Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-01-25

north-easter; and now, although the wind
had ceased 10 roar among the chimneys,
and to whirl the snow with binding vic.
lence into the face Of any one who ven
tured abroad, the broad flakes were fall
ling slowly but more heavily than since
morning, though the ground was covered
already to the depth Of many inches. Il
was nj ht to make the poor feel sober.
as they gathered more closely aroundtheir
small fires, and thought Of the few sticks
OF wood or pecks OF coal that yet remained
OF their limited store.
On this dreary night, small boy, who
had been at work in printing Office all
day, stood near the desk Of his employer,
waiting TO receive bis weeks wages and
60 home TO his mother, poor widow,
whose slender income scarcely suficedto
give food 10 her little household. ~
You needn't come tomorrow, John,
said the printer, as he handed the lad the
two dollars that were due him for the
week tomorrow is Christmas
The boy took the money, and after lin
gerlng moment, turned away, and walk
ed towards the door. He evidently ex-
pected something, and seemed disappoin-
ted. The printer noticed this, and at once
co,nprehenled its meaning.
john he said kindly.
The boy stopped and turned round; as
he did SO the printer took up half dollar
from the desk, and holding it between his
fingers, said,
You've been very good boy, John,
and l think you deserve Christmas gift.
Here's half dollar for you.'
Johns countenance was lit up in an
instant. As he came back to get the mon
ey, the printers eye rested upon his feet,
which were not covered with very COM
Portable pair of shoes, and he said,
(Which had you rather have, John, this
half dollar or pair of new shoes?'
I'D rather have the new Shoes replied
John, without hesitation.
Very well; I'll write you an order on
shoemaker, and you can 20 and fit your
self, and the printer turned to his desk
and wrote the order.
As he handed TO John the piece Of pa-
per on which the order was written, the
lad looked earnestly into his face, and then
said, with strongly marked hesitation
i think, sir, that my shoes will do very
we'll if mended; they only want mending.
Woni you please write shoes for ny mo-
Their instead of tne?' a
The boys voice trembled, and his face
was suflused. He felt that he had ventur-
ed too much. The printer looked at him
| for moment or tv and then said
Does your mother want shoes badly?'
ooh yes, sir. She doesn't earn much by
washing and ironing when she can do it,
but she sprained her wrist three weeks
ago, and hasn't been able to do anything
but work little about the house since.
And are your wages all she has to live
upon?' .s
They are now
You have little sister, believer
yes sir
Does she want shoes also?' ~
She has had nothing but old rags on
her feet for month";
'Indeed!'
The printer turned TO his desk, and sat
and unused for half minute, while John
stood with his heart beating so loud that
he could hear its pulsations.
Give me that ORDER the man at length
said TO the boy, who handed him the slip
of paper. He tore it up, and then took
his pen and wrote new order.
Take this he said, presenting it to
John. Il have toldthe shoemaker 10 give
you pair Tor your mother, yourself, and
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 if
he were trying to speak; but no sound
came thereirom. Then he turned away
and left the office without uttering word.
John is very late tonight, said the
poor widow Elliot, as she got up and went
to 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 any thing until John came home.--
Little Netty had fallen asleep BY the fire,
and was now snugly covered up in bed
As Mrs Elliot opened the door, the cold
air pressed in upon her, bearing its heavy
burden of snow. She shivered like one
in sudden ague fit, and shutting the door
quickly, murmured--.
my poor boy-it is dreadful night for
him to be out, and SO thinly clad. ! won
der why he stays So late away?'
The mother had hardly uttered these
words when the door was thrown open.
and John entered with ii hasty step, bear
ing several packages in his arms all COW
cred with snow.
There, your Christmas gift, MOTHER
said he, i'll delighted voice; sand here is
mine, and there is Netty's! displaying at
the same time three pair Of shoes, a paper
of sugar, another oftea, and another OF rice.
Mrs Elliot looked hewildercd.
'Where di! ali these come from, joint
she asked in trembling voice, for she
was overcome with surprise and pleasure
at this unexpected supply of articles 50
much needed.
John gave an ar'lcss relation Of what
had passed between him and the printer
for whom he worked, and added
i knew the number yon wore,. and
thought would guess at Netty's size.-
Ii they don't fit, the man says he will
change them; and I'll 60 clear back to his
store tonight but what she shall have her