Morris tribune., 1911-12-22

basket upstairs was handsome pipe
with her husbands initials engraved
on gold band. Grandmother's gift
was warm steamer rug to wrap
around her chilly knees. Maude had
a perfectly appointed little workbas-
ket and string of gold beads, for
Bobby there was toy moving picture
show, for little Paul q variety Of in
teresting toys to amuse the three-year-
old.
II haven't forgotten one Of you,"
she said triumphantly. wait and
you will see on Christmas morning."
SIT won't seem like Christmas eve,
Angela. unless you do run downtown
and do a little shopping" teased her
husband.
"I'm safe this year." said Angela,
and she really believed that she was.
At odd moments during the next two
days Mrs. Ray stole up to the attic
and sorted out and wrapped up her
Christmas gifts.
The day before Christmas was given
over to the final preparations. A big
tree was placed in the sitting room
and the door locked against the guer-
rilla like incursions of the children
Grandmother Ray was in the kitchen
directing the little maidservant in the
stuffing of the turkey and keeping a
stern eye on the toothsome contents of
the pantry, where the shelves were
laden with good things.
Mrs Ray was packing market bas-
ket with good things for the Hogans,
who had had bad luck that winter and
were in need. Rory Hogan. the father.
had broken leg on Thanksgiving day
and was still confined to chair, rest
less and unhappy at sight Of his fraiI
wife overtaxing her strength at wash
tubs and ironing board. There were
two children besides and an aged
grandmother.
"Let me see. There's the little
roast Of pork. some potatoes. apples.
turnips. onions. a glass Of jelly and
mince pie" enumerated Mrs. Ray as
she twisted the top Of paper bag
containing nuts and candy for the lit (
tie Hogans
did you put in tea and coffeeT'
asked thoughtful Grandmother Ray.
Eyes, and a can of condensed milk
and some butter and bread-there!
told Mrs. Hogan to come around some
time this afternoon and get the bas-
kets. Her Jimmy is getting to be a
big boy, and he can carry this basket
Of food
'How about the presents? Are the,
ready?' Grandmother had been max
ing warm 6annel nightgowns for the
entire Hogan family. !
Eyes; everything is packed in the
big brown basket at the head Of the
stairs. I couldn't tug it down. Jim
my Hogan can manage it. It's won
derful how strong he is when one con-
siders what little nourishing food he
must get'
'They will be mighty happy" mused
Grandmother Ray as she sewed up the
turkey. .....
Mrs. Hogan came for her baskets at
4 moment when hundred things de-
handed immediate attention in the
Ray household. Mrs. Ray was enter
tanning a caller in the parlor, and
was still holding, sway
In the kitchen.
MAY tn Virgin bless all yer kind
hearrts!' cried Mrs. Hogan as she en-
tered the fragrant kitchen. I've
brought me Jimmy along to carry
basket. The young villun is CROWN
Fat in spite of th' little be gifts to ate.
poor choild." Mrs. Hogan warmed
her red fingers over the glowing range,
and Jimmy sided close beside her and
accepted a red apple and handful of
cookies from grandmother, with an
ecstatic grin on his freckled face.
''There is another basket at the head
If the attic STAIRS said grandmother.
4 wonder if Jimmy is able to bring 1t
1own"
"Shure, ma am, I'm as strong as a
lorse," assured Jimmy as grandmother