Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-12-27

lieve yeu generally take the holidays" "Yes,
said Evans, Il do, but / tho Ight TO do good by
working, and do something that would please
me better than doing nothing. 1t is something
in which you can alihelp, and should be glad
TO have you do so, for l am not able TO do as
much as | would like to- He then told them
of Mrs. Parker, her wants and troubles, and
promised his days wages should go for her ben
eft. The Doctor confirmed the tale of her pON-
erty, and said that she ought not 10 haze to
work even yet, with her writ as weak as it
must be. 1t was Immediately proposed 10y the
merchant that they should help Evans, and
get her up Christmas gift worth while, to
which all assented. So Mrs. Evans vas sent
for to say what was best to send, and she select
ed from the store dresst for the family such
as were needed, while the Doctor bought them
an assortment Of staple groceries. A farmer,
who was in the party, said he wou'd get them
a load of nicely split stoYe-wood from home,
and wonld call at the store for the things as he
came back, ut the same time starting to do so.
Mrs. Eyaus meantime went with the shoema-
kcr TO pick out some shoes for the children.
while Il young man, who chanced in while they
were conve Ising on the matter, proposed that
MIR. Evans wages and the dollar he gave should
be given her in money TO expend as she thought
best. A neighboriDg merchant, who had heard
of what was going on, came in to ascertain
what was yet wanting, and going out, soon
returned bringing dress for Mrs. Parker and
come tippets for the girls. Mr. Evans thanks
on behalf of Mrs. Parker were warm, as also
fl,oco Of bs- -,-;c I,.,tb r. !
in tue work Of providing with all their heaIts
1t vas nearly noon when the wagon of the
farmer eame along, or rather we should say
wagons, for on arriving at home he thought ii
best to bring two loads, and his wife had plac-
ed basket of meat and vegetables on top of
his load us her share. As he drove up TO the
store, and the other things were being put on
his wagon, who should come along but the
miller, who. hearing portion of the conver-
sallon, inquired what was going on, and laugh
ed heartily at them for forgetting that bread
WIS the staff of life; an oversight that he pro-
cceded to remedy by bringing up a sack ol
flour as his portion. The question then arose
who should go TO make Il c presents, task
which, somehow none Of them wished, nor did
they seem at all anxious that she should know
who were her benelactors. 1t was finally agreed
that all should go, apparently for the purpose
of carrying in and taking care of the wood
for her, and all see and hear ber condition. Ac-
cordin9ly they went, and soofa arrived at her
humble dwelling. The baskets of provisions
groceries, &C., with the -four, were deposited
in an open space on the little back porch, and
they proceeded TO pile the wood where il
would be handy, taking in armS-iul as cheer
fully as if all OF them were used to the labor
Mrs. Parker heard the noise, and came to sec
what was going ON, the little faces of the chill
dren peeping out with hers through tie win
dow. She might well have thou! ht there was
a mistake had she not seen the faces outside
and knowing what was infended she prepared
to welcome them in when the work was over
As soon as the wood was arranged and cover.
cd over with some boards Mr.. Evans found
for the purpose. they went in and the content,
of the baskets aid parcels were soon in ap
propiate places, Then they sat around the
stove III the front room, while Mr.. Evans, a:
spokesman of the party, told the story. The
widow thanked them all, so kindly and fearful
y that there was no one of them that would
have fuiled to have been there, and all felt thei
share in the occurrence was a good one. Bu
when she went on to tell them of her trials
there were but few dry eyes, and her own tear
fell fast when theysassured her that she sboulC
not suffer if they could reIieve her. And a
they went away from the house the blunt re
mark of the pIain-spokcn miller, "By George
ths is a good days work." was expressive o
the feelings of the crowd. 1t would be need
less to say that that Christmas day and nigh
at the houses Of Mr.. Evans and Mrs. Parke
was a happy one.
But how at the DarWin's? Chcerily enough
for the house was well filled with the youth O
Tie village, who much enjoyed the hospilalit
of the prOprietOrs, and all seemed to the worl
outside to go off smoothly. 1t was midnish h
nearly, before the last Of the guests departed
and the family Assem- 1Icd in their sitting room
TO chat few moments over the events of tn
evening. The children had enjoyed it yer
much, and had many expressions of delight t
utter, in which they were often joined by tn
mother, who was very fond OF young company
The father was silent, however, though he ha
been cheerful all tie evening, and enjoyed az
parently the society of his guests. The mott
er noticed it, and asked him his reasons; h
turned it off by saying he was ired that VIZ
all, and not used to being up so late, and the
soon separated for the night
But it was not ALL During the evening
while passing from one room to another, lie ha
accidentally overheard a conversation betwce
two of The young people, in which the oecu
renee of the day at Mrs. Parker's were narrtt
in full, and his conscience told him that he ba
not fully done his duty there. Nor would II
fact Of his having made charitable donalio
for suffering humanity elsewhere that day 81
isfy his mind. lie remembered the scene who
she came to him for relief, and wished he hu
done his duty then; for put it in what shaE
he would the transaction Of that morning WI
not satisfactory to him now. This kept hi
silent, when the others were gayIy rccounliu
the pleasures of the tvening, while he renter
bered conduct which he, as chrislia
could not approve. There had been pcrso
present, too whom he did not care TO have
friends and companions for his children, al
on review he felt that the evenings procce
D.: imgs were not as he could wish. Conscicn
whispered that the money might have be,
S better employed; that doing good away W
5 well lough, but at home was yet better. Al
1 so closes our record of this Christmas day.
= Have you not, reader, some poor near J Q
o who need help in these hard times? Is it sol
S one whom the departure of fIathcr, brother hr
I band or son to the wars, that you might emf
2 the peace and quiet Of home, both now and
). the future, has left destitute? Or is it sor
Y other case Of honest poverty which calls
Ii your pity and help? Look about you Sc
: sec and aci. Never never forget the home-po'
5 HERMIT's HONE, 1861.
[ In three battles of sacred history, $40, 0
+ arc mentioned rs having been slain. At Mar
tn, Thermopylae and Platea, $50, 900.
r In Pittsburgh on Saturday there we're over