The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1907-12-12
WAS A PUT-UP JOB
TAKES SONS INTO HIS
CONFIDENCE.
Christmas Shopping Seems Very
Much simpllfied Until He over
hears the Remarks Of the
Youngsters.

ouiIiS my bOuS COnCtIulnk luelI
Christmas gifts for the last two or
three years" said the grain broker to
the man at the office building cigar
stand. Il mean that | have asked
William what Richard would like. and
Richard what William would like. I
have done that because l believed
they would be in a position to know,
and then II sort Of fiatter's a kids
pride to share a secret with a grown
up person, besides establishing the
right sort OF confidence between
father and son, which think is a
mighty good thing, too
1T certainly Is, agreed the cigar
man.
Yes" said the grain broker refec-
lively, its a good thing. Certainly
So am at times. was then. Any
way, | called William into the library
hes IL, William is-Rnd | said, Bill,
old boy, what do you suppose Dick
would like for his Christmas? Has
he said anything to you about itY'
Il think | know what he wants,
William replied. 1 heard him wish
ing the other day that he had one OF
those pearl-handled knives with four
blades and a toothpick and cork
screw and a little pair Of tweezers
and thing to pull the stones out Of
horses shoes and a saw blade and a
gimlet and can opener
That's funny assortment, said.
lie explained that all the articles
mentioned were covered by one pearl
handle-incorporated in the knife.
And then he added, he's been want.
ing a fountain pen
| might manage that said But
II have to give him a horse, too, II
will run me pretty close on presents
for the rest of the bunch
"a horse!' he said.
He'll need a horse TO get stones
in his feet so that be can pick them
out with the knife attachment, won't
he?' | asked He'll have TO have
something for the corkscrew to work
on, too
HE looked at me a moment and
then said, 'Aw. you're joshing me-
Well, what else? inquired.
80, don't know as there's any.
thing else he needs, he said.
Soon after took an opportunity
Of calling Richard aside. Christmas
is coming along here pretty soon,
Dickie boy" | said. What sfe-we
going to get for brother Biz?
" i don't believe can get him much
Of anything, pop he said. I'm just
about broke and ! want to get some
thing for you and mother, too.
Couldn't you help me out? III work
for you II you like. / can go down to
the office in vacation
oven see about that, said, but
I'm talking about Bill, now
He wants watch, said Richard,
and his wheels about worn out and
it's getting too small for him; and
these air rifies-you know He'd be
awful pleased II you got him an air
rife. Jimmie Pederson's father got
him TON Sawyer" last Christmas
and Dick wanted to borrow 1t and he
wouldn't lend It. l wish't could
buy that for him, but know can't.
Won't you get it?'
"Tl think about IT, said, I would
promise. You can run away now
Presently l heard a dickens Of a
racket in the next room. / could make
out Dicks voice raised in anger and
now and then Bill Clipped In. open.
ed the door and stood out in the hall.
l was just going to holler at them to
keep quiet when Richard shouted:
Ives | did. too You're a lobster.
You didn't said Bill.
al did. told you plain. said
punching bag and a pair of skates and
a fountain pen and a knife with them
fixings and all you told him was just
that measly fountain pen and the
knife. ! didn't leave out anything you
told me, and put In the new wheel
that you didn't tell me. II that amt
being a mean sneak don't know
what is
1 don't care, says Bill, dehantly.
IAN right for you. I'll fix you III
go right back and tell him you said
you didn't want any watch and I'll say
you read Tom Sawyer" You'll see.
Il went back and closed the door
softly
But wouldn't that Jar your"
GEORGE WELLS.