Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-01
cor Squire Nef!o added Trux.

"They most likely have thought better of
sending us to the Haven Hill Home, and are
doing the charity act in this fine style,
laughed Trux.
"Serionsly," interposed grandma, thought
fully, 81 would like to know. Not Judge
Thornley,. 1t is not like him. He may re
ward you literally for small service, as he
did the other day, but not trouble himself
to 90 out of his way to help poor family
unless he had some special purpose for doing
So No. it was not he, or any one in the vii
lage whom 1 know"
"I hope we shall know some time" replied
lTrux, "but all we can do as it is now is to
be thankful and enjoy all the good things this
blessed X. Kringle has sent us.
Such a time as they had emptying the blg
boxi Trux and Gale tried on their new suits
and marched around the room, proud as pea
cocks. 1t was nearly midnight before they
could be induced to go to bed, and they were
I'D and down stairs again as soon as 1t was
fairly light.
Winch and Tommy could hardly believe
their eyes when they saw rne tree such
Transformation over night! Did Santa come
after they were asleep, and how did he get
in and they not hear him? And now
wouldn't they have grand chance to crow
over Joe and Sue! =,
The morning dawned clear and cold, but
the nipping, frosty air did not deter Joe and
Sue from houndering through the deep snow
their Christmas goodies mostly stick candy
and sour balls-and brag of the few cheap
presents they had received. When tney
caught sight of the tree, however they , We're
struck dumb with surprise and envy, and tne
scraggy cedar was indeed resplendent with
its burden of beautiful things, many OF
which the Barneys had never before seen,
so uncommon and costly were they.
"Why-why, where did you get all that?'
gasped Joe. "I thought you was foohn'-
II never talk big" disclaimed Trux. "It
and there is the tree-you can see for your
self and that is not half, either.
Grandma and Mrs. Dana were in the Htch-
en- preparing the all-important dinner, and the
children had the room to themselves, other
wise they might not have been SO tree In
their remarks.
.'You must have a rich aunt, OF some
thing" ventured Sue. "Awful rich"
eve have" said Trux, his handsome eyes
dancing, "and rich uncle"
"And fairy god mother" put, in Gale.
'fYou don't know, Sue Barney, what really
swell people we are"
"And you won't have to go to the Home
now, will you?" said Sue, regretf,ully: !,
snapped SS %Sie Gse NO ARe Haven Ia M0 H HoHs f
Destitute. Boys for us"
"And we are going to school next week,
and to Sunday school Just as we did before
papa died." spoke up Winch, with little
catch in his voice, for they had loved their
father dearly.
"WeI," said Sue, with envious slowness
II suppose now you think yourselves better'n
me and joel"
Rather" replied Trux, coolly. "But you
can look at our tree all the same. No stick
candy and sour balls in ours. A pound box
for each-just 6ne!"
Sue sighed deeply. She had come to boast
and here were the tables turned completely.
Joe felt his defeat as keenly as did his sister.
He would not even look at their new sled, or
give any opinion regarding its speed merit,
although cordially invited to do So, and both
left crestfallen and silent, with the united
ears from all the ''Dana kids"
It was nine days wonder to the Dayton
folk-that remarkable box!
Miss Virgins and Squire Neff and the
other obtrusive and inqusitive Church
workers" could not solve the mystery. They
had heard that it might be Judge Thornley,,
but he positively disclaimed any knowledge
whatever of it. Two or three others of the
more well-to-do villagers had been mentioned
as the possible donor, but each and all stren-
uously denied that they knew word about
The Monday following the New Year, the
three oldest Dana boys started for school,
that Uncle Silas, who CHANGED to meet them
on the way, stopped to congratulate them on
their fine appearance, and declare that they
deserved all the good luck unmistakably com
ing their way at last.
CHAPTER vi.
| ~0HE winter passed and April came in