The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-12-21

'5r. OriOI.
"Why, Christmas must come every
year" said little Selma. opening wide
her big blue eyes.
Not when the tobacco isn't sold."
explained Orlof. who helped his father
on the small farm. Fathers borrowed
money on the crop to live on. and now
the moneys most gone and the crop
isn't sold yet. The buyers are slow
this year."
Il don't see why any one ever buys
the borrid stuff" said Thora. The
smell Of the leaves drying in the shed
makes me sick"
well. next summer you won't be
troubled with it, for father and are
going to put the land into sugar beets."
remarked Orlof, who felt himself a
man of affairs. ''Then we are sure to
make money, because q beet sugar
factory has just been built at James
vi,,e, and the owners will buy all the
beets we can raise"
But what's that got to do with
Christmas" asked Selma.
There won't be any Christmas
here" said 0rlof, solemnly. II knew
It. tirst, for father told grandmother
this morning that there was no money
TO spend for nonsense, and grandmoth-
er g. why. grandmother just cried"
There was a suspicious moisture in the
boys own eyes. The gentle little
grandmother who had never learned
English. and who spent the days knit
ting the soft stockings and mittens
that the young DIVERSIONS found so
comfortable and warm during the Wis
consin winters. was very dear to Orlof
and his sisters.
There won't be many more Christ
masses for grandmother" sighed
thoughtful Thora; "she is getting very
feeble"
..Then Il :sn't right for us not to
have Christmas this yearr' exclaimed
Selma. "1f there aren't many Christ
masses left. she oughtn't to miss sim
sic one"
NO, and we won't let her. As sure
as my name is Thora Overson. grand
mother shall have the best Christmas
this year that she's had since she left
Norway. Well earn the money for it
ourselves"
! -.But how can we?" asked Selma.
s'Oh. we'll find way" replied
Thora, with a happy smile.
Z Rerhaps ,Orlof and Selma went to
-s!eep that night as soon as their fiaXen
Fheads touched their pillows, but not 50
with Thora, Her long yellow braids
were tossing for two hours or more af-
ser she had crept into bed beside little
Lars. the two-year-old baby. Her head
tursfd from side to side as she
worked out plan in her mind that
Kept even the thought Of sleep away.
but at last. reaching to see that the
covers were over the baby, she sighed
contentedly and closed her tired eyes.
You. please. wash the dishes for
mother this morning, Selma, and tend
TO baby" she said to her sister after
breakfast the next day. "for | have
something else to do"
Thora went to the upper room where
the children slept. and did not come
down unit! it was time to so to school.
Then she carried little parcel. laugh
ingly refusing to tell what 1t contained
when Selma and Orlof asked her.
After school that afternoon she told
Selma to hurry home to help get sup
per: for she was going to the village
or an errand. When she trudged
home an hour later her mind was so
full of happy thoughts and plans that
the three miles of rough country roads
seemed but a short. pleasant walk.
Her bright cheeks and sparkling eyes
were noticed by the grandmother
when she came into the house.
The little woman is happy tonight
She said in Norwegian.
Yes. grandmother. dear" Thora an.
swered in the same tongue. "happy
and busy" She laid of her wraps and
unaoing the little parcel she had car.
ried away in the morning showed her
grandmother short piece Of GRO
cheted lace OF a most intricate design
p .,,,x, r,r.srx a