The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-12-26

take knife and clip off the edges until
what was to be the under crust just fitted
the dish slick and nice. Do you under
stand?'
'Go on, said Tupple, with quiet
smile, "this is becoming interesting. What
was the next step?''
"Well," said Sommers, warming up to
his subject, and making gestures with his
hands to show how it was done. "Then
the mincemeat-we used to make it all
ourselves-was spread over the dish and
above it, like a canopy, was placed another
layer Of dough. This done, she trimmed
off the overhanging edges until the top just
fitted nicely over the bottom. 1 remem-
Der how she took an old fashioned three
pronged fork and made an accordion pleat-
ing all around the edge, and then gave the
top few punctures with the same old fork,
and the pie was ready for the oven. Ifit
was grand sight to see all this, you can
imagine what beautiful spectacle was
presented when that pie came out rich
dark brown, with the steam issuing from
came when the pie was served. Jimmy
whiz! talk of toothsome luxuries-wish I
could get one now. You ought to have
seen mother put the knife into that pie.
She sat at the head of the table, and Pop,
he was at the other end, while | sat the
first place on the right, and Jim he was
opposite, and the rest of the children scat
tered around Well, sir, the mincemeat
was about an inch thick, but there's no
use going into details. The proof was in
the eating
So earnest was Sommers in his descrip-
ton that Tupple couldn't edge in word,
but he managed finally to say cts a
pity you didn't write cook book, but |
assure you that tomorrow, if you favor us
with your presence, you shall have all the
mince pie you can eat, and I'll guarantee,
like druggist, that if it don't t come up to
your ideal, we'll have something just as
good. "
Sommers cordially accepted the invita-
ton, saying, ''Tll come even if this storm
turns into blizzard and of that it now
has every appearance. By the way" he
said, peering out of the window, 'look at
that man across the street Juggling that
monstrous turkey. Makes a fellow feel
Christmas-ike, don't it? But you know,
Tup, [ don't take much stock in this
Christmas business. It's all well enough
for children, but for grown folks | hardly
think it in good taste. Christmas only
teachas extravaganza and
ssExcuse me- said Tupple, interrupt
ing him, ssbut that man with the turkey
look at him now laying it down in the snow
while he blows his cold fingers
heap of joy in some household tomorrow.
But be careful--he's looking this way;
there he goes; now he got the bird swing
ing over his left shoulder. Do you know,
Mort, there are lots of families in this town
who tomorrow won't get a sniff of turkey,
| and there are thousands of little children
who won t even receive toy to add lit
tie brightness to their existence p Tupple
was about to say something about the rich
helping the poor, but on second thought he
concluded his friend might take it person
ally, and so he merely added:
"Well, old man, have an engagement
down the street and must be off. We dine
at 3, but come early and see our Christmas
tree and the children presents. So good
day."
When Tupple had gone Sommers lit an
other cigar and sat silently for few min
utes watching the storm. He saw quite
number of poor folks 60 by, and his heart
began to soften little. "Anyhow, he
said to himself, cit will hardly be the prop
er thing for me to partake of Tup's hospi-
tality without, in some manner, showing
my substantial appreciation. Let's see,
he said, "Harry has three children two
girls and boy-so far so good, and tax
ing up his hat and climbing into his ulster
and "gums" he started out and didn't
stop until he reached great department
store, where he purchased several fine
dolls, some toys suitable for boy and
some mixtures. AS the salesman packed
the articles into bundle Sommers, who
had left all his personal cards at the office,
took one of his business cards and wrote
across the face, "with the Christmas COM
pliments Of This was placed in the
package, which was duly addressed on
small tag to Mr.. Tupple. He also, as was
his habit, wrote his initial on the tag.
Childhood and innocence are almost sy-
nonymous terms. Who is there that does
not remember reading "And He took
little child ?" What stronger exemplica-
ton could there be of faith--a faith that
believes in Santa Claus Who is there
that does not recall with pleasure that Pc
riod in life filled with so much expectancy ?
And yet, how many little little children
have their faith shattered just because
those who are able to do good are unmind-
full of the tots and waits Mr. Sommers
did not think Of the poor, but only of max
ing pleasant return to his friend Tupple.
So. when he had made his purchases, he