Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1916-12-28

ground and trees with a blanket that
would make the dandiest kind OF
sleighing in the morning, for it wa =
night No one was at home except
TOmmie Tomkins, the rest having az
gone to an entertainment at III
church and Tommie had been le
clone because, you know. when a
fellow eats too many good things o
Christmas he doesn't feel just liz
gettir" out in the snow, besides Tom
mic wasn't the least bit afraid to ST.
alone, that is, he wasn't until ne
rest Of the family had gone and the
gate had clicked, then it was a lit
tie bit lonesome But who wouldn't
be a little bit afraid when the wind
blows so queer around the corner and
the boards in the floor creak and DOB
every once in a while? Funny they al
wavs wait until a fellows dad and
mother leave before they do their
creaking, but such is the case. and
Tommie grew more restless as he
listened to every noise.
It's no wonder he hunted up the
little air gun with the picture of the
bear on it. for, guess. anybody gets
little bit nervous, even if they don't
own up to it when the folks are gone.
Tommio crouched down near the
front window. for it helps a hit to
watch tho gate when you know that
dad will he there soon.
Soon it grew quiet and Tommie al
most wished the wind would blow
again. for Won know it is just awful
when it is too quiet. But listen.
s---h, what was that? The gate
clicked and instead of mother and
dad and uncle John and the rest
there came two small. dark fCuras
through tho gate, straight IN to the
window near which Tommie was sit
ting Rohbers.thought Tommio. "They
after my now drum Uncle John
brought and my new suit mother
gave mo, and NV sled and my-but.
gracious. 7 wish dad was here. If ever
| stay alone again"-but on thav
came. straight up to the window. and
DR.. Owl, who was asleep in the tree
near by. few away in alarm.
This is wbara Tomruie -Ee->-,li.,-
lives" said voice that sounded n
Wee bit like Tommie had heard he
fore.
yes" said another voice. "and
they tell me he has just oodles Of
nice presents"
Tommie tiEhtened his grip on his
gun.
"T, l. wish Santa had brought YOU
and me something" said the first
voice.
"Yos." said voice that sounded
like thar of the little cripple girl
who lived in the little cabin at the
foot OF the hill
- wish I had a doll"
"Oh. locke" said the first voice
There's a wagon and a drum and an
engine and cars and a sled. I wish 7
had a sled. You could pull me to
school"
"Oh, look at that pile of picture
books I bet they have Indian pict-
ures in them, but let's go because
mother is sick and the folks might
come and catch us peeping at Tom
mics toys, However, I don't believe
Tommie would care if he knew il
cause Tommie is bully good fellow.
l wonder tho if he were ever Door -
and before Tommie could run to the
big front door they we're gone.
Tommie's cheeks burned. All
thought of fear had fed. for you
know mother always says that moth
ing will harm a good boy.
Tommie began to think Just aw-
fully hard, like a fellow when he has
forgotten something, and in less time
than it takes to tell it Tommie had
placed the drum Uncle John had Civ,
en- him on the brand new coaster. and
then, after a silent struggle, the new
air7gun was tied to the sled, and
Tommie slipped out the door, drag,
ging his sled after him. A few min
utes later Old Granny Possum. look.
ing out Of her hollow-stump home
saw Tommie pass and heard him saw
MY, but the cold wind does cut q
fellows face"
Tommie noticed Brother Red Fox.
dainty track in the snow. Brothe,
Fox is mighty particular about put
ting This feet n the snow. He puts hi
right hind foot in the track of the lef
hind-foot in the track of the lef
front one and his left hind-foot I,
that of the right foot, so you see h
has a path for two of his feet. Their
was Brother Rabbits track, two 1
front and one behind, only the tw
front tracks are his hind-feet. Fun
ny way for a rabbit to travel, b,
ITommie understood. There wei
Muskrat's tracks, fve toes on eaC
foot, only he leaves the print of TO,
, toes behind.
Looks like they are trying 10 10
fellow" said Tommie to himse