New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-20
Bread ON THE WATERS.
Her Christmas Presents Came BacL,
an Bunch.

Il have cast my Christmas presents on the
waters and To- they are returning to me after many
days. said the stout aIniable spinster parlor
OF the boarding house the other evening.
How is that? Are you reaping the rewards OF
your kindnesses?' asked the clergyman from New
Jersey. who in town attend a convention
My kindnesses reaping rewards? No, hardly
replied the first speaker 1T is my own presents
am getting back"
TT sounds like a broken engagement" said the
mean young thing who tender her
mother always cautioned her TO be Of the stout,
amiabe woman's fOrTy-hVe years of Virg1nity.
The stout spinster ignored the shot. and went
on in explanation: You see. Amantha Smith and
grew up together. and, a long time ago. how long
I cannot say because I have ceased to remember
more than five years back, began to exchange
gifts at Christmas time. We have kept up the
custom ever since. 7 don't know why. unless it
soon got TO be habit. which couldn't break"
II should call il a pretty good habit. at any
rate said the clergyman
Perhaps you would" retorted the amiable spin
ster with rather less than her accustomed amiabl-
ity but I don't Just because Amantha never got
married. either. and happened TO have been
neiehbor Of mine is why should have
10 be lifelong friends the extent swapping
presents every Christmas I tell you, it
tirely perfunctory- Why. Amantha would come
home from the mountains in October. suddenly
member that she would have TO send gift
Christmas, and then and there go into a shop and
buy something sending it TO What's
the fun Of Christmas when you get your presents in
October? And, OF course, having seen what she
sent me I would have. when December came, TO
send her something quite as good"
Why" asked youth in the corner who was
known as a dangerous iconOclast TO the female
boarders or one who would become dangerous when
he grew up unless he married 'the right sort OF a
gil"
why? Why. because had TO. Of course"
swered the a1niable spinster with air Of convic
ton.
But how about the return of the bread-I mean
the presents?' inquired the mean young thing.
oh yes, I coming to that" said the spin
ster We'll, what do you suppose I got the other
day? huge express package as big as clothes
basket full Of my own presents for years back TO
Amantha Smith"
More than ave years back?" asked the mean
young thing.
Much more" said the spinster, amiably- And
with them was note in which Anantha said that
she was going 10 die Chough don't know
where she got such a crazy notion; she is as
healthy as I ann. and wished every one who had
ever given her gift so far possible, to get it
back again. She said she supposed horrid eXecu-
tors would have no feeling in the matter. even II
they knew the source OF all her gifts, and she
wished TO settle everything up herself before she
passed on. Did you ever hear anything so foolish
IN your nfe?'
IF you are addressing me-" said the clergyman,
remember my profession. 1 hear many strange
things"
We'll" continued the spinster. 4 wrote back to
her that I should much prefer little variety.
Wouldn't she please exchange the gifts had given
her for those Mrs. Thompson had sent-Mrs.
Thompson is rich, by the way-and let Mrs. Thomp-
son have my gifts. But she seemed TO feel hurt at
nv lack OF appreciation of her sentiment in the
matter"
The mean young thing giggled I've an Idea,
she said. II should write 10 her this year as fol-
lows: Ny dear Amantha, I've bought you the
loveliest box Of handkerchefs. which keep myself
10 save YOU the trouble Of returning
The iconoclast in the corner laughed aloud The
clergyman was more discreet in his mirth- The
Epinster however, smiled herself
This seemed TO disappOint the mean young thing.
There was a pause. Then the iconoclast asked:
and have you sent her back all her gifts?
Young man" said the spinster, Il have no no
ton that I going TO die"