Palatka Daily News

MRS. BEGONE was not giving anything that Christmas. The announcement of her limited purposes had sent a chill through the house that froze the hopes of several young people. A shower of one-cent cards registering good wishes that were rather cheap, had gone out. The bag of candy for the eager, but insincere, well-wishers that ring Christmas bells year by year had not been provided. The outlook was not promising.

Besides, Mrs. Begone was very deaf in one ear and could, upon occasion, be very deaf in two ears. It was difficult to make her hear anything that she didn't want to hear. There wasn't much chance for persuasive argument. She could be as deaf as an adder, when she had concluded not to be a giver.

Nevertheless, Susy did not despair; choosing a favorable after dinner time, she advanced to the attack with a well prepared Christmas appeal which was flavored with anticipations.

But as soon as the old lady heard the word "Christmas" she became wholly unable to hear more. Susy continued from behind her back, got down on her knees, peered up from the floor, peeped up through her fingers, without effect. Finally, remarking in an aside, "Wouldn't she wear you out?" the child was about to give up, when she was encouraged by the beginning of a smile that seemed to promise to spread all over Mrs. Begone's countenance.

This hint of success was reflected in a broader smile upon the child's face that in turn found registry upon the face of the other and certified that the battle was won.

It was a costly smile for Mrs. Begone; six very empty stockings asked for contributions the next evening, but I dare say that she was happier in filling them than she would have been if her deafness had not been cured. She was even happier than the children, and that is saying a good deal. She was so happy that she changed an old saving in her mind and, instead of "True happiness, if understood, consists alone in being good," she made it "True happiness, if understood, consists alone in doing good."