The news & observer., 1904-12-25

position are found to support a fat
chiid-and Bertha was best described
as "skinny''--in a dress of the Stuart
tartan, tastefully trimmed with pur-
pie. Investigation proved that Bert
tha's accumulated taste in dress is N
established custom. In nearly ali
cases the glory of holiday attire is
hung upon the solid foundation OF
everyday clothes as bunting is hung
upon a building. The habit is eco
nomical of time and produces a
charming embonpoint.
Teacher. too. is more beautiful than
ever. Her dress is blue, and very
long down, like a lady" with bands
of silk and scraps of lace distributed
with the eye of art In her hair she
wears a bow of what Sadie Como
rowsky, whose father works by
fancy goods" describes as BLACK
from plush ribbon-costs ten cents"
Isdore Belchatosky, relenting, Is
the first to lay tribute before Teacher
He comes forward with a sweet smile
and a tall candlestick-the candy has
gone to its long home-and Teacher
for a moment cannot be made TO un-
derstand that all that length OF blG-
ish- white china is really hers for
keeps
"its tomorrow holiday" Isidore
assures her: .'and we gives YOU pres
ents. the While we have kind feel
ing. Candlesticks could to cost
twenty-five cents"
IT'S a lie. Three for ten" says a
voice in the background. but Teach
er hastens to respond to Isidore's test
of her credulity
Indeed. thev could. This candle
stick could have cost fifty cents and
it's Just what | want 1t is vecy good
of you to bring me a present
You're welcome" says Isidore, re-
tiring; and then, the ice being brok-
en-. the First Reader Glass in body
rises to cast its gifts on Teachers S
desk, and it's arms around Teachers
neck.
Nathan Horowitz presents small
cup and saucer; Isidore Applebaum
bestows a large calendar for the year
before last; Sadie Gonorowsky brings
a basket containing a bottle OF per-
fume, thimble and a bright silk
handkerchief; Sarah Schodsky offers
a penwiper and a yellow celluloid col
lar button, and Eva Kidansky gives an
elaborate nasal douche, under the
pleasing delusion that it is an atomizer
Once more sounds of grief reach
Teachers ears. Rushing again TO the
rescue, she throws open the door and
comes upon woe personified. Eva
Gonorowsky, her hair in widest dis
array, her stocking fouled, ungartered
and down-gyved TO her ankle, ap-
peared before her teacher. She bears
all the marks OF Hamlet's excitement,
and many more, including tear-stain-
ed little face and gilt saucer clasped
to a painting breast.
Eva, my dearest Eva, what's hap
pened to you now?" asks Teacher, for
the list of i'll chances which have be-
fallen this one of her charges is very
lie Nth -
very big boy, had stolen her golden
cup what I had for you by present, >
and has left her only the saucer and
her undying love to bestow.
Before Eva's sobs have quite yield
ed to teachers arts. Jacob Spitsky
presses forward with tortoise-shell
comb of terrifying aspect and hungry
teeth, and tan air showing forth de-
termination TO adjust it in its destined
place. Teacher meekly bows her
head: Jacob forces his offering into her
Iong-suffering hair, and then retires
with the information, Costs fifteen
cents. Teacher and the courteous
phrase-by etiquette prescribed
''Wish you health TO wear it," He is
plainly a hero, and IS heard remarking
to less favored admirers that Teach
er's hair is awful softy and smells off
of perfumery."
Here big boy, a very big boy en-
ters hastily. He does not belong to
Room 18, but he has long known
Teacher He has brought her a pres
ent; he wishes her merry Christmas
The present. when produced, proves
to be q pretty gold cup, and Eva
Gonorowsky, with renewed emotion,
recognizes the boy as her assailant and
the cup as her property. Teacher is
dreadfully embarrassed; the boy not
at all SO. His policy is simple and
entire denial. and in this he perse-
veres, even after Eva S saucer has un-
mistakably proclaimed its relationship
to the cup.
Meanwhile the rush of presentation
goes steadily on Other cups and sau-
GERS come in wild profusion. The desk
is covered with them and their wrap
pings of purple tissue paper require
|, ! monitors whole attention. The soap,
90, becomes urgently perceptible. 1t
of all sizes, shapes and cOlorS, but
II uniform and dreadful power Of
lerfume. Teachers eyes ill with tears
f gratitude as each new piece or box
pressed against her nose. and
eacher's mind is full of wonder as
what she can do with all of il. Bot
ties of perfume vic with one another
ud with the all-peryading soap until
ne air is heavy and breathing grows
aborious, while pride swels the hearts
Z tue dSSSHlDleQ Iiluilltuue No OjItI
teacher has so many he lps to tbs
toilet. None other is so beloved.
Teachers aspect is quite changed,
nd the blue long down like lady
dress is almost hidden by the Offer
ings she had received. Jacobs comb
as two massive and bejeweled rivals
4 the softy hair" The front of the
ress, where aching or Respondent
eads are wont to rest, is glittcring
nth campaign buttons of American
celebrities, beginning with James G
,laine and extending into modern his
ory as far as Patrick Diver. Admiral
Dewey and Captain Dreyfus. Outside
he blue belt is q white one, nearly
can and bearing in "sure 'nough gol-
den words the curt but stirring in
itation. Remember the Name. I
round the neck are three chaplets Of
eads, wrought by chubby fingers and
| 'mbodying much love, while the waist
| inc is further adorned by tiny and
| leribboned aprons. Truly, it is a day
| If triumph.
| When the waste paper basket has
been twice filled with Wrappngs anC
| twice cmDtied; when order is emerg-
| ng out OF chaos: when the Christmas
| sree has been disclosed and its treas.
| Ires distributed. timid hand is laiC
IN Teachers knee and plaintiyt
| voice whispers, Say, Teacher. | go