Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-12-26

good Chaist-child and of his love for
children; and have felt, mother, as If
| was left out, and not loved among the
rest"
Dear Frantz," said the mother. cit
was sad-sad thought. Do not let it
come into your heart again Oh! the
Christ-child is always good always low
ing, even when his love is shown in snch
ways that we do not see it at once. Come
closer to me, Frantz"
Frantz saw in his mothers face loci.
of such deep tenderness, that his soul
grew full. He took his own little seat
and sat close beside her, and leaned his
head upon her knee, and the mother said,
gently:
"Thc Christ-child has given you beau
tiful gifts, my Frantz he has given you
life, and a warm, earnest heart; he has
given you mother who loves you dearly
home to shelter you; he gives us the
light of the day. and all the glorious
things it reveals, and the stiller beauty
Of the night; and he gives us, more than
all this, a hope of heaven, and a knowl-
edge of the path to it. Are not these
great gifts, Erantz?"
Frantz lifted his face; he did not
speak, but his eyes were full of tears,
and his mother knew his heart said
YES"
So she went on:
These are the gifts we most need to
make us happy; others my be good for
us, but the Christ-child knows better
than we do what we need. IF it were
good for us, he would give us all we wish
for; hut then we might not make good
use of his gifts, or we might grow proud
of them, or be so wrapped up in gifts as
to forget the Givcr. All! my Franz.
let us only ask for whit is best for us to
have, and he will give it; he loves to
give. ana only/refuses what win hurt
us" N@h
How can we know what is best
what to ask for 2"
IL it is not given. think that It il
best withheld. ind be patient; il ii il
givcn. be thankful and use the gift Alright
See, Frantz."
And the mother arose, and took from
I. ;;!Gsct & si;ia'! stiff 81 is;o;iey
This she continued "is all 7 have
md IL any Of it is spent for toys or play
| shall not have any to buv shoes for VOL
nor for me. and by this | know that tn
Christ -child deems il best for me to b
content with what is more necessary, an
TO give up the pleasure Of buying yo
beautiful golden fruit anl colored tapcrs
"Conld | not do without shoes 2" ask
ed Franiz. ~ would 90 50 many or
rands for the old cobbler, that he woml
mend my old ones; and oh /! it tina
would make it right
"Anl I---should | do without shoes :?
asked the mother.
Frantz looked down at the worn-ou
shoes she had on, and again his hear
was full.
"Oh! no. mother; you must hay
shoes, but oh ! how happy the boys nus
be whose mothers have shoes. and car
give them Christmas trees, too"
Long did Frantz lie awake that night
and ponder over all his mother had said
and at last a thought sprang into hi
mind. 1t was not wrong TO ask III,
Christ-clil1 for what we wish. if W,
viii only patiently bear the Withholding
lie would ask for the free, But bow
His mother had told him the Christ-ehilr
was ready'to answer, and always near
Frantz would write his hearts wish il
a letter and direct it ITO the Christ.
child"
And early in the fair morning Frant,
wrote the letter, and when he met hi,
nothersbis face was once more the gay
bright face Of old; for'in his pocket was
the paper which seemed TO him a warrant
of coming joy, and in his heart was a
feeling very like certainty that bis wish
wonld be granted Yet he did not speak
of it. 1t was his first, his glad, darling
! secret, and it should be a great surprise
to his mother So he only looked joyful
and kissed her, and she laid her hand on
his head. and said how glad she was to
see her boy so patient and cheerful once
more. ~
Frantz did many little acts Of kindness
apd Industry that day for in his heart
4 Vas iqlndation Of hope and love; and
he wished to help every one. But, live
" as he was. he did not forget to drop
his letter in the post-office.
When the postmaster came to look
over the letters. Of course he was much
surprised at this one Of Frantz's. with so
sfrangc direction but in moment he
saw it was a chiId's hand and he opened
the letter. Ii ran tllus:---
/" Coon CnRIsr-cImp--I am ponr
little boy. but | have a good mother.
who taught me many thincs about you
and she said that YOU are Kind and cool
m love little chillren, and delight 10
rive them gifts. 50 that they arc not
hurtful oncs. Now. my mother is kind
too. and would like TO give me AL
want; but sl,o is poor. and when asked
her for q Cbristmas-trce, she coml not
give me one because she only had money
enoug'' to buy shoes for ~; 20 ak
you, who are good AMI rich. to give me
one. hope am not bad boy II aio
sure my mother docs not think I am !:
aud II II Is best for mn not b have the
tree. | viii try and be patient, and bear
il as a good boy should; but | don't SEQ
what hurt a. largo Bible Or warm clothes
yso,fld dd n,v uadFNfk ~ 10 Nxa1 ~,