Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-17

doctor said that with care he would get
well again. So, after the first and worst
was past, Tucker made up his mind to be
patient and get well as fast as possible.
Still, it was very lonesome to sit propped
up all day, looking out of the little window
of the log house. with mounting to see but
the muddy yard and dead grass and bare
trees. The only beautiful thing to look at
was the sky. Mr. Johnson, fuckers father,
had to be out most of the day, working
about Mr. Trent's farm, and often fuckers
mother had to be away, too, for they were
poor and were obliged to work harder than
ever now that their little son was sick and
needed doctors. Mr. and Mrs. Trent were
very kind; were other people and OF
course George was a help. George was
fuckers little sister, years old, going on
g." as she always said. She stayed with
Tucker when their father and mother were
away, and sat IN the big red rocking chair
with her pudgy feet stuck out before her
and rocked for dear life" and sang and
sang.
The Christmas before Tucker was hurt
he and George went to see the tree at
Sunday school; IL was the prettiest thing
they had ever seen in their lives
AS Christmas drew near this year that
Tucker was sick, he thought more and more
about the beautiful tree and the more he
thought the sadder he felt, as he remem-
bered that he could not go to Sunday school
for Christmas eve
AS they sat before the fire one night
Tucker said: Mother, 1 wouldn't mind
being sick if had a pretty Christmas tree
to look at all the time. l wish one would
grow right up out Of the ground and stay
where l could see it,"
Mrs. Johnson squeezed his hand and
said: They don't grow that way, my son
But maybe Santa Claus will bring some
thing"
Christmas came that year on Sunday, so
the Sunday school tree was TO be on the
afternoon of Christmas eve.
Friday as Mrs Trent was gathering ferns
and holy in the woods, she met Mr.. john
son and inquired after his boy. He re-
peated what Tucker had said about the
tree. After they had talked little while
she told Mr. Johnson that Tucker and
George would not be forgotten, although
they could not come TO the Sunday school
tree.
Early Christmas morning Mr.. Johnson
looked out and said: why, 1t showed
last night" And when he pushed Tucker 5
chair up 10 the window. as usual, what do
you think Tucker saw?
A light snow had fallen, and there,
right by the window, with the white fakes
lying upon its branches, growing right up
out OF the ground" was a cedar Christmas
tree. Hanging down from its limbs, among
the green twigs, were sticks of bright
candy and red apples there was knife
for Tucker and a tiny fat doll just like
George herself, The powdered snow made
the prottiest decoration in the world
Tucker felt he must be dreaming. He had
never before felt 50 happy-and he was very
thankful, too. How good Santa Claus
is to me-" he said. on the shelf under
the window was box, but Tucker did not
see It until his mother showed 1t to him.
On its cover was written this:
For Tucker and George Johnson. From
their friends In Sunday school
Inside were some nice things 70 eat and
two story books with pictures, and game
Of checkers for Tucker, and real wax
doll with real golden hair for George.
The good times they did have that day