Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-03-09
TILLlE
BY CAROLINE H. WILSON

I for the last few years. Last year
( YOU remember, Title, father and
! spent il In New York kttchenette
with Anna. You know when she came
| from France she stayed in New YORK
| and continued her nursing there. The
wear before we went to Andrews anc
after travelling that distance the house
was filled with his in-laws. johns
! three children were mere babies the
wear before and / spent all Christmas
day helping Jennie do the homework
| No, a good old Christmas at home lie
q cherished memory of the past, Til
! lie" finished Mrs. Swain, with a sigh
well" said the faithful old maid
| of all work, I'VE all grow old ano
| Christmas loses the charm it had for
| us In our childhood"
81 suppose so, but father and both
| feel X. He never really grew up. MOI
| one OF his children ever enjoyed
| Christmas any more than he did pre-
| pairing it for them. He'd like to spend
| Christmas at home and have John,
! Andrew and Anna, just as they used
to come home from college on thelr
| vacations"
While mother was pouring the COT
| fee, a few mornings later, Tillie hand
ed her a letter from John.
1T is from John, father" said
| mother Swain before she had even
! opened it, "Of course Wen have to
go, but / had hoped to stay at home,
| tearing the letter open sharply
why, how sorry | am The chill
| dren are all In quarantine with the
measles No Christmas party there
this year
The next day similar letter came
| from Andrew
sorry, mother but the wife ana
| children are going to spend Christmas
| with her folks in Illinois.
Nothing, not even a Christmas card,
was received from Anna.
But we could not expect her to
give up such brilliant career for
| u.s. excused mother,
81 suppose not said father
thoughtfully,
II guess YOU and Mr.. Swain will
spend Christmas at home this year af-
ter all. said Tilie. with the freedom
Of speech born of 80 years Of loving
service.
"Well, I'll be glad to- said mother,
looking hastily at father.
Hang up the stockings just as we
used to do if you'd think you'd enjoy
it, mother. I'll buy the train Of cars
and the jews harps, and the jack
knives to fill them. You might dress
a doll and make some candy. Guess
after the day is over we might drag
in somebody off the street to take
them Off our hands" said Mr. Swain,
thinking he had hit upon brilliant
idea.
1t began to snow. "A regular ole
timer" exclaimed mother in delight.
But It's going to be lonesome, warned
Tille, watching her make the red tulle
candy bags.
an have to put stop to their
quixotic plans for Christmas, some
how" Tillie murmured.
Next morning Title mailed three
letters and then did little private
shopping of her own,
Christmas eve Mr.. and Mrs. Swain
appeared just in tine TO hang up the
stockings before the roaring fire. Til
lie watched them in silence and then
hung up another one, gray WOO.
one that she had intended for the Red
Cross. Mother and father were safe
ly tucked in bed, Title stole out into
the kitchen and unlocked every door
that Mr.. Swain had so carefully bolt
ed. Then she went into Johns room,
and Andrews, and Annals and turned
down the sheets. Then softly, on tip
toes, to the little guest room in the
attic next to Titles, where the chill
dren used to put their overnight
friends.
ut seems just like heaven" father.
seem to hear someone singing Just
then a full quartet was heard under
the window, singing Holy Night"
They dressed and came downstairs In
wonder. The first sight that greeted
their eyes was a gorgeous Christmas
tree, although 1t was hardly yet dawn
Title stood by the stockings. beckon-
ing to the singers. They trooped In
and took mother and father in their
arms Il was coming as a surprise"
said Anna, drawing Harold forward
But 1t was Title who got the boys
to come, And see my ring-I am go
ing to spend every Christmas with
you from now on, for I'm to be mis-
tress Of the Wlnslow house"
Mother and father were nearly in
tears.
The three children are yours
again. said Title
"Tillie, you are a Christmas fairy"
said father, but let us look mt your
stockings, children. | want to spin
certain musical top"
up to your old tricks, dad, laughed
John.