The Climax-Madisonian., 1915-12-22

Ing $40 more. And Ethel was to have
silver candelabra-a pair of all wool
blankets instead. Tom can get along
without another Russian brass smok-
| ing set. We Will give him some socks.
| And
For another hour Mrs. Jones dictated
to her husband, and he joyfully sub
stituted the more useful and much
cheaper articles for the handsome pres
ents they were in the habit of sending
| to their various relatives and friends.
When the revised list was completed
Mr.. Jones made rapid calculation and
announced that under the new system
of Christmas giving they would save
something like $50 in money while at
the same time they would have the
satisfaction Of knowing that their
| friends were receiving useful and nee
essary articles instead of the customary
frivolous and expensive gifts.
And that $50 can go to charity"
said Mrs. Jones with a sigh of salts
faction as her husband tucked his note
book in his pocket.
The joyful smile faded from Wash
ington Jones' face.
/ might / suggest" he murmured
meekly, that in leaving that $50 in the
bank it would be conferring charity
upon a most worthy object-to wit.
myselfF'
Washington Would you be selfish
at this season. chided his little wife.
IT would not" protested Mr.. Jones
eagerly. 81 would pass this good mon.
ey on to the butcher, the baker and
the candlestick maker; otherwise the
gas man."
'Think of the starving!'
81 am. The butcher told me last
week that he was supporting forty
two families over the holiday season
so that they might make a proper dis
play of Christmas giving, and he sig
nificantly added that his own family
might starve for all the forty-two Gus
toners cared"
"How impertinentr commented Mrs
Jones rather weakly as she followed
her husband upstairs.
The ensuing two weeks were very
busy ones for Mrs. Washington Jones
She shopped with care and discretion
and her choice of gifts was remarka.
bic for their practicability.
It is true that Mrs. Jones' conscience
was troubled by the thought of how
her father would be disappointed al
the sight of a dozen white shirts In
stead of a much desired set of Kip
ling's works. She knew that her sis
ter had long desired the silver can
delabra and that her young brother
| in-law, Bob Jones, would set more
store by new golf bag than he would
appreciate dozen handkerchiefs. But
the edict had gone forth, and, so fal
as Washington Jones was concerned
the butcher and baker and the gas
man would be gladdened at Yuletidt
by the sum of $50, which would ex
actly square their several accounts tC
the new year.
As for the public charity to which
Mrs. Jones longed to subscribe hel
name. she was compelled to be content
to contribute the meager sum of $5.
Christmas was bright and sun
shiny day. and Mrs. Jones felt filled
with the holiday spirit as she pre-
pared to go downtown and make he
final purchases. There was a pleasan
fragrance Of Christmas goodies floating
up from pantry and kitchen. and tn,
two children were in close attendanc,
upon Bridget, who was making minc'
| turnovers.
The windows were gay with Christ
mas wreaths or branches OF holly tiet
with ribbon, and everywhere the spiri
Of Christmas cheer prevailed. AS tn,
day wore on Mrs. Jones felt singular
lack of interest In purchasing shirt,
and handkerchiefs and neckties. Sh,
had omitted five friends with whom
she had been In the habit of exchang
Ing foolish tribes, and she substituted
engraved Christmas greetings in plac'
} Of the usual remembrance.
Then. at the very last moment, Lin
da Jones became reckless. and in