Cheyenne record. (Cheyenne Wells, Cheyenne County, Colo.) 1913-19??, 1917-12-20

"All right, smartyl Count you out then. You'd
only give some fool answer anyway. You're never
serious" -
"Come on with your conundrum," yawned Edith.
II need something to wake me up. This old alge7
bra makes me sleepy"
swell, here it is: How are we going to give any
Christmas presents, with crops, no money. no
nothingT
"Told you there wouldn't be any answer"
chuckled Tim.
"Tm afraid Tim is right, MYRTLE" and mother
looked up from laying the child's coat pattern
upon the rippedup overcoat on the table.
"What do you want to bother about Christmas
presents for? Everybody knows haven't got
any money to buy presents" and father looked up
from the market reports. "Every blamed thing
raised on 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"
Il don't care! Pm 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 a reasonable and well-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 ut
first. Her hearts desire was to have fine music
nj education, but she knew that 1t far too
pensive to be thought of. She had sensibly con-
cluded to do as well as she could the duties near
est at hand.
"Tm going to take command" she said now,
"and together are 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, mysteriousy..
Thereafter there were "doings' in the household.
Her enthusiasm was contagious and soon even
Tim got interested.
"Tm going to send Uncle John a home-cooked
Christmas dinner" Myrtle declared.
1--WE hain't got turkey" said ma. ~
1--WE got the duck pa promised me for takin0
of the rest of them, and 1t Is fat butter.
You roast and stun it and then we will all take
a 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 an 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 1t looked like flower.
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 it with Christmas ribbon attached to which
was card on which was written:
"With that duck you're going to eat
You'll reed something tart, but sweet.
That's u.s."
A glass can Of watermelon pickles was wrapped
In corrugated cardboard, and then wound about