The San Francisco call., 1903-12-20

and tired, Am I going TO Annapolisf
Am ]? don't care about the old tree
il I know that
My dear boy. how do / know? 1t
VIII depend on-on-on circumstances"
he concluded weakly.
Bobbert stamped his foot. His uncle
slipped out OF the room.
in the library the tree was towering
TO completion. A gilt angel held ropes
of popcorn that struggled artistically
downward: snowy, ribbon bound pack
cts dangled from the bOughs; candles
dotted the ends. Aunts and uncles
chartered and laughed and quarreled
amicably, while Bobbert's father and
mother. bubbling over with delight and
busyness and vague Christmas good
feeling, ran about holding the same
parcels, Strengthening the same red
candle, pulling at the same rope Of
cTanberries.
isn't it grand, Frank? This is really
the best we've ever had. How are the
children? Do they suspect anything"
Nothing-nothing whatever" he as
sured her. "Bobbert thinks the odor
tTibuted TO the window boxes, and
conducting a funeral down here. It's
so still and solemn
"Oh. Frank, how absurd. Well, I
suppose he does begin to suspect"
My dear sister. your penetration
does you credit. Bobbert is only nine,
and he has only seen this performance
nine times, so it would be odd If he
should have any exact idea OF what you
are all doing, but he probably has
dim"
Now. Frank. you arc tiresome. OF
course he knows. but how can he
know the size Of it? he never saw
one so big. And we never had so many
candles-there are three boxes here.
And look at this What do you think
Uncle Ritch has sent him ?"
One Of the aunts waved at him a set
OF red, blue and yellow balls attached
by elastic cords to brightly colored
stick
4 suppose the dear old man thinks
BObbert is about two years old Where
have you put that japanese juggler's
outfit. Kate? See, Frank, that beauti-
ful French puzzlei It's awfuIiy inter-
esting. ] hope he'll like it, More
candy? The idea, The child would
die Where's Father Robertson's bird
book. dear? I shan't dare let him take
it alone; it's too exquisite. See. Frank,
there are 25O colored plates. Isn't it
beau:iful?"
BoDbert's uncle fen upon the book
BY GeOrgei" lie said, but that's
beauty, Rather wasted on Bobbert,
isn't it? Doesn't know an ostrich from
a canary. does hep
We'll. that's what Father Robertson
wants him to Learnt" they cried in
chorus.
He nodded doubtfuliy. PITY he cant
come in and help he suggested, he'd
enjoy this rumpus"
They stared at him in CONSERVATION.
why, Francis Robertson. what are
you thinking Of? Have Bobbert help
on his own tree? Are you crazy?''
I suppose it wouldn't do he admit
ted, but you see that's just what "a
little fellow likes-all the noise and fuss
and running 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 per-
sisted.
"In short" said the fat one with the
yellow mustache, looking UP from 4
box OF many -colored baubles with
which he and Aunt Helena were play-
ing in undisguised JOY, Just what We
like"
Precisely" remarked Uncle Frank.
Really said Aunt Kate, somewhat
stifay, IF Bobbert and Babe should
heIp about the tree, can't quite see
whom we'd call in to see it this even
!. ing! What are we working so hard
forz-to please ourselves %"
Oh, no! great heavens, MOI" cried
Uncle Frank
2 .Bobbert's father appeared with an
arrnful of steel rails and 'crosspieces.
. What do you say to this. Robertson ?"
he called delightedly. "Jove! these are
heavy. Three switches sto the thing,
and you ought to see the engine.
There s1a. parlor car, a smoker and two
+ passengers See the tender? Jove! 1
.call that pretty good. Ring the bell,
! 'Kate. Look at that piston rod, Frank"
- They clustered about him excitedly.
q Father sent it round just now.
ylVF6sldn't tell what he paid for the
thing. You clamp it down to the carpet
i light through it goes. There are
forsy-two feet OF railing-how's that?
FciiFacurves and three, ,switches-regu-
IarEping, you, Know. We'Hspdt itrfgnt
tAf9dgh the library. sacross the hall and
loop it beplSsdn front Of the. conseEva- :
tory. 9vThats DO atPussay ?,ssk /
Won't lhesbe dsIjghtedi ,;sSsi ghed the
aunts. sss.r@s' ss.s- ttt 80
Can we get il down before even
ing?i said Bobbert's mother nervously.
We'll, should say SOL" The fat one
with the yellow mustache seized an
armful Of rails and began TO study the
Jennings; Bobbert's father and Uncle
Christopher explained the switch work
ings eagerly 70 each other; and Bob
bert's mother few about wondering
how the rugs could stand II, and pic