children haven't seen 'em, so there's no harm."

"Now what a way that is to talk!" said Calvin, "for a lady as sensible
as you be. Didn't I know you had laid out your money, and a good sum,
too? Did you think you was the only person that liked to do a little
something for the children Christmas time? Now ain't that a sight!
Them's my present to Mittie May and her friends, that's all. Now see me
hang 'em on!"

He turned hastily to the tree, for Miss Fidely was crying, and Calvin
did not know what the mischief got into women-folks to make 'em act that
way. Drawing a ball of pink string from his pocket, he proceeded to hang
his menagerie, talking the while.

"I've had quite a time to-day. Any one sees a good deal of human natur'
drivin' a candy route, yes sir, I would say ma'am! Hossy and me has come
a good ways to-day, and seen 'most all kinds. Are you acquainted any
with a woman name of Weazle, down the ro'd about four mile from here?
Ain't? Well, she's a case, I tell you. Long skinny kind of woman, looks
like she'd bleed sour milk--skim--if she scratched her finger. She made
up her mind I was goin' to cheat her, and she warn't goin' to be
cheated, not she. Quite a circus we had.

"'How much is them marshmallers?' she says.

"'Twenty cents a pound,' I says.

"'It's too much!' she says.

"'Is that so?' I says.

"'It's scandalous!' she says.

"'I want to know!' I says.

"'You won't sell none at that price!' she says.

"'Is that a fact?' I says.

"'Well, what'll you take for em?' she says.

"'Twenty cents a pound,' I says.

"'I tell you it's too much!' she says.

"'I know it's too much for you,' I says, 'and so is the marshmallows.
They might give you the dyspepsy!' I says. 'Gitty up, hossy!' and I druv
off and left her standin' there with her mouth open. There! now they're
all up and I must be ramblin' along, or I sha'n't get nowheres by the
end of time."

Miss Fidely had dried her eyes, but the look she fixed on Calvin
disturbed him almost as much as the tears.

"I won't say nothin' more," she said; "I see the kind you are; but I
wish you could come in to-morrow and see the children. I expect their
faces will be a sight, when they see them elegant presents; yes, sir, I
do! I expect you'd never forget this Christmas, as I'm certin I never
shall. Oh!" she cried with a sudden outburst. "You good man, I hope
you'll get your heart's desire, whatever it is."

"I hope I shall!" said Calvin Parks gravely.