Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-06
The Argus Daily Short Story
Family Sacrifces-By Ciarissa Mackie.
Copyrighted 1910, by Associated Literary Press.

II don't see how we can afford TO
observe Christmas this year. Henry"
remarked Mrs. Tiddleberry two weeks
before that anniversary We've had
so much sickness and bad luck during
the past twelve months that to make
any gifts vii; mean getting in debt for
living expenses, and l am unwilling to
90 that"
Dir. Tiddleberry looked up from his
paper with relieved expression on
his tired face. I've been bordering that
matter for several days, my dear"
Suddenly the wife looked up and
saw her husband take i cigar from
his pocket. regard it speculatively and
then, signing, return it to the case.
Henry" she said. smoke your CT
gar, You needn't think you're going
TO save on your only consolation just
to buy some foolish nonsense for the
children. How much of your months
salary will there be after you've laid
aside the amount of the interest due
the first of the year,"
None" confessed her husband can
didIy.
Then why should we try to observe
Christmas just as if this year had
been prosperous one?'
You have stumped me. Anne. I
hate to give up Christmas, but I guess
We'll have to-
III do the best I can" promised
Mrs. Tiddleberry rs she folded up the
stockings. There will be enough to
eat, but it will he plain. I laid little
money away for Bob's suit and for
Linnie's new coat, and that will be all
the Christmas they can have this year.
1 can make some black walnut candy
for them and some popcorn"
You're right. as usual. Anne" and
Mr.. Tiddleberry bent to kiss her flush
ed cheek
When she broke the news to Linnie
and Bob the next day their young
faces grew quite round and solemn. and
she felt a little lump in her throat as
they trudged off to school with
cheerful "All right. mother. dear
They're disappointed enough" she
murmured, but they won't say any
thing. I'm proud of their pluck"
Mr.. Tiddleberry developed habit Of
working late in the city. and each
night found him taking a later train
to his suburban home until finally he
stamped into the house on Christmas
eve just as the clocks were striking IL
Henry Tiddleberry," said his wife
severely. cit seems to me the import
ing business is picking up or you're
getting behind with your books. There
must be some reason for your working
late at the office. You never did it be-
FORE
There Is an excellent reason, my
dear" said Mr.. Tiddleberry amiably
as he hung his overcoat before the
kitchen stove to dry. which I will ex-
plain to you in due time. 1t certainly
is wild night, Anne-a typical Christ
mas eve. Where are the youngsters?"
"Gone to bed like lambs" said their
mother in a burst of admiration. Il
haven't told them just what their
Christmas presents were to be, but
they are clever enough to guess, 1 sup
pose. told them it was something
to wear"
How about dinner tomorrow? Got
everything in that you need?"
Everything" said Mrs. Tiddleberry,
bending a flushed face over the evening
newspaper she had just opened. Il
told you this morning it would be the
first Christmas eve you didn't have TO
do any shopping. Did you miss it,
Henry?"
Did II" exclaimed Mr.. Tiddleberry
emphatically.
$50 did l." admitted Anne soberly.
doesn't seem like Christmas at all. I
told the children to hang up their
stockings"
"They might as WELL 1 suppose"
said Mr. Tiddleberry. rather gloomily.
eff you hadn't forbidden me. Anne. 1
might have managed a few oranges or
something. I believe I'll go out and
get some now" He reached into the
kitchen for his overcoat. but Anne
slipped to the china closet and threw
open the door.
wait Henry! Look there"'
Great smoker wnistled Mr.. fiddle