Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-01

IL grew far into the night ere they
retired
Just before rc;iring--thc children
were in hcd-Alr. stevens crept nois-
lcssly into the drawing-room. nut a
I. few presents on the tree for his FAM
ily. ana half an hour later was walk
ine down the hall. the work having
been completed.
Ii was indeed hard for, the childrcr,
the younger ones in particular. 10
make their journey to Drenmland
TO have their father with them was
quite Il novelty; besides. they were
anxious to play in the snow, having
forgotten about Christmas ana tie
toys which they expected TO get
They seemed to see children skating,
coasting down the hill or maxim
snow men. Then they heard the clear
ringing of the sleigh bells and
awokc to ind the clock sending forth
seven cchoinG pcals in the crystal
air.
After breakfast every one went to-
ward the drawing room, the doors OF
which were thrown open wide, thus
giving an excellent view OF the
Christmas tree in the lcftIcorner l.
was iIlumincd with candles of rcd.
yellow and blue and decorated with
red bags OF candy. raisins. nuts and
apples. and hanging by small pieces
OF red and green ribbon were some
OF the presents. while the larger ones
were around the bottom of the tree.
How pretty exclaimed Marjorie.
clappinS her tiny hands with delight
Willie Flora and Ernest Joined hands
/ with her and danced about in the,
! room Their elders faces bcamc,i
I with amusement ana delight as they.
watched them eagerly. Mr.. Stevens;
! Joined with the res; in compiimentin.,
| tie tasteful ladies FOR their skill in
| decorating the tree. However. the
! old lady sa, with dreamy eyes, re-
calling tile time when she herself
had celebrated Christmas In this
, same way.
] Approaching the tree. AIR. and Mrs.
/ Stevens took the presents from il.
] calling the persons name as he came
| forward To claim his prize. Afte-
an hour. which seemed II century to
/ the children, the task OF distributiui:
/ the Sifts was done.
Alice received Il diamond ring
! Wilbur ana Stuart were given COLL
! pencils ana several very beneficial!
| books; Flora and Marjorie were sut
ishcd with beautiful wax dolls. and
! Ern"sts most treasured gift WAS I,
I Confederate soldiers uniform To ut
! him. These were not all of their
| presents, as every one received game,
! ana goodies.
! MIR. stevens then joined in playin.,
with the children. after which they
/ were lett Ia enjoy themselves In the
( way they chose. Wilbur and Stuar,
: preferred coaSting down the hillside
7 and Marjorie. Flora and Ernest made
u snow man.
That night the family were gath
I cred III the draw ing room. 4 thick
I crust was on the white snow, and tha
/ tinfi ling OF the sleigh bells could
I clearly be heard. Through the win
! dow could be seen the three lcadin.;
colors Of the landscapc-thc Til, k
veil Of black. the dark blue sky and
the white snow on the surface Of the
/ ground
/ Marjorie. Flora ana Ernest We're
not seated around the fire with the
/ remainder OF the family. who We're
( chatting gayly, but were seated in :,
coy corner Of the room. After "a few
moments OF complete silence iittlc
curly haired Marjorie said, Amt w..
! had a fine timc?"
/ Scarcely had Ernest answered.
Yes. soft.y. when the musical
/ ringing OF the merry sleigh bells
b echoed clearly in the crystal air.
I ,OriginalD
( ROB .HT EPES JONES.