Pa's Christmas.

Observer, 21 December 1893, Page 19

Pa's Christmas.

Dear old Xmas Long beforehand the mystery of it began. Even in August they commenced to think about it. The children planned and _ered along in October, but in November the real preparation commenced. The boys tapped Pa for coin to spend on their sisters; the girls begged for money to spend uu- „ her. And they got it ! Ma asked Pa for a small cheque with which she could buy a Christmas gift for Pa, and the whole family levied on Pa for a present for Ma. Everybody seemed to have lots of fun, that is, except Pa ; but, of course, Christmas only comes once a year, so Pa smiled and sponged the shine off his overcoat, seemingly as merry as a morepork. The boys wanted to remember their favourite girls, and their sisters said they must give some little things to their more intimate friends, so Pa was again called upon. Then Ma asked Pa for something to give to Grandma and Aunts Selina, Elfrida and Elizabeth Josephine and, of course, Uncles Peter, Josiah, Henry, and the servant girl. Christmas comes so seldom, you know. Of course, Pa wanted them all to be happy. The baby — bless her — wanted to div somefin to Papa ; so Pa gave her a half-sovereign to be spent by Ma for Pa. Pa had grinned, seen his old purse grow more consumptive day by day and kept the peace ; but when Johnnyboy tackled him for one more half-crown for the poor little heathen, Pa's smile grew less, the purse slipped to the bottom of his pocket in an easy way, and from the very depth of the paternal lungs came a low, long — "No!" that sent Johnny-boy weeping to his Ma. Ma, later on soothed Pa, who told Ma that he, Pa, would give her, Ma, a piece of Pa's mind if Ma said anything more to him, Pa, about money. Then the twenty-fourth of December came. Pa sent home from town toys for the little ones, handsome gifts for the boys and charming presents for the girls, and a silk dress for Ma, and a brooch for the servant girl, and bonbons and other nice things for everybody. On the eventful twenty-fifth, contentment reigned supreme. There was something .for everyone — even for Pa — Johnny-boy had bought Him a new tooth brush. That was all. Poor oia Pa !