolled over and over in fit of
What for?' snapped the Jack-in-the-Box; and
the Gingerbread Man said softly Let have
peace"
Now" said the Orange. wobbling up to the Tin
Soldier 1.-THE first lesson to learn 3 obedience, and
obedience brings happiness and peace-what my
brother here wishes for. And. after ALL Bobby
isn't such a very bad boy-why, gracious! he's
awake!'
yes I am you dear old things; and I'm awfully
sorry I've been so naughty my toys but / didn't
think they could feel, you know"
s'Humph!" grunted the Horn, rubbing his long
neck I'VE feel too much sometimes"
Now please don't be dsagreeable." lisped Bob
by in his most coaxing voice. "Oh. I'll be so good
III you'll only stay"
The Horn sdueaked his assent, the Japanese Doll
smiled and the Gingerbread Man murmured.
sT1eace peace" Even the Jack-n-the- Box laughed
snappy little laugh 10 show his pleasure.
Bobby gathered them all up in his arms and
trotted back to bed again. and said his prayers
over twice with, please make kind to my
toys /" at the end And when Nurse came In in
the morning she found Bobby huggng his Christ
mas stocking fast asleep.-(Alice Garland Steele