The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-01-01

Ills son.
ayes, indeed" said the widow shut,
instead Of that, it is the time when wicked
men make it an excuse Tor heing worse
than they arc at any other time.n
"Then Christmas can't be happy time
to Them said Faith. thoughtrully, "H9w
miserable Mr.. and Mrs. Morgan must be
| nm sorry for them" Faith kept her
eyes on the lighted window-blind OF their
front sitting-room, and wondered what was
going on within.
Next morning, when Faith woke, she
was enioved to see, on looking out, That
the window.sill was cushioned with snow,
and that the street and houses opposite
were adorned with snow. "Now every.
thing looks exactly like Christmas, mother" ="
she said /; " I'm so glad that I've to 60 on
an crrnnd this morning"
Presently she had performed her erTand
to the lady, and had received the money
due to her mother in one coin, iiye.Shil
ling piece This she carried in her hOld,
being afraid to trust so precious sum in
her pocket, for fear Of being operated upon
by piCkpDcketS, Of whom she had heard
such dreadful tales,
Her cheeks glowed with health and
exercise as she trippcd along through the
snow, glad in the possession Of the crown
piece, and in the anticipation of gong " up
town. with her mother on Christmas Eve.
But, alas Just rs heavy clouds often rise
to darken sunnicst skies, circumstance
happened which shrouded all her gladncss
and her bright imaginings, and Riled her
childish heart with sorrow. As she was
skipping round the corner Of street, she
would have knocked roughly against cos
temongcr, carrying huge basket on each
arm ; II she had not simply sprung aside !;
but in so doing she encountered curb
stone, and fell heavily into the snow road
TIeedcss of how much she was hart, she
sprNng up with frightened air, Tor the
crown-pece had fallen from her hand and
rolled away somewhere.
"Eh my little lass !" said the coSter-
monger, kindly, "nre any bones broken 7"
SON. said Faith, with starting tears,
"iI have lost my money; it fell out Of my
hand ~
"llow much r. snlu the man,
"a crown-piecc," said Faith, STOPPING
and pcering about in the snow and miro.
"Nvcll now, that's bad job," sad the
man, setting down his basket, and STOPPING
to assist the child in her search. But
their efforts were rrutlesS; the crown was
not to bc found.
al wish was rich now, my little dear"
snid the man, with n sorry attempt to
comfort her, "and I'd give you another
crown aS sure as my name amt King Cole.
There now, don't take on so; 1t makes me
feel quite Queerish. Your mother won't
beat yc, will she ,
"0h, no. But she can't afford to lose
that money! sobbed Faith.
A little group had gathered round while
the search had been going on, ind homely
woman said, "Do go home, my dear See,
now, your cloak and frock are dirtied.
It's no use standing about in tho cold"
"Whnt's this2" said mans voice.
"Why, it's little what's-her.name, de-
clare What's the matter7"
Faith looked up and encountered Mr..
Nlorgnn's nstonishedg gaze. The costcrmon-
ger answered his question by explaining
about the child's loss and then Mr. Nor
gan took her hand and said he would tell
her mother all about 1t. Like many other
drunkards, Mr.. Morgan was very kind
man when he was sober; and this morning
he was sober, though how long he would
have remained so il he had not met with
Faith is n question, considering that he
was Just on his way to publc-hUtise to
get something "to steady his nerves." as
lie phased it; for they were sadly out Of
order, after his debauch Of the previous
day. The hand which had held little
Faiths WIS unnaturally hot and tremulouS.
"Fivc shiliings !" said Mr.. Morgan ms
they walked along; "thAt's n good sum to
lose"
"Yes, and It was MI in one piece-such
a beautiful CROWN" sad Faith, her chin
quivcring with sorrow.
"Was it now ~ said Mr.. Morgan invol.
UNFAIRLY putting his hand to his waistcoat
pocket, for II held similar coin, which his
wife had supplied him with before he left
home that morning.
"Ycs.n answered Faith; "and was
thinking how pleased mother would he
with it. And now | can't take her any
money, and my new cloak is dirtled, and
n'r'aps we shan't be able to have even
bread and butter at Christmas; oh yes,
we shall, though! We shall he sure to
have bread, because every morning, We
always pray, Give us this day our daily
bread; but mother won't be able to buy
any Christmas things"
90 Give us this day is in Our Father"
isn't 1t Z" said Mr.. Morgan, olluding to the
Lords Prayer. ADO you say that every
morning 70 | used to know It by heart
when was boy, years and years ago.: |
used to say it every morning regularly with
my MOTHER
For moment Faith forgot her sorrow
in the extreme interest which she felt in
which Mr. Morgan was saying. She look
ed up at him through her tears and said
"DCnt yon say II now, sirp
"Say it now!" he echoed. | haven't
-" and then he abruptly stopped and
turned away. look here, little one, I"
he said, after silence, would you like
to come with me and let Mrs. Morgan clean
your cloak bit1 Perhaps your mother
will be cross to see it so dirtied and then
ri walk over and explain to her all about
the money" 10. ..,...r.... ~
At this allusion to her loss the sad OK
preston came back into Faiths face.
As they drew near To Mr.. Morgan's house,
she looked up nnXiOisly to her mothers
window, but no one was looking out
Mrs. Morgan was sitting on the sofa in
her sitting room, doingnothing. Although
the furniture was good, the place looked as
unhomc-lkc rs houses always do when ne
elected through drink. MIS-. Morgan wns