The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1911-01-05


What do you meant she demanded
Alzina pointed toward the window
where the feathery plume of the cedar
branches tapped the pane. That's
my Christmas tree." she smiled brave
". when the birds come tomorrow
they'll fad bits of suet aud other
goodies. ana little Chip. the squirrel
;hat lives in the hollcw oak. will find
a handful of nuts. Then there's the
red mittenS for Jimmie and II jar OF
mlncemeat for old Mrs. peterkin. Why.
! well have quite merry Christmas
| here. after all. wish I'd thought
| Of Il before. AlZina's checks grew
/ quite pink. aud her gray eyes sparkled.
MY land. Alziua. 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 you.
I thought young Fred Pierson was
quite smiften when he walked home
from meeting. Well. you needn't look
so mad, Alzna. Most girls would be
glad to have him looking at 'em."
Here Is Mr.. Beebe," remarked Al
zina. turning from the window with
hot. flushed cheeks. II hope you'll
have lovely time. Cousin Eliza"
II expect | shall" said the widow
complacently She bundled herself in
a large cloak and tied a wooden shawl
over her head 81 shall stop in the
postofIice and see If my present has
come from Elderville. DO you really
mean you're going to have Christ
mas tree. Alzlna. like You saidT And
as Alzina nodded assent Mrs. Lasbury
tucked her double chin in the folds of
her shawl and added condescendingly.
"Well. | wish you Joy Of it,
When she was alone AlZina thought
about the Christmas tree she had so
bravely planned I'm Mrs. I.asbury'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 eve,
and so she must try and remember the
few people she knew She tied bright
dime i'm each thumb Of the red nit
tens and, wrapping them in white It's
sue paper, placed them in the milk
pail outside the door. She CROPPED down
cellar for Jar of mincemeat and made
It ready to take to old Mrs. Peterkin in
the morning.
When she opened the pantry door to
find some bits of suet for the birds she /
met surprise. There on the broad /
shelves the conscience stricken Mrs. /
I.asbury had arranged two mince pies /.
and golden one of pumpkin. There .
was q small roasted chicken and a .
dish OF cranberry sauce, besides sew /
eral vegetables ready to be warmed .
up. The hot tears welled into AlZina's .
eyes.
THAT Just shows that everybody is
better hearted than | think they are"
she murmured as she closed the door
on Cousin Ellza's mute but substantial
Offering I'm ashamed of myself
when | think how much I'm missing
Of all the goodness just by being so
narrow minded"
Before she went to bed Alzina read
The beautiful story of the first Christ
mas, and. although she had read ii be
fore. Il never held so much tender
meaning for her as it did this ami
Fersary of the blessed birthday.
She awoke cheerful and contented,
md. while 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 a
happy gathering under her own roof
he lame and the halt and the blind
Ave, she would find them in the high
ways and byways. There would never
,e another lonely Christmas
When she opened the sitting room
loor she saw the tree. After her first
tart of amazement she stood silently
ooking through the windows at the ,
BEAUTIFUL sight Somebody had shaken
he snow from her cedar and dressed
he branches with tinsel and strings OF
'opcorn Somebody had tied oranges j.,
nd candy canes and popcorn balls TO
he stems, while there We're several
Mysterious looking packages depending
rom the lower branches.
Alziua tiptoed out OF the door and ,
Ike one in dream approached the
rec Her slender feet made deep
racks In the snow, and the morning
unShine turned her brown hair into q
laze Of gold. Almost reverently she ,
ouched the branches that bore the
christmas fruits. and then she united ,
ne Of the packages and slowly opened f,
. Inside was a dainty white apron
nth Christmas card, ITO Alzina
rom Sarah Reehe." There was an
Their present from Mr. Beebe and one
rom Esther and real present from /,
ousin Eliza Lasbury-a knitted af-
haa Then there was big box OF :
andy from Fred Piersou's mother,
nd lastly, a very tiny box hanging all
lone
When Nlzlua opened it she found c
aaudful little turquoise ring. and in a
was twisted q note from Fred Pier 7
IN himself. "If It's all right. Alzina. o
oar this Jov-D 20 the rate - no had g