Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-01-10

~. When he told them the money was not his, they
laughed at him, and asked him whether he had not
done work enough out there, to have a little money
to spend. Wolfgang was weak enough to feel asham-
ed when they made fun of him. After a while he
let them tease away the basket money, and spend it
for gin, and cake, and marbles. He thought to him
self that he would earn enough to make it up but
still he felt very unhappy. He tried to play with
the boys but an uneasy feeling troubled HIM all the
time, and made his heart very heavy. The boys
told him that he had lost all his spirit by living out
there at the Father House, and that he must drink
gin and be merry. At first he refused but they
made fun of him, I'LL he raised the hateful liquor TO
his mouth. He drank but one swallow, and set the
mug down hastily. He remembered that he had
promised the good Mother that night when they sat
together alone in the starlight, that he would never
again taste of intoxicating liquor, and never steal
again. When the boys saw that he did not drink, as
he used to do, they raised a great shout, and Knocked
at him with their fingers, and cried, FAh, you cow
ard! you are afraid of the old tyrant at the Father
Housed Say that again, if you dareP shouted
WoIfgang, doubling up his fist. HE is not a tyrant.
He is a dear good Father to all of us. He has been
very kind to me. And land l." He could not
finish but choking with emotion, he turned and ran
away.
'He took the road homeward but after running
a little way he began to shink that he had been tho
wicked to 60 back. cit is the first time they have
sent me to Hamburger thought he, and | have
stolen their money, and drank gin, and doubled up
IllN iNl w ll4uls wv 'i'''| C%ih' N'N e SHS NN' ~
ready to trust me and now am afraid she will cry
about her pretty basket for the Christ-child. Oh,
dear! | expected to have such a happy Christmas
and | could sing the tenor so well for the Christmas
hymn: and now cannot 90 back-lcannot go back. -
He sat down on a rock, and cried a long time. Then
he crept into / shed and slept under a heap of straw.
The next morning, he skulked-about, dreading to go
to his old haunts, aud not daring to go home. At
last, the evening drew near and it was Christmas
Eve. I'm a few hours, the Christmas-hymn would
l.. .-.I:a. OF tho Notl,r Io1so and rho bopvv,
children would be gathering around the Christmas
tree. Again Wolfgang Wept aloud but this time
something whispered in his heart, Go back, poor
erring child. They will forgive thee. Go and sin no
more
The winter air blew keen and strong, but Wolf
gang faced it bravely. He was in a sad and thought
ful state Of mind, and therefore the wind among the
trees spoke mournfuly, and the evening star seemed
to look into the very depths of his soul. At last, he
came in sight Of the Fathcr-House The light of a
blazing fire was streaming through the shutters, and
the sound of the blind mans flute flowed through
the evening mir, like an angels voice. Wolfgang
spied a h~alf-open shutter, and crept tinidly up, and
in, as well as he could through the frosty window
pane. The children were all around the flute-player,
aud two of the very little ones were dancing. The
teacher stood among them, and played with casta-
nets. Presently, the Mother came in. He could
not hear what she said, but they all began to jump
and caper, and he guessed she had called them to
come and look at their Christmas-tree.
He guessed right. They all ran after the good
Mother and Gertrude, as she passed the window,
saw a face peeping in. She started at first, but i'm
mediateIy arose the Joyous cry, FWolfgang is come!
Wolfgang is at the window! fHe has done very
wrong to stay so long in the city, and give us so
much uneasiness,' said the teacher but we will
welcome him home. Let Gertrude go out and invite
him in, for she first led him to the Father-House. )
The little girl went out, much satisfied with her
mission. She did not come back soon, and Heinrich
was sent for her. Presently they returned, and Ger
trude said, 'Wolfgang will not come in. He says
he wants to see the Mother. When | asked him
about my basket he did nothing but cry The
Mother Immediately went out, saying, Wait a little
for the Christmas-tree, my children. ! will bring
WoIfgang in When the repentant child saw his
kind friend coming toward him, he dropped on his
knees trembling and weeping, and said, 'Oh, Moth
er, have spent all their money, and drank gin, and
doubled up my fist to fight and ! dare not go in to
hear them sing the Christmas hymn This is sad,
indeed, my child replied the mother but you re-
pent, and repentance always brings peace. Come in,
and tell the whole story frankly. As they all sent
baskets by you, they all have Il right to know what
you have done with the money! Icannot, lcannot,'
said Wolfgangj they will never forgive me. They
have already forgiven so much, sAnd therefore
She put his arm within hers, and led him in. But
he shrank behind her, abashed, and stood gazing on
the floor, until she whispered in his ear, My son,
is it not right to confess what you have done?'
FThen, with many tears, Wolfgang told how he
went away with good resolutions how some boys,
as bad as he used to be, tempted him, and how he
had been weak enough to yield, though he knew it
was wrong. Il have given them all your money!
said he, but | will not buy my flute, and | will
work every minute of my play hours, till | earn
enough to pay YOU -.
Well, my children, what ought to be done to Wolf
gang?' There was a silence for a moment. Then
little Gertrude said, THE Christ-chid would for
give him. 'And shall we forgive hiln?' asked the
Mother. They all held u. their hands. And now,
said the Father, swe will go to the Chrsittnas-tree
and sing the Christmas hymn. Come, Wolfgang,
we are glad to have your voice tonight The once
rude boy was now gentle as a lamb. He covered
his face with his hands, and said ooh, Father,
am not worthy to sing the Chrishtmas-hymn.' Then
sing it thar you may become worthy, my SON. replI-
ed the good teacher.
The Mother opened the wide doors of the din
ing-room, and there stood the Christnas-tree in a
} blaze of light, with ribbons and Wreaths, and the
5 smiling a%ngel-image. Some of the children nestled
close to the mothers side, and privately put little
presents in her hand, and said, Please, mother hang
these on the tree for Wolfgang.' And the Mother
D smiled and blessed them for their love.
] EWhen they sang the Christmas-hymn that night
F.; Wolfgang's clear voice sounded distinct and strong
but when they came to the verse that told how Jesus
+ forgave all injury, and ever turned good for evil, his
!, voice quiyered, and was silent
Few perons could be induced to trust a boy, how
ever affectionateIy they might treat him in other re
u spects, who had thus abused the confidence reposec
in him. Most people would say. 'He can neve
, be reformed his evil habits are too strongly fixed eve
o to be eradicated.' Not so, however, reasoned thu
u teachers. They saw that to confde in him was III,
e only means of strengthening him in his virtuou
!, resolutions, while the opposite course would leave
him to sink in hopeless degradation. How well the,
e Judged let the conclusion of the story show 70
o itself:
when they were about to part for the night, tn
II father said, Now, my children, | have something t
: propose to you. In "A few days, we must send som
more baskets to Hamburger. Let US send them b.
U Wolfgang, that he may see we trust him entirely
y He must learn to meet temptation and resist it,
ii Oh, yes, we will trust him! we will trust him
shouted many voices.