Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-12-03
The Christmas
House
The Story of How 1t
Received Its Name
By CLARISSA MACKIE
BY CLARISSA MACKlE

hlAGtAa ttSA9At1 tbt Eftaf VA
household effects and In giving up the
few rooms they called home.
The day before Christmas actual
want stared them In the face. Mark
had placed the trunks that contained
their few effects In storage ware
house. and now, hampered only by
couple OF travelling bags. they faced
each other in the waiting room OF the
railroad station It was warm In
there. and they had no place to call
home. Little four-year-old Teddy sat
down on The leather suit case and
swung. his fat legs with careless In
difference to the fact that his unhappy
young parents had sold his crib and
that 1t was very uncertain where he
would lay his sunny head that night
that night OF all nights, when little
children hasten TO bed SO that they
may awake betimes to discover the
gifts Of Santa Claus.
Editha turned her pale little face to
the worn and haegard countenance of
her husband
Mark. what shall we do?" she whIs-
pered tensely. 2
Marks lips frightened. 1--WE got ex-
actly S345." he said grimiy. "one
dollar Of that l will spend on railroad
tickets to take us out Of this merciless
city The rest we viii need when wa
get there"
Get where, Mark"
Get to Rosedalc. You remember
that my Uncle Phineas lives there"
But. Mark. dearl Your Uncle
Phineas treated you cruelty when you
were "a boy. You said you would
never appeal 10 him
Dear" said Mark gravely. there
are situations before which pride and
resentment melt Ike snow under
seorching sun"
Once in the train the Thurstons look
ed drearily out OF the windows at the
bare brown earth overhung by lower
ing gray clouds from which the snow
was drifting In scattering fakes. Ii
was growing colder. and the passen-
gers In the coach talked about the de-
lights Of cold and snowy Christmas.
while the children chartered about the
gifts they expected from Santa Claus
or the meeting with cousins or grand
parents Every one was anticipating
Joyous Yuletide.
"Rosedale," shouted the brakeman.
The Thurstons left the train and
watched the long string Of cars as IL
wound out Of sight around distant
bend Then they turned their faces to
the bleak little station. the empty plat
form and the pine clad hills that sur
rounded the little village.
The place is not far from here" said
Mark as he picked up the bags. Can
you walk little way. Teddy. boy?"
Course / caa." assured Teddy I'm
portantly as he gripped his mothers
hand.
The three stepped along the road.
now covered with filmy veil of white
Woods stretched ON either side OF
them until suddenly they came upon Il
great open space where there was set
long. low, old fashioned house. The
gates We're closed. the wooden shut
tiers covered the windows, and AN air
of desolation pervaded the place.
wait here" said Mark to his wife.
and he went through the gateway and
around the house TO the back door.
After awhile he came back.
The house is empty" he said slowly.
"A card on the back door says that my
uncle is spending the winter In the
city with his daughter. Come, let US
move on"
They dragged their way YEARLY
through the snow until they came 10
another house. This was a large,
square. comfortable looking habitation.
and the red rays OF the declining sun
! turned the windowpanes into glowing
flames that gave the place an air OF
| fictitious warmth and welcome.
what a pleasant house." said Editha
| involuntarily.
Yes" murmured Mark indifferentiy.
Its the old Patton place"
Editha fingered by the gate. She
glanced at the four great chimneys
and saw that there was no smoke CON-
ing from them. The shades In some of
! the rooms were drawn closely. and the
house appeared to be untenanted.
wait a moment, Mark" she cried
suddenly. and before he could question
her intention she had sped up the path
and disappeared around the corner Of
the house.
Presently she appeared with rosy
cheeks and shining eyes.
"Come. Mark" she said. with deci-
sion; "this is where we are going to
spend Christmas"
Mark stared. what do you meanT
he asked.
II mean that the people have gone
away. the house is closed. and---oh.
Mark. there is no place for us to spend
Christmas, and our baby Is cold and
needs rest. Can't you understand?
Let rs stay here over Christmas. Sure
ly the people who live here cannot be
SO stony hearted that they would deny