The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-12-26

Blinded by tears, hurried home to
poor Charlie and the babies. l gave
Charlie his medicine, and hushed the lit
tie hungry mouths with a scant enough
morsel of milk and bread, and then
tucked the children away in bed Char
lie fell into dose, and l sat down be-
fore the smouldering embers, to indulge
in the sole comfort that remained to me,
a hearty cry. ..,.
But l had scarcely begun, when l
heard the crunch of footsteps in the
snow, and directly after, rap at the
door. l opened it with a bounding
heart, hoping that some good neighbor
had come with help. The tall man. with
the bronzed face and kindly eyes-I
knew him on the instant-stood on the
steps, with huge hamper on his brawny
shoulders. He set it down at my feet,
and extended his hand
"We've been hunting you the last two
days. madam" he began abruptly, his
kind eyes flashing with happiness; "and
glad enough we are to find you. You
done me good turn when you kept my
boy out of prison; and the lad was inno-
cent of the charge, too, I'm proud to tell
you that. 'Bronton's found out who
stole his money; and my wife couldn't
rest and we couldn't find you nohow, till
We CHANGED upon you at the grocer's to.
night, and Well, we thought
And he broke down. stammering and
embarrassed, and stepping back gave
place to his wife,who stood behind him.
1--WE thought" she said, as she rails
ed the cover from the hamper, "we'd
bring YOU some little things for New
Years. You won't refuse to take 'em, l
know-and may the good God forever
bless you for what you've done for me !!
Oh, madam and she threw her arms
about my neck, while the tears rained
down her face, 81 should a gone mad if
they had taken my boy from me that
night; but you saved him and me, while
your own was suffering. never was so
happy in my life,as was when we found
you tonight. Johns come home rich
man this time; he's had better than good
luck, and we're able to help you. I've
brought little Of everything, and some
New Years pretties for the babies. /
knew you had 'em no heart but moth.
er's csuld-a' felt for me in my trouble,as
yours did; and now I'll help you to put
'em by; while John looks in the sick
room; he's capital nurse, John is. But
take this frst-don't look at it now
slip it in your bosom till by and by,and
let US get the things into the larder."
l did as she bade me, slipping the lit
tie parcel into my bosom, and while the
sailor laid off hat and coat, and crossed
over into the room where Charlie lay,we
took out and arranged the bountiful sup
plies they had brought-bottles of wine,
and chickens, and rounds of beef, and
golden rolls Of butter, and tea and white
bread, and cakes, and toys and dolls that
would set my babies wild with delight.
The New Years dawn was breaking,
when they left me- Charlie slept Quietly,
his shattered arm newly bandagsd by
the sailors skillful hand. and the babies
were beginning to stir and futter like
restless birds in their nest
/ replenished the fire, and while the
fragrant coffee boiled, and the chicken
Drowned, 1 sat down and drew the little
package from by bosom.
Twenty bills of FIVE dollars each, crisp
and fresh and new-one hundred dol
lars, all my own. My little gift Of mer-
cy had brought me a glorious interest
for the New Year.