Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-04-15
SELECTED STORY.
MRS. WILLIAMS NEW YEARS
GIFT.
BY HERSELF


III night. The wind dashed the frozen
sleet furiously against the sturdy walls of
the Red Stone Farmhouse, making the
bright fire that was burning in the large
old fashioned kitchen seem doubly grateful,
around which were gathered Father Viii
liams, his wife and four children.
The weather bronzed face of the farmer
had care-worn, disconnected look He is
one. Of those who make haste to be ri:h,
and though he is surrounded by many bless
ings and every reasonable want is supplied,
as the close of the old year finds no surplus
in his purse, his heart, instead Of being lifted
up with gratitude, is filed with repinings
His gentle, meek browed wife is sitting
beside him. Her countenance wears look
Of chastened sorrow, and tears glisten in her
eyes as they wander to corner Of the room
where stands vacant cradle, from which
smiled. a week ago, the rosy checked, bright
eyed boy, upon whose little grave to-nigh
the snow is drifted heavily.
The long silence was broken by heavy
knock at the door.
Farmer Williams opened it, revealing a
respectable, midde-aged colored man, who
held carefully in his hand covered basket.
Does Mrs. Williams live here % he in
quired.
She does.'
The lady who buried child yesterday ?"
Yes
We'll, here's New Years present for
her.
Thrusting the basket into the farmers
hands, he turned and walked quickly down
the road, where could be dimly seen the
outlines of a covered sleigh, from which
came the faint sound of stihed sobs
Bewildered and astonished, Farmer Will
liams carried the basket into the kitchen and
set it upon the table
As he did SO he was startled by plain
tive cry; and upon opening it, there lay q
lovely boy, apparently about three months
old.
Farmer Williams sprang to the door, but
the sleigh and its occupants were nowhere
to be seen.
In the meantime Mrs. Williams and her
children gathered around the basket with
ordinations Of surprise and pleasure. AS
the babe saw the sweet gentle face that bent
over it, and taking it up in her arms she
pressed it fondly to her bosom. Just then
her husband came back from his fruitless
search.
'Ideclare, it's an imposition " be exclaim-
ed, stamping the snow off his boots But
| won't submit to it, I'll take it over to the
town farm the very first thing in the morn
ing
I can't bear the idea of it going there,
JOHN said his wife. Just see what a sweet
babe it lisp astsE
i don't see but what it looks like other
babies returned John, grufly, doing his
best to steel his heart against the little
stranger, in which he only partly succeeded.
for rough as was the farmers way, be had
kindly nature, if one could only reach it.
ANY way, the authorities will have to take
care Of it; we can't. We've got more mouths
to fill now than we can find bread for
Mrs. Williams lip quivered as her thoughts
reverted to the little grave in the church
yard All to her heart was one too few
Dear John she said, pleadingly, it
seems as though Goo had sent this babe to
take the place of our own little Willie, whom
He has taken to himself Let me keep it.
1t will not fail to bring blessing, you may
be sure
Farmer Williams countenance relaxed as
he looked into those fearful eyes.
We'll, well, Mary he said in O. softened
voice, 'l'll think about it. IF we do, you
and the children may have to 60 without a
good many things, for these are hard times
are likely to be harder. So you had bet
ter weigh the matter we'll before deciding .
Mrs. Williams did SO; and the result was
that her New Years Gift became fixture
in Red Stone Farmhouse. He grew up a
merry, winsome boy, twining even around
the farmers rugged nature, and taking III
the heart of his adopted mother the place o.
her lost darling, loved and cherished by hel
with equal tenderness. Many sacrifices dlc
she make, many toilsome hours did she
spend, in order that her husband might no
feel the expense Of bis maintenance too heav
lily. And we'll did his growing intelligence
and beauty, and the ardent affection hi
evinced for her, repay her for it all. Their
was nothing about him that could give tn
slightest clue to his parentage. Simply
biz Of white paper pinned to his frock, OF
which were these words, evidently writer
by woman, in graceful but unstead.
hand:
ARTHUR,
BORN AUGUST 23rd, 1851.
81 was a stranger, and ye took me IN