The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-12-24
4 TRuy CIxuTKAs STORY.
~ MES. MARY ARTHUR.
L,rTlx vaAxrz HOFFMAN,


Il wss . cold evening, and there
was bat little Gre in Mrs. Hohman's
sfoys; % little Frantz sat close by it;
and though his thoughts were far
away, yet : slight feeling of discom-
fort, from chillness, mingled with his
iancies.
His mothers wheel kept on--as it
always did in the winters long even
ine-with q low, humming sound,
that had ill BOW been very cheerful
and pleasant to little Frantz; but
somehow he forgot to notice it this
night. Poor Frantz!--he scarcely
looked like himself, for his head was
bent down, and his eyes seemed to be
looking straight through the floor, 80
SIed 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 speakingeye Of Frantz
been 20 long bent to the earth; but
till the mother spoke no word, till at
last q deep sigh came from the parted
lip of F1ltx, SO lost was he in
thought; and when he quickly lifted
hi ace and saw the questioning look
dhia motheF, his pent upon thoughts
bunt out at once.
"Oh mother, in q week it will be
Christmas.day; cannot havea Christ
ms treel"
The mothers face looked sad, but
only for q moment: she knew that the
earnest wish Of little Frsntz was not
likely to bs realised but she knew,
TOO, that il was best for her boy to
learn to bear cheerfhlly any crossing
dhis desires that might be, and she
spoke moreIoothingly and gently than
usual q shs said:i sr1
"And what makes my little Fra ntz
II bic heart on that nowi He has nev-
E had . Christmas tree before. /"
"Oh! that ID it." exclaimed Frantz.
"lnsvsr had one. Ever sinceI was
sbaby, mother, have heard ofthe
good Christ, child who brings beautiful
gfn to others. Why does he not
bring them to met Am l worse than
al the rest. motherf"
Mono, Frantz:" 30 spoke the
mother hastily-for in her heart rose
apicture Of the gentleness, the selfde-
nying fortitude Of her little boy in the
nids. Of troubles; his patience in sick
ness, hia indnstry in health, his anx-
ious care u help her in Ill that his lit
ae hands could do. "No-no! my
Fnnts--it il not that"
well msther-but is there any
isasona Oh! you do not know / have
dreamed and dreamed of beautiful
aee that lshould have this Christmas;
II was full Of golden fruit and lighted
npen, and under it were laid gifts for
you, dear mother-a new Bible, with
iafge print, and . purse of money, SO
mat You might not have to work so
nard, dear mother, and warm clothes
mat would never let you get cold
And oh! as came along the street to-
aay, and saw the windows shining
Win their loads Of beautiful toys, and
gifn Of all sorts, and saw the boys and
grls running and telling how they
would not care for anything else, when
!ne Christmas day was once come,
snd they would have their loaded tree
then, mother, Ill the dreams I have
asd since ! can first remember, came
Eosck; all you havetold me Of the good
Snr'st, child and Of his love for chill
oren; and l have felt, mother, as ii ]
was !eft out, and not loved among the
Dear Frantz,' said the mother, s.it
" was a sad-sad thought. DO not let
y Come into your heart again. Oh!
as Christ child is always good---al.
Ms loving, even when his love is
.aown in such ways that we do not
~ II at oncs, Come closer to me
msg6 as Ell ssaz = taes
snnts saw in his mothers face o
'00k OF such deep tenderness, that his