Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1906-12-14

AIIAS w AAAA0p WIZ " dS IA0 yOuA6O9L VI
the three.
II know what I'd like" continued
Josie; I'd like 4 wax doll like Katie
Browns. that will open and shut its
eyes. and has real hair, and cries like
any baby; wouldn't you, Nellie?"
Nellie was taking the chestnuts OH
the fire. When she turned her face,
roster than usual, toward the light, it
had rather sober look.
Eyes, I'd like it. But doll like
that costs lots of money, and papa
feels almost too poor this year; I
heard mamma say so. shouldn't won
der If I didn't have any Christmas
present at ALL"
These solemnly spoken words fell
like damper on the spirits of Josie
and Willie, who loved dearly their gen.
tie, sweet-tempered little cousin.
us Uncle John poor, grandma?" said
Josie.
mo, dear, Uncle John isn't poor, but
he has met with some losses this year
that makes him feel as if he were.'
cousin Nellie sail have a Christ
mas present." said Willie stoutly. I'll
give her my-my white wabbit."
Now the white rabbit was the most
precious of all Willie's possessions.
"And I'll give her my box of puz-
zles!" cried Josie, not to be outdone
in generosity.
Grandma Laring smiled.
II am glad to find my children so
unselfsh, but I think Nellie will be
provided for. Indeed, I shouldn't
wonder if her present was the incest
of ALL"
Nicer than Katie Browns doll?"
"A great deal nicer"
what is it, grandma?" cried both
the little girls in a breath.
Grandma shook her head mysteri-
ously.
"Its a secret-Nellie isn't to know
till she gets home"
Then the door opened and in walked
a tall man, his shaggy great-coat so
white with snowfakes as to make
him look something like the polar
bear" that he, laughingly, called him.
self.
But Nellie did not mind this.
ooh, papa! papa!" she cried, flying
into his arms, which gave her a bear
like hug that nearly took away her
breath.
Half-an-hour later Nellie was seated
on her papa's knee, treating him to
the chestnuts she had roasted, in a
very happy and contented frame of
mind.
She suddenly bethought herself.
Papa, grandma says that you've
got Christmas present for me home
that's nicer than any I've had yet?'
Mr.. Laring looked across the table
at grandma and smiled.
$50 I have, daughter; present
that's worth more than all the pres.
ents you ever had put together"
Nellie looked wistfully into the
smiling eyes of the speaker.
rs it a secret, papa" she whis.
pered.
"A great secret, little girl"
Nellie said no more, partly because
she knew it would be of no use, and
then she was not one of those little
girls who make themselves and every
body around them unhappy by con.
tinual teasing.
What is my little daughter think
Ing about?" said Mr.. Laring on Christ
mas morning as tho two were on their
way back to the city.
About my Christmas present, papa.
Shall have it as soon as I get homer"
Just as soon as you get home"
Nellie did not find her mother in
the sitting-room as she had expected.
Il think mamma must be in her
room," said Mr.. Laring; we will go
and find her."
And taking Nellie by the hand he
led her upstairs into a pleasant room,
where her mother was SITTING. and
who kissed her many times.
Nellie Is anxious to see her Christ.
mas present." he said, looking toward
woman at the other end of tho
room, whom Nellie had not notice
and who had funny-lookinx little
bundle of flannel in her lap.
At a sign from Mrs. Larinx the
woman laid this bundle very care
fully IN her arms, and her mother be-
gan to undo it's various wrappings.
AS she reached the last one Nellie
uttered scream Of delight, for there
lay just the dearest and sweetest
baby you can imagine, with such
bright eyes and cunning little hands
and feet that Nellie fell in love with
it directly.
1T is none of your make-believes,"
she said In dilating upon her good for
tune, but live, sure-enough baby!"
Nellie had often wished for a little
brother, and now her wish was graft
ned. And az he began to know her,
as he very soon did, and to laugh and
prattle, her delight increased daily
N. 7. Weekly.