Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-12-29


heard at the door The vehicle had moved SO
noiseiessly on the snow-covered street, mat us
approaeh had not been observed: The LOUD
stroke OF the whip handle on the door, caused
the ;expectant widow and her son 10 start
John Immediately opened 1t:
Is this Mrs. EIliot'sp sked carman who
stood with his leather hat and rougn coat all
covered with snow.
Yes, SIR replied John.
Very well; I've got Christmas present
for her, rather think; so hold open the door
until bring it in
John had been trying on hisnew shoes, and
had got them laced up about his ankles just as
the carman came. So out he bounded into
the snow, leaving the door TO take care OF IT.
self and was up in the car in 1wlnkiing. II
did not take long, with John active assistance,
to transfer the contents of the car to tie Wild
dow's store-room, which had been fer long
time wanting in almost everything.
Good night 10 you, madam said the car
man, as he was retiring, and may Tomorrow
be the mefriest Christmas you ever spent II
isn't every one who has friend like yours
'No-and NAV God reward him. SAID Mrs.
Elliot, fervently, as the man closed the door
and left her alone with Der children
And now the timely present was more care
fully examined 1t consisted OF many ARTICLES
First and not the least welcome, was hall
barrel of flour Then there was bag OF corn
meal, another of potatoes, with sugar, tea,
rice, molasses, butter. etc. some warm stock
ings for the children, a cheap thick shawl Tor
herself, & a pair of gum shoes-beSIdes good
many little things that had all been selected
with strict regard TO their use. large chick
en- for Christmas dinner, and some oaves OF
fresh Dutch cake for the children, had not
been forgotten. Added to all this was let
ter containing five dollars, in which the gen
.erons donor said that on the next day ne
would send her small stove and half ton
| of coal.
Edward Mayfeld slept sweetly and sound
| ly that night. On the next day, which was
Christmas, he got the stove for Mrs Elliot
1t was a small, cheap and economical one, de-
signed expressly for the poor. He sent it with
half ton of coal.
Three or four days after Christmas, Mrs
Green said to Lizzy and Jane, as they sat SOW
| ing
81 declare, girls, we've entirely forgotten
our washerwoman, poor Mrs Elliot. 1t is
some weeks since she sent us word that she
had sprained her wrist, and could not do oul
|
better 90 and see her this morning shouldn'
wonder if she stood in need of Something
She has two children, and only one of then
is old enough to earn anything-and even hi
can only bring home very small sum. We
have done wrong TO forget Mrs. Elliot "
You 60 and see her, LiZZy, said Jane 8
don't care about visiting poor people in dis
tress it makes me feel bad
To relieve their wants, Jane, ought Il
make you feel good said Mrs. Green.
L know it ought; but had rather not 60
ooh yes, Jane, said LizZy; you must g
with me. | want you 10 go. Poor Mrs. +!
lot who knows how much she may hav
suffered !?
yes, Jane, 90 with Lzzy, want you II
go
Jane did not like to refuse positively, s.
she got ready and went, though with goo
deal of reluctance. Like great many others
she had no taste for scenes of distress. If sh
could relieve want by putting her hand be
hind her and not seeing the object of penury
: she had no objection to doing so but to loo
, suffering in the face, was too revolving TO he
sensitive feelings.
r When Lizzy and Jane entered the humbl
r home OF the widow, they found everything
comfortable, neat and clean A small stow
5 was upon the hearth, and though the day wa
l cold, df1used a genial warmth throughout tn
! room. Mrs. Elliot sat knitting; she appeare
extremely glad to see the girls LiZZy in
1 qured how her wrist was, how she was get
ting along, and if she stood in need Of any
e thing. TO the last question she replied
Il should have wanted almost everything t
make me comfortable, had not Mr.. MayfeIt
one of the gentlemen | washed for before
hurt my wrist, remembered me at Christina;
5 He sent me this nice little stove and a load {
coal, half barrel of flour, meal, potatoes, tei
sugar, and | can't now tell what all-besde
/ a chicken for our Christmas dinner, and tiv
l dollars in money. Pm sure he couldn't hav
spent less than twenty dollars Heaven know
t | shall never forget him! He came on Chris
t mas eve, and inquired so kindly how | wa
! getting along and then told me that he woul
t. give me little present instead of 10 thos
who didn't really need anything, and VIII
, might we'll forgive him for emitting the usu;
t compliments of the season. Soon after h
e was gone, a man brought US a car load {
things, and on Christmas day the stove an
4 the coal came
S Jane looked at LizZy, upon whose face We
: warm 6 ow, anu in whose eyes was brig
= light
Then you do not need anything" sa
d LizZy.
e No, I thank you kindly, not now, I a
u very comfortable. Long before my COAL tlou
r meal and potatoes are out, hope to be alb
y TO take in washing again, and then shall nj
need assistance
O Forgive me, sister, for my light words
Y bout Edward,' Jane said, the moment she al
If Lzzy left the widows house He is gen
" rous and noble hearted. / would rather
Y had done this than made me present of II
most costly remembrances he could find, for
d stamps his character Lizzy, you may we
be proud of him
Lizzy did not trust herself to reply, for 81
could think OF no words adequate to tie e.
preston of her feelings. When Janetod h
l. father about the widow-Lizzy was modest
v silent on the subject-Mr Green said
= That was nobIy done! There is the rir
l. of the genuine coin am proud of him'
Tears came into Lizzy's eyes as she hea
Is her father speak so warmly and approving
ir OF her lover.
% Next year. added MIR. Green, eve mu
-e take lesson Of Edward, and improve our sy
g tenn of holiday presents. How many hu
r. dreds and thousands of dollars are wasted
ID useless souvenirs and petty trihes. that mig
do lasting good if the stream Of kind feelin
IL i