Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-21

only give some fool answer anyway. You're never
serious"
"Come on with your conundrum," yawned Edith.
81 need something to wake up. This old alge-
bra makes me sleepy"
"Well, here it is: How are we going to give any
Christmas presents, with crops, no money, no
nothingY
'1Told you there wouldn't be any answer"
chuckled Tim.
"Im 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 on farm is high except hay, and that's
the only thing I've got If we get through the
winter ourselves We'll do well, without trying to
make Christmas presents"
II don't carel I'm going to do something for
Uncle John, anyway" declared Myrtle. HE sent
me this organ, and Tn 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 year DID,
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, no
matter how much they may have been opposed at
trst Her hearts desire was to have fine music
al education but she knew that it was far too ex-
pensive to be thought of. She had sensibly con-
eluded to do as well as she could the duties near
est at hand
.Tm going to take command" she said now
"and together we are going to do something
you're welcome to- as far as am concerned"
grumbled Tim. Excuse me from sending 25-cent
presents to rich uncle"
sNever you mind" said Myrtle mysteriously
Thereafter there were "dongs' in the household
Her enthusiasm was contagious, and
Tim got interested.
.Tm going to send Uncle John home-cooked
Christmas dinner" Myrtle declared.
'We hain't got turkey" said ma.
'Ive got the duck pa promised me for taking
care Of the rest of Them and it is as fat as butter
You roast and stuff it and then we will all take
q 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 amber color, another OF
ruby red the third and most beautiful, being one
of a pale translucent green She stood each In
~Suare Of crepe paper, brought up the sides ana
corners and tied them tightly, and then puleu
out the top all around until it looked like flower
Each color correspondent to the color OF the jelly
In the glass. Then she lined and covered Dox
with paper, and set In the ruby, the amber, ana
the male green flowers She covered the box, and
tied it with Christmas ribbon attached 10 Wnlcn
was s card on which 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 aDou'