The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-12-19

even turn her face toward his in the moon
light. They trudged on in silence.
The town was glad to see them. II gave
them the best it had, and none suffered.
But its heart was not wholly in the work.
One long-gaited citizen, evidently orig
inally from the south, explained 1t:
"Yeh see, we IS a-goin' ter hey the
Chris mas doin's ternight at tn hail.
What? I'd forgot that it was Christmas
eve," broke in Marvin. Lets all 90 over.
The passengers from the Pullman car, hnd-
inc that they could not continue their
journey until the following day, as Wen as
many of the others, agreed. Well bun
died up. they took their walk through the
chilly streets, where blew the bitter north
wind OF the plain.
The hall was nothing more than the
upper room over store. 1t was hIled 10
the aisles, but the exercises had not yet
begun. The southerner, who was master OF
ceremonies, tiptoed back to Marvin.
1--WE need two more to help in the doins
he whispered. won't you un's Gomez!
Frank laughingly arose, and the cainty
Miss Resen, having no other choice, loi-
lowed him.
Behind the curtain, what a sight met
their gaze! A Christmas tree 1t was, to
be sure. There were no evergreens nearer
than the mountains, and to make up lor
the deficiency the plainsmen had secured
dry cottonwood and wound its struggling
branches with green paper The appear
ance would have been ludicrous had II not
been little pathetic.
Not much like the pines of the beach
where we used to rest last summer" wins
pered Frank to his companion.
you and the other-I presume you
mean," was the withering response.
"Alice-Miss Reisen, what do you
mean" but the gaunt captain interrupted.
You, young lady, I'd like you to be the
fairy Our leadin' lady is sick, an you
look like her"
Entering into the spirit of the occasion,
Miss Reisen accepted the task.
You'll have to wear some wings, and
there will be little scene, but nothin' tel
you to do but look pretty-you don't need
no coachin'," he added, CALAMITY.
"Great admirer Of yours" suggested
Frank, as the functionary moved away
Alice did not reply.
The wings We're brought, and they
seemed almost large enough for the weare
to soar with. She put on the costume anC
danced two-step across the rude stage.
"Yeh mustn't do that, lady; this is fe
tn benefit Of tn churches, an tn folk
wouldn't like it," said the manager, witt
a grin.
Then came up one of the women of th'
town, who seemed to have part OF tn
management. She gave some instruction
as to what would happen, and Miss Reisel
listened intently. Another listened, bu
she did not know it.
The programme of the evening opene
with a number of songs and recitations, t
which the passengers from the train CAV
the most earnest attention and hearty al
plause. Marvin seemed wonderfully q
home, Miss Reisen thought, and was cal
ing men by their first names as ii he kne
them. He was behind the scenes a goo
} deal too much, she thought, also, and
worried her, for he was the only one in a
the house that she counted on as a friend
t no, was he friend? She wished she kne
3 ii the story her chum told her were fall
or true.
Then came the time for the Christm
a tree "doin,s," as the manager called t
!. exercises. The big curtain was droppe
n and the children Of the prairie farms al
n ranches gave an audible "Oh!" as the bea
n tiful green-paper-wrapped cottonwoo
lighted with candles and glistening wi
IS tinsel, all brought from the city 400 mil
% away, burst on their eyes. Many of the
is had never seen an evergreen, and this W
IL fulhllment of all their anticipations.
Before the tree stood the fairy, her win
ne and robe making her almost ethereal in {
e. sight of the little ones. Behind was t
open mouth Of a chimney, and far off ra
ut the horn Of Saint Nicholas as he approach
he over the housetops on his sleigh. 1t "
lp cold enough outside for his biggest fu
elk and when he came laboriously down t
N, chimney and stood amid the group on I
a stage he was the very picture of the Sai
Claus of their dreams.
a Swiftly he made the rounds Of the tr
and in cultural tones told the little TO
0t to help themselves. Then he did what