Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-12-29

him to lose his home. It won't bring over
eight hundred dollars at auction, and the
mortgage calls for three bundled more.
The interest and costs will consume another
hundred. He won't have much left
What a pity said Mrs. Gale; 'such a
good man, and such nice family. Can't
something be done
Il don't see what said Mr.. Gale. He
asked me to lend him four hundred dollars
aud take mortgage, but | couldn't just
now. It's too nc a the close of n year.
need the money i'll my business
IFS too bad. How sad they must be to-
night. 1t quite spoils my Christmas
After tea Grandpa called Rosamond into
the library.
Come, Rosie, he said, what am to do?
It's too hard for our neighbOr Minturn to
lose his home this way. | could help him
by making a little sacrifice
: Oh do help him them said Rosamond.
but if do, somebody must needs do
without the Christmas present L intended
to beStOw.'
well, Grandpa, who would be SO selfish
as to care p
II am afraid my little Rosie WILL said
Grandpa. ''My one gift is intended for
her, and it is to cost just four hundred dol
lars. | have selected it, and intend buying
it tonight, and having it sent up in the
ooh. Grandpa a present for me to cost
four hundred dollars! 1t is-t as a new
piano? Oh, you dear, beautiful Grandpa.
Just what | had so longed for. My old,
worn-ollt hurdy-gurdy is a real trial to me, .
She had quite forgotten everything and
everybody save the much wished for piano
and the generous and doating grandpa
Suddenly she recollected.
''Oh, Grandpa" she said, 81 understand
you now. Either must give up the piano
or the Minturns must give up their home"
She threw her arms around her grand
fathers neck and hid her face, and the
tears that could come upon his shoulder.
1t was sharp struggle between selt-lOve
and Christ-lOve. The dear grandpa's words
came to her mind-''a lOye-gft to the Lord
of Christmas she whispered, as she
kissed the old mans silvery locks, ''Deal
Grandpa, we will not buy the piano. We
will made love-gift to the Lord instead
'Rose of the world" murmured heI
grandfather fOndly, g you make my heart
sing for joy. No music that you could evel
have drawn from the piano had hoped to
| give you could have yielded me such de-
| light as does your sweet voice now, when il
speaks in accents of unselfish love. Ii
chimes in my heart true Christmas
| Carol"
Then each has sung carol to the
other" said the young girl, her face beam
ing with smiles, g only mine would never
have been sung at all had not yours been
sung first. Aren't we happy, Grande? i
feel almost as if it were ny home that was
saved"
We mustn't be selfish Oh Christmas
Eve. Get me my coat. I'll go down and
speak good word to MintIrn," said the
/ good old man. Tears were i'll his eyes
now. When Grandpa returned ROsamOnd
was sitting at the old piano, and the family
were singing Il Christmas Carol
- Chime, bells, chime,
Glory be to God above
Christ has come to live and love,
Chime, bells, chime"
- The old hurty glrdy sounds splendidly
! to night, Grandie, dear" cried the young
! girl.
! Crosse of the world" said grandpa, sUftly
! lit is because Of the love gift
/ And the Christmas Carols chimed low
! ingly ali the dreamfill night, not only in the
hearts Of the dwellers in the abode OF
plenty, but i'll the grateful hearts of those
/ who sang carols While yet in darkness, and
to whom the Lord of Christmas had sent
his servant with Il promise of help for theiI
| time of trouble. ''GIOIy be to COD az the
| highest, Uud on earth peace, and gOOd-,cU
/ t0,cdId men."-Littie Corporal
/