Milford chronicle., 1910-12-30

I lheA 10 ma DIS OF suet uhu ottAEt
goodies. and little Chip. the squirrel
that lives in the hollow oak. viii ind
I handful Of nuts Then there's the
I red mittens for Jimmie and a jar Of
I mincemeat for old Mrs. Peterkin. Why.
I Wen have quite merry Christmas
I here, after all I wish I'd thought
I of it before" Alzinas cheeks grew
quite pink. and her gray eyes sparkled
MY land, Alzina. you're almost
pretty" she admitted graciously.
They was asking down to the sewing
circle why you never encouraged any
company. There's plenty Of young
men would like to call on you. and
most of them would like to marry ycu-
thought young Fred Pierson was
quite smitten when he walked home
from meeting. Well you needn't look
so mad, Alzina. Most girls would be
glad TO have him looking at EN-"
Here is Mr.. Beebe' remarked Al
zina, turning from the window with
hot. flushed cheeks. 81 hope youH
have a lovely time. Cousin Eliza"
81 expect l SHALL" said the widow
complacently. She bundled herself in
a large cloak and tied a woolen shawl
over her head. Il shall stop In tho
postoffice and see If my present has
come from Elderville. Do you really
mean you're going to have Christ
mas tree Alzina. like you saidp Ard
as Alzina nodded assent Mrs. Lasbury
tucked her double chin in the folds OF
her shawl and added condescendinSiV
well / wish you joy of it,
When she was alone Alzina thought
about the Christmas tree she had so
bravely planned in Mrs. Lasbury's
presence. and she tried not to remem-
Der that she was all alone and that her
natural reserve had shut her away
from the few friends she might have
possessed. There was no one to re-
member her this lonely Christmas eva,
and so she must try and remember the
few people she knew. She tied bright
dime in each thumb Of the red NIT
tens and. wrapping them in white tis-
sue paper, placed them in the milk
pail outside the door. She CROPPED down
cellar for a jar of mincemeat and made
It ready to take to Old Mrs. Peterkin ia
the morning.
When she opened the pantry door to
find some bits Of suet for the birds ~he
met a surprise. There on the broad
shelves the conscience stricken Mrs.
Isasbury had arranged two mince pies
and golden one Of pumpkin. There
was a small roasted chicken and
dish Of cranberry sauce, besides sew
eral vegetables ready to be warmed
up The hot tears welled into Alzinas
eyes.
THAT Just shows that everybody is
better hearted than | think they arc.
she murmured as she closed the door
on Cousin Eliza's mute but substantial
I'm ashamed Of myself
when, think how much I'm missing
Of ala the goodness just by being so
narrow minded"
Before she went to bed Alzins read
the beautiful story of the first Christ
mas. and. although she had read it be-
fore. it never held so much tender
for her as it did this ami
rersary Of the blessed birthday.
She awoke cheerful and cOntented,
md. willie there was no Christmas
greeting awaiting her from the silent
'OOms Of the house. she resolved that
when another year had rolled around
he Christmas season would find
lappy gathering under her own roof
he lame and the halt and the blind.
Ave. she would ind them in the high-
ways and byways. There would never
,e another lonely Christmas.
When she opened the sitting room
Ioor she saw the tree. After her irst
tart Of amazement she stood silently
OOking through the windows at the
,eautiful sight Somebody had shaken
he snow from her cedar aud dressed
he branches with tinsel and strings Of
opcorn Somebody had tied oranges
nd candy canes and popcorn balls 10
he STEMS while there were several
Mysterious looking packages depending
rom the lower branches.
Alzna tiptoed out Of the door and
Ike one in a dream approached the
rec. Her slender feet made deep
racks in the snow. and the morning
lnshne turned her brown hair into u,
laze Of gold. Almost reverently she
1uched the branches that bore the
hrlstmas fruits, aud then she united
ne Of the packages and slowly opened
Inside was a dainty white apron
-ith Christmas card, ITO Alzina
-om Sarah Beebe" There was an
-her present from Mr.. Beebe and one
-om Esther and a real present from
ousin Eliza I.asbury-a knitted af-
han. Then there was a big box Of
indy from Fred Persons mother,
I'D. lastly, a very tiny box hanging qll
one.
When Alzlna opened it she found
sautifu little turquoise ring. and in
was twisted note from Fred Pidr-
N himself. "If it's all right Alzina.
ear this down to the gate" be had
ritten bashfully
After she had wiped the tears froH
II eyes Alzina Tweed r IN,
q friendly Reebes and =, 948o