Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-12-20


All right smarty! Count you out then You'd
only give some fool answer anyway. You're never
serious"
"Come on with your conundrum," yawned Edith.
Il need something to wake me up. This old alge-
bra makes me sleepy"
"We here it is: How are we going to give any
Christmas presents. with no crops. money, no
nothng?"
'"Told you there wouldn't be any answer"
chuckled Tim.
I'm afraid Tim is right, Myrtle" and mother
looked up from laying the childs coat pattern
upon the ripped-up overcoat on the table,
What do you want to bother about Christmas
presents for? Everybody knows we haven't got
any money to buy presents" and father looked up
from the market reports. every blamed thing
raised on a farm is high except hay. and that's
the only thing I've got. If get through the
winter ourselves We'll do well. without trying to
make Christmas presents"
Il don't care! I'm going to do something for
Uncle 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"
Myrtle had firm chin The dimple might dis
tract the attention of the casual observer but the
fact remained Myrtle had firm chin. 1t had
first begun to make itself felt in the family about
fifteen years before, when Myrtle was*a year old.
Being reasonable and well-balanced creature,
her rule was not only tolerated, but her plans, al
ways practicable and often brilliant sooner or
later received the cooperation of the family, no
matter how much they may have been opposed at
first. Her hearts desire was to have fine music
al education but she knew that it was far too ex-
pensive to be thought of. She had sensbly con-
cluded to do well as she could the duties near
est at hand.
"Im going to take command" she said now,
"and together are going to do something"
you're welcome to, as far US am concerned"
grumbled Tim. Excuse me from sending 25-cent
presents to rich uncle"
"Never you mind" said Myrtle, mysterousy.
Thereafter there were "doings" in the household.
Tim got interested.
I'm going to send Uncle John home-cooked
Christmas dinner" Myrtle declared.
IT, Eve hain't got turkey" said ma.
1--WE got the duck pa promised me for taking
of the rest of them, ard it is fat butter.
You roast and stuff 1t and then we Will all take
hand at the trimmings"
Myrtles mother was an excellent cook, and her
clear, firm jellies and perfect canned fruit were
the envy of her less skillful neighbors.
Myrtle ransacked the shelves and selected three
glasses Of jelly one of amber color, another OF
ruby red, the third and most beautiful. being one
Of pale translucent green. She stood each In
square of crepe paper, brought up the sides and
corners, and tied them tightly, and then pulled
out the top all around until it looked like flower
Each color correspondent to the color of the jelly
In the glass. Then she lined and covered a box
with paper, and set in the ruby. the amber. and
the pale green flowers She covered the box and
tied it with Christmas ribbon attached to which
was a card on which written:
"With that duck you're going to eat,
You'll need something tart, but sweet
That's u.s."
A glass can Of watermelon pickles was wrapped
in corrugated cardboard and then wound ABOUT