Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-02-09
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More Blessed to Give than Receive.
A NEW-YEAR'S STORY.


...- By 7. s. ARTHUR.
Il wonder what shall get for New
Years gift!' said Ellen Grant, on the day
before New Years. 7
I'LL tell you what I'd Ike to have: one
ofihe biggest wax dolls that could he found.
AS big as . real baby, and great deal big
ger too. Wouldn't you, s;s,er!'
NO: but I'd like to have-let me see
what would like to have;' and Ellen sa.
and thought for few moments. Yes
I'd like to have shawl, just like Aunt
Mary's.'
And I'd like TO have pony spoke up
Harry. OH wish father would buy
me pony for New Years giif.'
Then the children talked. first wishing
for one thing, and then for another, while
Aunt Prudence sat knitting and listening
to villa, they said. At last, little blue-eyed
Mary, the merry pet Of the house, came.
and leaning her arms upon the knees OF
Aunt Prudence, looked up into her face,
and said
What are you going to give me for q
New Year s gift, Aunt Prudence"
~ kiss, DEAR replied Aunt Prudence.
wont that dog
Il want something besides kiss. Iget
kisses every day
oh, yes, and what are you going to
give mel spoke up Ellen.
And me, Aunty!' said Harry.
wait until tomorrow, and we'll see
But don't hear any thing about what you
are to give, only about what you expect
10 receive. Now ain that little selfish!
! am sure you might make somebody a
present Of something, and thus be made
10 feel how true the words are, that it is
more blessed to give than TO receive
What do you say, children! You've got
ngood many shllings in your money box
cs. and can make New Years presents,
as well as any body else.'
Sure enough!' exclaimed Ellen: so we
can. | never thought Of that. I've got
two dollars in my money box. What shall
buy? Mother shall have present, and
SO shall father
And so shall Aunt Prudence said little
Mary. what shall buy you, Aunt Pru-
dence3'
Cant you think Of somebody replied
the Aunt, 'to whom you might make
New Years present that would be useful!
There are great many people who haven't
even the comforts of life; much less its
luxuries. There are hundreds of poor
children who never think Of toys; and for
whom New Years day comes and goes,
without bringing present Of any kind
Mrs. Gran: came into the room at this
moment; and the conversation was inter-
rupted; for Aunt Prudence put her finger
upon her lip, and the children understood
her to mean by it, that they were to say
nothing about New Years presents to their
mother, until she had an opportunity to
speak with them further on the subject;
which opportunity soon occurred.
Not far from where Mr.. Grant, the faith
er Of these children, resided, lived a poor
man, named Barker, who, from sickness,
had not been able to do any work for many
months. He had three children. The
two oldest, William and Jane, were only
ten and twelve years Of age; and Hetty
and Philip were much younger. Since
her fathers sickness, Jane had got her.
self place in family to look after some
children, for which she received dollar
week. This, with about two dollars q
week, which the mother earned by sewing,
was all the family had to live upon.
New Years day came with sober face
to the inmates of poor Mr.. Barker's COM
fortress home The children looked for
no presents; for even full supply ofnour-
ishng food was lacking, and their clothes
were now worn almost into tatters.
For breakfast, they had some milk and
water, and dish Of fried potatoes. Hun
ger made these sweet to their taste, and
thew ate with a keen relish. After the ia
BILE was cleared away. and the room swept
up. Mrs. Barker sat down to her sewing
there was no holiday for her-and Mr..
Barker took a book, and as he lay upon
his bed, gave each Of the children les
son.
.! wish they would let Jane come home
today he said. after he had given the
lessons. 1T is New Year, and they might
give the poor CHILD a few hours holiday
As he finished speaking. the door opened
and Jane came in. The smile that half
awokc upon her fathers lips died away.
q he saw tears were in her eyes, and glis-
tening upon the cheeks Of his child.
'Jsne, dear he said. tenderly. what is
the matterl' as the child came hastily a.
Il A.. ...o.oaxax aho alae al 4h<n