Chapter XIV: The Home That Was Found on Christmas Day

Gaily passed the week before Christmas. Every one was busy, every one was happy. Mrs. Mulvaney swept and dusted the house of Welcome Hodgkins from top to bottom. Not a corner escaped her broom.

In the sitting-room the Christmas tree glittered and shone. Frost sparkled on the windows, while outside in the winter sunshine sang the chickadees.

Early Christmas Eve the company arrived, smiling and joyous. Mrs. Mulvaney greeted them in her new gown. The seven stood in a row to welcome Sally and Alfred. The little girls' dresses and the boys' waists were made from the same piece of bright pink chambray, whereat Tom Randall grinned and punched Cornelia Mary.

Everything passed off as Mrs. Mulvaney planned. Stubbins spoke his piece beautifully, the singing was good, and the dialogues were perfect. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Randall, and Sally's mother, having no other part on the program, clapped their hands vigorously at the close of each performance.

Finally, at a signal from Mrs. Mulvaney, the minister rose. "Friends," said he, "my presence here to-night shall no longer be a mystery to you. If Mrs. Mulvaney and Mr. Hodgkins will please step forward, we will give these seven fatherless children a Christmas present."

Stubbins bent forward with his mouth open, and listened in amazement while the minister married his mother to Welcome Hodgkins. He was the first to speak at the close of the ceremony.

"Well, thay! that wath a thurprithe, but ith a good one."

Every one seemed to agree with Stubbins, and for awhile the Christmas tree was entirely forgotten. Poor Chinky was so astonished and dazed, he could scarcely cut the gifts from the tree when reminded of his duty. At last his mother brought him to his senses by a more or less gentle shake.

"Well, ma," laughed Chinky, "it's you, ain't it? I almost didn't know you for a minute."

"Don't you be sassy," chided his mother, "or you'll get something besides Christmas presents right here in front of your second pa and the company."

Chinky didn't look a bit alarmed, and in the midst of fun and excitement did his part in the distribution of the gifts.

At the dinner-table Stubbins snuggled close beside his new father. "Well," said he, and all the children agreed with him, "I thay this ith thertainly a Merry Chrithmuth!"

THE END.

COSY CORNER SERIES

It is the intention of the publishers that this series shall contain only the very highest and purest literature,—stories that shall not only appeal to the children themselves, but be appreciated by all those who feel with them in their joys and sorrows.

The numerous illustrations in each book are by well-known artists, and each volume has a separate attractive cover design.

Each 1 vol., 16mo, cloth . . . $0.50

_By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON_

=The Little Colonel=. (Trade Mark.)

The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine is a small girl, who is known as the Little Colonel, on account of her fancied resemblance to an old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and old family are famous in the region.

=The Giant Scissors=.

This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures in France. Joyce is a great friend of the Little Colonel, and in later volumes shares with her the delightful experiences of the "House Party" and the "Holidays."

=Two Little Knights of Kentucky=.

WHO WERE THE LITTLE COLONEL'S NEIGHBORS.

In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an old friend, but with added grace and charm. She is not, however, the central figure of the story, that place being taken by the "two little knights."

=Mildred's Inheritance=.

A delightful little story of a lonely English girl who comes to America and is befriended by a sympathetic American family who are attracted by her beautiful speaking voice. By means of this one gift she is enabled to help a school-girl who has temporarily lost the use of her eyes, and thus finally her life becomes a busy, happy one.

=Cicely and Other Stories for Girls=.

The readers of Mrs. Johnston's charming juveniles will be glad to learn of the issue of this volume for young people.

=Aunt 'Liza's Hero and Other Stories=.

A collection of six bright little stories, which will appeal to all boys and most girls.

=Big Brother=.

A story of two boys. The devotion and care of Steven, himself a small boy, for his baby brother, is the theme of the simple tale.

=Ole Mammy's Torment=.

"Ole Mammy's Torment" has been fitly called "a classic of Southern life." It relates the haps and mishaps of a small negro lad, and tells how he was led by love and kindness to a knowledge of the right.

=The Story of Dago=.

In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago, a pet monkey, owned jointly by two brothers. Dago tells his own story, and the account of his haps and mishaps is both interesting and amusing.

=The Quilt That Jack Built=.

A pleasant little story of a boy's labor of love, and how it changed the course of his life many years after it was accomplished.

=Flip's Islands of Providence=.

A story of a boy's life battle, his early defeat, and his final triumph, well worth the reading.

_By EDITH ROBINSON_

=A Little Puritan's First Christmas=.

A Story of Colonial times in Boston, telling how Christmas was invented by Betty Sewall, a typical child of the Puritans, aided by her brother Sam.

=A Little Daughter of Liberty=.

The author introduces this story as follows:

"One ride is memorable in the early history of the American Revolution, the well-known ride of Paul Revere. Equally deserving of commendation is another ride,—the ride of Anthony Severn,—which was no less historic in its action or memorable in its consequences."

=A Loyal Little Maid=.

A delightful and interesting story of Revolutionary days, in which the child heroine, Betsey Schuyler, renders important services to George Washington.

=A Little Puritan Rebel=.

This is an historical tale of a real girl, during the time when the gallant Sir Harry Vane was governor of Massachusetts.

=A Little Puritan Pioneer=.

The scene of this story is laid in the Puritan settlement at Charlestown.

=A Little Puritan Bound Girl=.

A story of Boston in Puritan days, which is of great interest to youthful readers.

=A Little Puritan Cavalier=.

The story of a "Little Puritan Cavalier" who tried with all his boyish enthusiasm to emulate the spirit and ideals of the dead Crusaders.

=A Puritan Knight Errant=.

The story tells of a young lad in Colonial times who endeavored to carry out the high ideals of the knights of olden days.

_By OUIDA_ (_Louise de la Ramée_)

=A Dog of Flanders=: A CHRISTMAS STORY.

Too well and favorably known to require description.

=The Nurnberg Stove=.

This beautiful story has never before been published at a popular price.

_By FRANCES MARGARET FOX_

=The Little Giant's Neighbours=.

A charming nature story of a "little giant" whose neighbours were the creatures of the field and garden.

=Farmer Brown and the Birds=.

A little story which teaches children that the birds are man's best friends.

=Betty of Old Mackinaw=.

A charming story of child-life, appealing especially to the little readers who like stories of "real people."

=Brother Billy=.

The story of Betty's brother, and some further adventures of Betty herself.

=Mother Nature's Little Ones=.

Curious little sketches describing the early lifetime, or "childhood," of the little creatures out-of-doors.

=How Christmas Came to the Mulvaneys=.

A bright, lifelike little story of a family of poor children, with an unlimited capacity for fun and mischief. The wonderful never-to-be forgotten Christmas that came to them is the climax of a series of exciting incidents.

_By MISS MULOCK_

=The Little Lame Prince=.

A delightful story of a little boy who has many adventures by means of the magic gifts of his fairy godmother.

=Adventures of a Brownie=.

The story of a household elf who torments the cook and gardener, but is a constant joy and delight to the children who love and trust him.

=His Little Mother=.

Miss Mulock's short stories for children are a constant source of delight to them, and "His Little Mother," in this new and attractive dress, will be welcomed by hosts of youthful readers.

=Little Sunshine's Holiday=.

An attractive story of a summer outing. "Little Sunshine" is another of those beautiful child-characters for which Miss Mulock is so justly famous.

_By MARSHALL SAUNDERS_

=For His Country=.

A sweet and graceful story of a little boy who loved his country; written with that charm which has endeared Miss Saunders to hosts of readers.

=Nita, the Story of an Irish Setter=.

In this touching little book, Miss Saunders shows how dear to her heart are all of God's dumb creatures.

=Alpatok, the Story of an Eskimo Dog=.

Alpatok, an Eskimo dog from the far north, was stolen from his master and left to starve in a strange city, but was befriended and cared for, until he was able to return to his owner.

_By WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE_

=The Farrier's Dog and His Fellow=.

This story, written by the gifted young Southern woman, will appeal to all that is best in the natures of the many admirers of her graceful and piquant style.

=The Fortunes of the Fellow=.

Those who read and enjoyed the pathos and charm of "The Farrier's Dog and His Fellow" will welcome the further account of the adventures of Baydaw and the Fellow at the home of the kindly smith.

=The Best of Friends=.

This continues the experiences of the Farrier's dog and his Fellow, written in Miss Dromgoole's well-known charming style.

=Down in Dixie=.

A fascinating story for boys and girls, of a family of Alabama children who move to Florida and grow up in the South.

_By MARIAN W. WILDMAN_

=Loyalty Island=.

An account of the adventures of four children and their pet dog on an island, and how they cleared their brother from the suspicion of dishonesty.

=Theodore and Theodora=.

This is a story of the exploits and mishaps of two mischievous twins, and continues the adventures of the interesting group of children in "Loyalty Island."

Transcriber's Notes.

1. Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.

2. Retained non-standard spellings as printed.