The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-12-07


'but do moi need them, Pm tough" >"
"sWhy, should think your hands would
ache dreadfuliy these cold mornings" !"
"They do, sometimes" was the quiet re-
ply.
swell, you take mine, and II GO get my
sister Snsan's. She is two years older than
!, and her hand is just as big )" and before
Mikey could say word Charles was gore
He talked to his sister in a whisper, telling
her about poor little Mikey's crust of bres sd
his bare hands and ears, and Susan's kind
heart was touched.
81 was going out with the girls 10 slide !"
she said, without shadow of disappoint-
ment in tones, "bui had rather you should
take Mikey, and have my miltens" She
plunged her hand into her pocket, and took
out pair of nice white miueus, which she
put in Charlie's hand.
Sand stop, Charles Mikey's ears must
be almost Iroze. There's my little wooden
scarf hanging on he peg under the shelf
you 90 and get il, and lie il over his ears
He might have il TO keep, for do not need
II, and mother wouldn't care, am sure"
Charles was delighted with his SISTERS
generosity, and it was amusing to watch
The kindness with which he tied the short
warm scarf beneath Mikey's peaked chin
and pulled his cap down hard to keep il on
"There, isn't that nice, Mikey 2" he ask
ed, viewing his companion quite proudly
"Why. should think it vas summer -
was The pleased reply, and Mikey rubbed
his hands over his bandaeed ears with great
satisfaction.
Charles was very attentive TO his new
friend that day, and tried 20 shield him
from the lhoughiless remarks OF his CON-
panions, who, in a nischl ei-loving spirit,
would call alter him as he dashed down the
hill upon the pretty green sled
$50 il, Paddy See Pat, now, how he
goes Look out, little O'Connel, or you
lose your breath J"
Bot Mikey did not mind il much He
was enjoying his incoming vastly, end ii
seemed as it he had never learned his les
sons so easily as he did that afternoon
HIS step was light and his face bright, as
he bade Charles good night and started to
run down The lane as fast as he could m ak g
his way through the deep unirodden snow,
and in a few minutes he was lifting the
worn latch of the old lnm bIe-down house.
The room was dark and dingy, just a
glimmer OF fire upon the broken hearth
and by its side his mother was sewing bu-
silly, while upon low bed in the corner
his father was lying in a deep sleep. Nil
keys face clouded as he glanced at the
sleeper, and he crept softly 10 his mothers
side
"Has he been off again Did he find the
the money e.
Mrs. O,Conuel replied by sad nod OF
assent
"Oh, isn't that 100 bad Die he take the
whole 2"
Another mournful nod was the mothers
answer.
Mikey had brought home fifty cents The
evening before; the pay for some work his
mother had beer doing, and they had care
fully hidden il away, lest the inlemperate
father should spend it for drink He had
searched diligently for it after Nikey had
gone 10 school; and by fierce threats had
forced his wife 10 make known the hiding
place.
She tried to retain part of ii, for they had
little fuel or food, but be bad taken the
whole, gone off 10 The village tavern, and
an hour before Mikey, had come stsgger>
ing home.
"a have had a good time to-day mother !"
be whispered "See here and he pulled
the scarf from his neck, "Charlie Harper
gave me this, and Fve got piece of cake
for you. He gave me lots OF good dinner,
and came over and sa; with me; and then
he let ne slide on his sled all between
schools On, did have such nice rides.
He is the best boy ever did see Why,
mother, you're crying Aren't you glad ~
The poor mother only put her arm about
her liue boy, and drew him close TO her
aud kissed him very lendery, while the
tears dropped upon his curly head.
''Yes, mother is very glad for her NILE
boy. II is nice cake, but you eat it !"
"No, mother brought it for you and
the mother saw how much it would please
her generous son so she ale it all
"Did the boys call you names to-day ~
she asked, sadly, though she was very glad
10 see her boy happy.
mot much, and did not mind il il they
did, cause Charlie took my pari.'
Charles went home and told his good
kind mother all about liule Mikey, and
what be had done for him, and she kissed
him aud called him her darling boy, and
Charles felt very happy that night, and as if
he had not kept his eyes open in vain. He
went to sleep in his nice warm bed after