The Delta independent., 1909-12-17

AH at a loaa eaa'ofner of presents saas
for her-almost 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 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 if il 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 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
WIN hti dt anu Stth do Sht hdu
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.
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 little girl.
1t would be nicer. she thought. II
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 l have. and wear my watch
some. and ride my pony" she said,
magnanimously.
81 do wonder why they don't let me
see mamma?" she asked herself fire.
Quently. Here its been about a week
since I've seen her, and every time
! start upstairs to her room. governess.
or nurse. or the doctor push me back
with You mustn't disturb mamma,
for she's sick AS II I'd disturb my
dear. dear mamma for anything in all
this world.
81 b'lieve / don't care for toys any
more. / guess I'm gettin' too old for
them. / b'lieve 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 woman" she sighed.
but, anyway, I'm gettin' tired OF
Chrismases and birthdays and toys. II
/ just did have somethin' to amuse
me-somebody to play with that isn't
clean grown up"
And then this blase child OF seven
stretched herself out upon the floor
and soon was fast asleep.
When she awoke Nurse Amy was
standing beside her.
II reckons yer mariner wants ter
see yer. honey" she said. with 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
ents arms.
But gentle hands restrained her and
then she was shown something that
thrilled her with delight.
"A Christmas present, mamma, and
a brother. too. II 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?"
And Nita's heart overnowed with
Joy when this request was granted
her.
"This is Gods present. isn't II
mamma-Jesus' present. You know
you told me how he loved little child.
rem. He knows what little girls want
halter than their mothers and fathera