The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1906-12-19

Willie. roasting chestnuts and as hap.
by as happy can be.
Il wonder what / shall have this
year," said Josie. II h-d, oh. such
beautiful presents last Christmas-a
book, a tea.set and a workbox,"
And ! had top, white wabbit
and, oh! such lot OF odies," said
little Willie who was the youngest of
the three.
81 know what I'd like" continued
Josie; "Id like wax dol like Katie
Browns. that win open and shut its
eyes, and has real hair and cries like
any baby; wouldn't You, Nellie?"
Nellie was taking the chestnuts of
the fire. When she turned her face,
roster than usual, toward the light, it
had a rather sober look.
Yes, I'd like It. But a doll like
that costs lots of money. and papa
feels almost too poor this year;
heard mamma say so. | shouldn't Won
der if l di, 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.
"ls 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 II he were
Cousin Nellie san have a Christ
mas present" said Willie stoutly. III
give her my--my white wabbit.'
Now the white rabbit was the most
precious of all Willie's possessions.
And I'll I've her my box of puz-
zles!" cried Josie, not to be outdone
In generosity.
Grandma Laring smiled.
Il am glad to find m. children so
unselfish, but | think Nellie VIII be
provided for. Indeed, | shouldn't
wonder If her present was the incest
of all"
Nicer than Katie Browns doll?''
"A great deal nicer"
What is 1t. grandma" cried both
the little girls in breath.
Grandma shook her head mysteri.
ously.
Its a secrrt--Nellie isn't to know
J till she gets home
Then the door opened and in walked
tall man, his shaggy great-coat SO
white with snowfiakes as to make
him look something like the polar
bear" that he, laughingly. called him
| self
But Nellie did not mind this
"Oh, papa! papal" she cried, flying
into his arms, which gave her 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 ior me home
that's nicer than any I've had YETI"
Mr.. Laring looked across the table
| at grandma and smiled.
so l 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 II a secret. papa" she whis.
pered.
"A great secret, little girl"
Nellie said no more, parly because
she knew ii 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 the two were on their
way back to the city.
about my Christmas present, papa.
Shall | have il as soon as get home?"
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.. LarinS; we will go
and find her"
And taking Nellie by the hand he
ed 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
4 woman at the other end of the
room, whom Nellie had not noticed,
and who had a funny-looking little
bundle OF flannel in her lap.
At sign from Mrs. Laring the
woman laid this bundle very care.
bully in her arms, and her mother be-
gan to undo its various wrappings.
AS she reached the last one Nellie
uttered a 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
Il directly,
ut is none of your make-nelieves,"
she said in dilating upon her good for
tune, but live. sure-enough baby"
Nellie had often wished for little
brother, and now her wish was graft.
hed. And as he began 10 know her,
as he very soon did. and 20 laugh and
pratthe, her delight Increased daily