Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-12-19
.THEIR MERRIEsr cHRIsTMAs-


Classic study assignment:
The three little Allen children were
sitting around the fire. They were
talking of what they wanted for
Christmas.
81 wish we lived in nice, big,
warm house" said Virginia, aged
twelve, "but it just seems that we
have to be satisfied with what we
have wish mamma could be home
more than she is" Virginia continued,
cit is very hard to earn a living for
us three children. 1 would like to have
a new hat and coat for Christmas"
Little Bobbie, aged seven, who was
crippled, sighed and then replied,
81 wish could run and play like the
rest of the boys and girls can. 1t is
terrible to have to walk with crutch.
/ think, if / could be operated on it
would be alright. 1t takes all the
money Mama can get to feed us and
to pay the rent of this house. l.
swell, wish had nice big doll"
interrupted Bernice, the smallest
member of the trio.
II some times, wish / were a rich
mans son, think could have every
thing them" returned poor crippled
Bobbie, 81 would be very thankful if
my knee could be operated on" he
concluded.
AS Bobbie finished his last lamen-
tation, their loving mother, came in,
saying that she had to sit up all night
with an old lady who was very ill,
with pneumonia. The children could
not forget their sorrow as they hust-
led here and there in their poorly
furnished home, helping their ever
cheerful but hard working mother,
prepare what food they had in their
cupboards for the evening meal
When the table was again cleared
from the dishes of the meal, Mrs.
Allen kissed them all Goodnight and
she went over to the house, where
here duty lay that night.
1t was the day before Christmas
and Mrs. Allen sent Virginia down
town to get some things for their
Christmas dinner. The old lady with
whom Mrs. Allen sat up, the night
before, was a wealthy lady and she
gave Mrs. Allen a ten dollar bill, for
which poor Mrs. Allen was truly
thankful
Mrs. Allen, was known as a keep
er of cheerful face, with kindness
unto all men, and with malice toward
none, she went on through life, re-
ceivlng many expressions of thanks,
in various ways, from her neighbors,
this Christmas tide she was the re-
ceiver of useful clothing for the
children and small gifts of money, in
all they now had thirty dollars, which
was great amount to them.
Virginia was winding her way
along the crowded streets, to the
grocery store where her mother had
directed her to go, as she entered the
grocery store, the grocer and another
man were talking, not noticing Vir-
ginia's entrance, they continued, Vir-
glnia's attention was attracted, by
their ceasless discussion and as she
watched them she overheard, them
saying, that they didn't see what Mr..
Grants idea was in being an old
miser, with a great big house, and
no one to take care of it, and he had
poor relative right in the town, poor
Mrs. Allen, and that he should be
helping her.
Virginia, was a very smart little
child, for her years, but she could
hardly believe her ears, she had never
heard. the facts, of which these men
were speaking. As soon as she Sc
cured her groceries, she hurried home,
as fast as she could Immediately up
on opening the door, to thier home,
she began telling her mother, of her
new information, in tone of voice
pitched high, with excitement.
Her mothers face grew pale Vir-
ginia noticing the change, in her
mothers appearance, asked "What
is the matter mother ?"
well, babies, I have never told
you, but that man is my uncle" she
continued, "He missed a large sum
of his money, which he had put away
and had forgotten about, and he
blamed it on one of my brothers,
your uncle Bob. He would not speak
to any of US after that"
With tears filling her eyes she
smiled and said, well, no matter, no
use talking about such past things.
Come {ol mo