The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-12-25

doubled up, but which proved to be a
crisp, new ten dollar note.
Two women went their way with glad
hearts that night.
Il should gladly have offered fifty dol
lars reward in the papers tomorrow" said
the lady to Jane, as she walked home
ward.
How warily poor Hester stepped over
the slippery stones with all that load OF
treasures in her arms
She found the little children crouching
by Nannie's feeble fire, which was kin
died to boil the few potatoes she had al
lowed herself for supper.
Come right upstairs with me, Aunt
Mamie; you shall have a bit of relish for
your supper to-night-a Christmas treat.
An angel met me, children, when | was
coming home empty handed; and see
here!" and she held out her loaded arms.
In wonder and pleasure the old woman
gathered herself up, and, taking the
children by the hand, all made what speed
they could to follow Hester's strong steps
up the old stairs.
"Now, all sit down orderly, and we'll
set out the things on the table," and she
spread it out to its greatest capacity.
First, here's our Christmas cake, said
the widow, with a hOusewifely pleasure
as she uncovered its snowy surface.
go, mother !" screamed the children in
ecstasy.
"Well, Hester Ray, you be in luck, "
said the old woman; who ever saw such
a cake brought into this house l have
often wondered how those grand cakes
tasted.
''Well, auntie, you shall know pretty
soon. Here are Christmas oranges enough
for all, and to spare. Hark is that your
Dick coming in, Mamie? Ask him right
up.
Dick was not slow in obeying his grand
mothers summons, for the sound of her
voice showed there was something I'm:
common pleasant in the wind" He hadn't
had very good day with his papers, and
was coming in rather clown in the
mouth He frightened, though, the
next minute.
But the wonder and excitement grew
more and more intense as the unpacking
process went on. All the possessions
were spread out on the table and little
bed, and little Mary was crying and
laughing by turns and she Rugged her
beautiful doll to her bosom. All her lit
tie life long she had begged for such a
gift, but it had always seemed as far away
as the stars. Robbie had no eyes for any
thing but his cars and steamboat at first;
but it was easy to make diversion IN
the shape of handful of sugar plums
mother dropped into his ''wood-car."
CHOW my sharpest knife to cut the
Il 80 h 10
Have YOU an old thin one, Mamie, that
would answer"
Dick was flying down the stairs to their
room in twinkling, and came rushing
up again with it, at the risk of life and
limb.
"You are spry boy" said Hester,
happily. why, what is this ?" and she
took out the note and unfolded it. 1t was
too much happiness for one evening; but
it made her none the less ready to share
her good things with her poor neighbors.
Good, generous slices of the big cake |
were cut off for each, and an orange and /,
Il paper or nuts ana CanuIeS maze up the
treat.
'"Pears to me l like the candies better
than | did when was q child, said the
old woman simply. "But you'll have to
eat the nuts, Dickey; my old teeth are too
poor"
'I'll mash 'em up for you, grandmOth-
er, in my lineup; you'll like 'em then"
"Well, well, sonny, who'd ever have |
thought of that?"
"Run out when you've finished your
cake, and get bucket of coal, and we'll
have good fire tonight. And, Dick, if |
you'll get me little tea and halfpound |
of sugar, your grandmother and me will |
drink a cup OF tea together; and you
young ones can play with the things"
So the '.joy bells" rang clear bright |
peal in that old room, and five happier
hearts you could not have found under |
those city roofs. When bedtime came, |
they were loath to part, the room was SO
warm, and the little tapers made it SO
bright.
Hester read by their light psalm of
from their well-worn Bible;
and, as their custom was, she prayed
with her children and guest before they
The memory of that bright Christmas
eve was a sunbeam, which shed its light
all along life's pathway. That gift of
money was help to the poor widow, that
tided her over a hard place in her history,
and was the dawn of brighter days.
The Lord does not forget His children,
no matter in what obscure corners and dark
places of the earth they may be hidden.
Will you make the 10y bells" ring in
any sad hearts this blessed Christmas
time? Or will you be content to give to
those who, from their abundance, gave to
YOU Golden Hours.