Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-12-23

|Aks - : load q presents y
for her-almost roomful sne az
clared to herself, as they were taken
down one by one and opened tor me-
inspection and admiration,
Mia 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 II naq
died before Nita could remember, ~
MAD been told about her dead Dapy
brother q often that Il seemed to her
that she could recall him and there
were times when she felt ne was
looking at her and wanted to % -
her side. i.
This Christmas day was so lonE
somehow. She had but just run Y
Nurse Amy to ask II It were noe
luncheon time. Not that she was
hungry, but she had got 30 tired q
PLAYING by herself. Nursey had saio
Il was only II o'clock, and she had
thought 1t was almost night
What were playthings, anyhow sne
had always had them. They couldn't
run around the big grounds and play
with her at hide and seek as sne nau
seen other children do-aS she had
dome with her cousins, when, as sne
sometimes did, she visited them IN
their far away northern home. It 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 i've
there. IL only she had playmates ike
other children.
OF course everybody was good
papa was good, and mamma was GOOD
and nursey, too; but they were g
often busy, and they were grown up
too. and couldn't Be expected to play
Games with little girl.
II would be nicer, she thought y
papa would remove from the country
to the city. Then she might play WIFE
the neighbors' children.
Nita yawned. n.
ara be willin' to let 'em play VIII
everything have, and wear my watcl
some and ride my pony" she saiu
magnanimously.
4 ~ do wonder why they don't let M
rae mammal" she asked herself ire
uuently. Here its been about weel
since I've seen her, and every TIM
Istart upstairs to her room, governesl
or nurse, or the doctor push me bacl
with You mustn't disturb mamma
for she's sick As II I'd disturb m
dear dear mamma for anything in a
this world.
81 bIieve / don't care for toys an
, more guess I'm gettin' too old 10
them. | blieve I'll tell papa to CIV
mine away to some poor children ths
don't have any"
Here she strobe to mirror beiol
which she stood and stretched herse
10 her full little seven-year height.
"I reckon I'll have to grow hea
: more before I'm woman" she sighe'
nbut. anyway, I'm gettin' tired
Chrismases and birthdays and toys
inst did have somethin' to anus
me-somebody to play with that Ism
clean grown up"
And then this blase child Of seVt
stretched herself out upon the no.
and soon was fast asleep.
When she awoke Nurse Amy vi
standing beside her.
"I reckons yer Mariner wants y
see yer, honey" she said. with smil
without questioning. without repl
ins the little girl sprang to her e
ana fairly few up the broad OAK
stairway.
20 mamma" she cried. a. q
sought to throw heTself Into that p
ent'a arms.
But gentle hands restrained her 4
theu she was shown something u
thrilled her with delight
"A CHRISTMAS present. mamma, e
a brother, too. II IL ny brother u
I went to heavsnf"
mot that one. dear but AnOth
sent from heaven.
give him ny pressnts. mother
Of thsm. Hes worth al OF then :
-ors. too. Nay ] hold him. mamni
And NIta's heart overhoNed Y
CAV When this request vas grant
1 her. -
u -This s Gods present ant
4 ,.mms-Jesus' present You ka
Z vsa toid ne how he loved little en-
- He knows What hftie girla Y
n | -. "a. lhllr n1lh.rl lnl Illl