there and no other
boy asked Tommy if he wanted a ride. So, they returned home much
disappointed, his father telling him more about the Eskimos and the
polar bears. But, just as they were turning the corner before reaching
the gate which led into their grounds, they came on Johnny struggling
along through the snow, under the weight of a big basket full of
bundles. At sight of them he swung the basket down in the snow with a
loud, "Whew, that's heavy! I tell you." Tommy ran forward to meet him.

"We have been looking for you," he said.

"I could not go to-day," explained Johnny. "I had to work. I am
working for Mr. Bucket to-day to make some money to buy Christmas
things."

"How much do you make?" asked Tommy's father.

"Half a dollar to-day, if I work late. I generally make ten cents,
sometimes fifteen."

"That is a pretty heavy load--in the snow," said Tommy's father, as
Johnny stooped and swung his basket up on his hip.

"Oh, I can manage it," said the boy, cheerfully. "A boy stole my sled
last night, or I would carry it on that."

"Stole your sled!" cried Tommy.

"Yes, I left it outside the door when I was getting my load to put on,
and when I came out it was gone. I wish I could catch him."

"I am going to watch for him, too," said Tommy.

"If I had a box I could make another one," said Johnny. "Maybe, Mr.
Bucket will give me one after Christmas. He said maybe he would. Then
I will give you another ride." He called over his shoulder to them, as
he trudged off, "Well, good-by. I hope you will have a merry
Christmas, and that Santa Claus will bring you lots of things," and
away he trudged. They wished him a merry Christmas, too, and then
turned into their grounds.

"Father," said Tommy, suddenly, "let's give Johnny a sled."

"Yes," said his father, "you might give him yours--the one you got
last Christmas."

"I haven't got it now. It's gone," said Tommy.

"Did some one take it--like Johnny's?"

"No, I broke it," said Tommy, crestfallen.

"You might mend it?" suggested his father.

"I broke it all up," said Tommy, sadly.

"Ah, that is a pity," said his father.

Tommy was still thinking.

"Father, why can't I give him a box?" he said. "The basement and the
wood-shed are full of big boxes."

"Why not give him the one I gave you a few days ago?"

"I broke it up, too," said Tommy shamefacedly.

"Oh," said his father. "That's a pity. Johnny could have made a sled
out of it." Tommy felt very t