The Ordway new era., 1909-12-24
Three Christmas Days
by MRS. cHAs. nESsLEH
Awarded Second Prize In The
Ordway New Era Contest.

were determined to empty their wan
upon the Bronson family, Mr., Bronson
had been idle many weeks. then he and
the baby had been stricken down win
that dread diseuse-pneumonia. Ih'
father was to eat his first meal Win
the family on Christmas day which
was but "a few hours on. but baoS
tender little body was too weak to beai
the pinch OF poverty and sickness. SO
she went to spend her Christmas Win
the Great Santa Claus above. who gives
all the good things. The father ana
mother loved this little. dimpled dari-
ing better than anything on earth. un-
less 1t was iive other little Bronsons
so their hearts were very heavy TheS
were willin. TO smother their grief ana
make the following day a merry one toi
the sakes OF the little ones too youns
yet to realize their loss. but they
found II very hard with the wolf at the
door.
Last Christmas there was tree In
the front room; and candles. and pres
ents for each one; great. big dolls
whose eyes would shut: horns. tops
pretty things that Santa brings. THIS
year old Girls could not come for there
was not enough conl to have fire
In the front room--ln fact there was no
front room-thcre was just the bed
room and tiny kitchen: 80 there was
no place for tree and no money TO
buy presents: and Santa was sure 70
miss two such little rooms among 80
many others. All this was explained
To the children. who accepted 1t as u
self evident fact and good naturedly.
with one exception.
Mamma said. that they could have
Christmas without Santa Claus-won-
dcrful. rcsourceful m a m IN IA - o
brought out stacks OF pastcboard and
bright rolls OF paper tina, had been
tucked away against this very day:
there were bits OF silk and lawn. short
ends OF lace and ribbon. brought forth
TO do duty.
Tomorrow, papa. wrapped up snus
and warm. was to have the rocking
chair and was to manufacture such
wonderful furniture never graccd
a mansion. Mamma was to cut out
dolls and dolls. big and little, paper
and cloth; Bessie. who was eight years
old and could sew most as good as
mamma" would fashion the dresses:
Billie Boy would be papa's clerk and
sell sofas and chairs TO Dollle and
Bobbie. who were the family and must
furnish the big two-story house made
from a dry goods box.
Henry. the big boy. found mammas
batch OF cooky dough and told: but
who cared IL they did know that to-
morrow that dough would resemble
Noah's ark: and what II II was only
common biscuit dough with cup Of
sugar added. never would cookies be
so swell or light. And. yes. there war
a fifty cent roast all fxed with dress
Ing waiting IN the cupboard. or course.
there would be scanty meals for many
days following. who would think OF
that now for wasn't tomorrow Christ
mas day. and rich and poor alike must
feast. AT last four eager. little chill
dren were tucked In bed to dream OF
jolly times coming. Henry. a lad of
fifteen. would take no part in any OF
the happy plans but sat apart. stern
and suriy. His dark. sinister face was
as different from the fair. open coun-
tenances Of the other children. as was
his Jealous, envious disposition from
their happy. generous ones. For seven
years he held full sway in this house
hold and his natural selfish nature hac,
been fully developed. Instead OF wei
coming his brothers and sisters. h,
considered their coming an intrusion on
his rights and privileges. This was
a thorn In the flesh to the parents
which never pricked so hard as at this
time of the year. Although. receiving
the articles he had often expressed a
wish for, he was never satisfied. Not
caring for his own eoys. he would not
allow the children to enjoy theirs; 81
busy. little hand dropt one toy 10
grasp another. he was sure to stumble
over the discarded one and crush 1.
beneath his heavy foot; ships, horses.
guns, dolis-ail went the same way.
Mr.. Bronson often wished to deal
out justice as merited. but the mother
would beg for her first born with the
promise that next year he would be
older and know better. She had
promised her husband that II Henry
behaved so badly this year she would
not Interfere. but let him punish the
boy as he thought best.
His darkening brow and snappish
answers gave warning of the gather
ing cloud that was to darken the sun
shine tomorrow.
As soon as each curly head was
nestled in the pillows. mamma hurried
to the kitchen. for all of those animals
mast be given birth before sunrise.
Henry still sat in dogged silence.
Mr.. Bronson. not seeming to notice
this. called him to his bedside.
son." he said. "you are almost a
man and old enough to realize the cir