Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-01-08
A Christmas Cake and what Came Of II.
By MRS. SARAH D. HOBART.

II was Christmas Day, and Mrs Lcnnox
was finishing her mornings work by max
ing q large and savory fruit cake for the
minister's Christmas dinner. Three rosy
checked, curly headed little ones--two in
chairs aud one standing on tip-toc by the
table-watched the progress with eager
eyes till the last touch was given and the
dough transferred to the baking tin.
Nov run away, all Of you" said the
mother; and taking of her spectaclcs to
wipe her eyes, she carelessly laid them up
on the table while she stirred the FIRE
Charlie aud Willie went to the window
to look at the gay sloighs, with their pranc-
ing horses, and the little three-year-old
Robbie slipped down from his high chair,
and catching something up from the table,
buried it deep in the yielding dough which
stood so inyitingy near. In II momoat
more the cake was in the oven, and coming
back to the table, Mrs Lennox began look.
ing for her spectacles But they were not
to be found.
"Charles-Willie !" she cried, "have you
seen them ?"
The boys said no" little Robbie shak-
ing his curly head aud protesting his limo.
cence as strongly as either of the others !;
and the mother searched and searched.
Down the long rows Of pantry shelves, in
the -four barrel, the sugar box, the pickle
jar--in every spot that mischievous hands
rcach-but all in vain. At last she gave
up the quest in despair, and putting on her
old, stee-bowed ones, drew the cake from
the oven.
Such beautiful golden-brown as it was,
with here and there purple raisin breaking
through the tender crust. Wrapping it up
carefully, she sent it across the way to the
parsonage and began preparations for din
uer.
Mrs. Gray, the minister's wife, was Sill
cling her cake with many kind thoughts Of
the giver, when the knife rasped against
something hard. Cutting it out carefully,
she produced pair Of gold spectacles.
Just see what have found !" she cried,
running into the sitting.room where her
husband was writing. WAS there ever
such woman Who but sister Lennox
would have thought of storing away a
Christmas gift in such a manner2 And
just when you were wishing for them so
much. It's like fairy tale. | must 60
and thank her at once !"
Away she hurried, for the two houses
were the closest and best of neighbors, and
entered her friends parlor Just as the lat
ter was relating to her husband the story
Of her loss
How can ever thank you 2" said Mrs
Gray.
Its nothing, nothing at all" answered
Mrs. Lennox, with that air which we al
assume when we feel conscious of having
performed some good deed.
at seems as if the Lord always send,
what we most need; and only last nigh
husband said there was nothing he wished
for so much"
Times must be very hard at our minis
ter's if fruit-cake is such great rarity.
thought Mrs. Lennox.
His sight is failing so fast" Mrs Ora,
went on: "he had been thinking of buy
ing pair Of steel-bowcd ones-the bes
we could afford on our slender income
but they would not be exactly suited to
minister, you know. You are our goo,
fairy. You divine our wishes before the
are expressed. May the Lord bless you !
and she wrung her friends hand aud bur
ried home
90 Failing sightr steel bowed =
light was breaking in on Mrs. Lennox