The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-09-26
Christmas story
DARKNESS AND SUNLIGHT.
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES'.

Now, Charlie dear, do make it go as
far as you can, said little Mrs. Rushton
asshe counted a roll of crisp, green bills
into her husband hand as they stood In
the cottage door one stormy Christmas
Eve.
Charlie received them quite nonchal-
antly, never once thinking, perhaps,
how many weary stitches that pale, pa
tIent little woman at his side had earned
them wlth-stitches made In the dead,
1nidnie bit hours, when he and the little
ones were sound asleep. lie twisted
them up and stuffed them into his vest
pocket
Mrs. Rushton sighed and looked visit
fully out into the stormy gloom.
There are so many things we need"
said she; ''IfI only could have gone my
self, but baby is too i'll for that" CLAN
cling back al the crib in one corner. 80
Charly. do the best you can. There's
the medicine for bady-don't, pray, for
get that-and some coal, and a little
sugar and tea, aud few loaves. And |
did want turkey for to morrow-a small
one, you know Charlie ; and few plums
TO make a pudding. We can t afford it
well; hut ii seems so hard for you and
the children TO have nothing for Christ
mas"
Charlie moved restlessly, but her thin,
labor-worn hand held his arm
And some little trifes for the chill
dren, dear, she went on; ''the poor
little things will be hanging up their
stockings tonight, and it hurts me so to
disappont them. Get a few candles,
and knife for Tom, and doll for An,
nie-some little things that won't cost
much, Charlie.
He shook her hand from his arm, and
hurried out.
Yes, yes" he replied, half impa-
tiently; I II do 1t all, if you don't keep
me waiting here all night
And Charlie" she called, as he
strobe away, her voice full of touching
entreaty, please don't stay long baby
IS so Ill. and will need her medicine in an
hour, aud | thought we would fix up a
bit after the children have gone to bed.
Iou artW come back snnn dear 2''
% yes, Mary, yes !"
But Mary watched him out of sight,
with glimmer OF tears in her eyes.
Il wish L could have gone myself, -
she sighed, as she returned to her baby S
cradle. Poor Charlie; | do hope he'll
be as good as LIS word"
She sat down, with her foot on the
rocker, and took up her work basket
There was never an lie moment for her,
not even on Chris mas Eve The baby
slept, its cheeks hot and flushed, its
breathing coming IN quick, short gasps,
Presently the children came in from the
pine ridge beyond the village, where
they had been to gather faggots.
We've got lot, mother" said Tom.
q sturdy, Little fellow. the image of his
fat al hn, e 4
Christmas, won't we, Annie p
Annie nodded and crept into the corn
er, holding her little red hands to the
fire.
I'm not cold, mother" said Tom.
Girls be so tender, MOTHER let Annie
stay in; ''I'l feed the cow and getln the
water-I m in for Christmas work, I ami
Say mother, shall We have any goodies
tomorrow p
His mother smiled.
I'VE must wait and see, she said !:
There is no telling what Santa Claus
may DO. =
L wish he'd bring me Jack knife. or
drumming top, like Ned Raymond 5, +"
said Tom, as he ran off to finish his work
Having warmed her hands, Annie
stole softly to the baby s crib and sat
down beside it.
Mrs Rushton sewed on, and the
stormy twilight closed in rapidly. Verv
soon 1t was quite dark, and every mo
ment the storm increased. She put bye
her work, and made preparations for their
frugal supper.
You'll have to put one of your fag-
gots on the FIRE, Tom" she said ssThe
room is too cold for the child / thought
the Goals would have been here before
this, but your father stays"
And baby ought TO have had her
powder at four, said thoughtful Annie.
do you mind how FAST she breathes,
mother p
The mother bent over the little suffer
er, and pressed her lips to the hot, dry
little mouth Then she went to the door
and looked long and wistfully down the
village road. with such sharp pain at
her poor heart. She had worked so
hard, and hoped SO much for this Christ
mas; sewed so constantly and patiently
for the few bills that Charlie had gone
out to expend. 0, surely, thoughtless,
and thriftless as he was, he would not
forget her and the children, that Christ
mas eve
But the stormy hours wore by, yet he
did not return. Poor, half-famished lit
tleTom sat before the fire, and watched the