The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-22
HARRY'S CHRISTMAS.
How n Lad Advertised His XMAS
Homes, and How They Were Real
ized-A Novel story for Boys.


Harry sat on the edge OF his bed and
drummed his heels on the floor. He was
thinking seriously, and when Harry
stopped long enough to be really Sc
rious, something generally came of 1t.
He looked around his bedroom critical
ly. The wall paper was good, but too
DARK to be properly lighted up by the
two windows. An old fashioned four
post bedstead, much battered wash
stand and chair on which to hang
his clothes at night, completed the
furnishings. The fioor was guihless
of carpet or rugs. Across the hall
sister Maud's room was dainty with
muslin curtains and blue and white
fittings.
II suppose? grumbled Harry. they
think fellow doesn't care, but he
does. / don't want all the gew-gaw
stuff in Ma ud's room, but this place
looks like a conviet's cell. Heigh-ho,
have an idea"
For the next couple of hours Harry
was too busy to do much In the way
OF explanation, but he made sundry
trips downstairs for paper, ink, and
pens, and when the family assembled
at supper rather badly written but
legible poster stared them in the face.
1t was stiffened with pasteboard and
stood on the dining room mantle Be-
side it stood a vase, into the top OF
which was tightly fitted a pasteboard
cover, with longitudinal slit across 1t.
The poster read:
Harry Roberts having served
number of years sentence in his cell
on floor No. 2, begs to call the atter-
ton of his family to this fact, and also
to suggest that, having committed no
very Migrant offenses, hts sentence be
now somewhat lightened.
Last year his Christmas presents
consisted of one pocketbook (too big
for pocket), a knife Chat never was
known to cuD book (Which doubt
less he will enjoy when he grows up),
and a suit of clothes (Which he needed
anyway. He was duly grateful for
everything, but If those who wish to
make him happy this year win drop
the amount OF their present into this
vase, the grateful recipient will prom
Use to expend the sum total in making
his quarters more habitable."
There was much laughter over Har-
RVS bank, but he refused to regard the
matter in the light of a joke. The
Christmas holidays had commenced,
and he rather limited that contribu-
tions would be especially acceptable If
they were in time for him to complete
his operations by Christmas day.
GU just ought 10 see ION IcOIi-
ards room, mother" he declared; lit
is a dandy; why he has everything In
1t from fishing tackle to his tools"
us that why you like to stay over
there so mueh?" asked Maud, banter
ingly.
"Well, a fellow must do something,
and be somewhere" he responded and
with a bang of the Kitchen door, he
was off to help Tom Leonard finish his
bird house.
That night when Harry was in bed
he heard his mothers footsteps on the
stairs. He could always tell her foot
steps from everyone else's. She came
softly in, and he turned to let her know
that he was not yet sleeping.
Awake, HaTry2"
Yes, Monsey. Say. you will help
me about the room, win YOU not?"
"Of course / will, dear. / did not fol-
a moment think that you esrea,'' She
said, gently smoothing his hair. Z
have been wondering how ve4I would
like to have the big room over the
dining room. 1t is warm in winter
and cool in summer. Then / could eleaa
out one end of the attic room which
opens into it.. and you could m, that
up for workshop. -
40 mother, really may have those
rooms? That weHla beat Tom Leon
ards all hollow. But what about the
furniture in that Foom?"
leave that to me, dear. This room
will be vacant, you know. SO the idea
pleases you, Harry?"
An answering hug in the darkness
was all the reply that she needed.
When she returned to the rest Of the
family down stairs there was an earn
est consultation.
"Can we afford it, wife?' asked Mr.
Roberts, with contracted brows.
''Can we afford not td?" the mother
answered gravely. THE boy is right
he has been neglected. / will contrib
ute S., but he must do most Of the
work himself, however,"
perhaps you are fight, wife; put
me down for another FIVE" Mr.. Rob
erts responded, laughing, resignedly,
land that takes one Christmas present
off the list"
81 will give 50; and do all I can to
help the good work along" Maud said,
speaking for the first time. II did not
suppose that Harry cared, but it does
seem mean, my room is so pretty and
his so bare"
The next morning Harry ran quickly
downstairs, and went at once to his
vase. 1t was disappointingly light. He
had dreamed of ii as heavy with silver
%Iarters and half-dollars. He pulled
the pasteboard cover out and peered
inside. This time he heard a slight
rustic like stirring autumn leaf. He
turned the vase upside down and shook
it excitedly. Out drifted three crisp
new bills. Harry gave a long whistle
--St2-"Gee whizz."
He felt as thought the wealth of
the Vanderbilts had suddenly been
showered at his feet Visions of brack-
ct saws and muslin curtains danced
through his mind.
Breakfast" called his mother, in
terruptihg his day dream. Come.
Harry, you and ! are going to town
to-day to do some shopping. We have
work ahead of as, to lay In material
for. the new ROOM"
Harry did not eat much breakfast,
although there were his favorite muf-
ms Fuffed up like diminutive NOUN
taihs. He was simply too happy to
eat. He felt very rich and important
when he drove old Prince up the busy
main street of Waterdown.
First" said his mother, briskly.
I'VE will visit wall paper establish
ment. Paper ought to be cheap at this
season of the year and the paper in
that room is hideous."
Harry selected neat pattern with q
eream-colored background and DAINTY
pink roses elambeTing over II. II was
not expensive, but it was pretty ana
had a border to match. That took So
of his money.
Two dollars more quickly went for
paint, small loan of white and the
rest rich cherry red.
what next. SOM" Mrs Roberts ask
ed as she saw Harry lOolefnp IapoiuoI,,