Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-12-12

her ball of yarn.
We'll. of course, you know best, but think
of the disappointment of the little dears,"
exclaimed Uncle Reuben, who was reclining in
an arm chair, scanning the daily paper.
"Now. there's Marion who wants doll,
and Harry wants sleigh, and goodness knows
what all. The money which is used in this
way would buy yarn enough to knit two or
three pairs of stockings like these,' said Aunt
Hannah, as she clicked her knitting needles
sharply
Marion and Harry Blackmore, ages eight and
four, were living with their aunt and uncle in
the northern part Of Canada. Their mother
had died when Harry was two years old, and
their father during the past year had brought
them here to live.
AUNT Hannah was Tery stern doing her duty
with them, but forgetting that she was once
Child Uncle Reuben was more systematic
and many pleasant time would these chill
dren have had if he had had his way.
This conversation between Aunt Hannah and
Uncle Reuben was held On Christmas eve about
six months after Marion and Harry came to
live with them. Aunt Hannah had forbidden
Uncle Reuben to buy Christmas presents for
the children but the kind old mans heart went
out to the little ones Christmas approached.
That night before retiring Uncle Reuben tip
toed to the childrens room to see if they were
warm and comfortable. Instead of finding them
asleep, he heard Harry say: Marion, perhaps
Santa Claus can't tell your stocking from mine,
and he will give you a sleigh instead of me.
Wouldn't that be funny?" Uncle Reuben's
spirits fell as he thought of the disappointment
of tomorrow. He at once decided to go to the
village that night and get some presents.
Should he tell Aunt Hannah? No. she would
only call HIM foolish, and try to persuade him
not to go. So he slipped down stairs to the
kitchen, put on his wraps and started for the
barn.
The wind blowing the snow into large
drifts, so that it was almost impossible for the
horses to p'ow through them. After three hours
of hard driving he could see faint lights in
the distance When he reached the village af.
ter safely shetering his team, he started for
store. But, alas, it was locked. The thought
had never occurred to him before that at this
late hour PEOPLE would be spending their time
at Christmas trees and other places of amuse
ment. Uncle Reuben wandered up and down
tae streets for a long time. until as he was turn
ing a corner, he met Mr.. Gray, the owner of
the largesS store in the village. AS Mr. Gray
N>-NNO~ ~--> '~O-o'
what kind OF toys he wanted
"Well don't know very much about it," said
Uncle Reuben, "but my sister used to like dolls,
and when was little chap sleigh and
pair of skates were my greatest delight"
When Uncle Reuben left the store he looked
like Santa Claus himself for he mad books,
dolls tops sleigh, and everything that he
thought would please the children He did not
forget Aunt Hannah for he bought her beau
tiful WOODEN shawl, what she had wanted for
the last two winters
While he was thus engaged the storm had
been raging outside, and as he left the store
the snow almost blinded him. He had driven
young and frisky team, and as he left the vii
lage the snow blew into their faces They
turned suddenly around almost upsetting the
sleigh and breaking one of the tugs. They ran
through the village and started up hill, when
one slipped and fell. Uncle Reuben sprang
from his seat and caught the horse by the
bride before it had time to get up. After fix,