The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-02-17


Green and a little, sorrowuI faced
care worn, Mrs Russell lifted her hea(
from the child's stockings she was darn
ing, as her neighbor entered the room.
Little folks all abed 2 whispered Miss
Green in low, mysterious tone of voice
as she came into the room with some.
thing carefully concealed under her
shawl.
yes T sant ON, o~ so hour aA!'eu
trrv rrvur On wiuow RUSSELL sigh that
was born OF wearying cares, and baffled
hopes, and fainting spirits.
Wall, you see, Miss RUSSELL still
preserving her low, mysterious tones
and slowly uncovering her red Merino
shawl revealing several packets in brown
paper. L thought as it was about Christ
mas time them little folks would want
some fxins, you know children amt like
grown folks any how so | kinder
thought I'd slip something into their
stockings, for | s'pose you'd ways
enough for every penny
%, Miss Green you are too good
now =
What light it was that broke over
the care-worn face of the mother as her
eyes fell on tie bundles
'S'pose You just take a squint at EN-,
said The old maid breaking the small
cord and tearing away the wrappers
First there was blue drum with rel
strings for Johnnie, which his mother
knew would fairly throw him into costa
cies then in proud box was china
tea-set for Ellen, with the most dimjnu-
tive cups and saucers, and the danliest
sugar bowl and cream mug and water
pitcher and for little Jane, here was a
wax dol, with black eyes, and ruby lips
and small dainty rings of read brown
hair and red bird picking seeds out Of
a yellow trough, and adding to all this
was purple horn OF plenty tied with
golden ribbons and filed with sugar
plums for each Of the children.
Mrs, Rassol's faded eyes cleaned with
new light as she gazed at the gifts She
tried to speak but tile words choked
themselves back in her throat and she
broke down into a sob Of tears.
wall | do say now Miss RUSSELL
said her neighbor in awkward but sin
cero fashion to comfort Her.
Don't give up SO. 1t amt much l
know, but then we all had to be children
once
Yes, Miss Green, and it's just the
thought O that and the good times we
used to have when | was a wild, careless
gal at fathers, that's e'enamost broke
my heart every since | told The children
they mustn't expect TO hang up their
this Christmas You never
did see children SO put down in your
life they hain't hardly smiled since, and
its seemed as though we'd had fune.
raj in the house when put 'em to bed
10 night
Somehow I've been in murmurin'
state all day. for, wicked as il was, |
couldn't make it seem right that their
father should be taken away SO sudden,
when the children needed him the most,
and | left here all alone to strain every
nerve and muscle to keep their souls and
bodies together
We'll, it's awful tryin' as YOU say,
Mrs. Russell /; I've been through the
mire myself, but somehow mother, God
does bring us out
i know it,. answered the widow pen
itently. 'rd fairly given up tonight
when | put the children to bed, for |
didn't care for myself, but to see them
SO down hearted was more than | could
bear
Well, s'pose now You get their stock
ings, and well slip these in, and You can
pin 'em up TO the bed post YOU know
Mrs. Russell went to her chest Of cher
ry drawers and brought forth three small
blue and white stockings, and The hearts
of the two women were full OF new tune
Of gladness, as they crowded The play
things inside
The house won't hold 'em to.mor.
row mornm'. exclaimed Mrs, Rasael.
They'll be as proud as kings and
queens
Bless their hearts, said Miss Green
There ant no use o tryin' to set this
drum inside
No, I'll jest Sc it on the mantle
Dear me | expect shan't know whether
my heads off or on tomorrow mornln'
about 7 o'clock,
And so Mrs. Russell's mother heart
dwelt on the delight of her children, and
Miss Green drank in all her words gree