Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-12-23
A Christmas Gift
Worth Having
Bv GERTRUDE E. WHARTON
Copyright. 1910, by American Press
Association.

"vou are on the committee on uecora-
ton for Christmas this year"
Indeed, Mr.. Rice, the others must
get ON without me have no heart for
the work"
The good man turned away without
trying to persuade her. He knew that
there was n sorrow always with her
and intensified OH this Christmas ami
versary. Her husband, Edgar. had gone
away from her six years before and
had never returned. Every year her
little boy had asked, Mamma, isn't
papa coming home for Christmas?'
and every year she had been obliged
to put him off by saying: Not this
year, Arthur dear. Perhaps he may be
| with US next year" But she only said
1t to tighten the child's disappointment,
| for she did not believe he would ever
come.
Edgar Austin was an artist and had
| an artists temperament He had mar
ried a woman with very practical
disposition, and when hard times came
| on and he was not able to sell his pic
lures she had lost her patience at the
hardships she was obliged to endure
and had told her husband that he had
better leave such idle work" as "daub-
ing" and take up something that
would bring more steady and practical
results.
While Edgar was painting he for
got the troubles that were always
present with her. 1t was her part to
see that the rent was paid and the
other necessaries of life were provided
Since she had little money for them
she Mt last lost all patience and up
braided her husband. There seemed
but one thing for him to do to save
himself from breaking down under the
strain-to go away from her. One day
he took his little boy, who was then
four years old. In his arms and after
a long embrace went out of the house
and did not return.
! At times Ms. Austin received small
donations from the clergyman. which
she supposed came from his parlshiOn
ers. On this and what she was able to
earn she managed to get on. She
knew that 1t was her want Of sympa
thy for her husband in his profession
during a trying time that had driven
him from her. and bitterly she rued It.
She would have called him back, but
she did not know where to find him
The child had been his constant com
panion, often playing In the studio
and the artist said that he could al
ways do better work with his boy neal
him. For six years the easel had
stood with an unfinished picture on it
and the studio remained In every re
spect as it was when Austin left 1t.
The day before Christmas the clergy
man came to the house with large
basket on his arm and emptied 1t on
the kitchen table.
'These things" he said. pointing tC
one heap. "are for supper tonight and
these for your dinner on Christmas
day."
How many kind people there are In
your church! But how could any con
grcgation help being kind with such q
pastorf"
"And. Arthur" the clergyman con
tinued. speaking to the little boy. "rvt
got nice present for you and one fol
mamma. too. which shall bring In
this evening before dinner that you
may have 1t Christmas eve and enjoy
It oil Christmas day"
Mrs. Austin took great pains In pre-
pairing the supper. brought out sci
Of china she had received MS n wed
ding gift and set an extra place at tht
table for the pastor. 1t was dark be
fore 5 O'Clock. and she lighted tho
lamps. aud Arthur was delighted Al
the smell Of the good things coming
from the kitchen. He had forgotten
that the minister was coming and
seeing the extra place. asked:
us that for papaT'
The mother burst into tears. witt
all the comfort on this evening. bless
ed to all Christian families. the hus
band and father was still away. per
haps dead.
| At @ O'Clock there was a tap on tn,
door. Arthur ran to open 1t. crying
"Its all ready. MFR. Ricew But instead
Of Mr.. Rice there was another, wht
picked the boy up and held him to hi.
breast. The mother came from thu
kitchen to see her, husband standing II
the doorway embracing his child. Their
In a moment she. too, was taken L
the mans arms, and kisses from moth
er and child we're rained on :he artist,
face.
"Wife." he said. my fortune /,
made. I have sent you through Mr.
Rice all could earn-little enough,
grant-but now I can sell pictures nj
fast rs I can paint them. A year aftel
leaving you found means to take me-
to Paris. A few months ago l painted
picture that was hung in the salon
and 1t made great hit. But we mus,
not stay here. where I am not We
known. Besides. my pictures will
bring higher prices coming from
abroad. We must go back to Paris"
Then they all sat down to supper
the happiness that had 50 suddenly
come with this Christmas eve tingline
In their very finger tips. But the tran
sition was too quick for Arthur to un
derstand.
Papa" said the little man, 81
thought you was Mr.. Rice. What does
1t oil mean, anyway%
1T MEANS" said the mother, that
when people are doing the best they
can It's wicked for others to make II
all the, harder for them by complaint. !"
mot wicked" said the father, "only
a natural giving way under what ma.
ture cannot endure"
Check to tho Auto Speed. Craze.
Two recent decisions BY the New
York court Of appeals put a new as
pect upon auto speeding. Reduced Il