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

"Well, I'm glad of that. / was tell
ing Taylor yesterday morning going
down on the train that Christmas was
not Christmas without tree, and he
said that it wouldn't be Christmas at
their house, then. for they were not
going to have one
"How STRANGE" uttered Mrs. Philan-
der. "Why not. pray?"
"Oh, l doiH know. He said some
thing about hard times. He said the
good old fashioned Christmas suited
them well enough; that they would
hang their stockings before the fire
and all that, you know"
Dear, dear! l think the children
prefer a tree just the same" said Mrs.
Philander regretfully. Poor little Tom
my Taylor. We must invite him over
to see the childrens tree this after
noon"
Eyes, indeed that will be an excel
lent plan. Suppose we invite a few
people to spend the evening and enjoy
the tree with us. We cab put on some
small remembrances and have a jolly
time" said Philander. warming up to
the subject as he proceeded.
THAT will be delightful" agreed
Mrs. Philander. Let us ask the Tay-
lors."
Sure. Wen ask themw chuckled
Philander. "1ll show Taylor the way
to keep Christmas
That afternoon Mrs. Philander busted
herself in preparing for the evenings
entertainment. The Taylors had ac-
cepted gladly, and so had the other in
vited guests, and Mr.. Philander, who
was the soul of hospitality. walked
ant anticipation.
lie made sundry trips to the cellar
for apples and cider and cracked great
bowls of nuts. He carried in huge
arm loads of wood for the fireplace and
surveyed the roaring blaze with COM
pacent satisfaction.
1t was at that moment that Jack
Philandcr burst noisily in. "Oh, IA
Their, what do you think"- he began
brcathlesSly
"Well, ms boy. what is it now?" ask
ell Mr.. Philander indulgently as he
warmed his cOattails comfortably.
81 heard Mr.. Taylor telling some men
that somebody chopped down the tree
from his front lawn last nightr'
what tree asked Mr.. Philander
absently.
why, that tree-you know. the Nor
way pine that stood on their front
lawn"
what pity" exclaimed Mrs Phi
lander. Mrs. Taylor told me it was
the pride of her husbands heart"
How did it happen. JackY asked
Philander, with interest
Mr.. Taylor said his wife heard some
one chopping about half past IL last
night. but she didn't think anything OF
it. and this morning they found the
tree was goue-onIy the stump left"
That's very strange" observed Mr..
philander. Hard luck for Taylor"
And, father" continued Jack ear
nestly. Il was in the woods on Turkey
hill road today and that little tree we
saw last sunday is there yet You
didn't cut it down. | knew that one
wasn't it,"
Mr.. Philander palcd slightly.
"Why. father" pursued the terrible
Jack with Il dircctnc>S horn Of sudden
revelation. this is Mr. Taylor's tree!
| knew I'd seen it hcforew
Mr.. phlandcr shrank from their hor-
rified gaze.
THE TaylorS will he here in a few
minutes. James" said Mrs. Philander
coldly.
my dear. | must have got turned
around in the storm hut the Lord
only knows how got in Taylor's
yard
IT'S on the other side Of the woods
father" said Jack sympathetically,
land guess YOU walked right through
and into Mr. Taylor's yard"
81 must have done that" groaned
Mr.. Phlander. Then with sudden in
Spiration he stripped the tree Of its
ornaments and candles and carried il
through the house into the back yard.
He scratched match, and in five min
utes the Philander Christmas tree was
q charred ruin.
'Too bad, old chap" said Taylor
commiseratively as Philander agi-
tatedly explained the absence Of the
tree. That's one reason why don't
believe in Christmas trees. They are
apt to take fire, and there you are.
! am glad it happened before we ar
rived
$50 am l" CALCULATED Mr.. Philander.
But all the little Philanders agree
that it was the most beautiful Christ
mas tree they ever had.