The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-12-22

All right, SmartyI Count you out then. 1Ou0
only give some fool answer anyway. You're never
serious"
"Cone on with your conundrum," yawned Edith.
Il need something to wake me up. This old alge-
bra makes me sleepy"
well, here 1t is: How are we going to give any
Christmas presents, with no crops, no money, no
nothing7'
"Told you there wouldn't be any answer"
chuckled Tim.
I'm afraid Tim is right, Myrtle" and mother
looked up from laying the child'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
my money to buy presents" and father looked up
from the marker reports. Every blamed thing
raised on a farm is high except hay, and that's
the only thing I've got. If we get through the
winter ourselves Wen do well, without trying to
make Christmas presents
Il don't carel 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 dimple might dis
tract the attention of the casual observer, but the
fact remained. Myrtle had a firm chin. 1t had
first begun to make itself felt in the family about
fifteen years before, when Myrtle was a year old.
Being a 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
hrSt. Her hearts desire was to have a fine music
al education, but she knew that it was far too e-
pensive to be thought of. She had sensibly con-
cluded to do as well as she could the duties near
est at hand.
I'm going to take command" she said now,
land together we are going to do something"
you're welcome to, as far as 1 am concerned"
grumblcd Tim. Excuse me from sending 25-cent
presents to a rich uncle"
"Never you mind" said Myrtle, mysteriousIy.
Thereafter there were "doings" in the household.
Her enthusiasm was contagious, and soon even
Tim got interested.
I'm going to send Uncle John a home-cooked
Christmas dinner" Myrtle declared.
I'VE hain't got a turkey" said ma.
1--WE got the duck pa promised me for taking
care of the rest of them, and 1t is as fat as butter.
You roast and stuff it and then we will all take
a hand at the trimmings"
Myrtle's mother was an excellent cook, and her
clear, firm jellles and perfect canned fruit were
the envy of her less skillful n%eighbors.
Myrtle ransacked the shelves and selected three
glasses of Jelly, one of an amber color, another of
ruby red, the third and most beautiful, being one
of q pale translucent green. She stood each In a
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 a flower.
Each color corresponded 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 1t with Christmas ribbon attached to which
was q card on which was written:
witt 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