The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-12-22

All rlght, smarty Count you out then. You'd
only give some fool answer anyway. You're never
serious"
Come on with your conundrum," yawned Edith.
1 need something to wake up. This old aIge-
bra makes sleepy"
ell, here it is: How going to give any
Christmas presents, with no crops no money no
nothing?"
''fold you there wouldn't be any answer"
chuckled Tim.
I'm afraid Tim is right Myrtle" and mother
looked up from laying the chd's 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 Wen do well, without trying to
make Christmas presents
I 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 a firm chin. The dimpIe might dis
tract the attention of the casual observer but the
fact remained. Myrtle had firm chin It had
first begun to make itself felt in the family about
fifteen years before, when Myrtle 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,
matter how much they may have been opposed at
first. Her hearts desire to have fine music
al education. but she knew that it was far too ex-
pensve to be thought Of She had sensbIy con-
Guided to do we'll as she could the duties near
est at hand.
I'm going to take command" she said now
land together We going to do something"
Your welcome TO, far 1 am concerned"
grumbled Tim. Excuse me from sending Decent
presents tO a rich uncle
"Never you mind" said Myrtle mysterfousIy
Thereafter there were "doings" in the household
Her enthusiasm contagious, and soon even
Tim got interested.
"Tm going to send Uncle John a home-cooked
Christmas dinner Myrtle declared
ave hain't got turkey said ma.
1--WE got the duck pa promised me for taking
care of the rest of them, and it is fat butter
You roast and stuff it and then we will all take
a hand at the trimmings"
Myrtles mother 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, 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.
In the glass; Then she lined and covered box
with paper, and set in the ruby, the amber, and
the pale green flowers. She covered the box, and
tied 1t with Christmas ribbon attached to which
was a card 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