Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-12-16

her husband eyed her in gloomy retro spection of the glad old times, growl- preparing for an army, and she fash ed out that this wasn't the time to be stingy and perhaps there would be some poor to feed there always had been so far.
 Then came the 9th day of Decem- ber a heavy Snowstorm and much embarrassment for the old couple. Each had secretly sent all the children presents and q letter, neither mention ing the other. and the lawyer had call cal on them and told them that it was time to drop the divorce business and make up or push 1t and have it over with. They almost drove him from the house. and he laughed as he went down the street.
 About noon John came in, gruff and shy. and put a great armful of holly on the white kitchen table. She looked at him till inc explained.
 May Carr give it to me. They had too much at the church, and she give me no chance to say l didn't want it you know Mays way. She said the Christmas tree was the biggest the church ever had and there were more children needing things. She asked if you had anything pretty or useful you didn't want, and said l would ask you
 Il m f.i,t ly and had always helped out with ev- erytang They had always been cheer ful aid charitable This appeal touch ed them both.
 Mary i'u@,sll:yr1 Il out aud sent an offering thA, reiore3I t,:r hearts of tla,s who a.rrr t:M...ia3 the tree. jotl took it to t:,e e3t:a.'a. aud every ho't sA>o,, !..s.!. Y: :. A:;a ,,...i in the se..eial .,ia .A,'.> >re.4.ri :> have for ttaa thAt a.lyshIs..: :> 'a45.
 About 1. Wtln' Mary Was ai ,ne rest in; after DE ls,- t!3 all :lIf molly. a telegram eii..c lo: 9!,l >Ae did not knoN wae:r' he N=.!,. Il shr suffered the ,.si,a! ! DIN ? ..a.ie .sn2p!e un- accustomed 70 receiving ,!3.-t;3il.s. She dared not open il and lhla@iaed the Ieat tn and burial of ali !iHf children and granach.l'ien. one after t}l. other.
 While she was in this frame of mind another message ca.lle, and the boy had scarcely gone when d third ar rived. Then she sent d neighbors boy most fainting He was as frightened as she, but the first read: Meet 6 o'clock train tonight. Mary" The sec ond said: Meet 6 o'clock train tonight. Paul" The third bade him meet the 6 o'clock train and was signed Eliza beth" While they stood staring at each other boy brought another. This was different.
 Meet o'clock train from west for little Christine. Alice died suddenly yesterday. Mother, give her home till can get to you. Letter later.' 1t was , then They stood staring q mo ment. and then Mary fell to piling wood on the fire and spoke briefly to John.
 Father, youll have to hurry to get to that train" He went ont to the barn and hitched the team to the doG1le cut ter. When he came back he lifted down to their grandmother arms her daughter Mary's three children, three of Paul's and one of E!izabeth'S. They were all laughing and shouting and each Was tcketed Merry Christmas. am q gift to grandpa and gran'lma-
 They were barely fed and warmed when John went to the later train and returned With the mothcriess three year-Old Christine in his arms. She had been put ill the conductors care and was sound asleep, with tears on her cheeks and her yellow curls tousled on her grandfather'S shoulder Her grandmother reached Up for her.
 John" she said, she is ours. We must keep things together for the chil- dren. John. Pm awfaliy ashamed of how hard I've been, and l ain't asham ed to say so Will you forgive me?' He stopped suddenly and kissed her as he put the child in her arms.
 Ma" lie said, "I've been au oll fool, and I'm the one to blame. I'll go and straighten things at church and if you'll have me for Christmas present all right" And she smiled happily up at him.