The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1908-01-10

thing for you, sir?" He attempted
to reply, but more desirable custom
er attracted her attention and she
passed on.
Presently a 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 Il 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. 1
didn't think to have no trouble trad
ing, but got confused like"
There are a 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 I calculate she'd be pleased
with another"
Tn 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 a 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,
l don't know what else. Can't you
think of something's"
II certainly can," she replied.
well, that's about all, except the
things for Baby Belle"
your grandchild?" questioned the
lady.
mo, ma'am," he replied, you see,
last year just as the meeting house
bell was ringing in Christmas, she
came and her mother, our neighbor,
went.
1.-The next morning early I drove
| over. Mother called me into the hall.
Samuel" says she there are four
| motherless ones besides the baby. II
| 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; Mandys 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 ring
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 tho things
with you?" she asked.
Eyes, lady," he answered. "You
1
US. left Billy and the sleigh in
neighbor Jenkins barn. If they could
be packed safe, calculate I'd take
EN- right along"
| The lady thought moment. "How
would it be to get 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, II
don't want nothin'. got a pound of
tobaccy up the street; it will be fun
enough for me to see the folks
pleased"
Taking the tiny gloved hand in his
mittened one, 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
mansion in richly furnished room
sat lady in evening dress. A gas
log sparkled upon the hearth, and
leaning against the holly banked man.
tie, man looked lovingly down upon
the sweet face.
"Just think" she is saying. "The
dear old man didn't desire the slight.
est thing for himself, so slipped 4
box Of cigars addressed to him into
the basket. He certainly was one Of
natures noblemen.
Listen, Harry, there are the chimes.
Merry Christmas"
The same stars shine kindly down
upon the quaint farm house. In the
plain sitting-room in a wooden cradle
the Xmas Belle slumbers sweetly.
Just then the cracked bell in the
old meeting house rang out a joyous
peal. /r.:..3 80 -
| Drawing his wife to him, he pressed
/ his lips to her wrinkled forehead, say.
ing: Merry Christmas. motAse!"