The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-12-18
The Child,s Faith--A True story.


The ChiId's Faith--A True Story.
MARY ARTHUR.
1t was a cold evening, and there was but little
fire in Mrs. Hoffman's stove; SO little Ffantz sat
close by it; and though his thoughts were far
away, yet slight feeling of discomfort, from the
chiiIlness, mingled with his fancies.
His mothers wheel kept on-as it always did in
the winters long evenings-with low humming
sound, that had till now been very cheerful and
pleasant to uIe Franz; but, somehow, he forgot
to notice it this night. Poor Frantz he scarcely
looked like himself, for his head was bent down,
and his eyes seemed to be looking straight through
the floor, so fixed and intent did his gaze seem.
Often and often did the mothers eye turn to her
little boy, for never before had the oyspeakng eye
of Frantz been long bent to the earth but still
the mother said no word, till at last, deep sigh
from the lips Of Frantz then his mother laid
her hand softly upon his; yet even that gentle
touch started Frantz, so lost was he in thought
and when he quickly lifted his face, and saw the
questioning look Of his mother, his pent up thoughts
burst out once.
Oh, mother ! in a week it will be Christmas
day. can not have Cbristmas-tree Z"
The mothers face looked sad, but only for mo.
ment; she knew that the earnest wish of little
Frantz was not likely 10 be realized but she
knew, too, that il was best for her boy 10 learn to
bear chseriuily any crossing Of his desires which
must be and she spoke more soothingly and gently
than usual, she said
And what makes my little Frantz set his heart
On ihatnow! lie has never had Christmas-tree
before :"
Oh, that is it, exclaimed Frantz; " / a,sUer
had one Ever since | was a baby, mother, |
have heard of the good Chrst-chilH who brings
beautiful gifts to others. Why does he not bring
them to me- Am l worse than all the rest
mother"
"No-no, Frantz;' so spoke the mother has
tIy-iOr IN her heart arose picture OF the gentle
ness, the sedenyng ortitude of her little boy, in
the midst of trouble has patience in Sickness his
industry in health, his anxious care TO help her in
all that his lttle hands rould do q No-nni NV
FraEz-il is not that"
Wei, mother-but is there a1ly reason Oh!
you do not know how have dreamed and dreamed
ofa beautiful tree that shouldhave this Christmas
It lull Of golden fruit and lighted tapers, and
under it laid gifts for you, dear mother a
new Bible, with large print and purse OF money;
50 that you might not have to work so hard, dear
mother; and warm clothes. that Would never let
you get cold. And oh as | came along the street
to-day, and saw the windows shining with their
loads OF beautiful toys, and gifts of all sorts, and
saw the boys and girls running and shouting, and
fellng how they would not tor any thing else,
when the Chrstmas-day was once come and they
would have their loaded tree-then, mother, all the
dreams have had, since | can first remember,
came back; all you have told me of the good
Christ-chid and OF his love for children and l half
felt, mother as if | was left out, and not loved
among the rest.
'' Dear Franlz," said the mother, "i it was a sad
sad thought. Do not let it come into your heart
again. Oh! the Christ.child is always gOod-al-
together loving, even when his love is shown in
such ways that do not clearly see it at once.
Come close 10 me, FranZ."
tranlz saw in his mothers face look of sTch
deep tenderness, that his soul grew full, He took
has own little seat, and sat close beside her, and
leaned his head against her knee, and the mother
said gently
The Christ-child has given you beautiful gifts,
my Fantz; he has given you life, and warm,
earnest heart; he has given you a mother, who
loves you so dearly; home to shelter you; he
gives US the light Of day. aud all the glorious things
reveals, and The stIller beauty Of the night; and
lie gives US, more than all, hors Of heaven, and
knowledge of the path to it, Are not these great
gifts, Frantz "
Ffanrz lifted his face; he did not speak, but his
eyes were full of tears, and his mother knew tho
his heart said
Yes,'
So she went on:
These are the gifts we most need to make us
happy; others may be good for us, but the Christ.
child, knows better than we do what we need. IT
t good for US, he would give all we wish
for; but hen we might not make good use of his
gifts, or we might grow proud of them, or be sc
wrapped up in the gifts as to forget the Giver
All my Franz, let only ask for what is best fol
to have and he will give it; he loves to give
and only refuses what will hurt u.s."
Again little Frantz had bent his head on hi
hand, but now it was not sadness, only thought
tha in his face and he asked
How can we know what is best-what t.
ask for?"
If it is not given, think that it is best with
held, and be patient if it is given be thankful, ant
use the gift Alright See, Frantz :"
And the mother arose, and took from closet
smell sum of money.
This" she continued - "is all | have if an
Of this is spent for toys play, | shall not hav
any to buy shoes for you, nor for me, and by this
know the Christ-child deems it best for to b
content with what is most necessary, and to Civ
up the pleasure OF buying you beautiful gode
fruit and colored tapers."
Gould not do without shoes?n asked Frantl
would go many errands for the old cobble
that he would mend my old ones and oh if tn;
would make it right"
Sc And I-should do without shoes ?" asked tn
mother.
Frantz looked down at the worn-out shoes 81
had on, and again his heart was full.
Oh! no. mother you must have shoes b.
oh how happy the boys must be whose mothe
have shoes, and can give them Christmas tree
TOO !"
Long did Frantz lie awake that night and Dol
der over all his mother had said aud at last
thought sprang into his mind. 1t was not wror
ask the Christ-child for what wish, if v
will only patiently bear the Withholding.
would ask for the tree. But how His moth
had told him the Chrst-child was ready to answ,
and always near. Frantz would write his hear
wish in letter, and direct it " To the Chris
child"
And early in the fair morning. Frantz wrote t
more the gay, bright face of old for in /
pocket was the paper which seemed to him wa
rant of coming joy, and in his heart was feel
very like certainty that his wish would be granite
yet he did not speak of it. 1t was his first,
glad, darling secret, and it should be great 81
prise to his mother. So he only looked joyful a
kissed her, and she laid her hand on his head, a
said how glad she to see her boy pate
and cheerful once more.
trantz did many little acts of kindness and
Instr al day fnr In biS haarf 1nfa ain
hope and love and he wished to help every oil
But lively as he was, he did not forget to drop
precious letter in the Post-otfce
When the Postmaster came 10 look over the
ters Of course he much surprised at this one
rranz, with strange a direction bul in a II
1nent he saw that il was in a ohild's hand, and
opened tbs letter, Il ran thus
Coed GA-tss.sStiS--Ia an posg nRi9 Sey, bs hSv