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

Nor was this all, for reasoning from her
coalition, and wants, and the time of the year,
Be thought it best for her NOT to try TO keep
up her house this winter, but, letting Eettie
go into some family where she could be school
ed and boarded, take the rest and go to the
county house for the poor; this would of course
only be until Spring came, when she would
again be able to do as formerly. All this and
much more, in an ungraeious manner fell from
bis lips, and the poor woman left the house,
angry aud -vexed at herself that she had ever
tried to procure help from those around her.
But when she was again in her little home,
where those faces came ever so pleadingly be
fore her, she felt the full force of his advice TO
seperate them, and wept as those, who have
been wounded in spirit, only can.
So il was that the gifts of the Evans were
rather declined than otherwise, and that the
little girls did not so to the schools when the
winter term commenced. Often did Mrs. Par
ker deny herself and children things, which she
would have taken but that she did not wish
to be in any sense dependant.
It was the evening befor Christmas at the
! L L
been enscOnsed beneath the bed-clothes, and
Hettie and her mother were working, and
talking of the morrow and the future. Mrs.
Parker had just been sweeping away with a
steady hand the cob-web fancies in the child's
mind about the patron saint of the holidays
Santa Claus. 1t is hard thing to thus de
stroy pleasing, harmless fances in the minds
OF little ones; to tell them that their Christmas
friend is but myth, or at least but one of the
older ones of their own family. The deceit
if you choose to call it-does no harm, and is
generally left, with propriety, too, we think
until age and experience tells the stO-y.
/ But tonight the children had been talking
/ of the presents for tomorrow, and of their JOY
! that Christmas had come and that they might
once more enjoy it; and although their moth
| er had endeavored TO make them think that
/ their lavorite saint would not come to see them
this year, she felt when they had retired the
| object had not been accomplished. From their
! earliest rcccolections the holidays had brought
them something, ard they were full Of childish
| confidence that it would still be SO.
SO, after they had gone TO their rest, she
/ told Llettie how it was, weeping over her ina
bility 10 better provide for her family. The
| little child -weman did not like to see her thus
desponding, and with childish faith she repeat
ed the promises ofGod that their wants should
be supplied. But the mother doubted, and
almost felt that it could not be so, yet she
would not destroy the confidence Hettie felt
After few moments further conversation
Hettie went 10 her couch, with the usual good
night kiss to her mother, but stopped wbef
she reached the room, and going 10 the Ittlt
box, which contained her worldly possessions
chose out two OF thtfiitile books given her, anC
preparedShem as presents for the two young
Eer. Ge:ag back to the room she placed then
i'm the Stockings hanging by tho stove, saying
5 Meter mind, mother, Fred and Mary viii
have Christmas gifts, if we DON'T" and away
she went with light heart to sleep sweet,
till the Christmas morning.
DowE at Darwin's the scene was different
The evening had been spent is discussing tlr
plans for a party the next evening for the chill
dren, and determining the persons TO be invi
ted After the retirement Of the Juveniles tn
presents for The morrow were shown the moth
er; costly and rare gifts, pictures and books
and coveted presents wished for by the child
S
a new dress and bonnet just from the city
Then, too, the plans for the party were discuss
ed more at length than when the children wer
/ present, and the lady received the money ne
cesSary for the project, with orders TO make
: a nice affdir-money enough TO have checre
many hearts, bowed down by afflictions, wan
and poverty.
/, The scene was yet different at the Evans
: home. Presents were there, too, for the chic
: ren, and a row of five stockings hung near tll
: stove waiting for the examination they Woul
: receive carly in the morning. The present
! were not costly articles. but nice and of util
' ty. I he children had long since been sent t
bed, and he and bis wife were discussing plan
: for the morrow aud the New Year.
D '' l called at Mrs. Parlzer's this Afternoon
] James," said she, "and found her rather poorl
! off. She is not able to DO much on accour
: Of her wrist, and guess works SO much 81
J keeps it weak. She was worrying about he
y children, and the tears came ih her eyes whe
I, she said they had to stay home from school c
account Of their clothes being so thin and poo
:. She says she feels sometimes like giving u,
h and l guess they are bad of in all respects"
y "Can we 10 anything for them?" asked NJ
I Evans.
T Il hardly know was the reply, "our oW
S are not very warmly clothed, and it seems
r take all you earn just now, though I'm sure
C try TO save. guess we might do little, hoy
= ever, if you could get some of those dow
n town to help you. Try them for Chrstm
; gift, James,"
1f Il don't know, they all seem to have enoug
o else to think of But l can do something m
? self; l had calculated to have holiday to-mo
row, bat I guess I'll work and give her Il
Is proceeds How badly are they off? l sha
r. want to know if | ask any one 10 help me"
ID The good woman told him how she foul
er things there, but she could not tell all. The
er was enough, however, 10 enlist Mr.. Eval
N sympathy, and he retired that night with Fl
ID determination to dc good days work on t
s. morrow.
"Mother, mother look here what I've fou
" "a pretty primer just like Hettie's old OF
=, and here, mother! Mary has got little boo
:, l thought you said, mother, that Clu
:. would not come this year TO such house
~ ours; 5ut he has, and thought he would I
i, forget us" / he two little ones Of Mrs. r
i. ker took their seats happy and contenied,
look over their books, while the mothers ey
NJ were filed with tears Of joy as she looked
70 the face of Hettie, who was proudly enjoyi
the scene and results of her being Santa-Cl
on At the Darwin's, the rich presents were d'
- distributed in the morning and received W
r. "thank you, iather!" yet it was not the thai
,ar fulness shown at the other place, but rather
- a matter of course, and as if it was expect
o9 Perhaps they too were busy thinking of
Nd coming evenings pleasures, or it may be Il
Nv many gifts had made them careless; we will l