The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-12-24

MS7 a load of presents
for her-almost a roomful she de-
clared to herself, as they were taken
down one by one and opened for her
inspection and admiration.
Nita was an only child, and this
was another reason why her parents
made much of the day for her sake.
There had been another, but it had
died before Nita could remember. She
brother SO often that it seemed to her
that she could recall him and there
were times when she felt ne was
looking at her and wanted to be at
her side.
This Christmas day was so long,
somehow. She had but just run to
Nurse Amy to ask if it were not
luncheon time. Not that she was
hungry, but she had got so tired of
playing by herself. Nursey had said
it was only II o'clock, and she had
thought it was almost night.
What were playthings, anyhow? She
had always had them. They couldn't
run around the big grounds and play
with her at hide and seek as she had
seen other children do-as she had
done with her cousins, when, as she
sometimes did, she visited them in
their far away northern home. 1t was
dreadful cold up there-much colder
than in her own southland, where n
might play outdoors all the year
round, but she would be willing to live
there, if only she had playmates like
other children.
OF course everybody was good.
Papa was good, and mamma was good,
and nursey, too; but they were so
often busy and they were grown up.
too, and couldn't be expected to play
games with a little girl.
1t would be nicer, she thought. If
papa would remove from the country
to the city. Then she might play with
the neighbors' children.
Nita yawned.
"Id be willin' to let 'em play with
everything have, and wear my watch
some. and ride my pony" she said,
magnanimously.
Il do wonder why they don't let me
see mammal" she asked herself fire.
~quently. Here it's been about a week
since I've seen her, and every time
l start upstairs to her room, governess,
or nurse, or the doctor push me back
with a You mustn't disturb mamma,
for she's sick AS if I'd disturb my
dear, dear mamma for anything in all
this world.
Il b1ieve l don't care for toys any
more. l guess I'm gettin' too old for
them. b1ieve I'll tell papa to give
mine away to some poor children that
don't have any"
Here she strobe to a mirror, before
which she stood and stretched herself
to her full little ~seven-year height.
II reckon I'll have to grow a heap
more before I'm a woman" she sighed,
but. anyway. I'm gettin' tired of
Chrismases and birthdays and toys. If
l just did have somethin' to amuse
me-somebody to play with that isn't
clean grown up"
fAAo JhSH Ihlo oIoSC III VI SCNcH
stretched herself out upon the floor
and soon was fast asleep.
When she awoke Nurse Amy was
standing beside her.
81 reckons yer mariner wants ter
see yer. honey" she said. with a smile.
Without questioning, without reply
ing, the little girl sprang to her feet
and fairly flew up the broad oaken
stairway.
20 mamma" she cried, as she
sought to throw herself into that par
ent's arms.
But gentle hands restrained her and
then she was shown something that
thriNed her with delight.
"A Christmas present, mamma, and
q brother, too. 1t Is my brother that
went to heaven?"
mot that one, dear, but another
sent from heaven"
"Give him my presents, mother-all
Of them. He's worth all of them and
more, too. May !! hold him. mamma? p
And Nita's heart overlooked with
Joy when this request was granted
her.
This is Gods present, isn't it
naamma-Jesus' present. You know
you told me how he loved little child.
rem. He knows what little girls wan,
better than their mothers aud fathers
do"