The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-13
FAMILY % SACRIFICES They Serve to Make a
 Merry Christmas
 By CLARISSA MACKIE Copyright, 1910. by American Press
By CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
 Association.

'1 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 am unwilling to do that"
 Mir. Tiddleberry looked up from his paper with a relieved expression on his tired face. "I've been pondering that matter for several days. my dear."
 Suddenly the wife looked up and saw her husband take a cigar from his pocket, regard it speculatively and then. signing. return it to the case.
 "Henry." she said, smoke your ci- 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 year?"
 None" confessed her husband can- didly.
 'sThen why should we try to observe Christmas just as if this year had been prosperous one?
 You have stumped me, Anne. hate to give up Christmas, but I guess we'll have to-"
 "l'n do the best I can," promised Mrs. Tiddleberry as she folded up the stockings. There will be enough to eat. but it will be plain. laid little Linnie's new coat. and that will be all the Christmas they can have this year. I can make some black walnut candy for them and some popcorn"
 You're right. as usual, Anne," and NIT. 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 "AH right, mother. dear."
 They're disappointed enough" she murmured. ''but they won't say any thing. I'm proud of their pluck"
 Mir. Tiddleberry developed habit of working late in the city, and each night found him taking later train to his suburban. home until finally he stamped into the house on Christmas eve just as the clocks were striking II.
 Henry Tiddleberry," said his wife severely. ''It 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 1t be- fore"
 There is an excellent reason, my dear" said MT. Tiddleberry amiably as he hung his overcoat before the kitchen stove to dry. which I will ex- plain to you in due time. It certainly is wild night. Anne-a typical Christ mas eve. Where are the youngsters?"
 "Gone to bed like Iambs." said their mother in a burst of admiration. 'T haven't told them just what their Christmas presents were to be. but they are clever enough to guess. SUD- pose. I told them 1t was something to wear"
 "How about dinner tomorrow7 Got everything in that you need?"
 "Everything." said Mrs. Tiddleberry. bending a flushed face over the evening newspaper she had just opened. "I told you this morning 1t would be the first Christmas eve you didn't have to do any shopping. Did you miss it, Henry?"
 Did I?" exclaimed MT. Tiddleberry emphatically. 0
 aSo did l." admitted Anne soberly. Doesn't seem like Christmas at all. l told the children to hang up their stockings"
 "They might as well, I suppose" said Mir. Tiddleberry. rather gloomily. eff you hadn't forbidden me. Anne, might have managed a few oranges or something. I 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.
 WAll. 1&GuTy. sLOCh lu6TG.
 "Great smoker whistled Mfr. Fiddle berry. and then he chuckled softly to himself. ''Oh, Anne, Anne, how could you, when you forbade me to buy a thing?"
 aI baked a half dozen Christmas plum buildings and sold them and made enough to get some oranges and nuts.a blushed Mrs. Tiddleberry under his tender scrutiny. I couldn't bear to have them find empty stockings"
 '1s that all?" demanded her husband.
 Isn't it enough?" she evaded. Come in the parlor and look at the coat and suit. I made a larger fire in the fur nace and turned the heat in here so it would be warm when they got up in the morning."
 "What else have you done, Anne?' persisted MT. Tiddleberry. Confess! I'll give overlooking at his watch '4just three minutes. Fire aheadv'
 Anne sank back in big rocking chair and closed her eyes wearily. "WeIl. found one of Linnie's old dolls and made new clothes for 1t from head to foot It looks like new. Then l made her three dainty handkerchiefs I had the material in the house. and I fitted a little workbasket for her. That's all for Linnie. I made Bob a kath robe"