and made plans for inviting them to their next away. I passed by 'Lonzo Dearborn's place, Christmas at grandmother's. and yelled out to 'em that you was here, an' "For I'm sure they 're nice, nice people," they yelled back they hoped you 'd found the said the Imp's mother.

And after dinner they popped corn in the stove, and told stories, and played the most delightful games, of which they knew more than any other family in the world, and altogether so enjoyed themselves that not till a thundering knock at the door sent them to the windows did they realize that the storm had stopped.

Joshua Peebles stared in at the corn-popper, the candy, and the merry, brightly dressed ladies.

turkey. They wanted you should have everything just 's if you was in your own home."

"There!" cried the Imp's mother, "I said they were nice, nice people!

"An' so they are," said Joshua Peebles "nice as they make 'em! Now come on, and maybe you'll get a little of your Christmas yet."

"My dear Mr. Peebles," said Uncle Stanley, in his best manner, "we have had more Christmas to the square inch than we have enjoyed for many years. A tree, Mr. Peebles, is for instiWell, well," he said, "I guess you ain't so tutions; stockings are for the very young only. bad off, after all! You seem to keep your For real pleasure all round, let me recommend spirits up. I keep the snow-plow up to my to you a Christmas on an abandoned farm! place, an' the minute it stopped, I started out. 'Except I'd like to have seen little HezeSo you can get up to ol' Mis' Stafford's right kiah Greenleaf Hobbs!" murmured the Imp.