Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-01-04
chance to see more comfortably than you now

The boy looked little doubtful, for to him,
neglected as he had been by the rich and
prosperous all his life, it was very difficult to
imagine that he was actually invited to enter
the imposing mansion before him as guest
Perhaps Mr.. Dinsmoor OWNED his doubts,
for he continued:
Come. you must not refuse the invitation.
There are some little people inside who would
be very much disappointed if you should, since
it was they who commissioned me to invite
you" ss,ss.
Il am sure, sir, am very much obliged
both to them and to you," said the boy, grate-
fully, advancing towards Mr. Dinsmoor, of
whom he had lost whatever little distrust he
had at first felt.
A moment afterwards and the boy stepped
within the spacious parlor. To him, whose
home offered no attractions and few comforts,
the scene which spread before him might well
seem a scene of enchantment
Lizzie" said Mr.. Dinsmoor, &c come for
ward and welcome your guest. would in
troduce him to you, but unluckily l do not
know his name"
My name is WilIe-Willie Grant" was
the boys reply.
"Then, Willie Grant, this is Miss Lizzie
Dinsmoor who is, am sure, glad to see you,
since it was at her request that invited you
to enter"
Willie raised his eyes timidly, and bent
them for moment on the singularly beau
tiful child, who had come forward and frank
ly placed her hand in his.
There is something irresistible in the witch
cry of beauty, and Willie felt warm glow
crimsoning his cheeks, as, for moment, for
getful of everything else, he bent his eyes
earnestly upon Lizzie. Then another feeling
came over him. and with look of shame at
his scanty and i'll fitting garments, he dropped
her hand, and involuntarily shrank back, as
if seeking to screen them from sight.
Perceiving the movement. and guessing its
cause, Mr.. Dinsmoor, with view to dissipate
these feelings, led forward Harry and Charlie,
the younger boys, and told them to make ac-
quaintance with Willie With loud shouts
of delight they displayed the various gifts
which st. Nichols had brought them, and
challenged his admiration.
Everything was new to Willie. His child
hood had not been smiled upon by fortune,
and the costly toys which the boys exhibited
elected quite as much admiration as they could
desire
Occupied in this way bis constraint gradu-
ally wore off to such degree that he assisted
Charlie and Harry in trying their new toys.
Soon, however, the recollection that it was
growing late, and that he had yet to find his
way home. came to him. and taking his old
hat he said to Mr.. Dinsmoor, in an embar-
rased manner:
ssMy mother will be expecting me home.
and l should already have been there but
that lost my way, and happened to look in
at your window, and you were so kind as to
let me come in"
Where does your mother live, my little
fellow p asked Mr.. Dinsmoor.
.'On- Street"
go, that is not far off / will myself show
you the way, if you will remain few min
utes longer"
Mr. Dinsmoor rang the bell, and ordered a
plate ofcake and apples, as he conjectured
they would not be unacceptable to his little
visitor
Meanwhile Lizzie crept to her mothers side
and whispered:
'.Willie is poor, isn't he r
Eyes. What makes you ask p
81 thought he must be, because his clothes
look so thin and patched Don't you think
that he would like Christmas present, moth
er ~ s A aa aa1
Eyes, my darling. Have you anything to
give him n
Il thought, mother, perhaps you would
let me give him my FIVE dollar gold-piece.-
/ think that would be better than any play
things May give it p
ssYes, my child if you are really willing.
But are you quite sure that you would not re-
gret it afterwards ~
Eyes, mother, and Lizzie ran lightly tC
the little box where she had hertreasure, ane
brought it forth and placed tin Willie'sh hand.
That is your Christmas present.. p said she
gaily.
Willie looked in surprise.
Do you mean it for me9 2" he asked, IL
half-bewildered tone.
g Yes, if you like it."
So thank you very much for your kind
ness" said Willie, earnestly, go and / will al
ways remember it,
There was something in the boys earnes
tone which Lizzie fell was an ample recon
pense for the little sacrifice she had made
Mr. Dinsmoor fulfilled his promise, and walk
ed with Willie as far as the street in which b.
lived when, feeling sure that he could n,
longer mistake his way, he left him.
Mr.. Dinsmoor, whom we have introduce,
to our readers. was a prosperous merchant
and counted his wealth by hundreds of thous
ands. Fortunately his disposition was liberal
and he made the poor sharers with him in th
gifts which fortune had SO literally showers
upon him.
Notwithstanding the good use which h
made of his wealth, he was fated to experienc
reyerses--resulting not from his own misman
agement, but from general commercial PAM
winch all at once involved in ruin many who's
fortunes We're large and whose credit was Ion
established In word, Mr.. Dinsnoor failed
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