The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-12-21

"An right, smarty! Count you out then. YOU'D
only give some fool answer anyway. You're never
serious"
"Come with your conundrum," yawned Edith.
II need something to wake me up. This old alge-
bra makes me sleepy
"Well, here 1t Is: How going to give any
Christmas presents, with no crops, no money no
nothing?"
"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 rippedup 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 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"
II 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 dmple 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 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, no
matter how much they may have been opposed at
first Her hearts desire to have fine music
al education, but she knew that 1t was far too ex-
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
"and together going to do something"
you're welcome to. far as am concerned
grumbled Tim. Excuse me from sending 25-cent
presents to rich uncle
"Never you mind" said Myrtle. mysteriously
Thereafter there were "doings' in the household.
Her enthusiasm contagious, and soon even
Tim got Interested
'Tm going to send Uncle John a homecooked
Christmas dinner" Myrtle declared.
I'VE hain't got n turkey said ma.
''Ive got the duck pa promised me for taking
care of the rest of them, and it is fat butter
You roast and stuff 1t and then will all take
a hand at the trimmings
Myrte's mother was excellent cook, and her
clear, firm jellies and perfect canned fruit were
the envy of her less skillfu neghbors
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 a pale translucent green She stood each in
square Of crepe paper, brought up the sides ana
corners and tied them tightly, and then pulled
out the top all around until 1t looked like tower
Each color corresponded to the color of the Jelly
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 on which was 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