The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-12-25

ma.n And at length, her task compile.
ted, and the doll stealthily placed
where Lucy would see Il on awakening,
Katy'a Christmas eve closed with o
heartfelt thanksgiving, and her sleep
was sweet. Jre
Very pleasant TO her, next morning,
too, were little Lucy's thanks and kisses
and wondering admiration Of her pres
ent. The poor child had not many
pleasures; confined by a lingering sick.
ness 10 her bed, with mother over
worked, and fretful ut the added care Of
an invalid, and IL was n real treat 70
Katy to see the thin face light up with
smiles, and to hear the childish plans
for entertaining her new playmate. ~
did 40 wish you would come In some.
times and see me, Miss Gray; am 10
lonesome. And now you have come
and brought me the only Christmas
present ever had.n The only Christ
mas presant she ever had Katy might
think her dollar well.spentin brighten.
ing this dreAry childlife, even had II re-
aected no sunshine on her own.
Good, noLherly Mrs. Jones called for
her at u o'clock, and u brisk walk soon
brought them to tue door OF u comforta-
ble-looking old house In the Oh tAklrts Of
the town, where u family party. was Us.
sembled for the Christinas dinner,
Katy was not stranger to them,
though they had never seen her before,
for Mrs. Jones had told them her his.
tory, and interested them in her trials
and successes. Her sweet face and
modest manners did the rest, and 80
cordial was the attention shown her
that she was surprised into feeling quite
at her ease among these new faces.
II was o hospltRble house; there was
abundance Of good cheer, and merri.
ment behtting the day, and Katy was
thoughtfully made sharer In It all. II
the company and the feast lacked the
graoes OF the highest culture and the
daintiest taste, these were more than
supplied by that genuine kindness
which Is the politeness OF the heart.
Dinner over, q circle OF children was
speedily formed about Katy, attracted
by that magnetism oi kindness which
children are so quick TO feel, and she
was the leader OF their games, till all
tired Of play they sat down at her feet
while she told them about her English
home and the Christmas sports she had
been accustomed to In her childhood.
One OF the little girls asked her at
length, "What made you come away
from snch pleasant place, Miss Gray2"
And almost without knowing IT,. she
told them simply the story OF her life ;
ofthe sad parting from home and friends
and the sadder parting from father and
mother that had made her homeless In
a strsnge land, till their little faces
were wet with tears and little hands
crept into her own, with a sympathy rs
comforting as It was sincere. Katy's
tears fell too, but the bitterness OF her
grief was gone. She had allowed her
self to come out OF her Self.imposed
solitude, TO forget herself, and try In
humble ways TO do her part OF good
will on that day. She had done little
1t was true; she had only helped to
make a few children happy, and yet
how large the reward. Could this be
doing anything for Christ?
She went home through the twilight
with happy heart; going out of her
way little to run up the alley where
her washwOnan lived, to carry a shil.
ling's worth OF candy to the children.
Her lace was 80 bright that tue woman,
who had never dared to say much to
the sad, proud looking girl, welcomed
her with a "Merry Christmas, and
shure It's good news that's come ill ye
Miss; ye're looking 40 hearty"
Good news, indeed, Katy thought,
but not Of the kind TO be told. Katy
had never thought to ask the poor wo.
man about her family or her Circum-
stances before, but now sitting down a
few minutes, drew forth story OF hard.
al d VNA hfah Ian.
seemed small indeed In comparison.
She went away resolving to try 10 in
terest some OF her wealthy employers
In this family, aud busy with her plans
for them, she entered her little room
again without any OF that dreary, hope
less feeling which shehad felt SO many
times on coming 10 1t. On her table
she found II package from one OF her
customers containing merinO dress,
and Il kind note requesting lis Hccep-
lance MS Il token OF appreciation Of her
faithfulness In service.
Knty's heart Overlowed at this,
"What a Christmas l have had ~ she
exclaimed. "Shall I ever forget the
lesson II has taught meH How kind
everybody has been 10 me. aud how
little expected or deserved It."
And what was the Joy Of Katy Gray's
Christmas, after all2 Not any great
surprise Of pleasure, not any change
OF circumstances, but the earnest en-.
deavor for Il coutented spirit, the thank
fulness for common blessings, the effort
TO do what she could for the happiness
OF others. Long and weary days OF
work were before her; much loneliness
and some privations, but through all
she kept a cheerful spirit, and in bear.
ing the burdens OF others, found her
own relieved OF half their weight.
There Is petition In that most beau.
tiful formula OF family prayer iu the
Prayer Book for minds always con.
tented with their present condition."
Katy Gray Is not the only one who has
found Its answer through much trial,
and With 1t the peace that passes
knowledge. Possibly In afler years
she spent more joyous Christmases In
her own home, surrounded by her
friends and children, but never one
which more truly bore fruit In her lie
than that which We have sketched. II
was to her the beginning of IL life OF
faith and hope and unsslfishness, and
Christmas In 10 her, In more than one
sense, u day OF remembrance and
Thanksgiving.