Grandfathers Love Pie | Page 9

little lemon that I want to put in the pie, Auntee, and
yet I don't know exactly how to work it in. It would be too unkind to
say that anybody would 'hand out a lemon' to dear, sick grandfather, but
it's so tiny and cunning--hardly bigger than a lime. The groceryman
found it in a box of lemons and gave it to me, asking if I needed
anything that size for the pie--you know I told him all about it. He said
there was nothing in his Christmas stock too good for the Captain, and
he'd like to send something, but it really seemed like all his goodies
were forbidden fruit."
"We'll put the message in with the lemon, Alsie, and that will make it
both funny and kind." So the tiny specimen was done up in a dainty
box and on the large card was written: "The groceryman offered his
choice stock of figs, dates, confections, and fruits for Captain Gordon's
Christmas pie, but found nothing acceptable but a small-sized lemon,
which he presents with the hope that it will furnish all the tartness
necessary."
"Have you opened Aunt Margie's box yet?" was the question asked by
Alsie as the work of filling the pie was drawing to a close.
"I opened that some days ago," replied Alice, with a smile. "There were
a good many things in that box for general distribution, and, by the way,
Alsie, this goes into the pie, but I think it will interest you as much as
father."
She had stepped to her dresser, and opened a drawer while speaking,
and now held up to view what seemed to be simply an envelope. On

turning it over, however, a pretty little border of holly was disclosed,
painted around the edges. "A Reminiscence" was written in the center.
"What is it, Auntee?" exclaimed Alsie, reaching out her hand.
"We'll let you guess awhile, dearie. I am going to drop it in the pie now,
and that will be one of the surprises that you will enjoy with grandpa."
Alsie was quite curious over the Reminiscence, and wondered what it
could contain to be of such interest to her.
"Well, I won't have to wait long, anyhow," she finally exclaimed, with
a laugh.
"One of the presents will have to stay on ice until to-morrow morning,"
explained Alsie to Emily, "but we'll show you the card. It's from Mr.
McDonald, the druggist. He's been on a little hunting trip and this
morning sent over the finest, fattest little quail you ever saw. On the
card was written: 'Dear Captain: I filled this prescription for you myself,
independent of the doctors, but I think they will approve. Take it
to-morrow at one o'clock and see if you don't feel better.' Isn't it a
cunning idea? It is to be the last thing put in before grandfather is
brought into the library, Emily, so don't let us forget it."
"I won't," promised Emily; "but where are you going to put all those
bottles of wine and brandy, Aunt Alice? Do you think the pie will hold
them?"
"If that problem puzzles you, just how do you suppose we are going to
get this in the pie?" replied Alice, lifting from its position behind the
bed a box so huge that the pie itself seemed almost diminutive in
comparison.
"O, Auntee," cried Alsie in astonishment, "do tell us what it is!"
For answer Alice set the box on the bed, untied the string, and lifted off
the top. A dainty and beautiful silken comfort was disclosed to the view
of the admiring group. The background was of white, and scattered

over it were clusters of the most exquisitely colored pink roses and
green leaves. The edges were prettily bound with satin ribbon of an
old-rose shade, and a huge bow adorned the center.
"It is made of the warmest and softest wool, and every stitch was put in
by hand," murmured Alice softly, smoothing the comfort caressingly.
"It is beautiful to look at, but by far the most beautiful part to father
will be the thought that every one of his teachers wished to have a hand
in the giving of his Christmas gift, and to this end they came together,
with needles and thimbles, and the stitches were veritably put in with
love."
"But the pie won't hold it, Aunt Alice--what are you going to do about
it?" inquired practical little Emily.
"This big box goes behind the piano, and any other packages that can't
be accommodated inside the pie, will be hidden around in various other
little corners of the room. My plan is to have the cards in the pie,
however, and as they are drawn out, the directions as to where the
packages they represent