Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1911-01-14
Mrs. Lasbury stared. "Tor the land!

my Christmas tree, Sne SllllIt Il DRIVE
ly. "When the birds come tomorrow
they'll find bits of suet and other
goodies, and little chip, the squirrel
that lives in the hollow oak. will find
handful of nuts. Then there's the
red mittcnS for Jimmie and Il Jar of
mincemcat for old Mrs PctCrkin. Why.
We'll have quite a merry Christmas
here, after all. | wish I'd thought
of it before" AlZina'S checks grew
quite pink, and her gray eyes sparklcd.
"My land Alzina. you're almost
pretty" she admitted graciousIy
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 Picrson was
quite smittcn 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.. Bccbc." remarked Al
zina, turning from the window with
hot, flushed checks. Il hope you'll
have a lovely time. Cousin Eliza"
Il EXPECT | shall" said the widow
complacently. She bundled herself i'll
n large cloak and tied n woolcn shawl
over her head Il shall stop in the
postoffce and see if my present has
come from Eldervilc. DO you really
mean you're going to have Christ
mas tree, AlZina, like YOU Said" Ana
ms Alzina nodded assent Mrs. IaShury
tucked her double chin in the folds of
her shawl and added condeScendingly.
"Well, l wish YOU JOY of il"
When she was alone AlZina thought
about the Christmas tree she had 40
bravely planned in Mrs. l.aSbury's
presence, and she tried not t" remcm-
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 Il bright
dime in each thumb OF the rcd NIT
tens and wrapping them i'll white It's
sue paper placed them in the milk
pail outside the door. She CROPPED down
cellar for jar of mincemcat and made
1t ready to take to old Mrs Petcrkin in
the morning.
When she opened the pantry door to
find some bits of suet for the birds she
met a surprise. There on the broad
shelves the conscience stricken Mrs.
Lasbury had arranged two minCe pies
and n golden one of pumpkin. There
was small roasted chicken and a
dish of cranberry sauce, besides sew
eral vegetables ready to be warmed
up. The hot tears wellcd into AlZina'S
eyes.
THAT just shows that everybody is
better hearted than | think they are
she murmurcd as she closed the door
on Cousin EliZa's mute but substantial
Offering "Tm ashamed of myself
when l 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 it be-
fore, 1t never held so much tender
meaning for her as ii did this ami
versary of the blessed birthday.
She awoke cheerful and contented,
and, while there was no Christmas
greeting awaiting her from the silent
rooms of the house, she resolved that
when another year had rolled around
the Christmas season would find
happy gathering under her own roof
the lame and the halt and the blind.
Aye, she would find them in the high
ways and byways. There would never
be another lonely Christmas.
When she opened the sitting room
door she saw the tree. After her first
start of amazement she stood silently
looking through the windows at the
beautiful sight. Somebody had shaken
the snow from her cedar and dressed
the branches with tinsel and strings OF
popcorn. Somebody had tied oranges
and candy canes and popcorn balls to
the stems, while there were several
mysterious looking packages depending
from the lower branches.
Alzina tiptoed out of the door and
like one in a dream approached the
tree, Her slender feet made deep
tracks In the snow, and the morning
sunshine turned her brown hair into q
maze of gold, Almost reverently she
touched the branches that bore the
Christmas fruits, and then she united
one Of the packages and slowly opened
1t. Inside was dainty white apron
with a Christmas card, To Alzina
from Sarah Beebe" There was an
other present from Mr.. Becbe and one
from Esther and Il real present from
Cousin Eliza Lasbury-a knitted af
CHAN. Then there was a big box of
candy from Fred Persons mother
and, lastly, a very tiny box hanging all
alone.
When Alzina opened it she found a
beautiful little turquoise ring, and In
1t was twisted a note from Fred Pier
son himself. III it's all right. Alzina. !
wear this down TO the gate" he had
written bashfully.
After she had wiped the tears from
her eyes Alzina Tweed saw that all
the friendly Beebes and Cousin Eliza
Lasbury were peering at her from ad-
Jacent points of vantage. Il never had
such a good time in my life" painted
Mrs. Lasbury as they gathered about
her. when ! told Mrs. Pierson about
It she and Fred wanted to join in, and
so they did. If you'll give us some
breakfast. Alzina. well take you back
hnpha'S