The Forrest City times., 1906-12-21

In front of a big house.
 Now sing" said Mary Bell, and the five sweet voices were upraised: Merry. merry Christmas everywhere, Cheerily it ringeth through the air sang all the little Bells, with red noses and blue fingers, as they stamped their feet and shivered in the snow
 The door of the big house opened and a pompous servant came out and shook his finger at them. Co away" he said, go away, We don't want you bowling around here.'
 oh" gasped the little Bells. and away they flew, with Mary Bell bring ing up the rear, as she wiped the tears from her eyes. for she was the oldest. and at home there was nothing to eat and no fire. and she didn't know what they would do.
 They sang before other places un- til their throats were sore, but every one was too busy or too selfish to listen; and the night was coming on when at last they limped into the grounds of dark old mansion that stood far back from the lonely road.
 In this mansion lived a bachelor, which isn't an ogre, although it is something like one, for bachelors haven't any children, and they are apt to forget that they were ever young. and sometimes they are very fierce.
 The bachelor was all alone. He had sent his servants away to keep their Christmas at their homes, and he was in the loneliest room in the lonely house.
 The Bells sang two songs before he moved.
 He drew back the curtain. "Go away" he motioned
 They turned to go out of the gate. but when they reached it Baby Bell stumbled and sat down and then she cried, and the other four cried-a for lorn little group, for they were all so tired and cold and hungry that they didn't care what happened.
 70. by George said the bachelor, watching them. By George they. are nothing but babies,s and he ran down. stairs and out into the snowy path. Whats the matter?" he demanded.
 No one wants to hear us sing sobbed baby Bell.
 Huh" said the bachelor, grufly. T do"
 But Mary just looked at the bachelor with eyes that reminded him of days of long ago, and suddenly he found himself holding her hand and talking eagerly.
 Come in," he urged, where it is warm, and sing to me there"
 The lonely room was not lonely any more when the five little Bells stood in row in front of the fire, which the bachelor poked into blazing bright ness. They sang with a will, and the bachelor clapped his hands, and then took out his purse
 Here" he said to Mary, and hand ed her a dollar.
 But Mary shook her head. "It is too much" she said You must give us a penny apiece for each song, for that is all that 1t is worth We can't sing very we'll. We are not beggars.
 By George" said the bachelor. By George, l believe you are half starved"
 Then he looked at Mary. Can you cook?" he asked.
 Yes, indeed" cried all the little Bells.
 T need cook" said the bachelor. with twinkling smiles. 'I haven't any. one to cook my Christmas dinner, and if you don't take pity on me I shall have nothing"
 Shall I begin now?" asked Mary. eagerly. T should love it."
 T haven't anything in the house." said the bachelor. But there is the telephone"
 'Is telephone good to eat?" asked baby Bell.
 No" said the bachelor, bat it's fine to talk into. Now take off your things and stay with me"
 70, I'm afraid we will be a trou- ble," said Mary, uncertainty.
 Will your mother worry?" asked the bachelor.
 We haven't any mother" said Mary We are orphans, and we are all alone"
 That settles it." said the bachelor. You are to stay" And he went to the telephone and ordered everything from turkey to tarts and from plum pudding to pies.
 It was the jolliest Christmas eve and the ielliest person of all was the lonely bachelor, because he wasn't lonely any more, and there were chil. dren in the house to make Christmas what 1t should be.
 You must stay with me always" he said, as they sat warm and well fed and rosy around the fire. The house is so big and am away half the time, and you could sing for me yes, you shall come here," and he tossed baby Bell high in the air
 70, how happy we will be-" sang inc Rhfidrpfa ssIIAu,