Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-12-24

she pretty, in her white dress, with gold
rings in her sleeves? Don't she look
like an angel? Oh, Anna! don't you
wish you lived in big house, and had
white dresses, and dancing, and music? =
"Thcy are coming to the door, Char
ley" said Anna.
The children were led into the wide
hall and stood over Hle furnace register,
warming their cold fingers, while the
servant went to find Miss Pomeroy. Soon
they were surrounded by little children,
dressed in gay, pretty clothes, who clus-
tered, full of pity, around the children
who had no Christmas presents Miss
Pomcroy herself brought out the basket
AS she came near the group, she hasti-
ly placed the basket on the hall-tabe,
and came to Anna. Child cbildw
she cried, while the tears poured down
her cheeks, "who are you p
Gamma Pomeroy Dugarde.'
=" My little namesake my niece! @
my child +! my sisters little one Fa-
therl" The old gentleman came hasti-
" to her call, Sccw she cried "Is
she not Harriet's image? Look, father!
Oh. this is Christmas night. Once,
again, pray you, forgive my sisterl'
a" Anna old mans voice trem-
blod is this not a forbidden subioct!'
" But she is sick poor her children
begging on Christmas night! Father,
pity hcr-forgive her Children, all of
you, plead for your aunt--your little cou-
sins! Nellie! Lola. will you not all
speak,"
A handsome man now came from the
parlor and spoke to Charley.
" Your name, my man? p
" Charles Pomeroy Dugarde.'
What! my namci Why
" II is Harriet's child, Charley" said
Anna Pomeroy. Father! all! you
weep Father, may we 60 and bring
Harriet here p
C Yes, go; take the carriage and bring
her here" said Mr.. Pomeroy.
=" She can't come" said Charley !;
1" she's got no bonnet and shawl she
sold them for medicine, ever so long
ago"
In a carriage piled with soft furs and
cushions, Charlie ard Anna went for
their sister, while their little namcsakes
were taken by Lola and dresscd-Anua
in q white dress, to Charlcy's great de-
light, and the young man himself in a
warm suit OF his cousins.
Harriet lay on the hard mattress,
watching for her children. The fire was
low, almost ont. tho room bitter cold ,
and the invalid longing, with intense de-
sire, for the return of her children. -
The time passed slowly, the fire went
out, and, in the dark cold room, went
up prayer for pity and petition for her
children. She felt the cold creep through
her limbs, and she iancied she should
die without again seeing Anna or Char
ley.
This way" said voice on the stairs !;
and a moment later, her landlady eutcr-
ed, bearing aloft candle, and followed
by lady and gentleman, laden with
fars and shawls The lady dropped her
pile, and spranc to the bedside.
Harriet 0 my sister! to fini you
in this place %
Anna is itindcod you? Is my IA
ther dead, chat you ran come TO me?'
Not dead, Harriet, but foTgiying.
Come, sister, you must come with us
Gentle hands wrapped her in warm
clothes, and her brothers. strong arms
bore her to the carriage a large, soft
bed, a warm room, aud low, loving vote
cs around her, seemed like dream Of
Paradise; but when the father, laying
his hand upon her head, called down
Heavens blessing on her head, then was
the cup Of Joy full.
The day that closed that night at Mr.
Pomoroys, was, indeed, merry
Christmas.