The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-12-27

WINDOW gazing tearIuiiy on
into the night. ( was g beau
tiful world. but she was s,
disappointed that Il was dificult /,
follow Uncle Toms advice ana @keeI
q stiff upper lip" For the nrst tim,
since she could Remembers afle R0ult
have to spend Christmas without bel
father ana mother. They bad started
it Is true. n time to join their it'll,
daughter before the holidays at Uncle
Toms and Aunt Ellen's, where Polls
was spending the winter vacation
But an unusual fan Of snow had stain
q sAssE train train.
Polly felt 60 h0mesiek. however
that she decided not to trim the little
tree which was bEaced up II the room
behind her. She gazed dolefully oui
over the snow covered meadows and
watched the lights that appeared. one
after another. IN the neighboring
houses In the nearest house lived the
Pratts. a large family OF happy boys
and girls. Farther of, at the foot Of
a little bill, was the Edwards cottage,
the home Of the village postman. bis
wife and their two boys. They were
all recovering from heavy colds and
had not been out for several days.
Polly thought how cherries their
home was compared with other
homes, for Mrs. Edwards was an in
valid, and the two boys were too young
to help much about the house. while
their father when he returned at night
was too tired to do anything except
eat his supper and 90 to bed. A stunt
ed ar tree grew in their yard. Polly
noticed how its icy covering sparkIed
in the bright moonlight. Suddenly
she left the window.
s'Oh, Aunt Ellen" she exclaimed, II
have just thought Of the loveliest
plan!''
'sWhat Is Il, dearie7H asked Aunt
Ellen, looking up from her sewing
II want to give the Edwardses a
Christmas tree.
~'My dear child. Of course you can.
III ask Uncle Tom to carry the tree
down. and you can take the TRIM
"But" excitedly Interrupted Polly.
II don't want my tree. They have
one Of their own"
s'The Edwardsesg'
Eyes, auntie- the dwarf flr IN their
yard. It's just beautifui tonight with
all the sparkly snow on It. III stop
for the Pratts and get them to help"
-'YOu dear child" again exclaimed
her aunt, run right along. Your own
things for the tree are IN that box.
and here are your mittens.e
Eyes, Auntie." answered Polly. she
buttoned up her warm coat. fastened
her hood and II few minutes was
knocking at the door OF the house
across the road
Tho entire Pratt family welcomed
her boisterously, inviting her to help
eat the candy and popcorn balls they
had Just been making.
No, thank you" she said. her eyes
sparkling with fun. but viii you
please do mp my share and put It Oh
my sled2"
'.What for2"
"What-have you got on Il already :"
isn't e 3 cold night for 4 nicnle9's
Where are you going9''
These and many other questions
were asked her In quick succession
When she told them her plan they
were delighted. and. while suggestions
dew from one to another. deft 6ngers
did up many parcels Of different
shapes and sizes. In an hour. drag
ging their well tlled sleds. they start
ed on their happy Grand
They were % excited that AZ first
they could not lower their voices. but
when they began to decorate the little
tree that stood 50 alone. dressed Id its
mantle Of ice and snow. they quite
forgot 70 talk. Their busy fingers abb
sorbed all their attention. and when
their task was completed they stood In
an almost awed silence looking ait the
tree. A number OF light
ed candles twinkled from among the
branches Big oranges. bright red
apples and huge punches Of white
grapes hung in profusion. Gay cornu-
copias filed to overlooking. grotesque
gingerbread figures and generous pop
corn balls hung there. while yards Of
silver and gilt tinsel and various orna-
ments helped to perfect the whole.
Several books and two pairs OF skates
were put near warm shawl and
stout If Of boots at the base Of the
tree, and a beautiful silver and gauze
star was fastened to the top branch
.'That IS just the finishing touch"
whispered Polly, and now wen call
them
She started 70 tap on the window.
but q man came ia from the road Just
then and mot5oned her to walt
eOh." she exclaimed. 1T is Uncle
Tom with his vioiinl He u going to
play"
He stood near the tree, the children
gathered around him. and when be
began to play GOD Rest Ye. Merry
Gentlemen" their glad voices rang