Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-12-08

The printer turned to his desk, and sat
aud unused for half a minute, while John
stood with his heart beating SO loud that
he could hear its pulsations.
give me tina, order" The man at length
said to the boy. who handed him the slip
Of paper. He tore il up and then took
his pen and wrote new order.
Take this" he said, presenting il 10
John. ] have told the shoemaker to give
you pair for your mother, yourself aud
your little sister and here is The half dol
lar, my boy--you must have that also.
John took The order and the money, and
stood FOR few moments looking into the
printers face, while his lips moved as # he
were trying 10 speak but no sound came
iherefrom Then he turned away aud left
the Office without uitering word.
"John is very late Tonight" said the
poor widow Elliot, as she got up aud went
10 the door to look out in the hope Of see.
ing her boy. Supper had been ready for
at least an hour, but she didn't feel like
eating anything until John came home
Little Netiy had fallen asleep by the FIRE,
and was now snuggly covered up in bed
As Mrs Elliot opened the door, the cold
air pressed in upon her, bearing its heavy
burden Of snow. She shiveted like one
in sudden ague fit, and shutting the door,
quickly muTmured-
"My poor boy--it is a dreadful night for
him TO be oui. aud 80 ihinly clad. ! won
der why he stays so late awayl'
The mother had hardly uttered these
words when the door was thrown open, and
John entered with hasty step. bearing sew
eral packages in his arms, all covered with
snow.
There's your Christmas gift. mother"
said he, in delighted voice land here is
mine, and there is Neity'sl" displaying at
the same time three pairs Of shoes, paper
OF sugar, another OF tea, and another Of
rice.
Mrs Elio, looked bewildered.
"Where did all these things come from,
John 7" she asked, in a trembling voice,
for she was overcome with surprise and
pleasure at this unexpected supply Of arti-
Giles so much needed.
John gave an ariless relation of what
had passed between him and the primer for
whom he worked, and added ~
II knew the number you wore, and
thought would guess at Neiiy's size. II
they don't fl. the man says he will change
them aud I'll go clear back to the store
tonight but what she shall have her new
shoes for Christmas. Won't she be & ad
| wish she were awake"
"And the tea, sugar, and rice, you
bought with the half dollar he gave you y
said the mother.
"Yes," replied John; al bought the tea
and the sugar for you. They're youI
Christmas gilt from me. And the rice vel
all have Tomorrow. Won't you make VI
rice pudding for our dinner ?"
you're good boy, John-a very gone
boy" said the mother, much affected b,
the generous spirit her son had displayed
YES, you shall have a rice.pudding. Blu
take off your wet shoes. my son-they ere
all wel--and dry your feet by the fire."
mo, not till you put Neily's shoes on Il
see il they fit her." lied John. 81
they don't FL, I'm going back to the siort
for pair that will. She shall have he
new shoes for Christmas. And, mother
try yours on-maybe they won't do"
To satisfy the earnest boy. Mrs Ellio
tried on Netly's shoes, although the chile
was sleeping
| JUST tue tning, sne saiu.
Nov try on yours" urged John.
They couldn't f., me better" said tn
mother, as she slipped on one of the shoes
"Now take off your wet ones, and dr.
your feet before the FIRE, while put ih
supper on the table"
John satisfied now that all was right, di,
as his mother wished, while she got read
their frugal repasi. Both were too mncl
excited to have very keen appeiiies. A
they were about rising from the table. ate
finishing their meal, some one knocked a
the door. John opened it, and gentle
man came in and said. familiarity
"How do you do, Mrs Elliot T.
"Oh-how do you do, Mr. Mayfeld =
Take seat aud she handed her visilo
a chair.
"How has your wrist got, Mrs Elliot
Are you most ready to take my washin
again r
els better, I thank you, but not wei
enough for that; aud | can't tell when
will be. A sprain is SO long in gettin
we'll"
"How do you get along, asked Mr. May
field "Can you do any kind Of work 7"
"Nothing more than little about tn
house"
"Then yon don't earn anything at all ?
"No, sir-nothing."
"How do you manage to live, Mrs Eli
OF 2"
1--WE have 10 get along the best we Cal
on Johns two dollrs u week"
1.-TWO dollars a week Yon can't liy
on two dollars week, Mrs Elliot; that /,
, impossible"
''Il's all we have" said the widow.
"Mr May6eld asked good many NOR
questions, and showed very Kind interes
in the poor widows affairs. When he ros
to go away, he said
II will send you few things tonight a
a Christmas present. This is the seasol
when friends remember each other. and Ia
kens of good will are passing in all direc
tions. | think cannot do better than 4
) spend all designed giving for this purpose
in making you little more comfortable. =
So when the man comes with what shal
send, you will know that il is for you
Good night. will drop in TO see you
, -. kac,.a