I
dragged it over the snow. Blatchford and Steele lowered
sheets to me from the large parlor window, which I
attached to the larger end of the tree. With infinite
difficulty they hauled it in. I joined them in the
parlor, and soon we had as stately a tree growing there
as was in any home of joy that night in the river
counties.
With swift fingers did our wives adorn it. I should
have said above, that we travelled with our wives, and
that I would recommend that custom to others. It was
impossible, under the circumstances, to maintain much
secrecy; but it had been agreed that all who wished to
turn their backs to the circle, in the preparation of
presents, might do so without offence to the others. As
the presents were wrapped, one by one, in paper of
different colors, they were marked with the names of
giver and receiver, and placed in a large clothes-basket.
At last all was done. I had wrapped up my knife, my
pencil-case, my lettercase, for Steele, Blatchford, and
Dick. To my wife I gave my gold watch-key, which
fortunately fits her watch; to Hosanna, a mere trifle, a
seal ring I wore; to Bertha, my gold chain; and to Sarah
Blatchford, the watch which generally hung from it. For
a few moments we retired to our rooms while the pretty
Hosanna arranged the forty-nine presents on the tree.
Then she clapped her hands, and we rushed in.
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