Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-11-28
CHRISTMAS WEEK FAIR.
Som ethiDg Interesting TO Beaux and
Bellies and Good People Generally.

Written for the PUBLIC LEDGER
How shall we spend Christmas week,
Tom r. l asked my bachelor friend, as
we sat beside our cozy fire after dinner
on Thanksgiving Day.
swell, / really don't know" he re-
piled. "Have you heard of anything
novel or entertaining in which we may
participate freely p
"Yes, Tom, / have"
Anything in which the fair sex can
take part 2-for you know without them
everything to us seems dull and insipid." I"
"Yes, the very thing for young folks,
and especially the ladies.
"Well, what is it, my dear fellow :?
Come, don't mince the matter; be like
your jolly good self; unfold the particu-
lars.
II will, with the greatest pleasure,
Tom, if you'll give me time to collect my
thoughts"
"Never mind your thoughts-I mean
your fancies; be as brief, my boy, as
arithmetic; enumerats the facts"
In the Gradgrind order, Tom
"Well, no; I'm not partial, you know,
to the Gradgrind school of beings, or to
your Quilps or your Squeers."
Something, then, of the Jefferson
Brick school of facts ?"
mo, sir; nothing of the sort, / assure
you"
"Something interesting, perhaps,
touching on the pathetic, to awaken your
good feelings, and enlist your sympathies
for little children"
"Babes in the wood, eh2"
mo; orphan children at st. Peter s
Asylum"
"What about them?"
"Why, they are both numerous and
needy; there are so many of them to be
clothed, fed and educated, that unless
young fellows like you and /, Tom, and
the young ladies' who are likely to join
as, do something handsomely for them,
they'll surely suffer this winter"
"True, indeed. 1t does credit to your
nature to think of the poor children. 1t
is terrible to be fatherless and friendless
while young; to be scarcely thought of
even for a moment by the busy, plotting
and plodding world. What happy
thing it is to be a Christian, like you,
ever thinking of doing good for some
body"
"Ah, Tom, there may be more Chris
tianity in your heart, after all, than In
mine. It's not every one who talks
| Christian-like that's Christian"
"You mean to say there's more reli-
gion in the world than Christianity,
eh9'
"Well, no, not exactly, although what
you say may be true. / mean your
generosity, when awakened, may be much
larger than mine; and if so, you're a
better Christian: for what is Christianity
but generosity and love, as exempliied
in the life and teachings of the Re-
dsemer2 You recollect the tenth verse
Of the eighteenth chapter Of the Gospel
according to ST. Matthew: Take heed
that We despise not one Of these little
ones: for / say unto you. that in heaven
their angels do always behold the face OF
INV Father. which is in hesvenr It's a
warning that we should at least once q
wear remember; and what htier time TO
do so than at Christmas, when all hearts
should rejoice 2
None, my dear fellow, none: But
how are We 10 help the poor children
We can't do much ourselves, you know.
Certainly not; but We can ask and
ensourage others to assist rs, and By
united efforts accomplish q crest deal 10
the way Of benevolence."
That's the novel pleasurs you spoke
Of just nov. sit"
"Not quite. Tom, although the highest
pleasure aiisinable on earth enters the
hearts Of benevolent people. YcT can
see IL besmiug in their faces-,Js the
ssrest tests Of Christian spirit are gen
tleness, kindness and charifableuess,
vhich enlivsn the features Of hunaniiy