St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-12-21

AS the crowd surged about him, a
bewildering look crept into his race. A
clerk approaching him, asked: Some
thing for you, sir?' He attempted
to reply, but more desirable custom
er attracted her attention and she
passed on.
Presently young lady approached,
and bidding him cordial good AFTER
noon, asked: Can be of any use to
you, sir?" A genial smile lighted the
rugged face as he said II take it kind
ly of you, lady, to help an old man.
You see daughter Liza and her folks
came to-day. My 'tother girl Mandy
stayed home to help mother-that
counts for my being here alone. l
didn't think to have no trouble trad
ing, but I got confused like"
There are great many people
here" she replied. Nov suppose we
begin. What shall we start our list
WITH"
Lets begin with. mother" eagerly
replied the old man. "a spell ago,
Eli, our cat, broke her best preserve
dish and 1 calculate she'd be pleased
with another"
TIL pencil moved rapidly. Then as
she looked up, he said: Mother
thought a fine table cloth for Liza, her
little boy Samuel must have some
toys, and her husband is great hand
for reading, he must have some books;
but you see, lady, don't know much
of reading matter, so will you PICK
'em out?"
"Then there's Mandy, she's keeping
steady company; he's to work in the
city. He's coming tomorrow, so
mother said to get her something to
fix up the parlor with. Mebbe silk
spread to put on the marble top table,
I don't know what else. Can't you
think of something's"
81 certainly CAM she replied.
well, that's about all, except the
things for Baby Belle"
"Your grandchild?" questioned the
lady.
mo, maam," he replied, you see,
last year just as the meeting house
bell was ringing in Christmas, she
came and her mother, our neighbor,
went.
"The next morning early / drove
over Mother called me into the hall.
Samuel" says she, there are four
motherless ones besides the baby. If
only she had gone, too
"'Nancy, God knows best says 1.
He always does says she. But I've
been thinking, here we be not so
dreadful old, hale and hearty; Liza
is married; Mandy's keeping COM
pany. Soon We'll be alone on the
farm. Now why can't we take the
little one?'
1--WE called her Belle, for she came
when the Christmas bells were rings
ing.
AS he finished the lady's eyes were
dim. How beautiful in you," she
said. what shall we get for the dear
baby?"
Il was thinking that doll baby
and some picture blocks; then we
must have a little bonnet and coat,
for she does ENJOY going around with
u.s."
"Do you want TO take the things
with you?" she asked.
yes, lady, he answered. "You
see the trolley runs within a mile of
us. left Billy and the sleigh in
neighbor jenkins barn. If they could
be packed safe, calculate I'd take
'em right along"
The lady thought a moment. "How
would it be to get a large basket,
and as we buy the gifts pack them
in?"
Fine" enthusiastically replied the
old man. Baskets are always handy
to have"
Quickly the afternoon wore on; the
last purchases were made, and quiet
ly the lady added large box of
candy, and bunch of holly to the
well filed basket.
AS the old farmer took the basket
on his arm, the lady asked: where
is your gift, Mr.. Burt?"
"Bless your heart" he replied, 81
don't want nothin'. got pound of
tobaccy up the street; 1t will be fun
enough for me to see the folks
pleased
Taking the tiny gloved hand in his
mittened zone, he said: THANK you
kindly for all the trouble you have
taken for the old man.. God bless
you, dear lady. A merry Christmas to
you.'
It was nearing midnight In a
mansion in a richly furnished room
sat g lady in evening dress. A gas
log sparkled upon the hearth, and
leaning against the holly banked man
tie, man looked lovingly down upor
| the sweet face.
Gust think" she is saying. "The
dear old man didn't desire the slight.
| est thing for himself, so / slipped a
box of cigars addressed to him into
the basket. He certainly was one of
4 L