The river press., 1914-12-16


" ecutin2 a strange, improvisel
highland fling. "Christmas
eight days off-oh. and it's evening
Tommy. amt YOU e'cited:"
Yep" admitted small Tommy. beam.
ing and wriggling.
Il wonder if III get doll-a opening
and shutting eyed doll? I'm nearly
eight. Id be so careful Of it,
Tommy grinned.
II want Il tool chest" he volunteered.
Over the doorstep and into the living
room tumbled the two little wild crea.
lures.
will you young ones be still?" thun.
dered father.
Father considered that much admoni-
ton in a loud voice is necessary to the
proper upbringing of the young. 1t
was more fashionable theory then
than now. and father was. besides, a
little behind his day.
will you be still?" repeated father.
shade more loudly. Don't you know
sleep? Ada, you're the noisiest young
one ] ever saw! What do you think
Santa's going to bring girl that be-
hayes like you do?"
Ada wriggled and giggled
II don't know" she chuckled.
what do you want, then?" Fathers
diSpleasure was wearing thin
II want Il openin: and shutting eyed
doll" confessed Ada boldly. nodding
and laughing and cutting a jubilant
pigeon wing
And two large spoons. periously
near the edge of the waiting dinin.
table, must needs fall to the floor at
that very moment with an unbelieva-
bly, sharp clatter. Ada cast sidelong.
apprehenSive glance upon father. He
rose to her expectation and Scolled
George, hush. You'll wake the baby
yourself" pleaded mother softly.
"l'll tell you this. Ada" said father
"A girl that acts like you can't expect
any Christmas presents. Do you TN,
derStand that: When | was a boy
was always good just before Christ,
mas. wouldn't have expected a
thiiC II lliIll bttI
THAT wouldn't be fair to pretend to
be "ooder just to get a present. Ada
cried gleefully. And she snickered
aloud
Don't you be impudent now" roar,
ed father, with Il black face. Mary,
| wish you'd see that this girls taught
some manners She's the sauciest
child | ever knew
Ad"'S joyous heart sank il earnest
now Gloom envelopel her. The
saucieSt child be ever knew She had
been noisy, she knew that. but saucy.
She sat -ravely silent until supper
time. and she was quiet through the
meal
Father thawed toward one who was
/ protitlns bv his warnings Ada found
herself describing the openn. AMI
shutting eyed doll in satisfying de
talL Her excitement grew again; her
spirits waxed and scared Presently
she sprang from her chair with a mad
pirOuette.
BE quiet" ordered father. That
baby If you aren't good you wrn',
have any Cbristuas."
The days did pass. Ada Helped them
with her own little preparations for
Christmas. There was wonderful
sachct. all pink silk, for TommyS hand
kcrchiefs. 1t was very good. consider
Ing that she had made it herself. There
was tobacco pouch for father, a
gorgeous affair And then for mother,
How could she get anything TO make
mothers gift without mothers s'pcct.
ing: She begged bit Of pink silk
from mother without telling her why
and made 1t into little bag with "A
frilly top. On one side Of it was fea,h
erstitchcd in Ada's best stra.glin.
stitches crooked yellow cross 1t was
a pncushion stuffed with scraps The
top, with its cross-a little crooked
Ada owned regretfully-wasn now beau
tifnl
1t was Christmas eve.
Il can't see why you hang w your
stockings az ALL" said fo,har br% ,..;,h