The Minneapolis journal., 1904-12-24
THE CHRISTMAS OF NO. 81.
BY ELEANOR WOODBRIDGE.
Barry heard them.

Barry heard them.
"something must be thought up for that dear boys
Christmas grandmother said. And by all the
aunties-there were three of them-nodded that they
thought So too. Barry could almost hear the mods.
''We must consult your father,' the sweet grand
grandfather splendid man to ''think up' things
But then the little up-auddow Fuckers did not
smooth out of Barrys forehead 1t still seemed to him
that nothing-nothing in all the world-could make up
for having father and mother in Florida and not
another little boy or ggrls were better than nothing
within mile of you.
Barry did not want to hang up his stocking. That
was dreadful sign. And he did not want Christmas
treetha another he said things like that things
you had always done all life since you little
made you homesick when your father and mother
down in Florida Everything you had always done made
you homesick.
his navy blue flannel suit he found there of
gilt braid sewed round the sleeves and collar and and
down the outside of the trousers It rather
prising, and made you feel like telegram boy,
something Still, it was nice. You rather liked it.
And his navy blue cap-that there, too, with
number in gilt braid the front Of it. Number 81! It
was very surprising.
*|Put them ali on and call at IL Lowerhan street
Immediately after breakfast,'' written card
Going downstairs other surprising things came to
light There big distinct numbers all the doors
and printed the walls Of the upper hall and the
tai starcase and and . the lower hall sUpPerhan Street,.
"Auntiepeg Alley'-Barry went from to tho
other at excited little trot 1t kept growing
prsing.
to II Lowerhal street. It proved to be the library
"Come in!'' called big, CHEEKY voice: It was tho
table piled high with big bundles little bundles long
bundles short bundesbundles with pink strings and
bundles ot with blue st1ngs was bluff and Jolly and
f'Hello! That you, Number a7s Wish you Merry
Chrstmas! You got along just in the nick o. time
can't distribute all these bundles. gave out when got
to this district and, said 1--we got to have help
So telephoned headquarters for good likely mes
a /.
y0u sha Ws you look as smart as as st steel traP
handed them out brisky.
sDeliver this one at Number Lowerhall Street, he
said sand these @ two p at Uppsrha You IL have to
boys do I'm told''
He was back again very for more bundles This
time there two for Number on Auntiepeg Alley
and Number Barry room! Of course he must not
stop them but he felt Of them and smed of them
all the way up the hill.
He delivered bundles at all the numbers all the
streets It great fun and he forgot all about Flor
<'Heres bundle for large family that lives just
round Kitchen Corner,' Santa Claus said. Dont spill
any of it. Keep it upsdeI right side up would
not have that family miss it's Christmas for farm Nice
family-very nice family.''
It felt like bottle, and it certainly joggled like
things in bottles Barry was full Of
obi he found it in clothes basket at Number 49, and
it dear old Gray Purr and her six little spandy
kittens! Then he carried Christmas bundle to Shed
cHdmper oIfeeI 1of TO AJI1c
Avenue for Deborah Oh, the bundles and the bundles
the little boy delivered And queery enough
every second third directed to Number S
Auntiepeg Alley!
Mum ber-Number Ieo-w-must be Lowerhall, -
spelled Santa Claus the hst-ofan bundle. ''I wish
people would remember that eyesigbt is getting
and not write their directions fine. Take this to Mum
Der g. boy It the last thank goodnessi
Here's your mornings pay" BE handing out some
thing very small and round and shiny Barry knew
it five dollar gold piece.
ssOh!'' he gasped, but he got further. What do
you thing Santa Claus doingf Huggng the
ger boy hard he could the messenger boy
laughing gleefully and hugging back! r
'sIts about the best Christmas ever had, Aunty
Peg,' declared happy, tired Barry at bedtime 'Ive
had the splendidest fun! 'Cept that papa and nam.
in Florida stead of here, it would be the very
best-one!''