Washington sentinel., 1854-01-08
A HOLIDAY STORY


sician, have no right to ask him to put himself
to much trouble on their account"
Perhaps they have no right, in one sense of
the word" replied Dr. Warton, but should
be sorry to think that the instruction Master
Johnny has learned in Mr.. PLIERS Office has
made him forget his catechism, and the instruc-
ton he has received at Sunday school, Come,
Willy, tell me why we keep Christmas"
This was addressed to chubby little boy, Of
about eight years old.
Because replied Willy, "Christ was born
on that day."
"And what did Christ do for us ~
"He died for us that we might be saved"
"That is right" continued the doctor; "and
what must we do to be saved ?"
"Repent and believe" replied little Ellen.
"And what else?"
"Be baptized"
"And what else?"
"Follow His example"
"Right, Ellen, and now tell me what was His
example?'
"Going about and doing good" said Ellen.
"And now tell me, children" said Dr. War
ton, looking full in the face of Master John,
"did our Saviour go about doing good only to
those who had money to pay him?"
No, sir" said all the children at once.
And now, children" said Dr. Warton, g
have something to tell YOU"
Those who had been reading closed their
books, the little ones left their play things and
gathered round their father. Mrs. Warton
smiled to see the interest manifested in the
children's countenances, and Ellen turned to
her little sister of four years DID, and bade her
hush, for father was going to tell a story
" A very short story, my children" said the
docter, "for it is told in few words. It is
bleak, cold night. The snow is deep, and the
raw wind is piling it in drifts on the sidewalk
There is no moon, and the street lamps burn
dim tonight. There are no sleighbells jng-
ling; the only sounds in the street are the
moaning wind and the creeking signs. Young
people and old love to hover round their com
Portable firesides as you are doing, for it is a
dismal night without
I" ! am glad we have warm house to shell
ter us tonight" said Johnny.
/" And well you may be glad" said his ia
ther, q and not glad only, but truly thankful. /
know of one poor family which is now shiver-
ing with the cold and aching with hunger.
This morning man met me, and told me of
a poor woman who had sick child and, 7
said he, | think they need doctor, but they
are too poor to employ one.' asked him to
-
found that doctor was indeed needed. A
little girl, about nine years old, was lying on
the bed, very low with a fever. / think she
cannot live. A little boy, two years older, en-
tered while / was there with an armful of
sticks, which he had picked up from under the
snow on the common; and this, save few
brands that were smoking on the hearth, was
all their fuel. The sick girl, / am afraid, can.
not live, and the mother has no means to make
her comfortable; / doubt whether any of the
family have tasted q morsel Of supper to-
night"
But where is the womans husband 2"
asked Mary.
That / do not know He has been gone
these seven years. / knew him when he was
worth several thousand dollars but a villain
Gus partner of his defrauded him of every cent.
Poor Robinson was almost broken-hearted !;
he fingered about the neighborhood for a while,
earning living as he could, but finally re-
solved to go to sea. His wife gave her full
consent, as she was able, with economy, to pro-
vide for herself and the children, by her needle.
She did well for a while, but sickness came up
on her, and she is now poor, very poor. Her
husband at different times sent her money, and
always wrote as though he was doing we'll. But
the vessel in which he was to have returned
"And he was drowned ~ asked two or three
at once
" do not know continued the doctor, "he
may be living yet, but fear that he has per-
ished. But, my children, Mrs. Robinson is
poor While you are so cheerful and happy
here in this comfortable house, and this bleak
think of Charley Robinson and his mother.
Charley has had no Christmas there is no
New Years for him; for his father may be at
the bottom of the sea. His mother is poor,
and his little sister, | fear, must die. John
Mrs. Robinson has no money to pay the doctor.
Shall stay hometo-nightr y
No, Father" exclaimed John, eagerly "go
and see her, and you may take my half dollar"
"And mine," said Mary.
And my cake" said Ellen.
Willie
Come, children" said Mrs. Warton, "James
shall load the hand sled with wood, and carry
a blanket and quilt will fill basket with
something for supper, and perhaps we can make
them comfortable"
But Johny,n asked the doctor, "why do
you stand so still, while the others are so busy
In getting something for the poor family?"
81 was thinking, father" replied Master
Johnny, of what we said just now--that our
Saviour went about doing good; and that it
would be more like Him, If we could go as well
as send. Mayn't 60 fathern
Certainly, my son."
And father, may got" asked Mary, plac.
ing her hands in her fathers, and giving him
most beseeching look.
dts bleak, cold night" said the DOCTOR
most too cold for my Mary, | fear; but ask
your mother
Mrs. Warton hesitated, but it was but for
She knew that Mary could be made
for the short ride, and she was un-