Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1904-12-22

Somehow it didn I look good and
festive at all'-but just forlorn and
pitiful.
"Won't the fellows howl over itp''
cried Murray. Give me somethin
on tree, q sugar elphunt, or q stick
o striped candy, or somethin'."
Hallock turned and looked ut the
tree again. The stick of striped
candy was hung from q topmost
bough, and the name OF Buddy was
on 10 un mi 8 takably. The sugar
elephant was for Tommy. and there
was doll for baby. A string of
popcorn was draped carele ssly
ar0nnd The tree, and single candle
was ready to be lighted.
A bitofcardboard with water color
lines on il nearly escaped his atten-
ton. Il said. For MOTHER" and it
bore motto worked out with funny,
wavering lines and infinite pains:
Thou shalt call His name Imman.
uel, God with u.s."
Both young men had grown very
sober. What seemed fun last night
was not fun at all this morning.
And now Hallock growled under his
breath:
why didn't leave this miser-
able thing down."
"Um, commented Murray; those
youngsters missed their Christmas
this morning.
Keep still, will your" command
ed Hallock sharply. He had settled
his head gloomily into his hands,
and was staring out of the window.
After little Murray spoke again.
What's that little girls name who
brings our clothes the ole st?
Hepsy, isn't it? Well, then, she
got this up for the others. Her
name isn't on it anywhere. He
was poking at the branches dis
tractedly.
Hallock did not answer. Per-
haps he did not hear. He was in
dulging in very plenteous self-re-
proach. Indeed, he was hating him
self most vigorously, as a noble fel-
low will who has lost his grip on
right and descended to meanness.
Gladly would he have flung the
little tree out the window; but, no I;
it was a precious gift OF sacrifice,
and he could not.
Poor and pitiful though II was, it
seemed a sacred bush that burned
with the light OF Bethlehem S loving
thought and self-giving. He turn
ed and looked at Murray sternly:
well, why can't you suggest some-
thing, instead of standing there like
Sphinx"
You told me to keep still"
II didn't mean forever. You re
in this scrape too. Say something,
and out with it!'
''All right, sir. Let's go down to
the city short meter, and buy some
trinkets for Toms kids, and set
them up on fine, first class Christ
mas tree, and leave it by the door,
ring the doorbell, and git!"
Hallock's face lifted. He jumped
up and stamped on his rubbers
vigorously.
Come onl"
The deserted shops were surpris-
ed that Christmas Day to be visited
by two college fellows, who shop
ped with an earnestness and zeal
that would have done your soul
good.
Up the hill they toiled, Hallock
pulling a gay sled loaded with their
shopping, and which was designed
to bring Joy to Buddy's heart, and
Murray dragging a pretty little
tree.
Down on their knees trimming
that tree their spirits rose. They
were getting into the benignant at
mosphereof Christmas. Ttwas great
fun.
Perhaps the decorations were not
so very artistic; their fingers were
rather clumsy at it, but as Murray
said: There is enough of lots of
things, and that is good point with
a Christmas tree"
Poor little Hepsy Qike many an
other of us) did not know that Christ
mas morning how rich she really
was.
The Christmas tree. very beauti-
full in her eyes, and representing in
expressible sacrifice, was gone I
Worst of all, Buddy and Tom had,
with sly hints and suggestions, been
promised a tree, and only with coax
ing could they be induced TO get to
bed early. Poor little fellows, who
so seldom had a treat
Even the dispirited mother had
taken an interest in loving Hepsy's
plan, and had promised fritters and
syrup for breakfast.
By early Christmas light thelittle
hovs hurriad down tho sta;rS In find