Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

lead the procession we marched sedately down the stairs.  Just as Mother came to the landing, she saw the tree, all aglow in the parlor with burning candles; I never saw anyone to surprised and delighted.  Then we all trooped in, admiring the beauty of the tree and wondering what the packages were all about.  Then blowing out the candles we began to investigate; on the tree were toys for each one, which caused a great deal of laughter.  For Jim there was a huge cigar: Mother received a “Jack-in –the-box”; Frances got a tin-horn, Fred found a doll dangling for him; I found a string with a knit ball at the end of it; (I am always playing with Bedelia) Louise had a picture-book, (for she always looks at the pictures of a book or magazine) and Joe had the prize of all – a mechanical man, who turned somersaults.  To everyone that came in, we had to show this; the funny part of it was, that just as he run down, he was left standing on his head we feet dangling in the air.
          Then followed the opening of packages in the midst of which delightful occupation, we suddenly remembered the dishes, and we all marched out with Mother to see them.  This was the best surprise of all, and Mother certainly liked it.  All too soon was the opening of our packages over; it is no use telling what we all got