The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-12-22

splendid!' cried the biggest boy, who sat
astride of chair, and stared at the harp |
with round eyes.
Il will ask mamma said Rose; and |
away sle went into the dining room
close l'y. AS the door opened, Iessa
saw what looked to her like fairy feast,
all silver mugs, and iowery plates,
and oranges. anil nuts, and rosy wine
in tall glass pitchers, and smoking dish
es that smelt so deliciously, sic could
not res train a little sniff Of satisfaction.
Are you hungry asked the, boy IN
grand tone.
Yes sir, meekly answered Tessa.
4 say, mamma. she wants something
to eat. Can / give her an orange.
called the boy, prancing away into the
splendid room. quite like fairy prince,
Tessa thought.
A plump motheriy lady came out and
looked at Tessa, asked few questions,
and then told her to come with RAMA,
and then they would see what could he
done. Tessa clapped her hands for joy
she did'ns mind the chilblains now
and Tommo played a lively march, he
was SO pleased
will you come too, and bring your
harp? You shall be paid, and shall
have something from the tree, likewise
said the motheriy lady, who liked what
Tessa gratefully told about his kindness
to her.
, sAh. YES: | shall come with much
gladness. and play as never in my life
before, cried Tommo, with a flourish OF
the old cap that made the children laugh.
, Give these to your brothers, said the
3 fairy prince, stnfling nuts and oranges
, into Tessa's hands
t And these to the little girl added
one Of the young princesses, flying out
/ Of the dining room, with cakes and rosy
S apples for Ranza,
;. Tessa didn't know what to say; but
e her eyes were full, and she just took the
+ mothers white hand in both her little
q grinmy ones, and kissed it many times
). in her pretty Italian fashion The lady
4 understood her, and stroked her cheek
;. softly. saving to her oldest daughter,
:. We must take care of this little spar
4 row, lest it fall to the ground. Freddy
4 bring me your inittens, these poor hands
must be covered. Alice. get me your
;, play hood; this handkerchief is all wet'
:, and. Maud, bring the old chinchilla tip
!, pet
- The children ran, aud in minute,
there were lovely blue mittens on the
red hands, warm hood over the BLACK
at braids, and soft pussy aroundthe sore
u throat.
er sAh! So kind, so very kind! l have
ne no way to say thank you; but RAMS
en- shall be for you heavenly angel, and
nj will sing my heart out for your tree!
Tie cried Tessa, folding the mittens as
mt she would say prayer Of th"nkfuines
IS If she knew how.
ut Then, they went away, and the prett
children called after them; Come again
is Tessa! Came again. Tommo! Now
he the rain didn't seem dismal. the win
ce, cold, nor the way long, as they bough
De- their gifts and hurried home, for kin
words and the sweet magic of charit
he had changed all the world to them
'ck think the good spirits who fly abou
OF on Christmas Eve, to help the lovln
us. filters of of little stockings, smiled ver
out pleasantly on little Tessa, as she broot
'et ed iovfully over the small store Of pres
It ents that seemed so magnificent to he
the All The goodies were divided evenly il
so to three parts, and slowed away in Fl
me theirs three big socks, which hun
the against the curtain. With her three do
her lars. she hal got pair shoes 'or Nom
ght a kuit cap for Sep, AMI a pair OF whit
the stockings for RAMA; to her, she ais
leir gave the new hood; to Mono, the mi
nty tens; and to Sep, the tippet
Now. the dear boys can go ont, an
lid. my RAMA will be ready for the lady
the see. in her nice new things, said Tess
quite signing with pleasure to see ho
ut l well the gifts looked pinned up besit
her the bulging socks. which wouldn't ho
them ALL The little mother kept not
rec, ing for herself, but the pleasure of givil
hill away; vet / think she was both rich
ami happier than II she had kept the
gel, Her father laughed as he had not do
But since the mother died, when he saw ht
she comcaliy the old curtain had broken 9
ung into boots and hoods, stockings and tt
pets. sas asflfz
ad- 4 wish I had gold gown and a Z
nan yer hat for thee, my Tessa, thou art
ouid GOOD Nav the saints bless and ke