Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-01-06
Srlett Storm.
CHRISTMAS GIFT.
BY REV. IL. ALGER, JE

1t was cold lorbidding day, rs it vel
might be, for it WAS the day before
Christmas, when \ young mal Of TWEEN
ty-sevca. his face well brouzcd by ex'
Dosure, stood ON the hill that overlooked
the village of Wellburu, and with
thoughtful glze let his eyes rest upon
The peaceful little village which had once
been his home.
lit is ten years" he thought, "Since
saw Wcllburn. and il looks Stillthe same
mot a LAY older than when left it.
How full OF changes and vici'situdeS il
has been to ne! But all has turned out
happily, thank God. come home with
money enough to make me rich in the
eyes of my old neighbors II only they
are living to share it with me shall be
happy"
And who are they.
Ten years ago John Rlwson hal left
home before sunrise. Ills father had
never heard from him since.
lie had led life OF yici,studes. Ship
ping on board vessel bound for the East
Indies, he hal gone thither and returned,
and then made other voyages, spending
rs he went until five years previous he
reached Australia, and there turned over
Row leaf. He became steady, for time
favored him, and he rapidly accumulated
money. But why during all this time
did he not write home Did not the im-
age of his gentle mother and her sorrow
iul lace ever come before him, and lead
him to ycarn lor tiding, from home ?
les, often, but he was proud. His father
had predicted that he would never do
well, and he wished to come home pros
porous. For his father he did not fear.
lie was comfortably of, and poverty was
The last thing he predicted ior him.
But nothing is more uncertain than
money. Mr.. Rawson raShly invested his
money is some proSpcring Western spec
nlation, and lost it all. The money had
been raised 10y a mortgage on his farm,
md that had been loreclosed only three
months before. Bodily inlirmity came
lpon the farmer with his pecuniary
troubles, and too i'll to work he and his
xile were glad 20 find temporary shelter
in miserable little cabin which in his
DAYS of prosperity he would have deemed
nninhabitnble.
"What day is it wife;" asked the farm
cr in n dispirited voice, looking up from
the armchair in which he sat-
Thursday"
"And tomorrow will be Christmas
day"
Yes"
He sighed. merry Christmas, 1 used
10 call it. but shall never have another
merry Christmas"
You must Try to be resigned, dear
husband. Doubtless our little calamities
have come upon us for some good pur-
pose otherwise God would not have cent
them"
perhaps so, Sarah That is the right
way to look at it, if one can, no doubt,
but can't help regretting the past"
I'VE did not know our happiness then.
husband. But, after all, poverty is not
the worst thing we can suffer"
What is there worSe?"
Tho loss of those we love-" said his
vile in a low voice.
"Iknow what you are thinking Of" he
said, sadly.
'.Of our SON"
"Yes. He might have been the staff
and stay of our old age. but he was inn
petuous and unmanageable, and in our
old age we are forsaken,"
..But not forsaken of God"
Il hope not.
Il am sure not He may yet turn our
SORROW into gladness.
''It is too late for that Sarah"
'It is never too late 70! Him"
1t was easy TO see that the wiie's faith
was deeper and more earnest than that
of her husband, as is generally The case.