ve all got each other and
good health and spirits, and a Christmas wouldn't be much without
those if we had all the presents in the world."

Mr. Joseph nodded.

"That's so. I don't want to grumble; but I tell you I did want to get
Maggie a 'real live doll,' as she calls it. She never has had anything
but homemade dolls, and that small heart of hers is set on a real one.
There was one at Fisher's store today--a big beauty with real hair,
and eyes that opened and shut. Just fancy Maggie's face if she saw
such a Christmas box as that tomorrow morning."

"Don't let's fancy it," laughed Mrs. Joseph, "it is only aggravating.
Talking of candy reminds me that I made a big plateful of taffy for
the children today. It's all the 'Christmassy' I could give them. I'll
get it out and put it on the table along with the children's presents.
That can't be someone at the door!"

"It is, though," said Mr. Joseph as he strode to the door and flung it
open.

Two snowed-up figures were standing on the porch. As they stepped in,
the Josephs recognized one of them as Mr. Ralston, a wealthy merchant
in a small town fifteen miles away.

"Late hour for callers, isn't it?" said Mr. Ralston. "The fact is, our
horse has about given out, and the storm is so bad that we can't
proceed. This is my wife, and we are on our way to spend Christmas
with my brother's family at Lindsay. Can you take us in for the night,
Mr. Joseph?"

"Certainly, and welcome!" exclaimed Mr. Joseph heartily, "if you don't
mind a shakedown by the kitchen fire for the night. My, Mrs. Ralston,"
as his wife helped her off with her things, "but you are snowed up!
I'll see to putting your horse away, Mr. Ralston. This way, if you
please."

When the two men came stamping into the house again Mrs. Ralston and
Mrs. Joseph were sitting at the fire, the former with a steaming hot
cup of tea in her hand. Mr. Ralston put the big basket he was
carrying down on a bench in the corner.

"Thought I'd better bring our Christmas flummery in," he said. "You
see, Mrs. Joseph, my brother has a big family, so we are taking them a
lot of Santa Claus stuff. Mrs. Ralston packed this basket, and
goodness knows what she put in it, but she half cleaned out my store.
The eyes of the Lindsay youngsters will dance tomorrow--that is, if we
ever get there."

Mrs. Joseph gave a little sigh in spite of herself, and looked
wistfully at the heap of gifts on the corner table. How meagre and
small they d