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THE AUGUST TREE.
I wish my little readers could see Lily and Rose, and how merrily the days passed with them; or that I had time to tell you more of Russell and Berty, at their boyish plays in the hall. But I must hasten to give you an account of an August tree, and the celebration that accompanied it.
The little folks—there were nine in all—had been very good through the long warm days, and the two mammas were quite willing to afford them any reasonable pleasure.
So, when, one morning, Russell said, "Oh, I wish it was Christmas!"
And Helen answered, "We can have an August tree, as well as a Christmas tree."
A ready consent was given to her earnest request.
The plan was at last arranged; a beautiful spruce tree brought from the woods; and then Aunt Josey wrote tiny notes inviting the guests.
There were the farmer and his wife and family, the carpenter and the painter, with their families, all dependents of the great house; each must come to the August tree, have his or her present, and stay to the big supper.
What a busy time that was, and how earnestly the children consulted in regard to suitable gifts, and the decorations of their tree! In the kitchen what a clatter of dishes and of tongues, beating of eggs and sugar! Russell, who seemed to be everywhere, ran at last to announce the fact that the cake had come out of the oven and smelled real good.
The day so long and eagerly anticipated came at last, and at an early hour the children's voices rung through the house.
The guests had all signified their pleasure at the invitation, and their resolution to be "on hand." The celebration was to be in the afternoon; but the little folks had enough to do to keep themselves busy till about eleven. After this, the hours lagged terribly. Russell thought the clock had stopped, and Helen said, earnestly,—
"I do wish two o'clock would come."
Frank Follen, the farmer's boy, came first, dressed in his Sunday suit, with his face scrubbed till it shone. Then Mr. Pratt, the carpenter, made his appearance, followed by his entire family; and after this, not ten minutes elapsed before every guest had been ushered into his or her seat.
The tree having been greatly admired, the company were requested to go downstairs and stand under the window.
This made a good deal of laugh; even the Rector was observed to grow quite red in the face; but, under Master Russell's excellent management, the request was carried out.
Ida and Helen then took the gift from the tree, called out the name of the one to receive it, and began to let it down by a cord tied to a basket.
This part of the entertainment consumed nearly an hour, but was enjoyed amazingly.
Mr. Follen handled the little necktie, which fell to him, as daintily as if it had been china, saying with a laugh,—
"I shall think a heap of this ere, Miss Helen."
When the presentations were over, the guests were invited to the dining-room, where the children waited on them.
Everybody had a good time, and were loud in their praises of the August tree.
At an early hour the children went to bed, weary, it is true, but happy in the consciousness that they had made others so; while the two papas and mammas rejoiced that their children so early showed a disposition to contribute to the comfort of those about them, and especially that in all their plays they remembered the apostle's injunction, "Be kindly affectioned one to another."