The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-12-24
A nvY c1RufHAs STORY.
~ MES. MARY ARTHUR.
LITTLE yRAxrx HOFFMAN,


It vas Q cold evening, and there
wa bat little Ere 10 Mrs. Hofiman's
shoys: % little Frantz sat close by it
and though his thoughts were far
away, yet : slight feeling Of discon-
fort, from chillness, mingled with his
ianciee.
His mothers wheel kept on--as it
always did in the winters long even
ine-with q low, humming sound,
hat had ill Row been very cheerful
and pleasant to little Frantz; but
somehow no forgot to notice it this
night. Poor Frsntz!--he scarcely
looked Ike himself, for his head was
bent down, and his eyes seemed to be
looking straight through the floor, 30
SYsd and intent did his gaze seem.
Often and often did the mothers
eye turn 10 her little boy, for never be-
fore had the Joy speaking eye Of Frantz
been 20 long bent to the earth; but
till the mother spoke no word, till at
lAst . deep sigh came from the parted
lip Of Fnntx, SO lost was he in
thought; and when he quickly lifted
his nee and saw the questioning look
ofhis mother, his pent upon thoughts
hurst out at once.
"Oh mother, in q week it will be
Christmas.day; cannot ! have Christ
ms tree1". d
The mothers face looked sad, but
only for . moment: she knew that the
earnest wish Of little Fr1ntz was not
likely to b realised but she knew,
100, that il Was best for her boy to
learn to bear cheerNdlly any crossing
dhis desires that might be, and she
spoke mcssoothingiy and gently than
usual q che said: g @
"And what makes my little Frantz
It bic heart on that now? He has new
1had . Christmas tree before"
'Oh! that ID it." exclaimed Frantz.
"lnsvsr had one. Ever sinceI was
abby, mother, l have heard Of the
good Christ.child who brings beautiful
pfa to others. Why does he not
bring them to met Am ] worse than
oil the rest, motherf"
Mono, Frantx:" SO spoke the
mother hastily-for in her heart rose
apicture Of the gentleness, the selfd
nying fortitnde Of her little boy in the
midst Of troubles; his patience in sick.
nsss, hia indnstry in health, his anx.
ions care u help her in al that his lit,
70 hands could do. Mono! my
Fnnt1--it il not that"
well msther--but is there ans
rsasona Oh! you do not know l have
dreamed and dreamed of q beautiful
t'ee that lshonld have this Christmas
twas full Of golden fruit and lighted
npen, and under it were laid gifts fol
you, dear mother-a new Bible, with
Argc print, and q purse Of money, SO
mat You might not have to work SC
nard, dear mother, and warm clothes
mat would never let you get cold
And oh! as lcame along the street to
Gay, and saw the windows shining
With their loads Of beautiful toys, ant
gnu Of all sorts, and saw the boys ane
girls running and telling how they
would not care for anything else, wher
.ne Christmas day was once come
snd they would have their loaded trc'
then, mother, Ill the dreams hav'
nad since can first remember, came
osck; all you have told me Of the goot
Snrist'child and Of his love for chill
ofen; and | have felt, mother, as ii
was left out, and not loved among tn
Dear Frantz," said the mother, 81
was a sad--sad thought. Do not lie
y Come into your heart again. Oh
ule Christ child is always good--al
xaya loving, even when his love j
.aown in such ways that we do nc
fse 1t ct oace, Come closer to m
T1hta." q5asga Ia ~ Il sase stsas
snnts saw In his mothers face
'''k Of such deep tenderness, that hi