The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-12-21

IAN right, Smartyl Count you out then. Youd
loniy give some fool answer anyway. You're never
hesicns"
~Coms on with your conundrum." yawned Edith
~ need something to wake me up. This old alge-
pm makes me sleepy"
We'll, here 1t is: How are we going to give any
christmas presents, with no crops. no money. no
hothlngr
khuckied Tin.
I'm afraid Tim Is right, Myrtle" and mother
booked up from laying the child's coat pattern
Upon the npped-up overcoat on the table.
T. What DO you want to bother about Christmas
presents fort Everybody knows we haven't got
Pny money to buy presents" and father looked up
Prom the market reports every blamed thing
fhe only thing I've got. If we get through the
winter ourselves werl do well. without trying to
make Christmas presents"
Il don't carel I'm going to do something for
pncie John. anyway" declared Myrtle. "He sent
me this organ. and I'm going to just remind him
that I've not forgotten If nothing more"
i Myrtle had a firm chin. The dmple might dis
tract the attention of the casual observer, but the
fact remained. Myrtle had a firm chin. 1t had
0rst begun to make itself felt In the family about
fifteen years before. when Myrtle was a year old
! Being a reasonable and welI-balanced creature
her rule not only tolerated, but her plans, al
ways practicable and often brilliant, sooner or
later received the cooperation of the family,
matter how much they may have been opposed at
6rst Her hearts desire was to have fine music
III education but she knew that 1t was far too
pensive to be thought of. She had sensibly
eluded to do as well as she could the duties
est at hand.
. I'm going to take command" she said now,
rand together we are going to do something"
You're welcome to. as far as am concerned"
grumbled Tim. EXCUSE me from sending 25-cent
presents to a rich uncle"
"Never you mind" said Myrtle, mysteriousIy.
thereafter there were "doings" I'm the household.
Her enthusiasm contagious, and even
Tim got interested.
/ I'm going to send Uncle John hOme-cooked
christmas dinner Myrtle declared.
4; I'VE haia't got turkey" said ma.
I've got the duck pa promised me for taking
care Of the rest of them and 1t Is fat butter.
You roast and stuff 1t and then we will all take
b hand at the trimmings"
, Myrtie's mother. was excellent cook, and her
clear firm jeliies and perfect canned fruit were
khe envy Of her less skillful neighbors.
Myrtle ransacked the shelves and selected three
glasses Of Jelly, of amber color, another or
ruby red. the third and most beautiful, being one
pf pale translucent green. She stood each In
SQuare Of crepe paper brought up the sides and
corners. and tied them tightly. and then pulled
but the top ali around until 1t looked like flower.
Each color corresponded to the color of the jelly
In the glass. Then she lined and covered q box
with paper and set In the ruby, the amber, and
the pale green flowers. She covered the box, and
he'd 1t with Christmas ribbon attached to which
mas q card on which written:
"With that duck you're going to eat,
You'll need something tart, but sweet,
That's u.s.
glass can Of watermelon pickles was wrapped
in corrugated cardboard. and then wound ABOUT