Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-12-24

themselves under the red bricks of the
hearth. The old lady sat in her antique
rocking-chair, mechanically rubbing the
glasses of her huge silver spectacles, and
her white-headed spouse opposit was
trying to hum the burden of some old,
forgotten psalm-tune
"There amt none o them baked ap,
piles, left, I s'pOse, wife?" said he, after a
pause.
Not one"
"Good landl what are we goin' to do
for breakfast tomorrow morning?"
I'm sure I don't know, Philo; unless
you go to some Of the neighbors, and
borrow a little meal and molasses."
'I cant do that wife, said Mr.. Hig-
gins, in a husky voice "I believe I'd
go hungry sooner than to beg"
at is hard, said the old lady, trying
hard to keep back the tears, by looking
vigorously at thefre. ave never thought
Philo, when you and I was young, Of
comm to this in our old age; and all
through no fault of oursl"
We might be good deal worse of,
wife, said Mr.. Higgins, philosophically.
I don't see how"
Why, spose one of us was sittin' here
alone this Christmas night! I tell you,
Rebecca, we two old folks are like a pair
Of worn-out gloves-one amt good for
nothin' without t'other"
You're always finding something to
be thankful for, Philor said Mrs. Hig-
gins, frightening up a little.
1 guess I'll shut the blinds" said
Philo, rising. "Greenland and the North
pole it's snappin' cold tonight Fine
likely weather, though, for Christmas;
and if Good Lord what on earth's s
this?"
Farmer Higgins started back in amaze
ment at the apparition of a barrel of -four,
topped off by a bag of potatoes and a
goodly ham, encased in a yellow cloth
bag-all familiarity encamped on his
doorstep
Why, wife, who do you s'pose would
send US these?" he calculated.
"They cant be for us. Philo." said
his wife, the momentary CLEAN of salts
faction fading from her wrinkIed visage.
It must be some mistake
MistakeI faint nothin' of the sort!
just look here, will you? and you need
MT put on your specs to read the print
nuther. Here it is, as large as life: TPhi-
10 Higgins, Esquire Christmas pres
ent What do you think of this, wife,
hey?"
az think I must be dreaming" said
Mrs. Higgins, rubbing her eyes doubt
fully, and yet-O, Philo, I thought the
Lord wouldn't forget usr
Let US return thanks to Him, Reb-
ecca, said the old man solcmnly.
There was no more quiet freside read
ing and application for Harry Martyr !!
Ever since that mysterious envelope had
been thrust through the crevice of the
window easement, he had been in a state
of almost bewildoring excitement A
hundred dollar bill he had never pos
sessed such thing before in the twenty
years of his hard-working life
"NOw," thought he, ecstatically, II
can go to college next term, instead Of
drudging on here for weary years. l
mean to study law next I wonder
what Fanny viii say? Who can be my
unknown benefactor?'
His meditations were interrupted by
the click of the door latch, and the en-
trance of a tall, spare man in black.
care you here, Harry, my boy2 Il
knocked three times without receiving an
answer"
81 beg your pardon for my abstraction,
Mr.. Gray" said Harry Martyr, laughing.
Come in, sir. am glad you made your
appearance just now, for 1 have most
wonderful piece of news to communicate
to you"
He laid the rustling bank note on the
table as he spoke, and related its marvel
IOus history.
"Harry," said the pale clergyman,
with slight flush on his cheek, there
must be some good genius abroad to-
night. I too, have reaped its kindly in
auence See what I found slipped un-
derneath the doorway, as I was setting
forth, weary and jaded, to visit a sick
parisioncr p
He extended a package of bills duly
directed to q the Rev. Anson Gray" ad-
ding:
II do not know what considerate friend
has thought of my dire necessities to-
night, but one thing I do know-the
of him that was ready to perish
will descend like dew on his generous
beadrn
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