Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-11-23
Yes, sir replied John.

john had been trying on his new shoes,
and had got them laced up about his ankles
Just as the carman came. So out he boun-
ded into the snow, leaving the door to take
care of itself, and was up into the car in a
twlnkling. 1t did not take long, with Johns
active assistance, to transfer the contents of
the car to the widows store-room, which had
been for long time wanting in almost eve
rything
Good night to you, madam said the car
man, as he was retiring, aud may to-mor-
row be the the merriest Christmas you ever
spent, 1t isn't every one who has a friend
like yours
No-and may God reward him. said
Mrs. Elliot, fervently, as the man closed the
door and left her alone with her children.
And now the timely present was more
teareiully examined. 1t consisted of many
articles First, and not the least welcome,
was half barrel of flour. Then there was
bag of corn meal, another of potatoes,
with sugar, tea, rice, molasses, butter, etc. !;
some warm stockings for the children, a
cheap thick shawl fol, herself, and a pair of
gum shoes-besidcs good many little
things that had all been selected with strict
regard to their use. A large chicken for a
Christmas dinner, and some loaves of fresh
Dutch cake for the children, had not been
forgotten Added to all this was a letter
continuing five dollars, in which the geuer-
GUS donor said that on the next day he would
send her a small stove and half u ton of
coal
Edward Mayfield slept sweetly and sound
1,,t ,;,,b, eli 4 ,t,I
Christmas, he got the stove for Mrs Elliot.
1t was small, cheap and economical one,
designed expressly for the poor. He sent
it with half a ton of coal
Three or four days after Christmas, Mrs
Green said to Lizzy and Jane, as they sat
sowing
| declare, girls, we've entirely forgotten
our washerwomau, poor Mrs. Elliot. 1t is
some weeks since she sent us word that she
had sprained her wrist, and could not do
our washing until it got well. think you
had better 90 aud see her this morning.
shouldn't wonder if she stood in need of
something She has two children, and on
ly one of them is old enough to earn any
thing-anG even he can only bring home a
very small sum. We have done wrong to
forget Mrs. Elliot
You 90 and see her, Lizzy,' said Jane.
l don't care about vsitinghbN people in
distress it makes me feel bad.'
"ro relieve their wants, Jane, ought to
make you feel good said Mrs. Green.
Il know it ought; but had rather not
60
oh yes. Jane, said Lizzv; You must
90 with me. want Won to 90. Poor Mrs.
Elliot who knows how much she may have
suffered 2
Yes, Jane, go with Lizzy; want you
to GO
Jane did not like to refuse positively, SO
she got ready and went, though with good
deal of reluctance Like great many 9TH
ers, she had no taste for scenes of distress.
If she could relieve want by putting her
hand behind her and not seeing the object
of penury, she had no objection to doing
So but to look suffering in the face was toe
revolving to her sensitive feelings.
When Lizzy and Jane entered the hum
BILE home of the widow, they found every
thing comfortable, neat and clean. small
stove was upon the hearth, and though the
day was very cold, diifused genial warmth
throughout the room. Mrs. Elliot sat knit.
ting; she appeared extremely glad to see
the girls. Lizzy enquired how her wris,
was, how she was getting along, and if she
stood in need of anything. To. the last
question she replied
Il should have wanted almost everything
to make me comfortable, had not MIR. May
field, one of the gentlemen | washed for be-
fore / hurt my wrist, remembered me al
Christmas. He sent me this nice little stove
and load of coal, half barrel of flour
meal, potatoes, tea, sugar, and | can't now
tell YOU what all--besides a chicken for ouI
Christmas dinner, and five dollars in money
Pm sure he couldn't have spent less thar
twenty dollars. Heaven knows | shall new
err forget him He came on Christmas eve
and inquired SO kindly how was getting a
long and then told me that he would sent
me little present instead Of to those who
didn't really need anything, and who nigh
well forgive him for emitting the usual com
pIiments of the season. Soon after he wa:
gone. man brought us car load of things
and on Christmas day the stove and Goa
came
Jane looked at Lizzy, upon whose face
was warm glow and in whose eye wa'
bright light. -.
Then you do not need anythingF sale
Lizzy,
No, thank you kindly, not now. | an
very comfortable. Long before my coal
flour, meal and potatoes are out, hope t.
be able to take i'll washing again, and then
shall not need any assistance
Forgive me, sister, for my light word
about Edward Jane said the moment sh
| and Lizzy left the widows house. lie i
| generous and nobe-hearted. would rath
or he had done this than made me presen
of the most costly remembrance he coul
find, for it stamps his character. Llzzy, yo
may well be proud of him.
Lzzy did not trust herself to reply, 70
she could think of no words adequate to tn
expression other feelings. When Jane to!
her father about the widow-Llzzy was mod
estly silent on the sublect--Mr. Green said
That was nobly done There is tn
ring of the genuine coin! am proud c
him ~
Tears came into Lizzy's eyes as she hear
her father speak so warmly and approyingl
of her lover
Next year. added Mr.. Green. we mus
take lesson of Edward, aud improve on
system of holiday presents How man