The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-03-22
THE TWO FIRE-sIDEs.
A HOLIDAY STORY.

N 1Oi-tOA1 O1OhIs
It was cold December night In a
well-furnished parlor, gathered around a
blazing fire, sat a mother with five chill
dren. The former was busily plying her
needle, and the latter engaged, some in
reading. some in arranging their new sup
ply Of toys, with which father and mother,
in the character of Santa Claus, had sup
piled them on Christmas.
s'It is bleak, cold night" said DIR.
Warton, as he entered the room, without
divesting himself of his overcoat and muf-
he's, drew up a chair near the fire.
"And how you have come home for all
night, hope" said Mary. the eldest of the
five. ias
ai"I am not so sure Of that" said the
father drawing nearer the fire. re
.No indeed, you are not, replied Mary.
"Father, wish you were not doctor.' -
"Why sos" asked the father.
because you never have moment
that you can call your own. You have to
ride all day, and you may be called to 60
away at any time of night, no matter how
the weather is."
S. eyes. but father is psid for it," said
Master Johnny.
"a s.Not always, Mary; there are many poor
people who never pay anything at all for
fathers visits"
"Bqt," continued Johnny, "father don't
get up in the night, or travel bad roads for
them." A.S sp'f5 So
sJohnny," !" said Dr. Warton, solemnly,
ssdid you ever know me to neglect to turn
up muddy lane in cold or rainy times;
or refuse to get up at night, however dark
or cold; when poor family who had moth
ing to pay desired my services?p
Master Johnny was little disconnected
atthis grave reply of his father; for, young
as he was, he prided himself on knowing
something about business, and the way to
get rich.
81 cannot say" he answered, "but l
only Thought that they who do not expect
to pay a physician, have no right to ask
him to put himself to so much trouble on
their ACCOUNT
.sPerhaps they have no right, in one
sense of the word, !" replied DR.. Warton,
s.but Ishould be sorry to think that the in
structlon Master Johnny has learned in Mr..
Pilfer's office has made him forget his Cat
.echism and the instruction he has received
at Sunday School. Come, Willy, tell me
why we keep Christmas?" s1s4sI
This was addressed to chubby, little
boy, about eight years old.
/ s.Because," replied Willy, "Christ was
born on that day." So es
aAnd what did Christ do for .us?''
"He died for US, that we might be saw
ed - a..ss
..Right,'' continued the doctor; sand
what must we do TO be saved?'
Repent and believe" replied little Ell
len. u
. .sAnd what elsel''
ssBs baptized" a oa
I" And what else2". = f9 Ei5s
"Follow His example," .
] sRight, Ellen, and tell what was his ex-
ample?'
"Going about and doing good" ssid
Ellen. al "a E5e -
..And now. tell me, Children said DR..
Warton, looking full in the face of john
ny, ..did our Savior go about doing good
only to those who had money to pay him?''
ssNo sir,,' said all the children at once.
.sAnd now, children" "'said DR.. Warton,
"Ihave something 10 tell you.''
Those who had been reading closed
their books, the little ones left their. play
things and gathered around their father,
Mrs. Warton smiled to see the interest
manifested;in the children's scountenances,
and Ellen turned to her little sister of four
wears old and babe her hush, for her faith.
er was going to tell them story.
"A very short story, children" said the
doctor ,9ssfor it Isl told in q few words, 1t
is cold, bleak night. The snow is deep.
and the raw wind is piling It in drifts on
the sidewalk. There is no moon. and the
street lamp burns dim tonight. There
are no sleigh bells jingling, the only sounds
in the street are the moaning wind snd the
Icreaking signs. Young and old people
love to hover around their comfortable
firesides as you are doing. for it is dis
NAL night without" - q
81 am glad to have warm house to
shelter US tonight" "said Johnny.
ssAnd we'll you may be glad" said his
father, sand not glad only, but truly thank
fol. know Of one poor family which is
shivering now with cold and aching with
hunger. This morning a man metme,
and told me OF a poor woman, who had a
sick child; sand ! said he. Il think they
/ need. adoctor, but they are too poor TO en-
ploy one. - asked him TO show me the
house. and when l entered found that a
doctor was indeed needed "A little girl,
about'nine years,old. was,lying on the bed
very low with d fever, A little boy, two