The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-12-20
ALZINA'S
TREE

| Copyright, 1910. by American Press
| Association.
! NN~~1
The red farmhouse was set in a
white expanse of snow. The dropping
elms protected the roof with wide
spread arms clothed In ermine, and
where the crisp wind had blown away
the covering the limbs were darkly
sketched against the bright blue sky.
| A thin spiral of smoke drifted up
from the big chimney and shimmered
away into nothingness.
Close to the south bow window grew
the sturdy graceful cedar that had
been planted when Miss Alzina was
| born.
Alzina Tweed lived alone with her
third cousin, the Widow Lasbury, who
had no home of her own. Mrs. Las
bury was very fat woman who ate
a great deal and talked necessarily.
| sometimes Alzina would take her sew
| ing up to the chilly secluBion of her
| own bedroom in order to escape the
Naturalization of her cousins tongue.
The day before Christmas they sat
before the sitting room fire sewing in
| dustriously. Alzina was knitting a
pair of red mittens for the boy who
brought the milk, while Mrs. Lasbury,
was addressing Christmas cards with
q pen dipped In violet ink
Suddenly the widow lifted her head
and looked critically at her younger
cousin. Alzina was fair and slender.
and she had passed her thirty fifth
year, but her skin was fresh and I'M
lined, and her gray eyes were clear
and innocent as child's. She wore a
plain gray dress, and her brown hair
was drawn smoothly hack from her
low white forehead.
"Alzina," said Mrs. Lasbury ponder
ously, Il never thought you set much
store by Christmas"
The other looked up inquiringly. 81
don't know as l ever did, Eliza-not
since l was a little thing. You see,
we had lots of trouble when was
young 1t. seemed as if there was an
other empty chair every Christmas till
they were all gone Since then it's
been a lonesome season"
Mrs. Lasbury coughed ,deprecatingly.
Seeing as you don't set much store by
Christmas, knew you wouldn't mind
II went over to Mrs. Beebe's to
spend the day. She was second cousin
to my husband, you know"
"Very well, said Alzina quietly, and
her voice did not tremble. although
mist came into her gray eyes.
"Tisn't as If you made much OF the
day. As recollect Christmas is like
most other days here" complained the
widow In self extenuation. e.Oyer to
Beebe's they have Christmas tree and
turkey and lots Of going ons. Maybe
you'd like to go along with me. though
you mightn't enjoy 1t, not knowing
anybody over there"
Alzina smiled at the grudging invita-
ton, and a dimple came into one cheek.
"No, thank you, Eliza. may as well
spend the day as usual; you know we
live so far away from neighbors we
have got out Of the habit Of participate
ing in their good times. may walk
over to church in the morning. I am
sorry you've had such dull holidays
here. If I'd only known, how you felt
we could have had turkey and all
sorts Of good things to eat-only, Eliza,
If you'll remember, you've spent every
Christmas with Mrs. Beebe. I've al
ways been alone"
II don't remember" remarked Mrs.
Lasbury vaguely, blotting the last card
and putting the cork in the. ink bottle
II guess / may as well be getting
ready, Alzina Hiram's coming over
for me at o'clock, and I've, got to get
together the little things I've been max
ing for the foIks-and that reminds me
I've got something for you too" She
fumbled through the Christmas cards
on the table and extended toward her
cousin gorgeously eelored Christmas
greeting. with Merry Christmas.
from Cousin Eliza" was written across
the bottom
THANK you, Eliza" said Alzlna, with
a sudden choking In her throat. ut is
very good of you to think OF me-
mot at all. Alzina," returned the
widow graciously. 81 think of you
very often. Now. see here, what I've
been making for the folks You see.
they'll expect me to remember them.
seeing as l spend every Christmas with
them. bought this waist pattern; for
Sarah, and I made this muffier for
Hiram. Neat, amt IT? Esther's been
wanting china cup Of her own to
drink from, and got this down to the
store"
tits real pretty" said Alzina, scarce
ly seeing the gayly decorated cup
through the blurring mist before her
eyes. There was homesick feeling at
her heart and a dread of the coming
lonely day. Mrs. Lasbury had cared
enough to plan out gifts for these 9th
ers. For lonely Alzina there was moth
ing save the card Ashamed Of the
jealousy that had burned briefly in her
heart, Alzina praised the gifts her kins-
woman had prepared, and then just |
before the widows departure Nzlna !
tucked In her hand little purse con-
tanning five dollar bill.
with love and merry Christmas,
Eliza" she said heartily
THAT'S real thoughtful of you, Al
zina," cried Mrs. Lasbury, quite NOV
ed by her cousins generosity. Il most |
wish you was coming along to enjoy
the Christmas tree"
81 shall have a Christmas tree OF |
my own" said Alzina spiritedly
Mrs Lasbury stared. For the land
What do you mean?" she demanded
Alzina pointed toward the window
where the feathery plume of the cedar
branches tapped the pane. That's
my Christmas tree" she smiled brave
iy. when the birds come tomorrow
they'll find bits Of suet and other
goodies, and little Chip. the squirrel
that lives in the hollow oak. will lind
handful of nuts. Then THERE'S the
red mittens for Jimmie and jar Of
mincemeat for old Mrs. Peterkin. Why,
Wen have quite merry Christmas
here, after ALL wish I'd thought
of it before" Alzina's cheeks grew
quite pink, and her gray eyes sparkled
my land, Alzina, you're almost
pretty" she admitted .graclously.
'"They was asking down to the sewing
circle why you never encouraged any
company. There's plenty Of young
men would like TO call on you. and
most Of them would like to marry you.
thought young Fred Pierson was
quite smitten when he walked home
from meeting. Well, you needn't look
so mad, Alzina. Most girls would be
glad to have him looking at 'em."
Here is Mr.. Beebe." remarked Al