St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-01-20

Sweetie," said he, very tenderly; Sand
this is the way her ship shall come in.
She shall have a new home to give to her
mother for a Christmas present, and the
boys shall sing their Christmas hymns
tonight in the bright little parlor of the
corner store, instead of the dngy old gar
ret, and here are the deeds made out in
Katie Lawson's own name, and nobody
can take it away from her. But come,
little woman" he added for Sweetie
was sobbins for joy, and could not thank
him,-''go and wash your face, for the
horses are tired of standing in the cold,
and we must 60 and fetch the boys, or |
shall never get my Christmas tree set up"
An old lady with face beaming with
kindness,-it was Mr.. Rogers house
keeper,-then took Sweetie, and not only
washed her tear-stained checks, but curl
ed her soft brown hair, and put on her
the lovelicst blue dress, with boots to
match. All the time she was dressing
her, Sweete, who could not believe her
senses, kept murmuring,-
cts only dream it's too good to
be true the boys won't believe it, l
know; it's just like a fairy story, and, of
course it's only pretending"
'NO, indeed" said the old lady; cts
really true, my dear, and l hope you'll
be SO grateful and kind TO Mr.. Rogers
that he won't be SO lonely as he has been
without his own dear children
Swcetie could haadly realize her own
good fortune and when she went down
into the parlor, she burs, into tears again,
SAYING
80, sir, l can't believe it. 1 am SO
happy"
$50 am |, Swectie," said Mr.. Rogers :;
and really it was hard to tell which was
the happier-it is always 50 much more
blessed to give than TO receive. Togeth-
er they rode to the new home, and laugh
ell and cried together as they went all
over it. Alter they had been up stairs,
and down stairs, and in my lady's cham
Der, as Mr.. Rogers said, lie put her into
the carriage again.
James" said he to the coachman,
''you are under this young lady's orders
tonight, and mus; drive carefully"
Then, kissing Swectie, he put the key
Of her new hcmc into her hand. and > tel
ing her he should want her help to-mor-
row about lis Christmas tree, he hade
her good night.
James drove Sweetic home. fox the last
time, TO the dilapidatcd Old lousc. She
ran up stairs, Freddie said afterwards,
lust as Harry always did when he'd had
good day" ''Morhcr and children"
said she, Mr.. Rogers, the kind gentle
man who was here, has sent me back in
his carriage TO take you all to see some
thing beautiful he has been showing me.
Harry, you be the gentleman OF the
house, and hand mother and Jennie to
the carriage, and I'll come right along"
She stopped long cnough-this good
child. who, cv N in Ecr own good for
tune, dld not forget the misiortuncs of
others-to run into the next room where
an old woman lived. who was cripple,
and whose daughter supported her by
sewing.
"Mrs. Jones'" said she, hurredIy, ga
kind gentleman has given US a new home
and we are gong TO it tonight, never to
come back here 10 live any more Our
old room. with the rent pail for a year,
and all there is in it. | want you TO take
as II Christmas present from Sweetic
and | wish you a happy, happy New
Year, ard please give this to Mllly :"
and, slipping a five-dollar bill, which Mr..
Rogers had given her, int the old wo-
mans Land, she ran out and jumped in
to the carriage. The street lamps blink
ed at them, like 80 many starr, - they
rolled along, and the boys and Jennie
screamed with delight; but Swcetie sat
quite still
James knew where TO stop. Swcetie
cot out first, and ran and unlocked the
door of the little corner store. When
thcy were all inside, and before anyone
had time to ask question, Swcetie threw
her arms about her mothers neck.
"Mothcr," she cried, ''!Sweetie's ships
come in but it never would have come
if it had not been for Mr.. Rogers and
it's brought ycu this pretty house and
shop for your own, and, please God, well
all have
"a Merry Christmas and Il Happy
New Year ~ shouted Willie, ending her
sentence Just As she had ended the story
the day before.
"And all the better" said Fred, who
remembered too, "bccause Christ was
born that day.
Mrs. Lawson, overwhelmed with JOY,
tainted. She soon recovered, however,
though Swectic insisted on her lying on
the soft lounge before the fire, while she
set the table. How pretty it looked,
with its six purple and white plates, and
cups and everything TO match, How
they did eat. How happy they were.
Now" said Mrs. Lawson, when the
dishes were washed, and they all sat
round tine fire, "my little Swee;ie, whose
patience, and courage, and cheertulnesS
have kept up the hearts of the rest Of US,
aud proved the ship that has brought US
this cargo of comforts, you must tell us
your Christmas story before we 90 to
bed"
SO Swcetie told them all Mr.. Rogers
had said and done for her. They were 50
excited they sat up very late, and happi-
ness made them sleep so soundy, that
they did not wake till the sun was
shining brightly into the little shop. Peo-
pie began to come in very early, to make
little purchases. One lady bought a whole
dollars worth of toys, which made them
feel as if they were full of business al
ready.
Later in tie forenoon, Mr.. Rogers sent
| for Harry and Sweeiin To cnme and helm