Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-17
FAMILY ~
SACRIFICES
They Serve to Make
Merry Christmas
By CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association.

Il don't see how we can afford to
observe Christmas this year, Henry"
remarked Mrs Tiddlcbcrry two weeks
before that anniversary. "Wc'vC 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"
Mr. Tiddlebcrry looked up from his
paper with relieved expression on
his tired face eve been pondering that
matter for several days, my dear
Suddenly the wife looked up and
saw her husband take Il cigar from
his pocket, regard it specuativcly and
then, signing, return it to the case.
"Hcnry," 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 he after you'vc laid
aside the amount of the interest due
the first of the year,
None" confessed her husband can
didly.
"Thcn why should We try to observe
Christmas just as if this wear lad
been prosperous onr%'
You have StumrcI me, Anne. l
hate to give up Christmas. but | guess
We'll have to-"
"Ill do the best | can" promised
Mrs. Tiddlebcrry as she fo'dcl UP the
stockings. "Thrrc will be enough to
eat, but it will be plain. laid Il little
money away for Bub'S suit and for
Linnic's new coat, and that will be all
the Christmas they can have this year.
l can make some black walnut candy
for them and some pop orn."
"You're right, as usual. Anne" and
Mr. Tiddleberry bent to kiss her flush
ed check.
When she broke the news to LinniC
and Bob the next day their Young
faces grow quite round and solemn, and
she felt a little lump in her throat as
they trudgcd off to school with a
cheerful "-\ll right mother. dear"
"Thcy're disappointed enough" she
murmured, but they won't say any
thing. I'm proud of their pluck.'
Mr.. Tiddlcbcrry developed a habit of
working late in the city, and each
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 We're striking II.
"IIcnry Tiddlcbcrry," 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 it be-
fore
"Thcre is an excellent reason, my
dear" said Mr. Tiddlebcrry amiably
as he hung his ovcrcoat before the
kitchen stove to dry, (which | will eX-
plain to you in due time 1t certainly
is a wild night, Annc-a typical Christ
mas eve. Where are the Youngsters"
"Gone to bed like lambs" said their
mother in a burst of admiration. Il
haven't told them just what their
Christmas presents were to be. but
they are clever enough to guess, sup
pose. ! told them it was something
to wear"
Glow about dinner tomorrow? Got
everything in that you ncCd:"
"Everythimg," said Mrs. Tiddlcberry,
bending a flushed face over the evening
newspaper she had just opened. II
told you this morning it would he the
first Christmas eve you didn't have to
do any shopping. Did you miss 1t,
Henry?'
Did II" exclaimed Mr.. Tiddleberry
emphatically.
$50 did l." admitted Anne Sobcrly.
Doesn't seem like Christmas at all
told the children to hang up their
stockings"
"They might as we'll, l suppose"
said Mr.. Tiddleberry, rather gloomly.
"If YOU hadn't forbidden me, Anne, l
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 there!'
"Grcat smoke" whistl1d Mr.. fiddle
berry, and then he Chuck.ed softly to
himself "Oh, Anne Anne, how could
you, when you forbade me to buy a
thing?"
81 baked half dozen Christmas
plum puddings and sold them and
made enough to get some oranges and
nuts" blushed Mrs. Tiddleberry under
his tender scrutiny. Il couldn't bear
to have them find empty stockings"
as that all?" demanded her husband.
isn't it enough?' she evaded. Come
In the parlor and look at the coat and
suit. l made a larger fire in the fur
mace and turned the heat in here so
1t would be warm when they got up in
the morning."
what else have you done, AnneE"
persisted Mr.. Tiddleberry. Confess!
I'll give you"-looEing at his watch
"just three minutes. Fire ahead"
Anne sank back in Il big rocking
chair and closed her eyes wearily.
"Well, l found one of Linnie's old dolls
and made new clothes for 1t from head
to foot 1t looks like new. Then
made her three dainty handkprchicfS