Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-01-05
From the Gospel Messenger.

IL was cold December night. In well
furnished parlor, gathered around a 6laz-
ing fire, sat mother with her Eve children.
The former was busily plying her needle,
and the latter were engaged, some 10 read
ing. some in arranging their new supply Of
toys, with which father and mother. in the
character Of Santa Claus, had supplied
them on Christmas. nan ta
alt is a bleak, cold night" said DR.. War
ton, as he entered the room, and without
dvesiing himself of his overcoat and "muf-
hers," drew up chair near the FIRE.
"And now you have come home for all
night l hope,' said Mary, the eldest of the
live. .HIE. ss
81 am not sure Of that" said the father,
drawing nearer the fire.
"No, indeed, you are not" replied Mary.
"Fathcr, wish you were not Doctor"
"And why so? ?" asked the father
because you never have a moment that
you can call your own. You have to ride
all day, aud you may be called to go away
at any time of the night, no matter what
the weather is"
"Yes, but father is paid for it," said mas
ter Johnny. .........- ...
mot always" said Mary, "there are ma
ny poor people who never pay anything for
fathers visits" -..l.
But" continued Johnny, "father don't
get up in the night or travel bad roads for
them" H" ..et a
Johnny" said DR.. Warton, solemnly,
"did 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 nothing
to pay, desired my ssrvices?"
Master Johnny was little Disconnected
at this grave reply of his father; for, young
as he was, he prided himself on knowing
something about business, and the way to
get rich. 1 tsr st
81 can't say" he answered "but I only
thought that they who do not expect to pay
a physician. have no right to ask him to put
himself to much trouble on their account"
"Pcrhaps they have no rightin one sense
Of the word," replied DR.. Warton, "but l
should be sorry 10 think that the instruc-
ton Master Johnny has learned in MIR. Pill
fer's Office has made him forget lis cate
CuloII, duU lIo iIolI uCllOu nO hdo iCOChCh
at Sunday school, Come. Willy, tell me
why we keep Christmas"
This was addressed to a 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 saw
cd" .F...
"That is right" confined the doctor, "and
What must we do to be saved?"
"Repent and believe" replied little Ell
len. h
"And what else ?"
Follow His example"
Fright, Ellen, and now tell me what was
His example? ?"
"Going about doing good" said Ellen.
"And now tell me, children" said Dr.
Warton. looking full in the face of Master
John, "did our Saviour go about doing good
only to those who had money to pay him ?"
mo, SIR" said all the children at once.
"And now, children" said DR.. Warton,
81 have something 10 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 mani
tested in the children's countenances, and
Ellen turned to her little sister of four years
old, and bade her hush, for father was 60
ing to tell story.
az very short story, my children" said
the doctor, "for i! is told in few words
1t is bleak cold night. The snow is deep.
and the raw wind is piing it in drifts on
the sidewalk. There is no moon, and the
street lamps burn dim to night. There are
no sleighbells jingling, the sounds in the
street are the moaning wind and the creak-
ing signs. Young people and old love ia
hover round their comfortable firesdes, as
you are doing, for it is a dismal night with
out" so -A
II am glad we have warm house to
shelter US tonight" said Johnny. -9 ,ea
sand well you may be glad" said his
father, "and not glad only, but truly thank
ful. l know of one poor family which is
now shivering with the cold and aching
with hunger This morning a man met
me, and told me Of poor woman who had
u SICK CnlluI anu, Shlu ucI i ttiiIA tuty
need doctor, but they are too poor to EN-
ploy oue," asked him TO show me the
house, and when entered l found that O
doctor was indeed needed. A little girl
about nine years old was lying on the bed
very low with fever. think she canno
live. A little boy two years older. entered
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, l am
afraid cannot live, and the mother has nc
means to make her comfortable; | doubl
whether any of the family have tasted q
morsel Of supper tonight"
"But where is the woman's husband =
asked Mary.
"That do not know. He has beer
gone these several years. ] knew him
when he was worth several thousand dol
lars; bu: villainous partner OF his defrau
ded him of every cent Poor Robinson
was almost broken.hearted; be fingered
about the neighborhood for while, earn
ing living as he could, but finally resolv'
ed TO 60 to sea. His wife gave her full
consent as she was able. with economy, tC
| r.. 4 a l..