Milford chronicle., 1910-12-16
By cLARIssA N1ACKIE

! 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 a relieved expression on
his tired face 1--WE 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 1t to the case.
Henry" she said, smoke your ci-
garl 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 win there be after you've laid
aside the amount Of the interest due
the first of the yearT
'None," confessed her husband can
didly.
"Then why should we try to observe
Christmas just as II this year had
been a prosperous OneY
You have stumped me, Anne. I
hate to give up Christmas, but guess
wen have to-"
"l'll do the best l can" promised
Mrs Tlddleberry as she folded up the
stockings. There will be enough to
eat, but 1t will be plain. laid 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.
l 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 I4innie
and Bob the next day their young
faces grew quite round and solemn, and |
she felt a little lump in her throat as
they trudged OF to school with a
cheerful "All right, mother, dear"
They're disappointed enough" she
but they won't say any
hing. I'm proud Of their pluck"
Mr.. Tiddleberry developed a habit Of
late in the city. and each
light found him taking a later train
o his suburban home until finally be
stamped into the house on Christmas
we just as the clocks were striking II
Henry Tiddleberry," said his wife
eYerely. 1T seems to me the import
ng business is picking up or you're
citing behind with your books. There
must he some reason for your working
ate at the office You never did 1t be-
ore"
There is an excellent reason, my
ear" said Mr.. Tiddleberry amiably
8 he hung his overcoat before the
itchen stove to dry, which I will ex-
lain to you IN due time. 1t certainly
a wild night, Anne-a typical Christ
las eve Where are the youngsters"
Gone to bed like lambs" said their
lOther In a burst OF admiration. Il
aven't told them Just what their
hrlstmas presents were to be. but
ley are clever enough to guess, sup
ose. told them 1t was something
, wear"
How about dinner tomorrow Got !
-erything in that you need"
"Everything." said Mrs Tiddleberry.
ending a flushed face over the evening
swspaper she had just opened. Il
Id you this morning It would be the
st Christmas eve you didn't have to
, any shopping. Did you miss it. Q
enry?'
did II" exclaimed Mr.. Tiddleberry Q
nphatically. Z
$50 did l." admitted Anne Sberly u
Doesn't seem like Christmas at all.
Id the children to hang up their ?
ockings" Z
'They might as well, I suppose r
I'd Mr.. Tiddleberry, rather gloomily /
Z you hadn't forbidden me, Anne. ] II
ght have managed a few oranges or q
/ believe I'll go out and
t some now" He reached into the q
.ohen for his overcOat, but Anne \
pped to the china closet and threw ~
en- the door.
Wait. Henry! Look there"
Great smoke" whistled M. Tiddlc :,
rry. and then he chuckled softly to - =
nself "Oh, Anne. Anne, how could = =
i, when you forbade me to buy :. :.
ng7" -
I baked a half dozen Christmas =,
i'm puddings and sold them and
de enough to get some oranges and =.
ts," blushed Mrs. Tiddleberry under -
tender scrutiny. Il couldn't beai -
have them find empty stockings"
Is that all?" demanded her husband
Isn't 1t enough p she evaded. Come :.
the parlor and look at the coat anG
t. l made a larger FIRE in the fur -,
e and turned the heat in here so sTS1 T
would be warm when they got up in -
morning" a.
What else have you done. Anne?" :,
sisted Mr. Tiddleberry. Confess ~,
give yOu"-looking at his watch ~,
st three minutes Fire aheadi' a.
nne sank back in a big rocking .