The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-23

After n most enjoyable visit with their
relatives In New York city, Bricktop and
the twins arrived home several days be-
fore Christmas. They found their mother
busy with Christmas shopping, and they
at once began to engage in buying some
gifts on their own account. There were
so many to remember, however, that one
evening Bricktop and The Twins3took
paper and pencil and sat down to the
task Of writing the names of those whom
they must remember on the festive occa-
sion so near at hand. First on the list
were papa and mamma; then followed
grandpapa and gandmamma, Uncle Will,
Aunt Agnes, Aunt Lulu. Cousin Bert;
their teacher, Miss Quick; their Sunday
school teachers, Maggie, their cook, and
ever so many of their young friends.
My. oh, as many names as We have
dollars" declared Bricktop.
"Oh, that's all right" said BEETLE.
1--WE couldn't expect to spend n dollar
on each of those named Wen put a
little more on those dearest to US and
little less on those not so dear"
'"Ten cents for Miss Quick" said Brick
top. jumping away from the reach of
Lette's little fist as she said: Shame
on you, Brick You know Miss Quick is
love OF a tea cher"
Eyes, as compared with the teacher
had last year." laughed Bricktop. "But,
come, let's get n move on US. We've
just two days In which to get our pres
ents."
So away the three young Perkinses
went, happy as they could possibly be.
When they returned home for luncheon
ALw.. ka- Ir<sN-
which were hidden away In the closet OF
Bricktop's room. In the afternoon Brick
top excused himself from the company
of his sisters and went forth to buy pres
ents for them, not explaining his object
In going on without them, however. As
soon as he had departed Bette cried
merrily: Now we can 60 and look for
something for Bricktop."
That evening The Twins had pretty
little box hidden away In their wardrobe
closet, and Bricktop had two parcels Sc
GREETED under his bed, where no one
would ever think of finding anything
Then the family assembled to talk over
the arrangements for the Christmas din
ner, and the tree which was to follow In
the evening. AS great many guests
were to be present, 1t was decided to
have the dinner at @ o'clock and to retire
from the dining-room to the parlor,
WHERE Tue tree Woulu De uuVelleu, as
Bricktop put it. Then a general good
time would follow, Mr.. and Mrs. Perkins
distributing the gifts from the tree.
Christmas Day came bright and with a
delicious snap Of frost in the air. A
beautiful snow had fallen the night be-
fore and covered everything with a blan-
ket of smooth whiteness, on which the
sun shone all day, taking care, however,
to not melt the fine covering away. ALI
day the members of the Perkins house
hold were busy as bees. tree, green
and wide of bough, stood In the back
paror, holding about two dozen wax
candles and loaded with presents of
every kind. cord was stretched from
wall to wall in front of the tree, on
which were hung curtains to shield the
tree from view till given hour. Before
the curtains should be drawn Mr.. Per-
kins would step behind them and light
the tapers on the tree, then as IL by
magic the tree, aglow with lights and
gistening with colors. would appear.
T. Late in the afternoon. and while his
mother was busy decorating the dining
table and giving Maggie occasional assist