Milford chronicle., 1910-12-16
That's all for Linnls. made Bob a

II had an extra blanket, a small one
so ! dyed it red and made robe fUl
him, using n curtain cord and tassel,
dyed the same color. That's all excep
the popcorn and candy. never spent
penny for anything except nuts and
oranges"
Its enough, Anne Tiddleberry, and
you were the exponent of the giftles,
Christmas. Good night, my dear GC
to bed. shall sit up awhile"
'I'm afraid I've spoiled your Christ
mas 10y objecting to the presents she
said. with eompunction in her tone, as
she fingered by his side.
mot at all. my dear. wouldn't be
surprised If this turned out to be the
happiest Christmas we ever had"
For a long while after his wife had
departed Mr. Tiddeberry waited in 81
lence. and when he had quite deter
mined she must have retired he tip
tOed softly to and fro between the par
lor and the hall closet under the
stairs. his stockinged feet making no
sound on the carpeted floor
First he united a package and look
ed with unstinted admiration upon
cotton Grape kimono in gay tints Of
red and yellow, pair of brown kid
gloves and a book that his wife had
longed for. He found a pair of stock
ings In her darnlng basket and hung
one beside Linnies, putting nuts and
candy and big orange in first. Then
he stuffed in the kimOno and the
gloves and laid the book on the shelf
above 1t.
into Linnie's well filed stocking he
dropped a tissue paper package con
tanning a silver bracelet. and into
BOb's there went pair OF skates
After he had solemnly executed
highland fling on the hearth rug Mr.
Tiddeberry extlnguished the lights
and went TO bed much pleased with
his own shrewdness.
Later Mrs Tiddleberry arose from
beside her sleeping husband and crept
down in the darkness to hang one OF
his socks beside Bob's. She heard him |
stirring and fitted back again with /
out noticing any additions to the row /
Of stockings on the shelf.
Just before daybreak Bobs door
opened softly, and a ghostly figure
made a journey down to the parlOr
and returned. 1t was not until the
cold Christmas sun was peeplng over
the rim Of the world and gliding Lin
ME Tlddleberry's bedroom window
that the little girl stirred from her
warm nest and tlmidly slipped down
the stairs over the pricking carpet.
Just as she reached her bedroom
door her fathers voice rOared in mock
ferocity; "Merry ChTlstmasi Who goes
there?"
ME" cried Linnie. Merry Christ
mas. everybody"
That was the signal for all the It'd
ileberrys to arise. for It was a Christ
mas custom with them that they
should all go downstairs together on
Christmas morning Mr. Tiddleberry
Ooked very cOmplacent and self salts
led as he hurried into his clothes
His wife was beaming with some hid
len happiness. while Linnie and Bob
at on the top stair fully dressed and
ylggling jOyfully.
1t was a solemnly happy procession
hat wended its way down the stairs I
hat morning Remember children"
aid Mrs. Tiddleberry, 81 told you not I
o feel disappointed II Santa Claus did 3
Iot remember you very bOuntifully '
bis year. Perhaps he has forgotten
Ou entirely. We are all 80 happy"
be looked around at the little group.
that It seems as though we had ev-
ry gift that Christmas can bring.
ealth and one another and peace and
oOd Will"
"And lots OF love" burst out LInnie :
"And the pleasure Of working for
ich other" added Mr. Tlddleberry en- :,
as he opened the parlor door :.
"Whoop-peew shouted Bob making =
dash for his plethOric stocking. =
"Ohw cried Linnie delightedly.
"Oh," echoed her astonished mother =,
she claimed her own stocking. .,
Great smoke" calculated Mr. It'd :,
cherry, feeling Of his own dependent :,
ek. whats here. Anne? Wearine :
1t your pretty eyes over knitted =
arr for me? And what is this and
is?" He held two objects 10 view.
Il gave you the knife. and l want
nny so as not to cut friendship"
outed Bob from the folds Of his bath p'
be as he strapped ON his skates, "anl
gave mother the hairbrush, and tn
ade Linnle the doll house out of a
ap box and some wall paper" rs
And l gave you the pipe father A
d the perfume is for mother, and J 20
Tilted the toboggan cap for Bob ont 10
my old sweater-I unraveled it, nc
ed Linnie breathlessly. NJ
Mrs. Tiddleberry was crying softl. %
er the contents Of her stocking. "a
ought was the only one who could
,ri6ce for the Others" she said
but they all fell upon er
+ with caresses. u
Bob" said his father, how did you M