The bee., 1904-12-15

tT ONT you think, dear, that
| ~ would be nice TO spend our Christ
- mas in Florida?"
Mr.. and Mrs. Whittier we're sitting
In their cozy back parlor. AS she
spoke Mrs. whittier turned to her hus-
band with an anxious look OF interrc-
| cation.
Never, q exclaimed Whittier. why
we couldn't afford IL What an idea.
| couldn't dream of such thing. Flor
ida! l should say not!"
II merely mentioned the matter"
said Mrs. Whittier. seeing her error
"It is of no special conseque nee.
At the same time she eyed sadly a
package of time tables and steamboat
circulars that for the past week she
had been surreptitiously collecting To
go to Florida had been the dream OF
months And now IL was ruthlessly
| shattered
Still, Mrs. Whittier did not despair
well, if we don't do that" she said
at last 1--WE must have a nice Christ
mas dinner, mustn't WEI"
The thought of a dinner brought Whit
tier to himself instantly.
You betl" he said, rubbing his hands.
wen have the best the country caa
afford"
II sometimes wish" said Mrs. Whit
tier, after moment, that we had
houseful OF children II seems pity
to sit down to Christmas dinner all
alone"
s.XVali vyhv ehonia v,o 90 .aiS xxrtft
tier. Cant We ask some one IMP
Mrs Whittier looked off into space
with her eyebrows closely knit, as II
the problem were too great for her 20
master on the instant AT last she said
slowly:
How would ii do for you to ask Aunt
Jane? She's getting along in years,
and 1t may be our last chance to pay
her any attention"
Whittier thought a moment.
Il guess you're right" he said at last
II was looking forward 10 Christ.
nas dinner by ourselves Still. Aunr
Jane Is good old soul. and guess
we'd better ask her. But there's Cousin
Emily, | suppose she'll have to come,
too"
Yes responded Mrs. Whittier I'VE
shall. OF course. have TO ask Emily We
couldnt ask one without the other"
There was pause. Finally Whittier
Spoke agah
II suppose" he said III We ask Aunt
Jane and Emily, that Uncle Henry and
Georgiana will feel t."
Il had thought OF that" replied Mrr
whittier. They've both been kind to
us, and It would never do to oflend
them Then, of course. the Children
"Of course the children interp0sed
whittier; they'll have 10 come with
their parents Well. we'll have TO do
1t, that's all. guess we can stand It
for once ~
There was another pause. Mrs Whit
tier at last looked meekly up.
There's another thing, dear" shs
said. that had occurred to me-"
What's that,"
We'll you know there's my Aunt
Sally. Aunt Sally Is so sensitive. II
she hears that your side Of the family
is coming, she'll feel it,"
Whittier sighed. But the justice ot
the argument appealed to him
yes" ne said at last. FL suppose
that's so. It's nothing more than fair,
IL my people come, that yours should,
too But you have Cousin Rufus. aud
an Uncle William, haven't your"
II was Mrs. Whittler's turn to sigh.
More than that" she said. Don't
you remember Aunt and Uncle Ruby
ton and their children?"
whittier got up neryously and paced
the floor.
Good heavens" he exclaimed at last
What are we going 10 do? It's aW-
full to dwell upon. We simply have got
to ask them all. Why, II will cost
mint TO entertain all this crowd"
He grew more excited. =
ITS a fearful thing" he said, ito
have relatives We're in for II, guess.
We can't lop any OF 'em off. Well!"
he cried, turning to Mrs. Whittier, "have
you nothing to suggest? You got US
into 1t. Can't you get us out?"
Mrs. Whittier waited moment before
she replied
1--WE might go to Florida" she said
finally.
Whittier slapped his hands on his
knee.
Just the thing!' he cried. why
didn't you say so e?"-Town Top
les.
Origin of the Christmas Tree.
The Christmas tree Is supposed TO
have originated in Germany, but such
| IL nOf the nnca In 1.onlifrr Az. ~ u