The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-08-28

had hoped that, in some way other one might be
given to Billy Timid little boy he was, he had VEN
tured to suggest such thing to Miss Corad; but she
had been strangely deaf to his hints indeed had hardly
heard what he said and had all understood the
longing that in his heart If she had known about
the glorious coasng certain hill If she had known
how many hours Arthur had stood watching the flying
eds with the wild hope that some generous boy might
some time offer to give him just ridel But as II
was, she did not understand at all
w.
It was quite dark, and all of the family were at home
and ready for supper except Arthur and Mrs Norton
was almost beginning to feel anxious about him Billy
suggested that he had been kidnapped and held for
reward OF hve million dollars but this suggestion did
not frighten Mrs. Norton much. She inclined
to believe with the twins that he was over on the hill
watching the boys slide When at last the simple sup
per all prepared and she was just on the point of
sending Billy out in search of the missing one great
trampng was heard in the hail. and before any one had
time to wonder what it was, the door was flung open
and Arthur appeared in the doorway with Judge Corad
Miss Corad and couple of servants, all loaded with
bundles and baskets ..--s .,sf.. .rs. ~
Mrs. Norton, Billy and the twins stared in OPEN
mouthed astonishment, while Judge Corad, who had
shouted, g A merry ChristmasI" when he opened the
door, advanced into the room piled his packages
the table, and began explain that they were pres
ents from Arthur, who had been working for him to
earn money for week past Mrs Norton scarcely un-
derstood what he saying for she stood dumb and
did not answer word The judge fell silent too feel
ing somehow that it all rather awkward and lacking
in the enthusiasm and joy which he had expected
Mrs. Norton now understood dmly that at last her
own home was receiving the bounty of the Christmas
spirit which sometimes prompts the rich to give gifts
avshy to the poor and she felt struggle between her
pride, which would have refused them and her mother
love, which told her that for the sake of her children
she had no right to do So She began at last in a
rather lame fashion, to thank the judge and Miss corad
and at their suggestion and with their assistance to
pack the baskets and open the packages. There were
many things there which Arthur and Miss Corad had
not purchased personally for there hams and two
turkeys, coffee and tea and sugar. sack of -four apples
and oranges, candy and nuts and raisins and all sorts
of groceries and provisons then there were dresses
and shawls for Mrs Norton and the twins besides other
useful articles. But there nothing purely ornamental
for Mrs. Norton, nor was there doll in the whole
great heap of presents for either of the twins Billy
and Arthur provided for. in much the same fash
on with warm cothes-overcoats, shoes rnulers neck
ties, mens, and books; but of course, as Arthur
knew, there sled .
Probably the twins were the most grateful and the
least dazed of all the family and they alone were able
to make the little exclamatons concerning the useful
of the gifts and the goodness of the gvers Mrs
Norton tried to say something too, but without very
much success; and Billy and Arthur confined their re-
marks mainly to each other.
The confusion of unwrappng bundles which lasted
perhaps fifteen minutes to end and Miss Corad
and her father on the point of taking their de-
parture, when the door opened again and Miss Simpson
thin-featured and looking little bit GRIM appeared In
her arms she held five packages the largest of which
was very evidently cheap boys sled ~
Here just few little things for your Christmas"
she said "This is for Arthur" and she stripped the
brown paper from the sled and put it on the floor.
."O-ohlp
With cry of delight the little boy sprang forward
and clasped the sled in both arms. s
And this is for Billy"
1t was only cheap jacl-knife but the glow on Blys
cheeks attested that his case too the sewing had
known his hearts desire
For the twins there were two wonderful dolls dressed
by Miss Simpson herself from scraps of very fine goods
indeed and for Mrs. Norton there was brilliant pink
handkerchief and little, gold-wasfed brooch which de-
lighted the eyes of Arthur and Billy.
The judge and his daughter stood in wondering adj
miraon at the reception accorded to Miss Simpsons
simple and inexpensive gifts but they had the good
sense not to be envious.
How well you know what to givel" said Miss
Corad slipping one arm about the girls waist Your
gifts better than all Of ours
Then. all at once, Miss Simpson began to cry and she
was followed by Mrs Norton and she by Miss Corad and
then they all began to laugh and laugh and to CRY to-
gether; and the twins and the boys and Judge Corad
laughed too, though none of them knew why. And az
they laughed and their eyes were wet with tears tho
icy barrier that had stood throughout the evening be-
tween the rich gvers Of gifts and the poor receivers Of
them was melted, and Christmas iov flooded al thef
hearts.