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

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highland fling on the hearth rug Mr..
Tddleberry extinguished 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 Bob's 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 peeping over
the rim of the world and gliding Lin
ME Tiddleberry's bedroom window
that the little girl stirred from her
warm nest and timidly slipped down
the stairs over the pricking carpet
Just as she reached her bedroom
door her fathers voice roared in mock
ferocity: "Merry Christmas! Who goes
there?"
Me" cried Linnie Merry Christ
mas, everybody"
That was the signal for all the It'd
dleberrys to arise, for it was Christ
mas custom with them that they
should all go downstairs together on
Christmas morning. Mr. Tiddleberry
looked very complacent and self salts
fed as he hurried into his clothes.
His wife was beaming with some hid
den happiness, while Linnie and Bob
sat on the top stair fully dressed and
giggiing joyfully.
1t was solemnly happy procession
that wendell its way down the stairs
that morning Remember, children"
said Mrs. Tiddleberry, II told you not
to feel disappointed If Santa Claus did
not remember you very bountifully
this year. Perhaps he has forgotten
you entirely. We are all so happy"
she looked around at the little group
sthat 1t seems as though we had ev-
cry gift that Christmas can bring,
health and one another and peace and
good will"
And lots of love-" burst out Linnie
"And the pleasure Of working for
each other" added Mr.. Tiddleberry en-
phatically as he opened the parlor door
"Whoop-peew shouted Bob, making
dash for his plethoric stocking.
'Ohr' cried Linnie delightedly.
"Oh!" echoed her astonished mother
as she claimed her own stocking.
Great smoker calculated Mr.. It'd
dleberry, feeling Of his own dependent
sock. What's here. Anne? Wearing
out your pretty eyes over knitted
scarf for me? And what is this and
this?" He held two objects to view.
Il gave you the knife. and l want
penny so as not to cut friendship"
shouted Bob from the folds Of his bath
robe as he strapped on his skates, "and
gave mother the hairbrush, and
made Linnie the doll house out of a
soap box and some wall paper"
And l gave you the pipe. father,
and the perfume is for mother, and
knitted the toboggan cap for Bob out
Of my old sweater-I unraveled it,"
cried Linnie breathlessly.
Mrs Tiddleberry was crying softly
over the contents Of her stocking. 81
thought was the only one who could
sacrifice for the Others" she said
shamefacedly. but they all fell upon
her with caresses.
Bob" said his father. chow did you
do it?''
SOLD my rabbits-didn't want 'em
anyway" said Bob defiantly
Il ran errands for Mrs. Mosher, and
altogether learned 40 cents" declared
Linnie proudly.
"Anne, you made plum puddings."
accused her husband.
Eyes. and there's one for dinner. with
other good things" she said happily
How about your, Henry? How could
you afford it? Does your delay in get.
ting home nights account for it?''
Mr.. Tiddleberry nodded. "Been clerk
ing in bookstore nights to earn those
things. Bully plan too. Guess I'll d
it every year"
''This is the best Christmas we ever
had" declared Bob enthusiastically a.
he flung his arms about his mother
neck.
II guess It must be because we az
love each other so much" said Tinnir
sageiy. Ana that was really the 81
cret of the whole affair.