Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-12-09

/ Just at thai moment. MIR. Parker APP
peared at the door, and volunteered to
settle the question for. them 4 can
whittle,. / guess" he said And know
i Ing his proficiency. the women gladly
resigned that care.
| One of the men had been heard to
wish fer pair OF mittens such as his
n1other used to knit, and MIS- Parker
mother. who was present, offered ner
services in that line And so the
plans were laid.
air of mystery and preparation per
va6ing the little settlement, and even
Mrs. Crouch forgot to- discuss ner woes
The tree was duly installed in the NV
ing room of the PARKER house, and
hidden behind great sheets, while the
work of decoration proceeded
At last the evening arrived, and all
the neighborhood gathered at the
from the children, and even their elders
marvelled at the result of their work
An old bedquilt, which had been used
in raclSir the furniture brought from
the east. had been ripped apart, ana
the cotton removed. So all over the
tree were snowy fleclxs of cotton Red
apples and balls of bright paper, with
dolls In gay attire. hung from the
branches.
There were no candles, but mys-
terious light came from behind the
tree-from lanterns placed at differ
ent heights.
T.
ceremonies, but when he was sought
he could not be found. But, bark.
There is a jingle of bells outside-and
Il moment later Santa Claus himself
his -wife's fur-Hned coat. turned
" rong side out; and proceeded to make
merry. Even Mr. and Mrs. Vantine
were present with the half-witted boy
they had taken to help with the
work. some years before.
The first package from the tree was
for Mr.. Fielding, and it contained a
holder. Now l have my WISH" said
he with a smile. Dolls for the girls
whole set for each enc, and their
delight was unbounded- Then came a
box for Mr.. Fielding. containing two
holders-and next peach basket
transformed into q gay work basket
for Mrs Billings Whistles carved of
wood for the boys. and a roll for Mr..
Fielding, containing a holder There
was a warm cap made from pair OF
discarded trousers. a crazy work
table cover for Mrs. Crouch, and more
holders for Mr.. FIELDING. pair of
snowshoes for each boy-the work of
Mr.. Parker-and then a package for
the Vantine's boy. George. which con-
tained q coat-the gift of Mrs. Van
while a subdued Keep rtill,'' came
from Mr.. vantine. The fact was. the
coat WAS part CT suit which the
vantines had bought some time before
ready worn once or twice.
There were various fancy articles
for the women-more holders and an
other for George. This time it was q
vest-lilke the coat (Mrs. Vantine had
oped by these gifts to show her gem
crosby to the boy.)
Seen that afore, too drawled
George: and more whisre Of Hush
upl" came from the direction of the
Vantines.
More holders yet were taken from
the tree amid peals Of laughter, and
then a large package for the Vantine's
roy. Surely. now, George has a gift
thought the company. The Vantines
that parcel home unopened: but
George would not With much gusto
the boy unrolled the papers. and held
mp to the view of the entire company
a pair OF trousers. Like the rest OF the
suiti
Seen that afcretiIne- too he said
IN disgust, and in a loud voicel
The next moment another holder was
presented with great ceremony. and
in the peals of laughter that followed
the Vantines recovered their compos-
ure.
Then CANA the popcorn and candy
no popcorn-but there was sweet corn.
and this tho women had shelled and
larched in hot skillets with butter
Served with raisins, 1t WIS all the
company could desire
For the closing event of the eve
ming, Mr.. Fielding posed for a tableau.
The Holder Man." in which he APP
peared decorated-with holGers-twen-
ty-five of thena-and broad smiles.