Josephine Scribner Gates

“ It’s what I am, and it’s the way my story begins.”
“Who knows what the very large word used by the very small one means?” asked the Stick Doll, of the audience.
The Pepper and Salt Twins now stepped forward. They swayed from side to side and in sing-song tones cried:
“Un means not. Undeveloped means not developed; developed means finished.”
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“Excellent memory you have,” said the Stick Doll.
“They’ve been peeking in that big book, too; I saw them,” cried the Vinegar Cruet. “Any one could do that.” ”

“ The children had their lunch under the little tree, then each picked his own apple and ate it before you could say, ‘Jack Robinson.’
“‘I know a great thing to do,’ cried Jack, as they were about to throw away the core; ‘save the seeds and plant them, and we’ll all be Johnny Appleseeds. You’ll each have a grand orchard started on your farm.’
“‘Splendid!’ laughed the old man. ”

“ They may have a fresh gown every day, or oftener.’
“‘Where are their homes?’ asked the boy.
“‘They live like the birds in the trees. Look!’
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“The boy gazed in wonder up into the tree tops, to see many tiny bowers woven of vines and flowers.
“‘Their beds are of rose petals, the wind rocks them to sleep, and the birds carol their lullaby. The humming birds hover over them as they dream. They drink honey with the bees. They eat luscious fruits such as one dreams of but never sees. With all of this they are not happy. ”

“ Sour pickles could never be made without me, and as for peach pickles, you might have all the cloves and cinnamon in the world in them, would they be at all if it were not for me? As for my looks, I can’t help them. We all have to look like we are, and even though I look and seem sour, at heart I am sweet because really I have to have sugar to make the mother. ”

“ TALES OF THE ORANGE AND LEMON DOLLS
Mr. Cinnamon Stick bade them be quiet, and Orange began her story.
“We come from about the same parts of the world; watch and you will see where.”
The eyes of the audience followed the pair as they heeled and toed over the globe, touching daintily Italy, Spain, Portugal, Florida, and California.
“The California orange is liked best because it has no seeds. It is a deep orange colour with a thick skin.
“The Florida orange is a shade lighter and has a thinner skin.
“We also grow in Mexico—here—but the Mexican orange cannot be shipped because it will not keep. ”

“ Do you think any one is very happy at Christmas time?’
“‘That depends. Some are very, very happy.’
“‘Yes, I know. People with bushels of82 gifts are, especially if they are really what they want.’
“‘Oh,’ laughed the Fairy. ‘I know people who have scarcely any money to buy presents and yet are having a lovely Christmas with presents made out of nothing. People who are as poor as crows, and yet are bubbling over with joy this very night.’
“Anna Belle opened her eyes very wide at this statement. ”

“ Anna Belle had had a very exciting day, and now, curled up on the window seat, her head pillowed on downy cushions, she sat watching the sleighs flying by.
“It was a glorious night. The moon shed its silvery glow on the busy scene, and Anna Belle drowsily noted the people passing with arms filled and pockets bulging.
“‘I wish I could see what’s in those pack80ages,’ she murmured. ‘I think Christmas is queer anyhow.’
“‘Why?’ came in tinkling tones to her ears.
“Anna Belle jumped, for there beside her was a beautiful fairy, holding on high a silver wand, on the end of which gleamed a star. ”

“ All through one little boy having such a fine birthday party.
“A tree is the dearest of treasures. I mean any kind of tree. It does so many things. It gives fruit and shade. It gives the birds a place to build their homes, and in return you have their beautiful music all through the summer. It gives the squirrels a place to hide their nuts. From the trunk many insects find their food.
“If it were not for the trees there would be no mince pies. From the trees are built the ships which bring from foreign countries these many goodies. ”

“ They can stand and you can have great fun with them.’
“‘I’m going to make some,’ said Anna Belle. ‘I think they are cute. What is she doing now?’
“‘Why, don’t you see? Some one has given her a branch from a Christmas tree. She is fastening the dolls to it. Now she’s poking the coals, she’s going to pop corn and string it for the tree. That cost one penny. She’s also going to make molasses candy. See it bubbling in that kettle? Molasses is very cheap and it will be the only candy they will have, but they will be wild over it, just because only at Christmas time they have it. ”

“ Surely they aren’t happy,’ cried Anna Belle.
“‘They are as happy as they can be. Each one of them had a penny in a tightly closed fist, wondering what to buy to take home and put in an empty stocking.
“‘Let’s stop here a moment,’ whispered the91 Fairy, poising on the top of a Christmas tree in front of a big store.
“Anna Belle, standing beside her, noticed that as she held on high her wand the star shone out so bright and beautiful the people below paused and gazed in wonder. The happy faces beamed even brighter and the unhappy ones changed instantly. ”

“ As the man worked, the merry tune was replaced by sharp twitters and chirps as though the bird were distressed.
“The child watched fascinated, as underneath the tree she saw a Japanese child taking shape. Her fingers rested on the bird’s foot, and suddenly by a quick twirl of his hand the bird was blotted out and in an instant plainly to be seen poised on the mast of a ship, carolling a glad song of freedom. ”

“ Pepper and salt sprinkled his clothing,158 which seemed made from orange and lemon peel. About his waist was a queer girdle from which wee sugar bowls, molasses jugs and vinegar cruets jingled together, while he tossed gay coloured apples into the air, caught them skilfully and then disposed of them in various pockets.
With a gay nod he cried, “Can no one answer the question? Let me tell you a little about myself, and then perhaps you can.
“You have all told how necessary you are. Let me tell you there would never have been a mince pie without me, nor anything else worth while. ”

“ Here the audience was much surprised to see the light-hearted creature turn a somersault down the slippery side of the globe and land in a nest of small dots.
“These are islands,” he announced, “and here the vines are planted in neat little rows three feet apart. Our grapes are like berries no larger than a pea, and grow in clusters about three inches long.
“When about three years old the vine produces bunches of three kinds; red, black, and white grapes without seeds. We play hide and seek under the large leaves which protect us from the strong winds and hot sun. ”

“ However, we have to make the best of it; the cool nights and heavy dews would ruin us if we stayed out, so we just cuddle up in the nice warm dark, and look forward to the moment when the big oven door will fly open, then we know something nice is to happen, for America sends millions of pounds of raisins to other countries, and we just love to go.
“The sun raisins are the kind used for Christmas goodies, and are packed between layers of paper in large wooden boxes. ”

“ Sometimes the things that seem all wrong are the grandest things that ever happened, and true it is, though it may seem hard to believe, this little fellow was really on the right side of the door after all. ”

“ They clamour for a piece of sugar cane to suck, just as the children here beg for candy sticks. Some of the poor little ones have nothing to eat all day long but a stick of sugar cane, and nowhere to sleep but on a door step. They run around in bare feet and with scarcely any clothes! ”

“ When Jack found baby apples on his tree he wanted to celebrate, and Mother told him 123that when they were ripe he could invite his friends and have an apple party.
“An apple party! That would be something new, and he hastened to tell the good news at school.
“‘They are wonderful apples,’ he said. ‘No one in this part of the country has any like them. I tell you we’ll have the fun at that party. They are turning crimson; you never saw such a pretty apple tree!’
“A pretty tree it was indeed, and looked just like a Christmas tree all dressed up. ”

“ The car stopped, then whizzed on, leaving Jack staring at the quarter, hardly able to believe it.
“‘A good beginning,’ he murmured, and ran into a near-by store, where he purchased a few ears of popcorn and a small jar of molasses.
“Mother, much surprised, welcomed the gifts and boy with open arms.
“‘I earned them, Mother! Make some corn balls and candy while I try again,’ and away he went.
“This time he was not so successful. Every one seemed busy and hurried past him, not even glancing at the eager, earnest face.
“On one corner a hand-organ man was grinding out his music. ”

“ Now you have seen the Star, and I know all will be well.’
“Anna Belle seemed busily thinking, and the Fairy waited.
“‘The-attic is full of presents I didn’t want, and I have a lot of money I was going to use for the bracelet.’
“‘If you didn’t get it,’ laughed the Fairy.
“‘I don’t want it now. I’d rather use it for these poor little children. Elsie must have a doll. I have one, and a music box, and many “Readin’” books with pictures, but how can we get them to the places?’
“‘Fairies are stronger than you think. ”

“ The father isn’t88 much good, but does his best to feed them. In the morning those stockings will be as empty as they are now.’
“‘Dear! Dear! Why doesn’t some one know about it?’ asked Anna Belle tearfully.
“‘Some one does know now,’ replied the Fairy with a wise nod as they floated on.
“‘I hope they’ll do something then,’ said Anna Belle.
“‘I hope so,’ whispered the Fairy. ‘Look in here,’ and Anna Belle peered in a window.
“Here a child of perhaps twelve or fourteen was seated at a table, working busily. Anna Belle watched to see her making paper dolls. ”

“ Before she could say another word she was surrounded and tested so vigorously by the many tongues, she shrieked indignantly:
“Stop! we don’t lick the ladder till the ice cream is done. Now let me finish.
“My buds turn green, then red and hard. Then we are laid near the smoke of a wood fire in the sun to dry. We don’t like that smudge and are glad enough when we turn brown, then we know we are finished. I might say developed,” she added, with a triumphant glance at her hearers.
DANCE OF THE ELVES
“The last night there in the woods we had a grand time. ”

“ There is the very spot where many of my cousins live, and because they live there instead of in California they are much sweeter.”
“Tell us why, tell us why,” clamoured the audience.
“For a very good reason. We are picked in bunches and dried in an oven in sugar. They are dried in the sun, and are called15 sun raisins. Their leaves are taken off, and a jolly time they have in the sunshine and fresh air. A much better way than to be shut in an oven in the dark. ”

“ With her was one with a large green head.
Back of them strode another pair; one looking like a molasses jug, the other like a vinegar cruet.
Such a funny lot as they were!
We looked and laughed, and laughed and looked. They raced about on the very edge7 of the crust as though they were playing Ring around a Rosy; then at a signal from the tall thin fellow they ran down the spiral column of the clock over to the hearth.
“We can have a Christmas dance right here,” cried the rosy-cheeked apple maid; at this joyful news they switched off their sashes. ”

“ One wonderful thing about the orange tree is that at the same time, on the same tree, you will find the buds, blossoms, the77 green and ripe fruit, because they grow slowly. Also the grape fruit is sometimes grafted on our trees. There are oranges that will hang on the trees for two years, so they can be picked at any time, which is most convenient. ”

“ She really wasn’t a jug, but looked like one from the fact that she kept her arm crooked up just like a jug handle.
TALE OF THE MOLASSES DOLL
“Well,” she said gaily. “Mr. Sugar pretty near told you my story, I stopped him just in time. I come in just where the juice from the sugar cane boils down thick. That was my own splendid self that was poured off.
“I love the time when I gurgle down into a barrel, and fairly hug myself when that barrel is in a grocery store waiting to be sold. I always wonder what kind of a home I am going to, and what will be done with me. ”

“ They watched till she had three ready, then slipped them into the stockings, hanging waiting.
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“The love light in her eyes was sweet to behold and as she stood over the lamp to put it out, Anna Belle noticed the rare delicate beauty of her face.
“When all was dark the Fairy moved on.
“‘She didn’t even hang up her own stocking,’ said Anna Belle.
“‘No one to fill it. She mothers those three little ones, and it’s all she can do to make things go, but did you ever see any one look happier? See the card on this door knob?’
“Anna Belle paused to read:
“Dear Santa—Please bring me a sleeping doll. ”

“ Let us forget all wrongdoing and be happy. You have emptied your coffers but you are richer than ever.
“‘I do not want the gold. Let it lie a glittering pathway to the land of joy, where the children may dance and play to their hearts’ content.
“‘As long as we do right the Golden Portal will never close. Farewell.’
“With these words he turned and walked toward the mountain door. The parents hurried to their homes, to find the boys ordering out the wooden soldiers, and the dolls drowsily smiling into mother eyes and listen60ing to the far-away lullaby of the dear Pied Piper.” ”