Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1901-12-19

@# HRISTMAS was great time in
i/&< the Davidson family, an event
I E prepared for in secrecy for
months. It was the desire of
fTnN0/ Mr. Davidson's heart to succeed
in surprising his wife IN the matter of his
selection of Christmas gift for her, and
it was his wife's pride that in all the 20
years of their married life he had never
yet gained his wish. s #szs.
L. In consequence of this, it was somewhat
exasperating that the clock had struck
eight on this, particular Christmas eve ,anS
she had not yet discovered the hiding. place
Of tomorrow gift. 9:r. n
Gle must know that want diamonds
this time" she unused - by, 4 have crit:
icized the vulgar display Mrs. J onesmith
makes of them, and talked Of the waste iof
money their purchase implies until he
must have been impelled to buy me SOME
out Of sheer contrariety But where did
he hide them? That y..
A knock at the door interrupted her
train of thought, and particularly unin.
viting chap asked for old clothes in a robust
whine. The influence Of the season was
upon Mrs. Davidson, however, and she gave
him an old overcoat which her husband
thought he might sometime wear when he
went hunting. He never did 60 hunting,
but he lived as if he always expected to
start early the next morning.
mo, just can't think where he has put
that gift;", she said, returning to her chair
and her thoughts. "Well, one comfort, he
schaum pipe l have for him. I've moved
had no chance to find them while rum.
4ho ~, e. l.
clean collars or searching in the china closet
for his necktie, which are always kept in
the upper left-hand bureau drawer. What's
that"
The front door had opened, cautiously and
across the floor of the room above Mrs
Davidson turned pale, then softly clapped
her hands. cts Tom going to take peep
at my present! I'll keep quiet and find out
where it is"
She heard the steps about the room, and
held her breath until they paused before
the chiffonier.
''Ah, it is in the drawer that Tom said
had stuck and would not open. Why did
never think of that before?"
She listened until the cautious footsteps
came down the stairs and the front door
softly opened and shut. Then she rose in her
triumph. 3
"Aha, he has slipped out to come in few
moments later, thinking that did not
hear him. I'll slip up now, have peep at
my diamonds and good joke on him in the
morning!" ,H sts
She went upstairs and lit the gas; IL
fared up and a scream burst from her. The
room was in confusion; drawers were upset
and their contents scattered on the floor.
As she screamed, the front door opened
and her husband came running upstairs.
''Well, Tom Davidson, if you think this is
joke, don't!" she cried. To slip in this
way and play trick on your wife is
what on earth do you mean by joker"
"Tom Davidson, you don't mean to say
that didn't hear you come upstairs Is
minutes ago to look at my present and
"You certainly did not. Hello!" He strobe
across the room and lifted drawer Of the
chifoner which was upside down on the
bed. "As came up the block, met the
ugliest tramp ever saw, and could have
sworn that he wore my old coat You simply
sat there while he riaed the place and car
ried off the diamond pin had gotten for
your Christmas gift!'
When she had quieted down little and
Mr.. Davidson was telephoning for the police,
his wife suddenly remembered that the last
hiding place for the cuff links and the meer.
schaum pipe was the breast pocket Of that
old coat. NJ. NJ "a 5s
ELISA ARMSTRONG BENGoUGH. 8
An Eye for the Present.
s Miss Smoothe-No, I cannot give you my
answer until the first Of next year.
. Mr. softleigh----lBut, why? You say you
love me, and .j..5
Ii Miss Smoothe- Why, you silly thing! Il
our engagement were announced now, mons
OF the other men would send me q single