Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-12-17

him, using a curtain cord and tassels
dyed the same color. That's all except
the popcorn and candy. | never spent
n penny for anything except nuts and
oranges"
Its enough, Anne Tiddlcbcrry, and
you were the exponent of the giftlcSS
Christmas. Good night. my dear. Go
to bed shall sit up awhile
I'm afraid I've spoiled your Christ.
mas by obiccting to the presents" she
said, with COmpunction in her tone, as
she fingered by his side.
"NOt at all, my dear. | wouldn't be
surprised if this turned out to be the
happcst Christmas we ever had"
For a long while after his wife had
departed Mr. Tiddlcberry waited in Si-
lence, and when he had quite deter
mined she must have retired he tip
tocd softly to and fro between the par
lor and the hall closet under the
stairs, his stockingcd feet making no
sound on the carpcted floor.
First he united Il package and look
ed with unStintcd admiration upon Il
red and yellow. n pair of brown Kid
gloves and a book that his wife had
longCd for He found pair of stock
ings in her darning basket and hung
one beside Linnie's, putting nuts and
candy and Il big orange in first Then
he stuffed in the kimono and the
gloves and laid the book on the shelf
above 1t.
Into Linnies well filled stocking he
dropped tissue paper pa lH%r con
tanning a silver bracelet. AID into
BOb's there went a pair Of skates.
After he had Solemnly exc utcd Il
highland fling on the hearth rug Mr..
TiddIcberry eXtnguiShcd the lights
and went to bed much pleased with
his own shrewdncSS.
Later Mrs. TiddIcbcrry arose from
beside her sleeping husband and crcpt
down in the darkness to hang enc of
his socks beside Bub'S. She heard him
stirring and fitted back - lin with
out noticing any additions to TIE row
of stockings on the shelf.
Just before daybrcak Bob's door
opened softly. and a ghostly figure
made journey down to the parlUr
and returned. 1t was not until the
cold Christmas sun was ppeping over
the rim of the world and gliding Lin
ME Tiddlcbcrry'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 roar, Il in mock
ferocity: Merry Christmas! Who goes
there?'
ME" cried Linnie. 'Mcrry Christ
mas. everybody"
That was the signal for all the It'd
dlebcrrys to arise. for it was Il Christ
mas custom with them that they
should all go downstairs together on
Christmas morning. Mr. Tiddlcbcrry
looked very complaccnt and self salts
fed as he hurried into his clothes.
His wife was beaming with some hid
den happiness, while Linnic and Bob
sat on the top stair fully dressed and
giggling joyfully.
1t was Il solcmnly happy procession
that wend"d its way down the stairs
that morning. "Rcmember. children"
said Mrs. Tiddlcbcrry, 81 told You not
to feel disappointed if Santa Claus did
not remember you very bountifuly
this year Perhaps he has forgotten
you entirely. We are all so happy"
she looked around at the little group,
that it seems as though we had cv-
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.. TiddlcEcrry en-
phatically as he opened the parlor door
"Whoop-pee." shouted Bob, making
a dash for his plethoric stocking.
"Oh." cried Linnie delightcdly.
"Oh." echoed her aStOniShCd mother
as She claimed her own stocking.
Great smoke calculated Mr.. It'd
dlebcrry, feeling of his own dependent
sock "What's here, Anne? Wearing
out your pretty eyes over a knitted
scarf for me? And what is this and
this?" He held two objects to view.
II gave you the knife, and | want a
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 Il
soap box and some wall paper"
And l gave you the pipe, father,
and the perfume is for mother, and l
knitted the toboggan cap for Bob out
of my old sweater-I nnraveled it,"
cried Linnie breathleSSly.
Mrs Tiddleberry was crying softly
over the contents Of her stocking. Il
thought I was the only one who could
sacrifice for the oth&rs," she said
shamefacedly, but they all fell upon
her with careSses.
"Bob," said his father, 'how did you
do it,"
"Sold my rabbits-ddn't want 'em
anyway" said Bob dctiantly.
81 ran errands for Mrs. Mosher, and
altogether | earned Is cents" declared
Linnic proudly.
"Anne, you made plum puddings,"
accused her husband.
"Yes, and there's one for dinner, with
How about our, Henry? How could
you afford IT. Does your delay in get
ting home nights account for it,"
Mr. Tiddleberry nodded. Been clerk
ing in n bookstore nights to earn those