The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1903-01-09
Now Years Eve.

first we introduced to our readers,
John and Kittie, In their squalor and
wretchedness. They have been years
Of hard toll and earnest effort, sweet
ened by honest purpose and self denial.
We now find them In a neat cottage,
furnished in plain but substantial
manner, but clean aud tidy. Five rosy
faced children, pictures Of health,
their faces beamiDg with loye and
pleasant anticipation, fit from room
to room and hold whispered and mys-
t%rous consultations with each other,
and occasionally consult, one at
time, neatly attired woman whom
they call mother.
| Soon the hustle and rush OF prepara
tiOn Is completed, and the children
and mother are all assembled In the
sitting room when quick footsteps
are heard at the door and the child
rem fly to open il exclaiming, "Papa
has come" Immediately a strong,
robust man of 45 is ushered into the
room. His form Is erect and his step
elastic, but silvery tipge can be dis
cerned In his hair and beard and deep
lines of care and determination are
marked In his features, but over all
spreads look of the tenderest affec-
tion and happiness complete.
He is met In the middle of the room
by loving smile and kindly greeting
by his own Kittic and quickly reliev-
| ed of the numerous and suspicious
looking bundles with which his arms
are laden. These are hustled out of
sight of the children while John pro.
ceeds to the kitchen, followed by the
youngest Of the group, who prattles Of
the new year while he shuffles off his
jumper and overalls and washes from
his hands and face the dust and stain
of honest toll.
Supper is soon announced and the
family are seated around table well
filled with wholesome food, to which !
oObu pl OSCCdp w u' an PIC
to the children the supper has no
charms. They cast knowing looks at |
one another and smile al papa but are
too nervous and exc ted to enjoy the
repast. John, TOO, seems TO be enjoy
ing all to himself some pleasant secret |
as the twinkle in his eyes and faint
smile would Indicate, while mother
wears an unusually sober but myster-
ious air. The supper oyer, the child
rem can wait 40 longer but bounding
from their chairs surround their
father and drag and push him, not
unwillingly, into the small sitting
room. There are establishments and |
surprises for all.
ln one corner of the room stands a
small evergreen tree lighted with
small tapirs and ornamented with
bright tinsel and glittering colors.
Beside the tree ornamented with a
soft cushion and bright coYer upon
which is embroidered Papa" stands
al easy OIdtls hC w tuC
chair and drawing it to the center of
the floor seat their papa and tell him
they and mamma bought it for him
with the money they got for the nuts
gathered 10 the fall. John sinks into
the comfortable chair and kisses his
eager children as they hover around
him and as he turns to his wife two
big tears roll down his cheeks. Not
tears of sorrow but Of happiness and
content.
Immediately a loud shout Of glad
surprise from sturdy Philip attracts
all attention as he drags from behind
the chair, placed there by no one
seems to know who, an exact dupli.
cate of the other chair, only 1t has
bright silk cushion and on the back is
embroidered in silk the one word,
Mother" The mother is surprised
and astonisbed beyond measure. She
knew not that the chair was there.
She is speedily hustled into It by her
delighted children and forced to SIT be
side her husband while the children
with eager expectancy unite the var
ious packages.
All is Joy and merry laughter as
each one receives package and finds
It to contain some substantial present
which in every case proves to be just
what the recipient wanted most. An
hour or more is spent with the child
/ rem in their merry delight over the
presents they have received, when
they kiss their parents . glad good
night and go to bed and to happy
dreams. John and Kitty sit silently
in their chairs, neither speaking but
both unuttersbly happy in their new
found bliss.
tits John at last who breaks the
silence. "Kittie," he says, "how hap
py sad pleassn pur home has grown.
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