THE MERRYVALE BOYS By ALICE HALE BURNETT * * * * * Six real stories for small boys, each complete in itself, telling aboutthe many interesting doings of "Toad" and "Chuck" Brown, and theirfriends, "Fat, " "Reddy" and others. The books are written so the boy may read and understand them and theaction faithfully portrays boy life in a small town. * * * * * =CIRCUS DAY AT MERRYVALE= "Toad" and "Reddy, " by good fortune, each earn two tickets to thecircus, although they find watering elephants a harder task than it atfirst seemed. A jolly party of boys visit the circus. =FATHER BROWN'S INDIAN TALE= Dad's story is followed by an unexpected visitor who at first startlesthen interests all of the little party gathered around the fireside. =THE PICNIC AT MERRYVALE= Did you ever go to a picnic in a large farm wagon, filled with boys andgirls? Then did you catch a fine lot of trout and broil them before acamp-fire? "Toad" and "Reddy" did these very things and had a day longto be remembered. =CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN MERRYVALE= Daddy Williams' Toy Shop is the center of interest to "Toad" and hisfriends long before Christmas arrives. They plan a surprise that bringsjoy to a poor family. The boys erect snow forts and the two sides have abattle royal. =MERRYVALE BOYS ON THE FARM= "Toad's" grandmother invites him and "Reddy" to spend a month in thecountry. Their experiences at Sunnyside farm, with its horses, cows, pigs and chickens, are most entertainingly told, and they have the timeof their lives boating, swimming and fishing in the creek. =HALLOWE'EN AT MERRYVALE= For many days the boys had been looking forward to the party to be heldat Toad Brown's house, but the evening finally arrived and a number ofnew games were played, although a few things happened which were not onthe program. _Illustrations in Color 12mo. Cloth 40c per Vol. , Postpaid_ =THE NEW YORK BOOK CO. , 201 E. 12th St. , New York= [Illustration: "Wish my dad would get me a new sled like that flyer, "sighed Toad. ] _THE MERRYVALE BOYS_ CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS AT MERRYVALE BYALICE HALE BURNETT AUTHOR OF "HALLOWE'EN AT MERRYVALE, " "MERRYVALE BOYS ON THE FARM, " ETC. PICTURES BY CHARLES F. LESTER THE NEW YORK BOOK CO. 201-213 EAST 12TH STREET NEW YORK _Copyright_, 1916, BY AMERICAN AUTHORS PUBLISHING CO. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. TOAD'S WISH 9 II. THE SNOW FIGHT 15 III. THE VICTORY 19 IV. CHUCK'S RUDE AWAKENING 26 V. THE ADVENTURE IN THE SNOW 33 VI. TOAD'S UNSELFISHNESS 40 VII. THE BOYS PLAN A SURPRISE 46 VIII. WHAT MIKE FOUND 52 IX. CHRISTMAS MORNING 59 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS AT MERRYVALE CHAPTER I TOAD'S WISH "Hurrah!" shouted "Reddy. " "School is out and no more lessons for twoweeks!" and he threw his cap into the air. "Let's go home by the way of the village, so we can look into DaddyWilliams' toy shop, " suggested his friend Thomas Brown, better known as"Toad, " who ran up to join him. "All right, " agreed Reddy, "and I'll show you what I want forChristmas, " and they started down the street. "Looks as though it might snow by night, " said Toad, "don't you wishthere would be a big one? Then we could get all the boys together andhave a battle. " "It's the best fun I know of, next to swimming in the creek, " was theanswer. "Here we are, " he cried a few minutes later and both boys stopped infront of a small shop window that looked very gay with a wonderfuldisplay of Christmas toys. "See those skates hanging up by that sled. That's the kind I want, "pointed out Reddy. "You screw them right into the heels of your shoesand you bet they can't ever come off. " "They're fine, " agreed Toad, "but look at that engine and train. Itgoes right through the tunnel and up over the bridge. I wonder how fastit can run. " "That's a dandy mitt there, " said the other, pointing to a baseballoutfit. "I wouldn't be afraid to stop any kind of a ball with that on. " "Wish my dad would get me a new sled like that flyer, " sighed Toad. "Ifinished mine last winter when I ran into that tree with you and Herbieon board. " "You surely did, " was the laughing answer. "I remember how we all wentflying head first into a snow drift. " "There's a nice pocket knife, " was Toad's next remark. "I mean the onewith the pearl handle, just next to that doll with the pink dress on. " "Oh!" exclaimed Reddy, "here's what just suits me, " catching sight, forthe first time, of a punching bag. "How do you work it?" "Why, you see there's an elastic rope on each end of it, and one of themyou tie to a ring in the floor and the other to something overhead. Thenwhen you give it a punch it comes back to you with a bang. " "Well, I'd rather have a football; then maybe we could get up a regularteam, " remarked Toad. "I'll bet all those reals would cost about ten dollars, " ventured theother, pointing to a box of marbles toward the front of the window. "IfI was rich I'd buy them. " "What for? You have plenty. You won nearly all mine away from me. Look!" he added in a low voice, "there goes Herbie's mother into thestore. Let's see what she buys. " "Hello, Daddy, " greeted both the boys, as old Mr. Williams, with hiswhite hair, red cheeks and dancing blue eyes, came to the doorway of theshop and smiled at them. "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!" he replied. "Have you been goodboys?" "I should say we have, " cried Toad. "Everybody's good before Christmas. " "Well, run along home then, and I'll tell your mas just what you want, "promised Daddy. "Herbie's ma's in here now and she doesn't want you boysto know what she buys. " "All right, " answered Reddy. "Don't forget to say I want a punching bagand a pair of skates. " "And I want a new sled, " chimed in Toad, as they both started off. "Shucks, I didn't see half the things, did you?" protested Reddy. "Oh, well, we can come down again this afternoon, " was the cheeringanswer. "Come on over to my house, anyway, " he called as they parted. CHAPTER II THE SNOW FIGHT By evening the snow that Toad and Reddy had so eagerly awaited had come, and by morning many inches had fallen. A crowd of boys had gathered onthe Brown's lawn, for the news of a snow battle had carried far. "First chooser!" cried Charley Brown, a happy-faced boy who bore thename of "Chuck" among his friends. "Second, " shouted Reddy, and when the sides were chosen Toad foundhimself with Herbie, a boy with whom he played very often, and fourothers on Reddy's side. It was then decided by the choosers, who were also the captains, tobuild two forts, ten yards apart, and a half hour was agreed upon astime enough in which to do the work. "We must hurry, " Reddy told the boys he had chosen, "and I think, " headded in a low voice, "three of us had better build the fort while theother three make snowballs, as we want a lot on hand so we wont have tostop firing to make them. "Work fast, " he ordered as he selected two of them to help him build thefort. Toad piled up great heaps of snow while Reddy and Herbie packed it downwith wooden spades into a wall which curved like a new moon. "How are the snowballs getting on, boys?" asked Toad of the three boyswho were working hard making them. "We're stacking them up so they'll be easy to get at, " answered one. "They're good hard ones, " said another. "It's fine packing snow. " "We're going to have plenty, too, " laughed the third. "Wonder what Fat's doing?" cried Reddy. "He's bringing a pail of waterfrom the house. " Frank, called "Fat" by the other boys, because of his size, was Reddy'solder brother. "I wonder, " mused Toad. "He's pouring it on the walls of their fort. Oh, don't you see, " he added a moment later, "it's to make it freeze. " "Let's do that too, " proposed Herbie. "I'll get the water, " and hestarted for the house. Ten minutes later the walls of the fort were like a solid mass of ice, and the snowballs were inside in four heaps so all were anxious for thefun to begin. [Illustration: "Charge!" shouted Reddy, on the run, the others closeupon his heels. ] CHAPTER III THE VICTORY "Hey, Captain of the enemy!" shouted Chuck from the other fort, "are youready?" "All ready, " came the answer. "Fire!" A storm of snowballs flew through the air and Reddy barely had time toduck his head as they whizzed by. "Looks as though they had plenty of balls, too, " exclaimed Toad, hastilypicking up an armful and running outside to get within closer range. "I don't think so, " protested Herbie. "I could see all of them workingon the fort. We have lots more, I'm sure. " "Well, " cried the Captain, "let everybody take a pile of snowballs andwe'll run out together and maybe we can drive them from their fort. " Each boy carried as many as he could in one arm, this leaving the otherone free to throw with. "We'll have to make a quick run for it and throw just as fast and hardas we can, " said Herbie, as Toad, who had at that moment returned to thefort in a great hurry, his hat covered with snow, exclaimed: "They got me, but I hit two or three of them!" "All ready!" shouted the Captain, and the others, following close on hisheels, dashed out. Such a hail of snowballs met them that they halted for a moment, thendashed onward right up to the enemy's fort. "Don't waste any ammunition until you get close, " ordered Reddy, and hiscompany obeyed. "Now let her fly, " he directed, as they surrounded thefort. The boys threw with a will and were vigorously answered by the defendersof the fort, and for a time it was hard to see which side would win. Finally, after the ammunition of the attacking force was used up, Captain Reddy ordered a retreat back to their own fort. "I have a better plan this time, " he announced after they were safelyinside. "When we charge again, two of you fellows must keep running backto our own fort so as to bring us supplies of snowballs. Then we cankeep up a much longer fight and when anyone gets tired throwing, " headded, "he can change places with one of the fellows that have beencarrying the balls. " At this moment, Herbie, who had been on the lookout, suddenly cried: "They're coming to charge us. " "Get ready to give it to them, " ordered the Captain and each boy, snatching up an armful of snowballs, prepared to repel the attack. "Fire!" Reddy shouted, as the enemy drew near, and when they met thatrain of balls it didn't take them long to get back to the cover of theirown fort. "That was great!" cried Herbie. "Come on, let us charge this time beforethey have a chance to get ready for us. " "Hey, I'm the Captain, " insisted Reddy. "Nobody gives any orders butme, " and he pulled his woolen cap well down over his ears in preparationfor the coming attack. "Well, hurry up and give them, then!" shouted Toad. "I'm all loaded up. " "Charge, charge on!" shouted Reddy, starting out on the run with theothers close upon his heels, and after a few minutes of hard fightingthey had forced their way to the walls of the fort. The balls were flying so thick and so fast, from both sides, that itlooked like a snow storm of enormous flakes shooting in all directions. The boys carrying balls to supply the invaders were kept busy, butbefore long it was noticed that there were fewer coming from inside thefort. "They've used up all they have, " shouted Toad. "Let's get closer. " "Close in, " cried Captain Reddy, "and aim well!" In another minute you could plainly tell that each of the enemy, afterthrowing one snowball, had to stop long enough to make another one andthis was the time for which Captain Reddy had been waiting. "Charge the walls!" he ordered, and with wild cries the boys dashedforward. Up over the walls they went and once inside the victory was easily wonfor the boys inside the fort were empty handed and couldn't defendthemselves. "We win, we win!" exclaimed Toad, throwing his hat into the air. "Threecheers for Captain Reddy!" "Hurrah!" shouted all the boys. CHAPTER IV CHUCK'S RUDE AWAKENING The day before Christmas dawned bright and cold. Mother Brown, who hadbeen up early, made some wonderful Christmas pies and a pudding beforeToad and Chuck were awake. It was eight o'clock before Toad opened one eye. "What's the use of getting up, " he thought, "I'm so warm and comfortablehere in bed. My, but something smells awfully good. Wonder if it'sbreakfast. " Suddenly he sat up straight in bed. "Look at that lazy thing, " he declared. "Bet he'd sleep until noon ifI'd let him, and with all we have to do to-day. " Chuck continued to snore peacefully. "But I won't--I'll have some fun, " thought Toad, as quietly, with aslittle noise as possible, he crept from his bed to the basin in onecorner of the room. It took him only a few seconds to wet a large spongewith cold water, then, creeping very carefully back to the foot ofChuck's bed, he took careful aim. The sponge flew through the air true to its mark and landed "kersplash"on Chuck's tousled brown head. "W-w-w-what's the matter?" spluttered Chuck, sitting up and blinkinghis eyes. Then, as he felt the water trickling down his cheeks andcaught sight of Toad, doubled up with laughter, he jumped out of bedand, running across the room, he pushed Toad flat on his back on the bedand sat upon his chest. "Let me up, " pleaded Toad. "I couldn't help it, you looked so sweet. " "What'll you give me if I do?" laughed Chuck. "You've got to pay forthat smart trick before I let you up. " "Nothing!" gasped Toad, trying very hard to free himself. "Oho!" laughed Chuck. "You won't, eh? Well, " he added, "I don't mindsitting here all day. I'm real comfortable. " At this moment there came a knock at the door and before either of theboys could answer Father Brown entered. "What's up?" he inquired. "Toad hit me in the face with a wet sponge while I was asleep, "explained Chuck, "and he's going to give me something for it. " "Then why are you sitting on him?" asked Father. "Because he says he won't, " replied Chuck with a grin. "I suppose you'll have to pay up Thomas, " laughed Father. "Anyway, Ihope you'll both be down to breakfast soon, " he added--"before all thecakes are gone. I've a terrible appetite this morning, " and with thesewords he left the room. "Do you give up now?" asked Chuck. "No, sir, " persisted Toad. "Remember what he said about the cakes. They'll be hot ones with lots ofmaple syrup, " teased Chuck. "Well, you're missing them, too, " retorted Toad. "I guess I'll let you off this time, " relented Chuck, "but if you everdo it again, " he threatened, "I'll hold you down for a week, cakes or nocakes. " "You'd starve to death in that time, " argued Toad, with a laugh as hecommenced to hurry into his clothing. The boys were seated at the table, a half hour later, and had just eatenthe last of the griddle cakes, when Reddy's whistle was heard. Toad, jumping up from the table, ran over to the window and beckoned to Reddyto come into the house. "What are you going to do this morning?" was Reddy's first remark as heentered the room. "We're going for Christmas greens and Dad's going to cut our tree fromaway up on the hillside, " Toad told him, "and, " he added, "we're goingto take one of the horses with us to drag it home. " "Oh, that's great!" replied Reddy. "Do you start soon?" "Don't you want to go, too?" asked Chuck. "And maybe we can get Fat andHerbie, too, " he added. "If such a crowd goes, and everybody gathers greens, " laughed Toad, "what will we ever do with all of them?" Mother Brown answered him from the doorway. "Why not take some of them to the church? I'm sure the ladies who aretrimming it will be glad to use all that you can give them. " "That's a splendid idea, " declared Father Brown, rising from his seat bythe fireplace. "Come, boys, bundle up well, because it's going to be acold drive. " "I'll run ahead to get the others, " called Chuck as he hurried from theroom. CHAPTER V THE ADVENTURE IN THE SNOW "I'm glad we brought the sleigh, " Father Brown remarked, as they weredriving along at a fair pace, a little later, "as we never could havegotten through with a wagon in this deep snow. " They were now starting up the hill and the horse's feet sank deeply intothe snow drifts, although his load was not heavy, as the boys took turnswalking, so that only two of them were riding at a time. "When we reach the first clearing, " Father proposed, "we'll cut thegreens and then leave them in a pile by the roadside, for it is likelywe shall have to go up still higher before we can find the tree wewant. " After going on a few yards more he shouted: "Here's the place; all hands to work!" and the boys started in with awill, bringing to the roadside great heaps of boughs and woodvines, someof them covered with red berries and others with grey. Within a short time they had gathered a large pile of the greens, sothey decided it was time to start out to find the tree. "The tree must be full and the top perfect, " declared Father Brown, "sokeep your eyes open for it. " "What's the matter with that one?" demanded Toad, pointing to a big firsome distance away. "Nothing at all the matter with it, " laughed Chuck, "only the house istoo small to hold it. " "There's a nice one, " called out Herbie, pointing to the one he meant. "Yes, that's a beauty, " agreed Father Brown, "and easy to get at, too. " After clearing away the smaller branches near the ground, by choppingthem off with the axe, Father Brown then started to work on the trunk ofthe tree. "Wouldn't it be nice, " suggested Fat, "if we didn't have to cut it downat all, --just trim it outside? It would save so much time and trouble. " "Oh, yes, that would be great, " agreed Reddy. "We'd just sit around onthe snow eating ice cream and look at the tree, " and he gave a heartylaugh in which all the others joined. "Well, I'll bet they do it in Greenland and Iceland, " persisted Fat, "sowhy couldn't we?" "Because we don't wear white Polar bear clothes, " laughed Chuck. "There she comes, --she's falling!" cried the boys. "Stay where you are until it's down, " called Father Brown to the boys. [Illustration: "There she comes! She's falling!" cried the boys. ] There was a sharp creak and a swish of branches as the tree came down, and the boys now rushed over to help tie up the branches. When that part of the work was finished, Reddy sang out: "All together! Lift her on the sled. One, two, three!" and up it went. "Nobody gets a ride home, " called out Chuck, "because the greens have togo on top of the tree. " "Oh!" wailed Fat, "if I can't ride I'll roll down. I hate to walk. " By the time they had reached the fields the worst part of the trip wasover. "We'll cut over to the road that runs past the church, " said FatherBrown, "and leave some of the greens there, " at which the horse washeaded in that direction. As they came to the road they saw a short distance from them an objectin the snow and as they drew nearer it proved to be a little fellow, deep in a snow drift. His hands were blue with the cold and as FatherBrown picked him up in his arms he tried to speak, but couldn't. "I know who he is, " volunteered Herbie. "He's Patsy O'Reilly, and helives over there, " pointing to a small house up the road. "His brotherMike goes to school with me, " he continued. "I'll carry him home, " said Father, "as you boys are able to handlethings all right now, " saying which, he started off to the little housewith Patsy in his arms. Chuck, to whom Father Brown had handed the reins now started to drivethe horse toward home. When the boys arrived at the church and had carried in the greens, theladies were delighted, and one of them even tried to kiss Reddy, but hehurried away just in time. CHAPTER VI TOAD'S UNSELFISHNESS When they reached home Chuck drove the sleigh up to the side door, wherethe boys quickly unloaded the greens. They then lifted the tree to thepiazza and when this had been done Chuck drove the horse to the stable. "Let's go in and get our hands warm before we take in the greens, "suggested Toad, and soon they were all laughing and talking before thegreat fire in the library. Fat had just asked the others if they remembered the day Mr. Brown hadtold them about the Indians that used to live in the woods where theyfound the tree, when a man's voice was heard from the hall. "It's going to be a sad Christmas for them, I'm afraid, for both parentsare ill and the three helpless children are waiting for Santa Claus tocome, " the boys heard Father Brown say. "How sad, " was Mrs. Brown's answer, as they both went into the kitchenand the boys could hear no more. "They must be talking about the O'Reillys, " commented Fat. "Mike's afriend of mine and I'm sorry he isn't going to have any Christmas. " "So am I, " echoed Herbie, after a short silence. Chuck said he'd hate to awaken Christmas morning and not find anypresents. "Guess I've been mighty selfish wanting so many things, " he thought. Toad and Reddy, who had moved away from the other boys, were talkingtogether in low, excited whispers. Then, when the others went to thewindow to look at the green outside, they slipped from the room andhurried down the hall to the kitchen. "Mother, " called Toad from the doorway, "may we speak to you for aminute?" Mother Brown handed the bowl in which she had been stirring somethingto the cook and crossed the room toward the boys, saying as she did so: "I can only spare a few minutes to-day, Thomas, for I am very busy. " "But, Mother, " exclaimed Toad, "we have a great idea!" "It's a Christmas surprise party, " chimed in Reddy, "for the O'Reillys, "and together the two boys went on to tell Mrs. Brown of their plans. "If we could just have the horse and sleigh to get around in, " venturedToad. "Do you think Father would allow us to hitch old Meg to the bigsleigh?" "It's a wonderful idea, " agreed Mother Brown. "Suppose you ask him. Buthow about presents for the three children? Have you thought of that?" "If it were only after Christmas we could give away some of our newthings, " sighed Toad. "But would you give them away?" asked his mother. "Supposing you weregoing to get a sled, --the kind you have been wanting, " and she paused tohear Toad's answer. He thought very hard for a moment, then answered: "Yes, because I always get a lot of things and it might be the onlypresent Mike would get. " "Well, " remarked his mother, "I have bought you a sled, and you may giveit to him. " Reddy looked at Toad, as Mother Brown turned toward the kitchen. "Are you sorry now that you said 'yes'?" he asked. "No, I'm not, " returned Toad. "Well, I'll ask Mother to let me give them something new of mine, too, "declared Reddy consolingly, putting his arm about Toad's shoulder. CHAPTER VII THE BOYS PLAN A SURPRISE At two o'clock the sleigh was ready, for Father Brown had willinglygiven the boys permission to use it that afternoon. It was planned tohave Chuck drive, for Toad, Reddy, Fat and Herbie expected to be toobusy calling at the different houses to gather the presents which theyhoped to collect for the O'Reillys. "Let's stop at Bailey's first, " suggested Fat, "as we're sure to getsomething there. " "Who'll go to the door?" questioned Herbie. "All go, " answered Chuck. "That's the best way. " So in a group they rangthe bell and waited, Chuck remaining in the sleigh. No one came in answer to their ring. "All out, " sighed Fat; but Toad gave the bell another pull. "Bet they're all in the kitchen baking things and didn't hear it, " heremarked. "There's someone coming now, " whispered Reddy, and as the door opened: "Good afternoon, " said all the boys in chorus. "Mercy upon us, where did you all come from?" exclaimed Mrs. Bailey, and, as Toad held forth a card that Father Brown had printed for them, she asked: "Am I to read this?" "Yes, Mrs. Bailey, that explains everything, " Reddy told her. She read:-- "In one little home there may be no Christmas cheer; the father and mother are both ill. There are three children; a boy of nine years, another of five, and a girl of seven. They need coal, clothing, food and toys. _What will you give?_" "So you're all playing at being Santa Claus, " remarked Mrs. Bailey witha smile. "Well, I believe I can find something that will please you, sojust stop in on your way back and I'll have it all ready for you. " "Oh, thank you!" cried all the boys, together, as they started for thesleigh, happy over the success of their first call. "Have any luck?" asked Chuck. "But I can see you did, because you're allgrinning, " he added, as they told him what Mrs. Bailey had promised. After several more visits, with the promise of something from each placeif they would call later, Herbie proposed that they stop at Mrs. Lee'shome, as Mary Lee had a great many dolls and might give them one of themfor the little O'Reilly girl. "That's a good idea, " they all agreed, and the idea was carried out. When Mrs. Lee had read the card she asked the boys if there was anythingthey needed that had not been promised. "We wondered, " replied Herbie, "if Mary would give us a doll for thatlittle girl?" Mrs. Lee smiled and said: "I think I can promise you that she will. If you will call later it willgive me a chance to get her. " "We'll be glad to, " promised the boys, "and thank you. " At five o'clock a sleigh piled high with bundles and boys was seenturning into the Brown's driveway. "What'll we do now?" asked Toad of the others. [Illustration: Framed in the doorway stood a boy gazing at a heap ofbundles. ] "Let's drive into the barn and leave the things in the sleigh, "suggested Chuck; "then we can meet here early tonight and take thethings to the O'Reillys. " "All right, " assented the others. "What time shall we meet?" "At seven o'clock, " said Toad. CHAPTER VIII WHAT MIKE FOUND After dinner that night Chuck and Toad spent a little time helping totrim the big tree that had been put in place in the library during theirabsence of the afternoon. Chuck was on the top of a stepladder, tyingshiny colored balls to the upper branches, when Toad, who had been busywith candy canes and popcorn balls, suddenly stopped and looked at theclock on the mantel. "It's seven o'clock, Chuck, " he cried, "and the others will bewondering why we don't come out, " and at this he ran into the hall toget into his coat and cap. Chuck took but a second to follow Toad out into the yard to meet theboys. Mother Brown had sent her bundle and Toad's new sled to the barn byJohn, the stableman, who put them into the sleigh with the other thingswhile the boys were at dinner. "Hello, boys! Everybody here?" inquired Toad as he joined the group ofboys in front of the barn. "All but Fat, " laughed Reddy, "and he'll be along in a minute. He said Iwalked too fast for him. " "Is everything in the sleigh?" asked Herbie, as John was hitching up. "Everything's in all right, " Toad assured him. When about to start they found that the sleigh was so full of bundlesthat some of the boys had to stand on the runners. Just as they reachedthe street, Fat was seen coming toward them. "Hurry up, lazy bones, " called Reddy, "or you'll get left, " but Johngood-naturedly stopped the horse until Fat had climbed aboard. There was a full moon and the sky was bright with stars. The snow washard beneath the horse's feet, which made the going easy, so theytraveled along at a brisk pace. "Where shall I stop?" asked John as they drew near the O'Reilly'scottage. "Just a little this side of the house, " directed Toad, "so they won'thear us. " "All off, now, " ordered Reddy, as John pulled up the horse, "and helpunload. Don't let's make any more noise than we can help. " "We can pile everything on the front steps, " whispered Herbie, as theboys, each heavily laden with packages of all sizes and shapes, walkedvery quietly up the path toward the house. Each carefully placed his bundles or boxes where Herbie had suggestedand just as silently they now returned to the sleigh. "Suppose someone comes along and takes all the things before they get upin the morning?" argued Fat. "I don't think it's safe to leave themthere all night, do you?" "Well, maybe we'd better throw some snowballs at the door, " proposedChuck, "to bring them out now. " This was accepted as a good plan, and "Bang, bang, bang!" went the ballsagainst the door. The sleigh, in which the boys took refuge, was well hidden behind a pinetree, so they could not be seen from the house. "There's a light!" said Reddy in a low voice. "Someone is opening thedoor. " "It's Mike!" answered Herbie, excitedly. "I'll bet he can't believe hiseyes. " It did seem to the others that what Herbie said was true, for, framed inthe doorway of the cottage stood a boy, gazing at a great heap ofbundles and boxes on the steps before him as if dazed. Once he rubbedhis eyes as if to make sure he was awake, then he slowly stretched outone hand toward the beautiful new sled, hardly daring to believe it wasreal. Then suddenly, as the boys watched eagerly, the sled was in hisarms and he was jumping up and down with joy, calling to those of hisfamily who could, to come out to see the wonderful surprise. "Time for us to be getting home now, " whispered Chuck, and Toad, feelingvery happy, answered: "I guess you're right. " By nine o'clock Chuck and Toad were sound asleep, and the stockings, tied to the end of each bed, fell limp and empty. CHAPTER IX CHRISTMAS MORNING "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!" shouted Toad. It was seven o'clock and Chuck awoke with a start and looked around him. "Merry Christmas, " he answered, and both boys scrambled down to the footof their beds to untie the stockings full to overflowing with candies, nuts, oranges and many small gifts. "Oh!" cried Chuck, "see what I have, " holding his stocking up by thefoot and shaking the contents out on the bed. "A big knife, and a top, and some reals. " "So have I! By jinks, I'm glad to get the knife, --it's a beauty, threeblades!" Chuck, who by this time had a whole candy apple in his mouth, could onlynod his head in reply. "Let's hurry up and dress so we can go down to see the tree, " proposedToad. "I'll bet there will be lots more things for us down there, " andthis the boys hastened to do. "Merry Christmas, " greeted Mother Brown, a few minutes later, as theboys, now fully dressed, came to her door. "Merry Christmas, boys, " called their father from the hall below, asMother Brown and the boys hurried downstairs. As they entered the library the very first thing that met Toad's eyeswas a beautiful new sled, much larger than the one he had given thenight before to Michael O'Reilly. "Oh, is that for me?" he cried in delight as he pounced upon it. "Ididn't expect to get one. " "Yes, my son, " answered his father, "it is for you. " "Oh, wait until Reddy sees this!" and Toad fairly hopped about in hisdelight. Chuck was very much excited over a new building game, the very thing hehad hoped for, but Toad hardly had time to look at his other gifts fromhis many aunts and uncles, so anxious was he to go out doors to try hisnew sled. After breakfast Mother Brown helped him into his coat and found hismittens and cap, for they always seemed to run away and hide while Toadslept. "Come on, Chuck!" he cried. "Aren't you coming out?" "Nope, I'm going to see if I can build a derrick, " was the reply, soToad started off alone. As he reached the hill down which most of the boys liked best to coast, he met Reddy, trudging along with his sled. "Hey, Merry Christmas, " he shouted. "Look at what Dad gave me!" "Merry Christmas, " answered Reddy. "Jingoes, that's a beauty!" "Did you get the football you wanted?" he was asked. "You bet I did, and a punching bag, too. " "Like the one in Daddy Williams' window?" inquired Toad. "Just like it, and when you give it a punch, whack! it comes back atyou, quick as a flash. " "What did Fat get?" "Oh, a lot of books and a pair of ice skates, " replied Reddy, "so he'sgone over to White's pond to try them. " "Chuck got his building game; you know, the one he wanted, and hewouldn't come out, " declared Toad in fine disgust. "He's making thingswith it. " "Who's that just starting?" and Reddy pointed up the long hill wheresome one was getting ready to coast down. "Well, if it isn't MikeO'Reilly!" he exclaimed, --"here ahead of us. " Then, as the sled with Mike lying flat on it shot past them, theygreeted him with a shout. "Hello, " returned Mike, his face all aglow with joy, "look at what I gotfor Christmas. " "Bet you're glad now that you gave it to him, " said Reddy as the twoboys reached the top of the hill. "Let me go down with you the firsttrip?" "You bet!" Toad assented. "Merry Christmas, " Reddy shouted, giving the sled a push from behind. "One, two, three, we're off, " and down they flew. "She's speedy, all right, " he declared as the cold north wind stung hischeeks. "And she steers like a bird, " echoed Toad. THE END THE MERRYVALE GIRLS By ALICE HALE BURNETT * * * * * Four delightful books for the smaller girls, each a complete story initself, describing in simple language the interesting experiences ofBeth, Mary and Jerry, three little maids of Merryvale. * * * * * BETH'S GARDEN PARTY The three girls take part in a very formal little affair on the lawn ofBeth's home. Each of the guests receives a present in the shape of adowny white kitten. The drive home in Beth's pony cart furnishes a fewexciting moments, but Patsy bravely comes to the rescue. A DAY AT THE COUNTY FAIR The girls are taken to the fair in a motor, but a slight delay occurs onthe way. How they finally arrived at the fair ground and their amusingexperiences are most entertainingly told. GERALDINE'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE Geraldine, whom of course we know better as Jerry, plays the part ofhostess to her many friends, although it must be admitted that herguests knew of the affair before she did. A jolly evening is spent bythe girls which is shared in by some of our young Merryvale boy friends. MARY ENTERTAINS THE SEWING CLUB Mary entertains the club at her home, and the efforts of some of themembers cause many outbursts of merriment. The girls decide to hold a"fair of all nations" for the benefit of the Merryvale Day Nursery. Their many friends aid them and their plans succeed beyond theirexpectations. _12mo. Cloth. Illustrations in Color. 40c per vol. , postpaid_ THE NEW YORK BOOK CO. , 201 E. 12th St. , New York * * * * * Transcriber's Note: Obvious punctuation errors were repaired.