The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-21

thinking of? Have Bobbert help on his
oMn tree? Are you crazy?'
II suppose it wouldn't do he admitted,
but you see that's just what little fell
low likes-all the noise and fuss and run
ming about and the-smells,'' ne added
vaguely.
THE smells?" demanded Bobbert's
mother.
The hemlock and the candy and the
new smell of all the things" he persisted.
in short" said the fat one. with the
yellow moustac!,e, looking up Rcom a box
of many colored baubles with which he and
Aunt Helena were. playing in undisguised
JOY. Just what we like:"
Precisely" remarked Uncle Frank.
Really" said Aunt Kate somewhat
stinly, IF Bobbert and Babe should help
about the tree, I can't quite see whom
we'd call in to sec it this evening. What
are we working SO hard for-to please
ourselyes?"
'Oh no! Great heavens, no." cried I'm
Gle Frank.
Roberts father appeared with an arm
full of steel rails and crosspieces. ''Wha
do you say to this, Robertson" he called
dcightedly. "Jove! these are heavy.
Three switches to the thing, and you
ought to see the engine! There's parlor
car. 4 smoker and two passengers. See the
tender? Jove. I call that pretty good.
Ring the bell, Kate. Look at that piston
rod, Frank
They clustered about him eNcitedly.
Father sent it round just now, Would
rot tell what he paid for the thing. You
clamp it down to the carpet-right through
it goes. There are forty-two feet of rail
| ing-how's that? -Four curves and three
| switches-regular thing, you know Well
PIT 1t right through the library, across
| the hall and loop it back in front of the
conservatory. What do you say?
Wont he be delighted" sighed the
aunts.
Can we get it down before EVENING"
| said Bobberts mother nervously.
F, We'll. should say sol" The fat one
with the yellow mustache seized an arm
| full of rails and began to study the join
| ings; Bonuerts father and Uncle Chris
| TOPPER explained the switch workings
| eagerly TO each other: and Bohbert'a
mother flew about wondering how the
rugs could stand it, and picturing Bob
| bert's JOY as the train puffed out from
| the base Of the tree.
This is great!' Uncle Christopher
cried. as the rail went down with Won
der1ul celebrity Haven't had such fur
in an age! Half the fun's In getting II
i ready"'
The fat one with the mustache glanced
/ up and caught Uncle Franks eye.
| Perhaps he'd rather
| Bobberts mother shook her head al
them. Now stop right there" she sale
| merrily, 'if you're going to suggest thai
/ he should come down and help! 70,
don't seem to see my plan at all. Frank
I want this thing to be perfect-I wan
it all to burst on him at once. How car
we put 1t down In the evening wher
we're all dressed? And there worltl,,'
be time anyway Oh. Chris. you didn',
get him that, too? SEQ that lovely dot
collar! And the chain. too. Now Do1
Will look respectable. Just step up Stairs
won't you. Frank, and keep Bob on 1ha
floor till supper? Minna will bring it t
him up there. He'll see the rails. yol
see. 1t he comes down into the hall
Helena. If you and Mr.. Ferris eat an,
more of that broken candy. you'll Ger
tainly be sick. No. don't mean ILL.
mean plain sick
! ..Do you mean to say that you're no
/ going to let that child out into tn.
dining room? He'll be- go disguste.
there'll be no managing him.
Bobbert's mother looked plaintiye. =
wish to heaven, Frank" she said, "tha,
you had some children of your own
Perhaps you wouldn't be so ridiculous
! then. How on earth is 1t going to hur
Bobbert. tonight Of all nights, to stay
in the nursery a few hours. just so tina
wc may all toll for his own particular
amusement? Tell him a story or some
thing. Well barely have. time
IA burst OF Laughter interrupted her