Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-01-07

4
the floor. Commonly that would have CIV
| en- her chill but really she did not feel the |
| cold so much as might have been expected. |
Euphrasia heard her movement and said,
"Will you help me mother? ?"
Sis the child very wet ?" was the answer.
Eyes,
"Well, have warm bath got ready for
him, and I will find some clothes by that
time"
Euphrasia darted into the bathroom and
set the hot water running. Then she hur-
ried back to her mothers door. That ven
erable lady appeared with her arms laden
with small garments of an antiquated FASH |
| ion, but of fine and warm material.
ssBring the child up here, my daughter,
and while bathe and dress him, you can
get him something to eat.
In very short time that was done. Miss
Coldchisel having put him into her mothers
hands, explored the pantry for food. The
servants had all gone to bed, and she con-
cluded not to disturb them With q good
deal of trouble she found what she sought
being entirely unused to such matters, and
presently had neat little supper arranged
at a corner of the large dining table. Di
rectly her mother came down leading the
boy. His tangled hair was eombed out
smooth, only for the natural wave in it. His
rags were gone and he wore suit warm
enough for prince, only as have said, 1t
was old fashioned in its style. The wretch
edness was partly gone from his face, but
there were still deep traces OF want and
weeping. They seated him at the table and
with kind words urged him to cat. Before
he did so he folded his hands and glanced
upwards as if giving thanks. Then he fell
to, and ate as only hungry child can.
Mrs. Coldcaisel and Euphrasia sat and
looked at him. The old lady threw her hea.
w shawl a little off her shoulders. She had
not felt SO warm for years. The weather
must surely have moderated, she thought.
So mild Christmas eve she did not remem-
ber. AS for Euphrasa you would be aston
ished If you knew how lightly she was dress
ed. She had on fine wrapper or morning
gown, to be sure, but she wore no shawl or
: any other muffler. She had slippers on her
: feet indeed hut if there ,Uere stockings in
/ side of them they were the most remarkably
natural flesh color that ever were seen. But
: she did not shiver OF complain of the cold
at all.
/. While the child was eating and the others
8 sitting happily by, old Mr.. Coldchisel came
into the room. The stir and hustle about
I, the house had disturbed him, and with great
y delberation he had got himself ready to
d come down stairs and see what was going
r. on, He was so bundled up that only his
,, nose could be seen. That feature changed
color as he saw the boy at his table. He
e began to storm and sc0ld about bringing
ar strangers in and feeding them at that time
d of night. Just then clock in a churcl
" close by struck twelve. It's morning now
amt it?" said the child, looking up at th
IN old gentleman. Those wonderful eyes fas
Cd oinasod the and the soft. plaintiy
~ voice sounded like the echo of some by
% gone music. Mr.. Coldchise sat down an
~ inquired. All the circumstances were tol
he h.n. "Well, he said, 81 suppose we
or have 10 keep him for tho night, now.
dc with that he began to unbundle himself
:. little, as if he thought he might as well n
Nv main "Getting warmer, isn't it?" he n
sy marked to his wife. Certainly the fire new
nd burned more brightly or seemed to cast
more genial glow over oil the spiend
dining-room.
nd The front door opened and somebody WI
icy heard stamping off the snow. sis tn
Kriss Kringle?" asked the child. "No
90, said the old lady, that's my son Tom, th
ee' used to wear the very clothes you've got
re' now."
as The boy smiled and looked down on II
sbe Jacket. ssWas he good boy?" he inquire
-. MIR. and Mrs. Coldchisel looked at each otht
on. and the old gentleman blew his nose. E
uld phrasia opened the door and called, "Tol
Dr. come in here" Tom looked at her in wo
ng der ana thought he had never before Sc
20 20 his sister look so handsome. He came in
wv the dining room and saw The child. !
i've was quickly possessed Of all the informati
, ?" required for explanation.
still MI. ron was yery sSgId"si sgnd wi, Il, anp n n
'ing of his dress. But the prevailing iciness
the the impression he. PRODUCED was agail
the him. Nobody could love him, for he seem
no. colder than marble statue.
By this time the boy had finished his
as past. "Please may go to bed now r
, as asked. w
ble- "No," said Mr.. Tom, unless tneyil 9
sr., YOU a bed at the station-house, for I'm
!, ~ Ing to take you there. We don't lodge VI
w abonds hero "
how The wind howied down the chimney
and a whole menagerie of lions, and the ro
and seemed to grow suddenly cold, as II tho
an. had been instantly blown out OF the 4
shed Euphrasia shivered, Mrs. Coldchisel dl
,ice. up her shawl and the old gentleman 81
half down in his wrapper.
... "Oh, Toni" cried his sister, sit is
.nen cold and too late. You shall not take
What child out of this house tonight"
ne?" "Very we'll, Miss PERT" he return
owes "I've no great fancy for going out again
snd night, and if you take up the boy, you
anu welcome to him"
II So saying, he went off upstairs. Il
lease few minutes more the child was covered
Heel- warm ana cosy, oh Ine SUE a,r ~ nup" p,ha
lhe gentleman and lady bent down one after
other and kissed him and then went to I
like own bed.
pie if Ihe WIND ragea any .IG snuw nnsiom shu,1 !,
'sioiy was warmth before unknown. Mrs. @
oked chisel was greatly surprised to feel that
1t be- chilly sensation about her heaft was an
r;,v gone. Her husband found the blankets
At. .T Acf fcr Et1f,h
and she Lrelt bv the little sleeper and wato
,ostly his pale face with the long, dark, drool
w by lashes for long time Without @ remempe a,;s
'e'n whenever he woke up, and said sti
pow words about the miserable, freezing nigt
was Christmas morning came bright and cl
full. Snow and ice were everywhere,
hall. the sun lighted all up, and made it secl
m the if the earth had put on holiday robes in
felt it or of the OCCASION mlei .h9 ...o s.' q
-la Il. had waKeneu anu .si hau o.en ,'n.Issas,
,assed stairs, he found aenShtiul nieahias'
The better still stockhs lilieu WIN % calulss .s
bered child's hope and joy In such tn
oh;ld and Euphrasia went out early and bo
ewes the confections, while her mother got o
ith an Toms out-grown stockings and hung i
resist. And the whole family grew warmer
erself, warmer as they saw the poys gaeat !,
i,rther All but Tom. He came down late and 10
seated very cross. But even he was won b.
etched gleeful laugh and the quaint sayings o.
irhtfnl newcomer. After breakfast he wen,
HERSELF Pretty soon man brought to the dc
,e nro- fine rocking-horse, and on the card was
n than ten, "For the New Boy from Tom"
n ppd he Tom himself came home to dinner
r some day, and was very much thawed.
ot find icicles were almost gone from him, SC
.llv an he was great deal more agreeable to
then hold of than he used t, be.
m. All day long the little fellow was like
he was shine in the house. Library and I
|, mon and sitting room and halls were ney
saeiing lively or SO warm before. Nobody shi
lent so and nobody was cross. And when tht
kpock nv Christmas was at last ended, Eupl
took up her Bible as she sat by her sic
twill protege and her eyes lighted on these p
fla how es as she turned the leaves "Behold
or ana at the door and knock" "Inasmuch
arm I have done ii unto one Of the least of
III ve have done IL unto me-" ttAnd