The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1911-01-05
BY ELLEN p. BANKHE.AD
1910, by American Press
Association.

The red farmhouse was set IN
white expanse OF snow. The droopin;
elms protected the roof with wide
spread arms clothed In ermine. ans
where the crisp wind had blown away
the covering the limbs were darkly
sketched against the bright blue sky
A thin spiral of smoke drfted ~
from the big chimney and shlmmered
away into nothingness
Close 20 the south bow window grew
the sturdy graceful cedar that had
been planted when Miss Alzina was
born.
Alzina Tweed lived alone with her
third cousin. the widow Lasbury. who
had no home OF her own. Mrs. Las
bury was a very fat woman who ate
great deal and talked necessarily.
Sometimes Alzina would take her sew
ing up 10 the chilly seclusion Of her
own bedroom Ia order 20 escape the
/ Standardization Of her cousins tongue
The day before Christmas they sat
before the sitting room fire sewing in
! dustriously Alzina was knitting
/ pair Of red mittens for the boy who
brought the milk. while Mrs. Lasbury
/ was addressing Christmas cards with
/ pen dipped IN violet ink
Suddenly the widow lifted her head
and looked critically at her younger
cousin Alzina was fair and slender.
and she had passed her thirty-fifth
year. but her skin was fresh and un-
lined, and her gray eyes We're clear
and innocent rs a child's She wore a
plain gray dress. and her brown hair
was drawn smoothly back from her
low white forehead
"Alzina, said Mrs I.asbury ponder
ously, II never thought you set much
store by Christmas"
The other looked up lnQulringly. II
don't know as ] ever did. Eliza-not
since was a little thing. You see,
we had lots OF trouble when / was
young II seemed rs If there was an
other empty chair every Christmas till
they were all gone Since then it's
been lonesome season"
Mrs Lasbury coughed deprecatingly.
Seeing as you don't SEE much store by
Christmas, ] knew you wouldn't mind
II ! went over 10 Mrs, Beebe's 20
spend the day. She was second cousin
TO my husband. you know"
Very we'll. said Alzina quietly, and
her voice did not tremble. although a
mist came into her gray eyes
"'Tisn't as II you made much OF the
day, As | recolcct, Christmas is like
most other days here" complained the
widow I'm self eXtenuation cover to
Beebe's they have a Christmas tree and
a turkey and lots OF going ons. Maybe
you'd like 10 go along with me, though
you mlghtn't enjoy 1t. not knowing
anybody over there"
Alzina smiled at the grudging invita-
ton, and dimple came into one cheek
NO. thank you. Eliza. | may ms well
spend the day as usual; you know we
live so far away from ncighbOrs we
have got out Of the habit of participate
ing IN their good times. | may walk
over 70 church In the morning, am
sorry you've had such duh holidays
here II ia only known how you felt
we could have had a turkey and all
sorts OF good things TO eat--only Eliza,
II you'n remember, you've spent every
Christmas with Mrs Beebe. I've al
ways been alone
Il don't remember" remarked Mrs.
Iasbury vaguely. blotting the last card
and putting the cork In the ink bottle.
II guess | may as well be getting
ready. Alzina. Hirum's coming over
for me at o'clock, and I've got to get
the little things I've been max
ing for the folks aud that reminds me
I've got something for you too" She
fumbled through the Christmas cards
ON the table and extended toward her
cousin q gorgeously colored Christmas
greeting. with Merry Christmas, |
from Cousin Eliza" was written across /
the bottom.
Thank you, Eliza. " said Alzina, with /
4 sudden choking In her throat. 1T is .
very good OF you 70 think of me"
"Not at al. Alzina," returned the /
widow graciously, II think OF you 1
very often. Now. see here what I've .
been making Tor the folks. You see, f
they'll expect me 10 remember them, .
seeing as / spend every Christmas with .
Them | bought this waist pattern for
Sarah, and / made this muller for
Hiram Neat. amt Il? Esthcr's been
wanting a china cup Of her own to
rink from. aud | got this down to the
store"
ITS real pretty" said Alzina, scarce
" seeing the gayly decorated cup
through the blurriug mist before her
yes. There was a homesick feeling at
her heart and a dread Of the coming
oney day Mrs. LaSbury had cared
.nough to plan out gifts for these 9TH
rs. For lonely Alzina there was moth
ng save the card. Ashamed of the
ealousy that had burned briefly I'm her
Ieart. Alziua praised the gifts her kins-
woman had prepared. and then just
,efore the widows departure Alzina
tucked i'm her hand little purse con-
aiming FIVE dollar bill.
with love and n merry Christmas,
eliza" she said heartily.
That's real thoughtful Of you. Al
ina" cried Mrs Lasbury, quite NOV
d by her cousins generosity. Il most