The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-12-22

the sea of phantoms where had been
wandering.
"Oh, John! is it really you," l
cried. g am the happiest woman in
the world"
Indeed he said, quizically. "You
were in a different mood this morn
ing"
81 know | was impious them" 1 said.
al dared to believe that Gods ways
were unequal, that some had all the
roses, while we had all the thorns. But
I've learned better now, since I've been
in my neighbours shoes"
He looked at me wonderingly, then
said, How sound asleep you were, Sue,
not to hear me, or the man who brought
the parcels"
"The parcels" cried, looking about.
Yes There they were, sundry brown
paper parcels, very suggestive in APP
pearance.
Have you no curiosity, little wo-
man ?'' he asked, as silently regarded
them.
His face looked beaming. "The lit
tie ones will have rare Christmas after
ALL" he went on. "Did you not won
der that / stayed so late, dear. Well, |
met my old employer as | was saunter-
ing home moodily, looking at happier
fathers in the crowded toy stores. He
has come back from Cincinnati, and is
going to open at the old stand. "Have
you mind to come back, John ?" he
asked. "a mind" | cried "and |
think | made a baby of myself, then
and there. You know what generous
soul old Latham is. | told him the
whole story, and the dear old fellow in
sisted on going into most gorgeous
Paradise for Infants, near by, and
sending memento to the children.
Endless toys, there they are. And then
Christmas dinner, turkey bursting
its skin with fairness, and here il is, and
plums, and sugar and citron, and here
they all are"
Oh, john" l sasped, half believing
that these were phantoms which would
vanish too, not sure yet that l stood in
my own shoes, how happy l am"
"The best of it is, am taken as head
clerk, and we'll have twice as much to
live on this year, and it's pleasure to
serve such man. God bless old
Latham, say |. How little we dreamed
of this this morning when we were in
such doleful dumps. Eli, Sue'
Such prayer Of thankfulness went
up from my heart as never uttered be-
fore, but / could not speak.
We went up together to the nursery,
where the little ones lay. Meg with
the pearly tear yet glttering on her
long golden eyelashes. / searched GU.
the gayest and longest stockings, and,
with many happy whispers, we filled
shapeless with strange Jumps. But
there were quantities of things which
no stocking could hold. There was the
great waxen doll for Meg with hair
golden as her own, and far more COM
plete wardrobe There were balls and
tops and small velocipedes, and a soft,
woody sheep for my tiniest little lamb,
who lay with his rosy little feet all bare
on the pillow, and his flossy little head
at the wrong end of the bed. WHAT
happy tumult there would be in the
morning to be sure.
/ glanced out of my window before |
went to bed. There stood the three
great houses, with their lights and lace
curtains, and hanging flower. baskets
1t made no difference that the tragedies
| had dreamed were only visions. |
knew that in each one some sorrow
lurked, some thorn stung, some drop
of bitterness favored each cup. For it
must be so with all the draughts of
earth. And l thanked God fervently
that | was not in "my neighbours
shoes"