What Might Have Been Expected

ilda's C

it was only seven pounds! Seven whole cents, if they took it out in trade, or five and a quarter cents, as Kate calculated,

ds of leaves in it. Then, for a week or two, he and his sister worked hard and sometimes gathered as much as twenty-five

as at an end, for the leaves are not merchantable after they begin t

an to sell her chickens, of which she had twenty-seven (eighteen died natural deaths, or were killed by wea

o to do for that old woman,"

aid Miss Kate, bravely. "We'd do twi

, however, that there

y one November morning Harry was out in the

-one

to keep Aunt Mat

wrong somewhere. Every week it cost more and more to keep

ing," said Harry; "she's eate

Kate; "she couldn't do it.

urned out

ilda, sometimes three times a day. Now, Uncle Braddock had a home of his own, where he could

e to go home and git me wrapper all wet jist fur one little meal o' wittles. And when I see what you all is a-doin' fur her, I feels dat I oughter t

, now and then," said Harry; "but I don't

, and after that he never came to Aunt Matilda

oaching, and Harry and Kate determined to try and give Aunt Matilda extra good li

y small, and when its little tail was scarcely long enou

ee down. One little fuzzy dog, with short legs and hair all over his eyes, actually jumped into a low crotch, and the boys thought he was going to try to climb the tree. If he had ever reached the cat he would have been very sorry he had not stayed at home, for she was a good deal bigger than he was. Harry and his friends endeavored to drive the dogs away from the tree, but it was of no use. Even kicks and b

ainst him, especially as he knew there was no cause for it, an

lot of little pigs that he wants to sell. Just you go and buy one of th

g, the smallest of the lot; and Mr. Matthews, who was very much afraid he could not fi

orns-and sweet potatoes and turnips when he could get a chance to root them up with his funny little twitchy nose-and grunted and slept in t

ther and Kate, "for I have other things to do with my money. But she's

"make up," she would go right to work at it. But Harry could not think of anything that would suit exactly, and neither could Kate, nor their mother

ey should ask Aunt Matilda what sh

way of suiting her

he old woman's cabin that aftern

did not hesit

ive me a present, there ain't nothin'

ied Harry and Kate bot

thing, give me a good big fiery Chrismis

ounger children, and these two were now considered to have outgrown that method of

da wanted one. It

shall have it. Hurrah for Au

ate; "won't it be

t coming up to the cabin door, but he did

dey's all hurrahin' abo

unt Matilda told the old man all about it, and when he heard th

est in the matter. John Walker and Dick Ford, two colored men of the vicinity, volunteered to get the tree. But when they went o

, and when they brought it into Aunt Matilda's cabin, they

me consideration it was determined to erect it in a deserted cabin, near by, which had no upper floor, and was high enough to allow the tree to stand up satisfacto

s held it firmly while he stood on it and tied on the ornaments. Very soon the neighbors began to send in their contributions. Mrs. Loudon gave a stout woollen dress, which was draped over a lower branch; while Mr. Loudon, who was not to be diverted from his original idea, sent an army blanket, which Kate arranged around the root of the tree, so as to look as much as possible like gray moss. Mr. Darby, who kept the store, sent a large paper bag of sugar and a small bag of tea, which were carefully hung on lower branches. Miss Jane Davis thought she ought to do something, and she contributed a peck of sweet potatoes, which, each tied to a string, were soon dangling from the branches. Then Mr. Truly Matthews, who did not wish to be behind his neighbors in generosity, sent a shoulder of bacon, which looked quite magnificent as it hung about the

ncle Braddock, in his many-colored dressing-gown, followed close behind. Then the door was opened, and Aunt Matilda entered, followed by as many of the crowd as could get in. It was certainly a scene of splendor. A wood fire blazed in the fireplace at one end of the cabin, while dozens of tallow candles lighted up the tree. The gold and silver stars glistened, the ma

moments she remained speechless w

being good for ninety-five yea