Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-19

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 1t had
died before Nita could remember. She
had been told about her dead baby
brother so often that II seemed to her
that she could recall him and there
were times when she felt he 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 IL it were not
luncheon time. Not that she was
hungry, but she had got so tired OF
playing by herself. Nursey had said
1t was only IL 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 one
might play outdoors all the year
round, but she would be willing to live
there. II only she had playmates like
other children.
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 little girl.
It would be nicer: she thought, IL
papa would remove from the country
to the city. Then she might play with
the neighbors' children.
Nita yawned.
"I'd be willin' to let 'em play with
everything have. and wear my watch
some, and ride my pony" she said.
maenanimously.
Il do wonder why they don't let me
see mammal" she asked herself fire.
ouently Here its been about week
since I've seen her. and every time
] 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 II I'D disturb my
dear. dear mamma for anything in all
this world.
Il b1ieve don't care for toys any
more. I guess I'm gettin' too old for
them. I,bIieve iii 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
70 her full little seven-year height
II reckon I'll have TO grow heap
more before I'm a woman" she sighed.
but. anyway. I'm gcttin' tired OF
Chrismases and birthdays and toys. IL
lust did have somethin' to smGse
me-somesody to play with that isn't
clean grown up"
And then this blase child az seven
stretched herself out upon the door
and soon was fast asleep
when she awoke Nurse Amy was
standing beside her.
7 reckons yer mariner wants ter
see yer. honey she said. with smile.
without questioning. without reply
Ing. the little ziri sprsng 70 her feet
and fairly sew up the broad oskcn
stairway
% mamma" she cried. a. she
sought 20 throw herself Into that par
eats arms
But gentle hands restrained her and
then she was shown something that
thrilled her with delight.
a Christmas present. mamma. and
q brother. too. II IL my brother that
veat 70 heaveny~
Not that one. dear. but another
sent from heaven
Give aim my presents. mothsr-sn
Of them. Hes worth 81 Of them and
more. too. May I bold him. mamma,
And Nlfa's heart ove-houed ~ith
joy vixen this reeuest vas granted
her.
This T. cod's present. isn't u
rn,nma-1esus' present. Ton know
VOC tod me hos h~ loved little child
r~r He knows What rttie girls wsnt
better than their nothcrs snf fsthers
Co