The Washington times., 1901-12-22
|G[SLN]L$[RA[Lg a Christmas Story

Eugene was named after his young
est uncle on his mothers side. but
everybody called him General" ="
First II had been Genie but as his
mastery character developed. it be-
came General" When the .neishbors
saw him coming. usually at the head
of a small troop of his brothers and
sisters and friends, they said:
There's General Newman" AS n
RUE they finished with an indulgent
chuckle. for General" was a fayorite
Everybody agreed that he was a good
boy. and very smart. He did an tr-
rand as if he were a peer of the realm.
and, with infinite condescensiou he
pocketed his penny In payment, as IL
IL we're a gratuity. But he did er-
rands willingly and we'll. and while
he made others obey. he never dis
obeyed himself. For all he's so up
and comm he minds me better than
any of them" his mother often Ie-
marked.
General was the eldest of five chill
dren. three girls and two boys. His
father was dead; his mother. Mrs.
AltN -NtN llldU. SNIIoIAtu lht .huiiiS
by working a small farm She fept
one hired man. and worked herself
like a slave. With great economy and
toll she managed to keep her family In
comfort. and she was determined that
the children should have good eduea-
lions. General was large and strong
for his age. and many of the neighbors
thought that she was foolish rot TO
put him TO work, but she was resolute.
Hes goin to know something" she
declared "and he helps a good deal
out of school"
General. ever since he was ten. had
risen in the mornings ats % clock and
assisted the hired man with the barn
chores. drawn the water, and made
the kitchen fire. All the Newman chill
dren were trained to work, and they
accomplished good deal before they
set OF for school-washed. brushed
and tidy.
The new teacher cane in the fall.
when Eugene was nearly fourteen. She
was pretty girl, her name Aurelia
May. and she had many new ideas.
Among others vas the Christina
tree. There had never been a Christ
mas tree in Number Five School.
which was located on the outskirts OF
the village, among the scattered
farming part of the population. Thsre
had been a Christmas tree in the
Sunday school, but never one in the
day school.
When Miss Aurelia May announced
that this year there would be a tree
on Christmas night (the Sunday school
tree was to be on Christmas eve),
there was much excitement, not only
among the students. but their par
euts. The mothers met in each others
sitting rooms and kitchens, and talked
a good deal. Some of them declared
that a tree in the Sunday school Vas
enough, and all they could manage.
1T took all the butter money ! had
saved last year for Christmas" de-
clared one woman, and the others
echoed her.
Finally, however, the pretty school
teacher carried the day. Il declare
hated 10 say anything. she was so set
on it, said Mrs. John Sargent. The
teacher boarded at Mrs. John Sar-
gents. and little Lottie Sssgeht adored
her
But there was one woman who never
abandoned her position, and she was
Generals mother Mrs. Newman had
said at first, she had told the neigh
bors and the teacher so, and she had
told her children so. that she could
and would do nothing about the
Christmas tree. "If 1t had been an
apple year, might have managed It,
but 1t amt an apple year. and !
haven't got enough money for another
Christmas tree unless ! run in debt
or mortgage the place" she said. II
can manage to give you children some
useful things that you really need.
and I'd have to get anyway, on the
Sunday school tree, but as for doing
anything about the day school. / can't
do il. and don't want TO hear another
word about It. have enough to con
tend with without being teased to do
something ! can't do"
The younger children pouted. ind
little Sallie and Henry openly sobbed,
but General only looked thoughtful.
May | use my bank money!" he
asked, finally.