“Indeed I did, mother, and I couldn’t have anything better,” answered the boy, giving his mother a hug and a kiss. “Here is a pair of woolen gloves I knitted for you,” put in his aunt. “I’m sure they’re not as nice as this Christmas book.” “They’re a good deal more useful,” replied Tom. “Why, this is a pretty good Christmas, after all, even if I have lost my job,” he said, deciding this was a good time to break the unpleasant news. “Lost your job, Tom!” exclaimed Mrs. Baldwin. “Mercy sakes! Lost--your--job!” added his aunt. “Well, I sort of expected it,” the youth answered ruefully, and he told how it had come about. “I rather hoped he might keep you on after the holidays,” remarked Mrs. Baldwin. “So did I,” said her son, “but, never mind, I’ll get a place somewhere. Things are sure to be lively after the first of the year, and that’s only a week off.” “Oh, we’ll manage to get along, somehow,” declared Mrs. Baldwin slowly. She did not want Tom to know how little money she had, nor what a little sewing there was in prospect for her and her sister. But in spite of these drawbacks it was quite a merry little Christmas for Tom and his relatives, even though they had beef instead of turkey, and no dessert at all. Tom started off, early the next morning, to look for work, but he found the Christmas spirit rather a detriment than otherwise, for many places took advantage of the holidays and paid little attention to business. The lad tramped the streets in vain, and came home that night, tired and discouraged. He awoke in the morning to find a foot of snow on the ground, and more coming down. “Here’s my work all cut out for me,” he said gleefully. “Mother’s socks and Aunt Sallie’s gloves will just come in handy to-day. I’ll turn snow-shoveler.” After he had cleaned the sidewalk in front of his own house, he shouldered the shovel and broom, and joined the army of men and boys that had begun to gather to clear away the frozen crystals that were still lazily floating down. Whether the Christmas spirit induced householders to be more liberal than usual, or whether Tom worked extra hard he did not stop to consider, but the fact was he earned three dollars that day. “This is better than working in a book store,” he said gleefully, as he gave his mother a handful of change that night. “I’d like this regular, I would.” “But being in a book store is so educational and refining, Tom,” remarked his aunt. “Shoveling snow buys more bread and butter,” answered the matter-of-fact boy with a laugh. He resumed his search for work the next day, as there was no more snow to shovel, but everywhere he applied he met with the reply that there was nothing for him to do. All business seemed to have taken a sudden drop after Christmas. “It will be better after New Year’s,” decided Tom. “I’ll sure get a job then.”