The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-08-19
WASHINGTON CTEY, AUGUST Is, 1857.

Now, my mother Is kind, too, and would like to
give me ALL want; but she is poor and when
aAked her for Christmss tree, she could not give
me one, because she only had money enough to
buy shoes for us; SO ask you, who are good and
rich to give me one. hope am not bad boy
am sure my mother does not think am !; and II
it y best for me not to have the tree, will try
70 be patient and bear it as a good boy should
but don't see what hurt large Bible or warm
clothes could do my mother SO, If I may not have
the tree, oh! please give her those, and shah be
so happy. pi llH1 ecs ei1 g
if pq. Jliz9 FRANTz HOFFMAN, 4
Pleased with the simple, childish innocence Of
the letter, the postmaster put it in his pocket.
When he went home he found rich lady there
who had come to take tea with his wife and at
the table, when all were assembled, he drew forth
the letter Of little Frantz and read it aloud telling
how It had come into his hands, and saying how
the poor little fellow would wonder at, never get
ting bis tree, or ever hearing Of bis letter again
But be may hear Of It again" said the rich
lady, VINO had listened carefully to every word
'sThere is 30 much goodness Of heart in the poor
boys love for bis mother, that it well deserves to
be rewarded. He may hear Of it again."
80 the lady remembered the name Of the boy
indeed, she asked the gentleman to give her the
letter. which he did, and by it's aid she sought and
found out where Frantz lived From some of the
neighbors she heard how poor they were, and how
little Frantz helped his mother all day cheerfully,
and was the best boy in all the neighborhood, and
that Mrs. Hoffman had not now even the money
to buy Shoes for that her landlord had raised her
rent and she had to give the little sum laid aside
to him. And the lady thought to herself it would
not be likely to spoil so good a boy to have a
beautiful tree, 80 she had brought to her house,
large and full Of leaves it was; and she bought ali
kinds of beautiful and useful things to hang on it,
and little r0se-c0l0red tapers to be placed among
the branches, and on the table under the tree were
laid two pair of shoes-one pair for the mother
and one pair for Frantz-and thick blankets, and
large shawl and purse of money, (for the lady
knew that poor Mrs. Hoffman must have many
wants Of which, she could not know, and she wan
ted her 70 supply them BY means Of the purse and,
best Of all, there was large Bible.
II Frantz's dream had suddenly turned into re-
ality, it could not have been more beautiful
So day after day went on, and though Frantz
knew not the fate of the letter, he never doubted
that all would 60 well 1t was pleasant to see the
sunshiny face with which he greeted every morn
ing as Zone day nearer Christmas And when
at last Christmas morning came, bright and clear,
there was a leaping, bounding heart in his BOSOM
and light in his blue eye, that made his mother
smile, though she scarcely knew where the next
meal was to come from. The wheel kept on its
whirring, and Frantz sat with bis eyes fixed on
the blue sky, as if he almost thought bis expected
tree would drop down from it. Suddenly low
knock was heard at the door, and a voice asked
Is little Frantz Hoffman here?"
Frantz almost few to the door,
I" am Frsntz!n said he. -
And the little maiden who had asked for him,
told him to come with her, and his mother must
come, too. ai1.a s'a 1a fa@ t4
Soon, very .oon was the little party ready, and