The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1850-12-26
THE CllILD'S FAITH.
"a irae Story J
BIT MRS. MART ARTHUR.

Il MAS cold evening, aud there was
10, lill,c FIRE in Mrs. Hofiman's stove;
20 lutte Frrn,z ~. close 10 it; and tho
his thoughts were far away, ye, Sigh,
feeling Of discomfort, from the c!.llucss,
mingled with hi. fAncics.
His mothers wheel kept on--a as it al.
ways did in the winters Ion: evening
with low humming sound, that lad
ill now been very cheerful and pleas.
ant 10 little Fran,r bu; somehow, he
forgot 10 notice it this night. Poo,
Fmn,z he scarcely looked like himself,
for his head was bent down, and bis
eyes seemed to be looking straight lhro'
the floor, SO fixed and intent did his
gaze seem.
Often and often did the mothers eye
turn to her little 10y, for never beforc
had the joy-speaking eye Of Frantz
been so long bent 10 the earth bu, still
the mother said no word. ill a, last,
deep sigh came from the parted lips of
Frautz then his mother laid her hand
softly upon his; We. even tha, gentle
touch started him. so lost was he in med
ila,ion and when he quickly lifted his
face. and saw the questioning look Of his
mother, his pent-np thoughts burst ou,
ai once.
"Ol,, mother. ia a week i, will be
Cbristmssday can 4 rot have n Christ.
n,as-iree Z:
The mothers face looked sad. but on.
" for moment, 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 to learn
to bear chcerful,y any crossing Of his
desires which mus, he and she spoke
more sootl,ingly and gently than usual,
as she said
"And via, makes my little Fran,z
set his hear, on that now He never
has had a CHisimss-tree before :"
"Oh, that is it," exclaimed Frantz /;
II never had one. Ever since was "a
baby, mother, have heard nf the good
Ch.ist-child, who brings beautiful gifts
10 others. Why does he no; bring them
10 laei Am | worse than all the res,
mother =
No no, Trant,;' SO spoke the
no,er, hastily. for in her heart arose a
picture Of the gentleness, the se'i-deny-
ing for,i,ud" of htr little boy, in the
midst nf trouble his patience IN sick
ness. his industry in health. his anxious
care TO help her in all ,hAt his little
hands could do. = No no my Ffan,z
it is not that
"Wen, mother bu, is there any rea-
son' OH you do not know bow l
have dreamed and dreamed Of beauii-
ful iee that ! should have this Christ.
mas il was foil Of golden fruit and light
I'd ,apers, and under il were laid gins
for you, dear mother; new Bible with
large print. and purse Of money so
that yoa nigh, not have 10 woIk so
hard dear mother, and warm clothes
that would never let you get cold. Aud
oh !. as I came along the street to-day
and saw the windows shining with heir
loads Of beautiful toys, ahd gifts Of all
xofs, and saw the boys and girls run
ming and shouting. and telling how they
would no, care for any thing else, when
The Chrisimasdsy wa, once easnc, and
Thy would have their loaded tree
then, mo,hee, all the dreams have had
STAGE ] can first remember. came back
all you have told me VI the good Christ
eb,Id and Of Lis iove for children and
] half felt. mother, as il ] ~as 'efs out,
sd noa loved amoag the rest
Dear Eran,r," said the mothert II
sn q sad-sad thought, Do Dot le' !,
~'cs into ycs, hear sS.ir Oh The