The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-12-20
BY cLARIssA MACK

Copyright, 1870 by American Press
Association.
Il don't see how we can afford to
observe Christmas this year, Henry"
remarked Mrs. Tiddleberry two weeks
before that anniversary. We've had
SO much sickness and bad luck during
the past twelve months that to make
any gifts will mean getting in debt for
living expenses, and l am unwilling to
do that"
Mr.. Tiddleberry looked up from his
paper with relieved expression on
his tired face. "I've been bordering that
matter for several days, my dear"
Suddenly the wife looked up and
saw her husband take cigar from
his pocket, regard it speculatively and
then, signing, return it to the case.
Henry" she said, smoke your CT
gar! You needn't think you're going
to save on your only consolation Just
to buy some foolish nonsense for the
children. How much Of your months
salary will there be after you've laid
aside the amount of the interest due
the first Of the yearY
None" confessed her husband can
didly.
Then why should we try to observe
Christmas just as If this year had
been prosperous oneY'
You have stumped me, Anne.
hate to give up Christmas, but guess
wen have to-"
I'm do the best can," promised
Mrs. Tiddleberry as she folded up the
stockings. There will be enough to
eat, but 1t will be plain. / laid a little
money away for Bob's suit and for
Linnie's new coat, and that will be all
the Christmas they can have this year.
/ can make some black walnut candy
for them and some popcorn"
YOU'RE right. as usual, Anne" and
Mr.. Tiddleberry bent to kiss her flush
ed cheek.
When she broke the news to Linnie
and Bob the next day their young
faces grew quite round and solemn, and
she felt little lump In her throat as
they trudged off to school with a
cheerful "All right. mother. dear"
They're disappointed enough" she
murmured, 'but they won't say any
thing. I'm proud of their pluck"
Mr.. Tiddleberry developed habit of
Vunrlyfnor loft in. osA~
night found him taking a later train
to his suburban home until finally he
stamped into the house on Christmas
eve just as the clocks were striking IL
Henry Tiddleberry," said his wife
severely. 1T seems to me the import
ing business is picking up or you're
getting behind with your books There
must be some reason for your working
late at the Office. You never did it be-
fore"
There is an excellent reason, my
dear" said Mr.. Tiddleberry .amiably
as he hung his overcoat before the
kitchen stove to dry, (which will ex-
plain to you in due time. 1t certainly
is a wild night, Anne-a typical Christ
mas eve. Where are the youngsters
Gone to bed like lambs" said their
mother in a burst of admiration. 81
haven't told them just what their
Christmas presents were to be, but
they are clever enough to guess. sup
pose. told them 1t was something
to wear"
t'How about dinner tomorrow? Got
everything in that you need?''
Everything" said Mrs. Tiddleberry,
bending a flushed face over the evening
newspaper she had just opened. Il
told you this morning it would be the
first Christmas eve you didn't have TO
do any shopping. Did you miss it.
Henry?"
"Did II" exclaimed Mr.. Tiddleberry
emphatically.
$50 did l." admitted Anne seberly.
Doesn't seem like Christmas at ALL
told the children to hang up their
stockings
''They might as well, suppose"
said Mr.. TiGdleberry. rather gloomily
IF you hadn't forbidden me. Anne,
might have managed few oranges or
something. l believe I'll go out and
get some now" He reached into the
kitchen for his overcoat. but. Anne
slipped to the china closet and threw
open the door
wait, Henry! Look therep'
Great smoker whistled Mr. fiddle
berry, and then he chuckled softly to
hf,naoIf sob Anna Anna hon, oo.,ld
you. when you forbade me to buy
thing?"
Il baked a half dozen Christmas
plum puddings and sold them and
made enough to get some oranges and
nuts" blushed Mrs. Tiddleberry under
his tender scrutiny. 81 couldn't bear
to have them find empty stockings"
''Is that all?' demanded her husband
isn't 1t enough2" she evaded. Come
in the parlor and look at the coat and
suit. made larger fire in the fur
mace and turned the heat in here so
it would be warm when they got up in
the morning"
what else have you done, Amer
persisted Mr.. ,Tiddleberry. Confess
I'll give you"-looking at his watch
''just three minutes Fire ahead!''
Anne sank back in a big rocking
chair and closed her eyes YEARLY
"Well, l found one of Linnie's old dolls
and made new clothes for it from head
to foot. 1t looks like new Then !
made her three dainty handkerchiefs
had the material in the house. and
fitted little workbasket for her
That's all for Linnie. I made Bob a
bath robe"
"a bath robe! Out of wallpaper"
Il had an extra blanket, a small one,
30 l dyed it red and made robe for
him, using a curtain cord and tassels |
dyed the same color. That's all except |
the popcorn and candy. never spent
a penny for anything except nuts and
oranges"
Its enough, Anne Tddleberry, and |
you were the exponent Of the giftless |
Christmas! Good night, my dear. Go
to bed. l shall sit up awhile"
'T'm afraid I've spoiled your Christ
mas by Directing to the presents" she |
said, with conjunction in her tone, as |
she fingered by his side.
"Not at all, my dear. l wouldn't be |
surprised If this turned out to be the
happiest Christmas we ever had"
For a long while after his wife had |
departed Mr.. Tiddleberry waited in ST.
lence, and when he had quite deter |
mined she must have retired he tip |
toed softly to and fro between the par
lor and the hall closet under the
stairs, his stockinged feet making no |
sound on the carpeted floor.