Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-17
The Christmas Cabbage.
BY LLOYD CARTER.


AT first il had been somewhat of a disap
pointment to give up tire Christmas enter
| tainment and the presents and the fun that
went with them. but after a few days the
disa ppoint1lent was forgotten in other
, Christmas thoughts and in the pleasant an
ticipation of the joy of the poor Biggses
when Trey should receive their present. For
the pupils Of Atlas Academy had voluntarily
offered to do wthout-their usual treat. and
each boy and girl had promised TO save as
many pennies possible before Christmas
to add to the "Bigges fund" There were
nine little Biggs children father who was
paralyzed and could not work. and mother
who worked herself nearly TO death to try
to support the father and big family.
How their eyes would pop open in aston
ishment when they saw the big baskets of
food which the Atlas School pupils would
give them. with warm mittens and caps and
shoes and toys
To Donald Price and Patty Reid fen the
task of purchasing the eoioles. and that is
the burden of this story. Tney nad .tc
chosen committee of two to attend to this
part of the buying. Patty was real little
housekeerer, and she knew how tn select
with care and economy. Donald had
splendid business head and was quick at
figures. so he was an invaluable helper.
Everything went smoothly at first. The
big turkey was fine and fat and the butcher
made reduction in the price when he heard
it was for the Biggs family. for he was sor
ry for them too The vegetables were crisp
and fresh. and Patty selected a gOodiy store
of them, including an enormous head of
cabbage. Don objected to the cabbage. but
Patty insisted that the Biggses Just loved
it. 1t required the combined efforts of
Don and the grocers clerk to carry the big
basket to the street and deposit it in the
back of the runabout. which Don's uncle
had kindly loaned for the expedition.
The basket safely wedged in. Patty and
Don, leaving old Jerry. the horse. tied to n
hItchng post. went up the street a half
block to the confectioner's. where the bal
anoe of the money was to lee spent To charm
the little Bisgses at Christmas.
Now, old Jerry was reliable horse
an old family servdnt-but. like many an old
servant he sometimes took liberties. Left
with nothing to do lie soon feel asleep. in
fashion he had acquired with age. and that
IS doubtless the reason that lie was unable
to give a straight account of what ha ppen-
ed in the fifteen minutes Don and Patty
spent selecting candies and cakes and other
interesting things for the little Biggses
Don came out Of the store first. his hands
and pockets full of big packages; Patty fol-
lowed with long package, which she car
ried very carefully ard any with half
an eye could have guessed that IL contained
candy canes.
BE careful and don't break 'em when you
put 'em in the wagon. Don" called Patty
gaily. Why-why-why. Don. this can't be
your unc!e's wagon
We'll, guess it is. then. said Don. You
don't think old Jerry would be hitched to
strangers wagon, do YOU What's the mat
ter?"
'The baskets gone gasped Patty.
Sure enough! Not a bit of a vegetable or
turkey or basket was visible.
"Ge whiminy!" exclaimed Don. ''Ge whim-
my! 1t has been stolen,
Patty's eyes filed with tears. 1t was too
discourasing. What would the poor little
Biggses do without their Christmas treat?
A crunching noise behind Don made him
turn. There stood a donkey, one ear cooked
saucily up and smile at the corner of his