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An Illustrated Monthly Rural Magazine 
^-FOR EVERY ONE WHO PLANTS A SEED OR TILLS A PLANT.- 
Subscriptions 50 cents per tear. 
:o:— — ADVERTISING 8PACE $5.40 PER INCH. 
Vol. 6. FEBRUARY, 1885. No. 2. 
Bachelor John’s Christmas Tree. 
BY LUCY DEWEY CLAY. 
"To-morrow is Christmas,” said bachelor John, 
As he sat in his elegant mansion, alone. 
* ‘To-morrow is Christmas, the day of good cheer, 
The merriest season of all the year; 
The merriest day for those who are glad, 
The dreariest day for hearts that are sad. 
What can I do ere the Christmas is gone 
To ‘‘remember the poor,” said bachelor John. 
And then he paraded across the floor, 
And he went and looked out of the broad hall door, 
Then came back again and sat down in his chair, 
And his fingers he ran through his gray curling hair; 
Then he rubbed together his hands in glee, 
‘‘Now I’ve struck it, I’ll have me a Christmas tree 1 
A jolly old tree, oh, won’t it be fuu; 
A grand Crhistmas tree,” said bachelor John. 
So he ordered his men to the woods away 
For the tree, then into his great big sleigb 
He jumped, and dashed rapidly down the road 
To gather a regular Santa Claus load. 
He visited grocery, toy-shop and store, 
And loaded his sleigh, ’till it wouldn’t hold more, 
Then homeward he turned, his bays on the run, 
“I've none too much time,” said bachelor John. 
Then he set to work and decked out his tree; 
There was flour and groceries for Widow Me Rea, 
There was flannel and muslin, and calico nice. 
And apples and sugar for Miss Susan Price, 
And out on one limb hung a t urkey so fat, 
For the clever old parson, besides a new’ hat 
And some books, clean and new were they, every 
one; 
•‘He’ll like them, I djubt not,” said bachelor John. 
For his wife, a new dress as nice as e’er seen, 
And a warm woolen shawl for good old Auntie 
Green. 
And for little lame Elsie, a big roller chair, 
And a soft warm wrapper and slippers to w’ear. 
And stockings and shoes, cloaks, coats, caps and 
toys 
For the poor little girls and the poor little bovs. 
There w-as everything nice, ‘‘oh, they shall have fun 
For once in their lives,” said bachelor John. 
Ana then in the kitchen, a table was spread, 
Roast chickens and oysters, and butter and bread, 
And jellies and oranges, apples and pies, 
And big frosted cakes that would dazzle their eyes; 
And cotlee and milk, and a big urn of tea, 
And all of the goodies that ever can be. 
A busier man to get all of this done, 
You never have seen, than was bachelor John. 
Then he looked on it a’l with a satisfied smile, 
And yet he seemed to be puzzling the while; 
“There’s little Ruth Miller lives over the way, 
She’s been in my mind this many a day. 
She’s a frail little creature, and sad and alone. 
And what will she d > when her money is gone. 
Now what can I do for her, poor little one, 
I’ll give her myself ,” said bachelor John. 
Then, taking once more a look at his work. 
He jumped again into his sleigh with a jerk, 
And he whistled so loudly, all looked out to see 
What upon earth could the matter be; 
And to ever}* one, with a smile and a shout, 
“Come, have a nice ride,” he gaily sang out. 
“I’ll bring you home safe, when the evening is done. 
Jump in, jump in now,” said bachelor John. 
Then away he drove in the moonlight so bright, 
To his home, which was all in a blaze of light. 
And he bade them go in, they said, “what’s in 
store?” 
When they entered the house, they wondered the 
more. 
“Now, take off your things and be seated,” said he, 
Then be opened the door on his Christmas tree. 
And they sat there in silence, spell-bound, every one; 
“Oh, I think we’ll enjoy it,” said bachelor John.. 
And then, oh dear, suc^i a time as they had, 
And everybody so happy and glad. 
As with laughter and jest, with mirth and with glee. 
The nice fruit was very soon torn from the tree. 
And then did they all to the kitchen repair 
To partake of the goodies a waiting them there. 
“Help yourselves, don’t be bashful, eat on—eat on. 
Don’t go away hungry,” said bachelor John. 
