The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-20

dered? Far from the ocean we had the inlander's
longing for the fruits of the sea; and though they
reached only in their scalded and timed form
remember we knew nothing better-we young.
two of growing yet, and at least three of
were always hungry, Arrays, So it was with shining
eyes and moist lips that all four of started out
with, eff only could have oysers!' and then
laughed at unanimty; while Samantha Rugged
herself again, crying For Cots sake, youst like
were banker folks, arettv"
Word next morning that Hattie's mother
would cook the supper for us, and would provide
We were to do the rest Instantly secrecy began to
be shown wanted anyone else to guess what
she was going to bring.
Snow fell-thc cold grew sharper after it, and
cracked at every movement from the newspapers
my shoulders and chest to turn the cold
that cut through my thin little cloak easily.
was mighty latter in those days verify believe
could have "tatted in my sleep. / sold quite
quantity of my work to stars and occasionally to
outsiders had Just parted with some intricate
it gladly: l wanted the money for our feast.
Half frozen and perfectly happy / made my pur-
chases and was childish enough to take two small
of oysters instead Of one large onc-it sounded
so opucnt-"C Cans" Ny star offering. though. was
to be if might only reach the price only find small
bunch.eyer so small. if it were nice and white
think of the triumph of sitting down cccry.joy
known to boarders -undrcamcd of by ballct-grls!
Oysters and celery Heavens! What a Christmas,
Who could forget it?
The man who waited upon me, seeing my torturng
anxiety finally brought forth miniature bunch,
darkly green-toppecd, not beached high up the
stalk-bu the perfume thcre-and the price?
"Ah. WELL I'll take that" said with such an air
that the man threw back his head and reared Then
when asked him to please do up entirely in paper
1t to he surprise'-he looked Understandings
and very kindly at me- and dropped handful of nuts
into the parcel nuts that cracked later on. with
Hattc's 1atiron.
Christmas is the worst night of the whole year
for theatres. Therefore had very short play
then final and long rehearsal of marches and
dances and
Each girl had arrived with parcels which she sccreted
to the best of her ability and Samantha saying
to herself | entered, "Shc believed dem legs
broked alretty!" Everyone of us had made
tiny addition to every day apparel know l
brand beaded net my hair. Mary
had her mothers bracelet and pair of cleaned white
Samantha had chld's strand of coral choking her
nearly black in the face a red leather belt that evil
IDENTIFY belonged to one of her small half brothers, and
fastened upon her shabby alpaca breast the old
fashioned double cravat PIN that belonged to the
period of ruficd shirts.
At last free. and way to Hattie's
house, The way bitter cold, but finally stood
at the low-hrowed little door 1t opened. Tall and
thin. Mrs. Mother bade enter; and even she had
done honor to the occasion, for the breast-pn bore
heavily upon her chest and she black silk
apron.
We entered and four great "Ohs!" broke from
cold. blue lips We were in small, wslighte,d,
tacd rapidly and fussily, after the manner of cheap
clocks the world A big gray cat dozed
mat behind the stove and the table was already set
No wonder we "Oh'd" with pleasure. We advanced one
by one and laid our offerings at the feet, as it
were, of Mrs Mother Samantha swearing soft
ly in far at her chilblans "Vich made
such hurt uf she COM by de fire. Then followed a
short wait in the next room, where. unable to keep
still. walked up and down, about waists, and
sang part song.
Then Samantha asked breathlessy: "Shall we hav'
of der oysters in our plates or youst de soup OF
'em?" And Mary said that at Thanksgiving the
star boarder had four oysters in his plate, and she
not one "And pay my board regular!' she added,
Indignantly.