Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-12-05
Mr.. WYSP AND HIS WIFE
PLANS FOR A QUIET CHRISTMAS.
BY HELEN SMITH pAYT

There's 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 W .;sps We're
among the aggrieved persons who seem
to think that Christmas has again TAX
en- an unfair advantage Of them by
sneakins up unawares and saying
.Buo!"
I'VE won't do much this year." con-
cluded Henry. Cant afford to-
I'VE won't do anything" affirmed
Isabel. Not only because we can't at
ford to, but anyway, Christmas is get
Ting to be an awful bore. Let's have
G. sane Christmas. None of our rela-
they have made other plans and We'll
just go out to a restaurant for our din
ner and avoid a lot of fuss and bother"
Good" declared Henry. THAT pro-
gram suits me down to the ground"
few DAYS later Isabel Wysp made
one of her rare calls at Henrys office
She was in state of great excitement
her cheeks We're rosy and her eyes
sparkled.
What's up?' asked Henry. regard
Ing her across his big office table
Well she began. Il have found
SAiC AlioSl WOIueIluI UdISdln YOU ever
heard of. You know / thought I'd make
my old furs do this winter, but today
Henry, there's set of the most ex-
Quisite moleskin-''
Get en-" interrupted Henry.
Well" unused Isabel, lit seems
pity not to take advantage of such
bargain. And il I got them now 1
could count them as Christmas pres
ent. couldn't II"
''Of course you could" said Henry.
Isabel took small package from her
hand bag. II think 1 may as we'll give
you this now" she said, 80 you will
be getting the use of it, / bought it
long time. Your old one was a dis
grace for you to carry and"
Henry unwrapped the paper from
the little case and started in astonish-
mental 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 fuTs-"
What difference does a few weeks
| make?' agreed Henry. Buy them to-
day and begin getting the good of
them"
The Wysps congratulated themselves
Tor rising above traditions. Christmas
was all very we'll for children, etc.
A few nights later Henry came home
you won't mind, but the fact is I met
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 home and
all that and how he envied me. So,
acting on an impulse invited him to
have Christmas dinner with u.s.
NOW that is coincidence" Isabel
declared. II met Margaret Scribbler to-
day and felt so sorry for her. She had
expected to go home for. the holidays,
but 1T seems she can't and she cried
ana l. Wen, 1t seemed so selfish to
have home and allow that poor girl
to eat solitary dinner in a boarding
house. So I asked her to come here.
I wish you could have seen how CRATE
full she was"
Same with old Bill"
I'm glad you asked him." said lisa
bel Since we@are going to have one
we might as we'll have two. No extra
trouble. Four is SO much noiser in
tended to suggest your inviting Bill to
| even up
The next day Henry called 1sabe, UP
on the phone Would 1t be all right
If invited Jim Webster for Christmas
dinner?" he asked doubtfully. 'He is
going to be stranded here over the holi
days on business and he's all broken
up about it. He's got five or six Chill.
dren back home and it is pretty tough
on man"
"Of course" cut in Isabel. "You
don't have to ask Il you can bring a
friend to your own home. you silly
Henry. Wysp. And to again even up
the table. will ask Elizabeth Judson
The poor girl hasn't a relative in the
world"
"It was a week nearer Christina.
when Henry came home with another
bad-news- breaking expression on hi:
face. This letter came to the office
today" he plunged in desperately
it is fierce. I admit. but-you remembel
months ago you did ask my brothe,
and his wife here for Christmas ant
they said they were already booked
with her people? Well, something.
come UP suddenly that upsets thei
plan and they say they'll now be de
lighted to come to u.s.
lieved. instead of annoyed. His broth
er's wife was not very popular will
Isabel. THAT makes 1t easier to tel
you that Uncle William, Aunt Sue anc
mother are coming too. Sister Mary
Tommie has the scarlet fever a ligh
attack but still it makes 1t impossible,
for them to go to Mary's. and they sa,
they want to spend Christmas with on,
of their children. OF course"
"Of course" agreed Henry "But cal
you manage the whole bunch?'
Certainly" cried Isabel "I'll hav,
Sarah's sister come over and help ant
Well make arrangements for anyon,
Gifts for