Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-28
MOTHERS CHRISTMAS PRESENT.

"oh, ] am so sorry that it is snow
ing" sighed Catherine. as she sat in
chair and watched the snow come
down through the open window.
Why, Catherine. how beautiful it
looks. L just love to see it como down.
1t Is SO near Christmas--just a week
and II does not look like Christmas to
me if snow is not on the ground" said
Doris. cheerfully.
II know all that. too. but if it still
Keeps on showing We will not DO able
10 get any holly to decorate" replied
Catherine, tho frown still on her pretty
face. while a sweet smile and dimples
appeared on her sisters face, the latter
who was so patient and so sweet
Why ] ain sure there is plenty
Of time for the snow to fall from the
trees and bushes" said Doris"
IT don't see Doris, how YOU sec the
bright side Of everything" sighed Cath
crime.
Just by being patient, my daughter.
like Doris" said their mother, Mrs
Long. coming into the room. but leav-
ing soon after.
How are TO get a Christmas
present for mother" asked Catherine.
81 am sure don't know, and It wor-
RIGS me. too. know that father hasn't
the money TO stve.us, and Ben's money
he is going TO give to father to get
bed for our room. shall sec Bon
tonight and ask him what he thinks
about it." replied Doris.
There wcro four children in the Long
ia mily. Ben. the oldest. fourteen: Cath
crime next, who was twelve; then Doris,
age ten. and las, OF all, Nell, a sweet
child or four. IT was all Mr.. Long
could do to make enough moue! to
clothe his children, his wife and him
self feed them md Nay rent for their
four-room cottage. Ben worked maxi
ing paths through tho snow, and Mrs.
Long taught Doris and Catherine. and
Ben. too. when he was not working.
That night roris. Catherine and Zen
la Tx ed about mothers Christmas prcs-
ent but Ben shook his head. NO. 1
am afraid that mother will not receive
h Christmas present from us this year,
and am so sorry. but 7 will finish my
job tomorrow II it SHOWS no more.
md father wants the money for the
bed. All three children went TO bed
sorrowfully.
Sunday morning came, and it was not
showing.
Here's The Times Dispatch: come
let's look at the Christmas page" call
ed Zen.
''oh. Fen YOU and ! won the two
prizes in the Winter Contest" shouted
Doris.
Why, We did,. exclaimed Ben. land
wonder What 1t will be"
The next morning, 81. as a prize 70:
thc!n both. came.
why. Zen. we can buy mother a
Christmas present" said Doris
"Why. ! never thought Of that, Sis.
but il will he fine. Miss rrice is going
to town Tomorrow, and We can get
her 20 get mother something. Come.
let's go ana ask her now" replied Ben.
Yes. 40 come, Hen. and let's go now"
aid Doris.
Miss Trice. with smiling face.
promised to get mother beautiful
present
>-r. 49,. ,,, ,, ~ ,,,,,. =, l,o.,
rate, and YOU Will help us get II, will
YOU not, Ben said Doris. as they wen;
back to the house.
The litt!t cottage was decorated with
holly. The next evening Miss Trice
phoned FOR Rei, and Catherine ana
Doris 10 come over AS they walked
in the library, Miss rrice presented
them with II beautiful present for their
mother. They thanked her and went
home happily
Christmas morning Ben and Doris
gave mother their present. She was
SO happy she cried tears OF JOY and
kissed them. Then the heart-breal;inE
Catherine threw herself in mothers
arms aud wepJ aloud: 'Mother--thc gift
was from Ben--and-and boris-and !
---I---had nothin1--to gire--eiVc You,
sobbed Catherine.
why. mothers JUST as glad rs IL
you did not give her ANYTHING. Doris's
and Ben's present Is enough said Mrs.
Long. kissing her.
az knew II mother. Ben and Doris
are so good. ana I am not; but will
ir! to be patient and sweet rs Doris.
and look on the bright side of every
thing, m they do.
why, that's the best gift Of all, al
ways to be patient and loving and lool:
on the bright side OF everything." said
Mrs Long. pilIIi1S GARY.
(Qriginal)
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