Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-12-29

messed them. Man is ashamed 10 weep even if
] alone. The thought suddenly struck him, what II
he should Ipse bis wife, then would he indeed be
idesolate. The fire had burnt down5ghe was al
most in darkness, and strove no longer TO keep
back the tears, AT fIst slowly, then faster and
still faster, they couIsed downhis cheeks, ana Sill
theycame but he tried not now to check them,
for be felt that they were doing him good. The
ice that had been so long gathering round his
heart had been thawed by the memories called up
by the blaze Of his fire. Strange TO say, those
tears had made him feel more manly. He was re-
solved 10 waken from his sleep, TO rouse himself
irom his lethargy and while enjoying all the biesss
ines still lett him, to act as man, no. put here
by Providence 10 fill vacant liches but TO DO his
part towards contributing TO the happiness oil 9TH
eIS.
This resolve was taken, his tears were dried ups
and several fine sticks of wood thrown upon the
| almost expinng FIRE. One live ccal was left which
like hope, ready to catch at anything, soon COM
municatedic piece of bark, this 10 the stick, and
then aScends bright blaze that makes the whole
room look gay and cheerful. gtfsTJ
Ringing his little bell, Mr.. Wentworth sent for
Minnie. On entering the room, he told her to get
her things on, for he was going to take her on
walk 10 see Christmas eve, The Child stood stlll,
and did NOT offer 10 move. She was accustomed
to the strange vagnIies Of her father, but this was
tile strangest of all. She could not comprehend
| it, but alter second bidding, she did as size was
desired. Mr.. Wentworth now went TO his wlle's
\ chamber, and telling her twas cold there, to put
| on 6Oll6lnlHR WhIIlI huu CULuS uVWh oIu 4IS VIZ
the sofa in the Office, for there was a good fire
there; she was SO affected al such unwonteti kind
ness that he was compelled 10 tell her all he had
thought and felt in the last hour. -
Leaving her now comfortably liked before the
now blazing fire, Mr.. Wentworth and our sweet
Minnie set cut on tlleir walk.
A sesame was now opened 20 the wondering
] eyes Of the child. She knew not before that the
| whole world contained such vast stores OF books
| and toys She soon rejoiced in some of these
things Right Joyous was that W Tx. Last OF all,
they stopped at green grocers, and Minnie's
large eyes opened TO such an extent that they see-
ed as If they would never close again, when she
saw her father purchase tlne turkey, ana 0ruer
! it TO be sent home. The necessary articles Tor
| plum pudding were to accompany IT, and all the
way home Minnie was suffering from the appre-
hensiou that the boy would elope with the turkey.
T. BIithe and happy was Minnie on that blessed
Christmas morning. With heart oYerhowlng
with love to aIl, she presented her gifts 10 each
member of the little household Stacy's heart
was made 10 leap at the sight of the new, real
madras handkerchief. The stool was taken down,
and Minnie sat by the side Of the table to assist i'll
Seeding raisins for the pudding. Thatwas grand
dinner; such turkey all thought neye: was seen,
| and S;.ch pudding certainly had not been eaten
| in that house for long years. Mrs. Wentworth
graced the head Of the table, looking once more
| ner former self. Stacy hung bunch OF ever
green's over the door, saying that was oil that was
needed 10 make it like old lines.
II you could have seen the fire that blazed that
day. you would have thought they were trying the
strength Of the chimney. Al every flesh crack!e
from the hickory, Minne's heart appeared 10 ex-
/ pand, and laughing, she would exclaim, sob, ia
iher shall we not always keep Christmas since " e
| find how merry it makes us ail." eyes, my child,
with blessing, We will keep itwhile we live, and
let us hone that like ourselves, many others are
enjoying merry and happy ChliStmns''