The Ordway new era., 1912-12-27
The Queer
Christmas Package
Awarded Second Prize in the
New Erals Story Competition

1t was pleasant day in the Hat
summer. Harry Brown, mail al
rier from the city of s. was l3Iil
swinging in hammock and realm
the morning papers.
He was thoroughly enjoying Ne
earned vacation with his wife andlw
children at the country home OF hi
Uncle James in the little village O
New Haven.
Uncle James West and his moner
ly companion, Aunt Julia, werdE 40
old people, but just in the prin4t o
life. They were honest, indusfou
and thrifty and had as comfortape
country home as could be found Fny
where.
This nephew, their only livin rel
ative, had made his home with len
for some time before his ma Jag,
and they enjoyed his annual vis| "a
much as he and his family anger
ones.
"Well, Uncle James," said Hrry
as his uncle came up and took agck;
Post Law has passed. That fans
| llolC you
but more work for we carrier$ OF
your rural carriers than for tn city
chaps"
"That is good" said Mr.. est;
'"Unclc Sam never makes a M bkc
when he does anything for the Ter
the life of the nation depends. Dur
cHnt a nd
blessing to us. Our morning ers
breakfast table. is delivered, hch
o'clock, just as we have fnishd our
morning chores and arranged our
work for the day"
"You will not dcspisc the Fccl
post. if it brings you. at holidaymc
a nice, plump turkey. laughingl Job
served Aunt Julia" as she gleed
toward the barnyard. where hid fine
bunch Of bronze birds were ST. ing
about in the bright sunshine d1 by
ing their glistening feathers.
Certainly l shall not" said ry.
smiling, land we shall not get
Uncle James and Aunt Julia The
parcel post at Christmas time ill
we. Nellie"
| ust then their conversation " in
"Indeed not" said his wife.
terrupted by the children and Il big
dog Bruno. who came running he
path and for a time. reading wa id
aside and all joined in romp.
Vacation time passed. HarrShtl
his family returned to the city3nS
work on the farm went on in its "a
II routine. 2 ~ = 80, ~ 49, n
The plentiful crop had been
vested and everything safely hl
for the winter. Al
well. Nellie" said Harry: abb c
week before Christmas. what =,
we send Uncle James and Aun ~
liza for Christmas? They have C
so good and kind to us. I wis cl
could send them something al
would bring them a great dcaI &c
pleasure"
Il have been thinking and
ing" siad Nellie. land at last |
erything to make them happy but
thing. and | have plan but dol
know whether it can be carried
or not" She then told Harry o.
plan. la
THAT is capital" laughed lIbe
"who would ever have thought OF r.,
a thing hut woman" To-
1t was the day before Christiiit
ing from the village. They had Al
nice. fat turkey, the other. toys
the children and goodies from
farm
They drove along in silence
some time when Uncle, James. 10
inc up suddenly. saw two big tc
rolling down his wife's checks.
why. dear. what is the matte
he asked.
| flames. do not think me FOOLS
she siad. "but when holiday tim
come. ! do miss little Jamie So VII
see other parents with their lit
ones. so bright and happy. my hca
is so lonely. though we have cvcri
thing to make us comfortable. Ion
for the childish voices in orr home
"Julia. dear. 7 do not think yd
/ foolish. hut I. too. miss Our little bc
sadly. III tell you what we will d.
let us go to the Childreus Hom'
| right after Christmas and see if "
can not find little one 10 brightc
our home"
"Oh. thank you. James, you are 5
good and kind. have been thinkin
of the same thing for some time. 70
know at first it was so hare to bca
I could not feel that God, in his inf
mite wisdom knew best-could nc
say THY will be done but after thes
five years. | have become reconcile
and wish that we might make som
other child happy. for Jamie's sake.
In the meantime. things were tax
ing place in the city. Harry and Mel
lie had visited the Bethel Home 70
Orphans, three days before Christ
mas. and upon their inquiry wer
told that bright little baby boy ha
been brought there that very morn
ing-just tiny little fellow wit
bright blue eyes. His story was pit
:f,,1 liz. Ca t.r Ln G,tlaI ss1