The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-12-05
Mr.. WYSpA HIS WIFE
PLANS FOR A QUIET CHRISTMAS.
BY HELEN SMITH DAY


There's a bromidiom that sweeps the
country around the first of December
every year. 1t is: Good gracious!
Christmas Is almost here. How time
does fly. Dear, Dear. The Wysps We're
among the aggrieved persons Who seem
to think that Christmas has again TAX
en- an unfair advantage of them by
sneaking UP and saying
"Boo!"
We won't do much this year. con-
Guided Henry. Cant afford to-"
w won't do anything" affirmed
Isabel. Not only because we can't aft
ford to, but anyway, Christmas is get
cling to be an awful bore. Let's have.
9 sane Christmas. None of our rela-l
tiyes can spend the day with US. as
Just go out to a for our din
ner and avoid a lot of fuss and bother"
Good" declared Henry. That pro-
gram suits me dow to the ground"
A few DAYS later Isabel Wysp made
one OF her rare calls at Henry's office.
She was in a state of great excitement.
her cheeks Were rosy nj her eyes
| sparkled.
What's up?" asked Henry, regard
ing her across his big office table.
Well she began, II have found
the most Wonderful bargain you ever
heard of. o know i thought I'd make
my Old furs' do this winter, but today
Henry, there's a set of the most ex-
Quisite moleskin-"
Get en-" interrupted Henry.
We'll" unused Isabel, ut seems a
pity not to take advantage of such a
bargain. And if / got them now I
could count them as a Christmas pres
emit, couldn't II"
course you could said Henry.
Isabel took a small package from her
hand bag. II hin / may as well give
you this now,D she said, 80 you will
be getting the use of it. l bought it
with some money I've been saving for
q long time. Your old one was a dis
grace for o to carry and"
Henry u~nWrapped the paper from
the little case and started in astonish-
ment at the thin. beautiful watch that
seemed to beam up at him.
His appreciation repaid Isabel for the
investment of her savings.
NO use waiting sentimentally for
Christmas day to give it to you,' she
explained. And If you really want me
to have the furs-"
What difference does a few weeks
make?" agreed Henry. BUY them to-
day and begin getting the good of
them"
Ihe Wysps congratulated themselves
Tor rising above traditions. Christmas
was all Very well for children, etc.
A few nights later Henry came home
ROCKING sheeplsh. Say, Isabel, 1 hope
Bill today and he got talking about diff
ferent things and incidentally he said
he Just dreaded Christmas. Only one Of
the old crowd who hasn't a home and
all that and how he envied me. So,
actlng on an impulse invited him to
nave Christmas dinner with u.s."
Nov that is a coincidence" Isabel
declared. Il met Margaret Scribbler to-
day and I felt so sorry for her. She had
expected to go home for the holidays,
put 1t seems she can't and she cried
and /, well. it seemed so selfish to
have a home and allow that poor girl
to eat a solitary dinner in a boarding
house. So l asked her to come here.
l wish you could have seen how CRATE
full she was"
Same with old Bill"
I'm glad you asked him. said Isa-
bel. Since we are going to have one.
we might as we'll have two. No extra
Four is so much noiser. | in
tended to suggest your inviting Bill to
even up."
The next day Henry called Isabel up
on the phone. Would it be all right
If 1 invited Jim Webster for Christmas
dinner?" he asked doubtfully. He is
going to be stranded here over the holt
days on business and he's all broken
up about it. He's got five or six chill
| QTel Jack nome n 1t is pretty tough
on a man"
"of course" cut in Isabel. You
don't have to ask if you can bring a
friend to your own home. you silly
Henry Wysp. n to again ever up
the table. / will ask Elizabeth Judson.
The poor girl hasn't a relative in the
world"
1T was a week nearer Christmas
when Henry came home with another
misunderstanding expression on his
today. he plunged in desperately.
it is fierce. 1 admit, but-you remember
months g you did ask my brother
his wife here for Christmas and
they said they were already booked
with her people? Well, something's
come up suddenly that upsets theit
plan n they say they'll now be de-
lighted to come to u.s.
Isabel, to Henry's surprise, looked re-
l1eyed, instead of annoyed. His broth
er's wife was not very popular with
Isabel. "Tha makes it easier to tell
you that Uncle William, Aunt Sue and
mother are coming too. Sister Mary's
Tommfe has the scarlet fever, a light
attack but still it makes it impossible
for them to go to Mary's, and they say
they want to spend Christmas with one
of their children. OF course"
"Of course" agreed Henry. But car
you manage the whole bunch?"
Certainly" cried Isabel. I'll have
Sarah's sister come over and help and
Well make arrangements for anyone
I HN.a.H .HaH.H . M