The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-11-15

''Letfie." Size said sadly, I'm 'snained
of you, making a scene that way. 7
thought you we're
"Oh. Penzie." interrupted the child.
'I'm awful sorry. But ! got so full.
thinking, seemed as if I'd bust. had
to let her ont. | got so dangerous in
side. All them thingsl" Her voice
was freighted with suppressed rebel
lion. "Why. Crink and Thad would be
tickled-"
mo. Lettie," interposed Mrs. PEN
field, as they went on slowly, they
wouldn't be one mite happier. Land.
the world wasn't never fixed up so un-
fair as that 'Tain't the folks that have
things that's happy; it's the folks that
know they don't want things. When
you get little older, you'll see that
the reason rich folks are unhappy is
cause they got things and the reason
want things. When folks get through
twining their heart strings and their
thoughts around things, then the
world'll be miles nearer bliss than 1t is
now"
Lettie's black eyes were wide with
reproach. "Why, Penzie, you don't
mean that Crink and Thad wouldn't
like some of those"
Goodness, no, I don't mean they
wouldn't like 'em; but I mean they'll
be just as happy without 'em If you
don't go and stir 'em all up with
thoughts that you've twisted In your
own head. Christmas amt presents !;
it's feelings. And there's one thing
you ought to keep in mind: it's a
waste of good food to board any girl
If there amt at least two other folks
happier cause she's living"
Lettie's brow cleared; smile
chased across her face. II get you,"
she nodded. Its up to me to do
something"
Eyes, Lettie, dear. it's up to you
right now, today"
"Aint the limit !" cried Lettie In
disgust. "All time forgetting what
I'm trying to remember! Gee. know
Pm lucky. I'll show you, Penzie; hon.
est, I will"
It was long past lunch time when
Crink returned with the tree, and he
tried many hours before he accom-
plished a base that would support 1t
In corner Of the living room. But no
sooner was the fragrant fir in place
than every little Penfield felt that
Christmas was an assured fact.
Lettie meantime was making picture
puzzles-mounting illustrations from
Weatherstone magazines on paste
board from old boxes and cutting them
into fantastic shapes. Each puzzle
was put in an envelope and inscribed
ant who would be guest at the party.
By the following evening the prep.
arations had taken different turn.
Everybody gathered about the table in
the living room to make blots. The
tablet paper was cut into uniform
pieces. Lettie's ink bottles had been
brought out; and a few drops of ink,
both black and red, were shaken from
a pen on each paper. which was then
suIting blots took varied, interesting
forms, some of which were touched up
slightly into clearer outline.
Uncle Jerry was the umpire inter-
prefer of these blot pictures. Peren-
nial Prue, the only neighbor invited to
the ceremony-and that because Of
her artistic abilities com.
posed a couplet embodying the idea
and wrote 1t In beautiful letters be-
meath the blot. The rest Of the manila
envelopes were used to inclose these
gifts.
Lettie's keen gaze soon discovered
that the processes of interpreting and
composing led to whispered confer
ences and much laughter that was not
shared with the family; also that Un-
Gle Jerry's eyes were more twinkly
than ever. and that Miss Hapgood's
cheeks grew pink and pinker.
Lettie leaned confidentially across
the table. Say. Miss Hapgood," she
Inquired pleasantly, "are you having
pretty good timer"
'Lette. tend to your blots," put in
Mrs. Penfield firmly.
"Yes'm." Lettie subsidized, but with
the vague feeling that her geniality
had not been received In the right