Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-12-21

according to your work. What do you
say"
Il say l thank you and it is very
good in YOU TO offer me the place. | ile-
cept with pleasure responded Clyde.
well. cone back after YOU have hal
your breakfast and you will find plenty
to do
Yes, sir" and Clyde was eff like
Shot 10 tell mother.
Il must hnd out more about him.
Why, he looked as pleased as if | had
offered him five dollars-more so, for |
believe he is too proud for that" solilo-
quized the merchant.
Clyde's mother rejoiced with him.
My brave boy she said. II am very
glad you. We're sure you would succeed
and you have"
Yes, mother. that acorn is growing"
he said, and then laughed at his own
strange idea. He had his money in the
loft where he slept and then after eating
his breakfast he started for the store.
Indeed, / need not tell you to be hon
est. You are always that" said his
mother. Remember that an all-seeing
eye watches you, though your mother
cannot"
Don't worry about me, mother he
answered, cbeerily
In his few leisure moments that day,
Clyde looked around to see what he
would buy. There was beautiful gold
en-haired doll-Dorothy must have that:
how pleased she would be! She had
only rag doll since Melinda had broken
her head. There was also a box Of sol
diers, the very thing for Noel Clyde
could almost see the baby clap his small
hands when he saw those gaily-dressed
soldiers. That night Clyde went home
tired but very happy.
The morning of The twenty-fourtli
came at last. Clyde intended to buy ISIS
presents that day. Carefully he reached
for the box that held his small store Of
money, the little acorn from which snch
great oak was TO grow. Why were
was the box? Surely he had put it back
in its old hiding place last night, after he
had counted the money. Yes. he had re-
placed the box. but it surely was not
there now. Where could it be? CLYDE
sat down to think. Poor boy! All his
beautiful air castles came tumbling down
about his ears. Sorrowfully he descend
ed to the family room. His mother was
scarcely less disappointed than he was.
Mr.. Alan noticed the boys face that
day and wondered why it was that he
did not whistle about his work as usual
and why he looked so sad. BY a little
questioning Mr.. Alan soon had the whole
story; how the money was lost and
Dorothy and Noel could not have the
doll and soldiers and how he had even
was bitterly disappointed. OF himself
he thought little; it was for the little
brother and sister. Mr.. Alan said moth
ing, but his silent sympathy did Clyde
good.
1t was Christmas eve. a time of peace
and good cheer on earth and good Will
to men. Sweet thoughts of the Christ
child in His lowly cradle, of the bril-
liant star that guided the wise men to
the far-off town where the Savior lay:
thoughts of the dear father who last
year was with them but who was now
in heaven filed him with strange peace
as he hurried home through the crowded!
streets. The snow was falling fast. bur
no one seemed 10 mind. 1t was Christ
mas eve.
After the children were in bed. CLYDE
sat talking to his mother, who had
bit of work to finish. Outside the wind
howled and moaned down the narrow
streets, walled through the oak and drove
the snow in clouds everywhere The
drifts were piled high until one could
scarce see where the fences were. In
side the fire glowed and burned brightly:
the shining trees on the opposite wall
twlnkled merriy and reflected the fire
light.
clyde. l think you had better get an
other stick of wood. said Mrs. Rod
eric. Clyde took the lantern and open
ing the door. stepped out. His foot
struck something, dark object al his
feet; IL was a basket. :. subdued shout
brought his mother 10 the door and to-
gcther they brought the basket in.
With trembling hands Clyde took off
the cover. There lay card: For
Clyde Roderic, from one who appre-
ciates his efforts. A merry Christmas.
Beneath was the golden-haired doll, the
soldiers, a cap for the baby, dress for
Dorothy. shawl for mother, fur cap
for himself and last but not least some
candy and nuts.
"Oh, it must have been Mr.. Alan.
mother How good of him."
Yes, indeed. Dorothy asked me If
Santa Claus was coming and cried when
told her | was afraid not" replied Mrs.
Roderic.
Clyde was dancing around like a will
o -the-whisp, with the cap upon his head.
Yes. and | was so discouraged when
l lost the money | had begun to think
my acorn was not going to grow, But
| really think it is growing, don't S0a
| mother?"
ii is"
Il visa yoa a Merry Christmas,
mother.
Soon all was quiet in the cottage. 1t
| was Christmas eve. Clyde in ais
/ light hung with gdtteriug jewels and
! toys, tin soldiers and yeilow-haired dolls
/ that wore fur caps. Acorus sh0wered
! from the branches when they were
! shaken He awoke TO find the blaze OF
! light was the sun rising over the hills.
! the gittering jewels and toys and ths
| sparkling frost work on the windows. II
| was Christmas day,-COumbGs Dis
! patch.