Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-24

WlDeu LIS ltel Oh the
new doormat.
Couldn't get one," returned Philan-
der moodily
Couldn't get one! Why not. James
Philander?"
II forgot it, Bella, until just as 1 got
of the train, and as that was the last
train from town ] couldn't very well
walk back and look up tree. BY that
time the shops would all be closed
and
walk back! Such nonsense! OF
course If you haven't thought enough
Of the children to buy them a tree
"My dear" interpolated Philander
desperately, don't say another word.
I'll find a tree somewhere tonight If
have to rob the church of the Sun
day school treer
He thrust his arms into his overcoat
and grasped his hat, but Mrs. Philan-
der put out OBTAINING hand.
James" she said seriously. "you
cannot find a tree in Rose Heights to-
night. You know there is not a shop
In the Heights. and where else would
you look for tree?'
II shall walk into the woods and dig
one" returned Philander, with dignity.
well, you could do that, James, but
it is II o'clock now and there is no
moon. You will lose your way"
Nonsense returned Mr.. Philander.
81 hope l know my way around Rose
Heights. ! saw very handsome pine
tree in that strip of woods back on the
Turkey hill road. I could walk there
blindfolded and lay my hand upon that
tree" he asserted rashly.
Every we'll" returned Mrs. philander
reluctantly. II hate TO have you go,
James, but the children will he so dis
appointed. The presents are all ready.
and I have been up in the attic and
got the base for the tree and all the
ornaments-in fact. everything is ready
except the tree"
1.-THE tree will soon be here" said
Mr.. Phiandcr grimly as hc ierked on
his arctics and turned up his coat col
lar Just bring me the spade from
the woodshed. please" he added.
"a spade. James, thought they
chopped trees down. Tho ground is
frozen"
"Of course the AK by all MEANS" re-
piled Philander irritahly. lie was
VeXed with himself for having forgot
ten to order the tree. which was one
of the necessary adiuncts to the Phil
ander Christmas. lie had never for
gotten it before. He meant to order
1t that morning and have it sent To his
suburban home later in the day. but
an important business matter had driv-
en- the remembrance of the festival
from his mind until his wife's greeting
when he opened the door recalled it to
his attention.
He sailed forth. bearing the AK, and
waded through the newly fallen snow
TO the corner of the street. where he
turned toward Turkey hill road. The
snow was only six inches deep. and
the walking was not so bad. Gray
clouds hung low, and there was a thick
furry of flakes as Philander turned the
corner. When he reached the strip of
woods it was showing heavily, and he
could only guess at the location of the
particular pine he had in mind.
He whistled cheerily as he walked
along, for his spirits We're rising. He
felt a warm glow stealing over his
tired frame as he anticipated the de-
light of the three small Philanders
when they beheld the selfsame tree
that they had so warmly admired a
short while before set up in their own
parlor, ablaze with candles and rich
with gifts.
Mr.. Philander stopped and thrashed
himself vigorously with his arms.
There was faint grayness in the air
that was reflected from the fallen
snow, and there was the tickling rush
of fakes In his eyes. When he reach
ed the very opening in the woods
where they had admired the tree he
turned around and looked carefully up
and down the road. OF course he
could see nothing, nor was there the
faintest tinkle OF bells. 1t was a
very lonely spot
Mr.. Philander knew that the strip OF
woods was private property. and he
also knew that he could make 1t all
right with Lake. the owner of the
woods on the following day, as Lake
aived four miles away and it was i'm
possible TO ask his permission now.
Although Mr.. Philander had stated
that he could put his hand on the tree
In the dark, he found it rather a diff
cult thing TO do after all. He lost
himself several times in the dense
thickets, and all the tree trunks seem
ed unfamiliar to his touch. Then, all
at once. he emerged from the under
brush, and spicy boughs of pine brush
ed his face.
"Hit 1t. by Jove" he exclaimed. He
dug the snow away from the trunk and
with a few lusty blows laid the tree
low and dragged 1t trailing through
the snow. He lost his bearings once or
twice, and finally. at a moment when
he almost despaired Of reaching home