The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-12-30

! Charles medicine was purchased, but the
/ few dimes that were left were barely sufiicf
cnt to obtain q small modicum Of coal for the
morrow and where was the chicken for
Charles broth to come from?
| paused in the snowy street, with the gilt
tering winter stars above my head, and the
brilliant show windows Haunting on each side.
Just then merry chime of bells FLASHED up
on the frosty air, and, for the first time, re-
membered that it was New Years Eve.
pain as sharp as death pierced my heart,
as stood there. thinking Of my far away
friends, and wondering What should do. A
grocer's shop, brilliantly lighted, stood just
across the street. i few over the slippery
flag stones and entered. The grocer hurried
forward, all smiles and bows.
"Would he let me have chicken, and q
bottle of wine ? /" asked, with my heart in
my mouth. "My poor boy was i'll and
and-would he be good enough to trust me till
next weeke"
His countenance fell on the instant. He
hesitated and stammcred:
''IIe was extremely sorry" he said, sbut
it was a rule of his never to credit strang-
ers.'
"John, John, that's her, spoke womans
voice, at my elbow at that instant.
/ turned, but the speaker had averted her
face, and | only saw a great stalwart man,
with bronzcd face, and the kindliest brown
eyes had ever beheld.
Blinded by tears / hurried away home to
poor Charlie and the babies. | gave Charlie
his medicine, and hushed the little hungry
mouths with scant enough morsel of milk
and bread, and then tucked the chldrenaway
in their bed. Charlie fell into doze, and
sat down before the smouldering embers, to
indulge in the sole comfort that remained to.
me, a hearty try.
But had hardly begun, when heard the
sound of footsteps in the snow, and directly
after, rap at the door. opened it with a
bounding heart, hoping that some good neigh
Dor had como with holp. The tall man, with
bronzed face and kindly eyes--I knew him ON
the instant--stood ON the steps, with huge
down at my feet aud extended his hand.
"We've been hunting you the last two
days. madam, he began. abruptly, his kind
eyes flashing with happiness land glad
enough we are to find you. You done me a
good turn when yon kept my boy out of pris-
on; and the lad was innocent of the charge
too, Ftnprond to tell you that. Brnnton's
found out who stole the money end my wife
couldn't find you nohow, till we Glanced up
on you at the grocer's tonight, and-well, we
thought"
And he broke down stammering and embar-
raised, aud stepping back, gave place to his
wife, who stood behind him.
eve thought" she said, as she raised the
cover from the harper, we'd bring you some
little things for New Years. You won't ro-
fuse 20 take EN-, | know--and may the good
God forever bless you for what you've done
for me Oh, madam !" and she threw her
arms about my neck, while the tears rnined
down her face, " should a. gone mad If they
had taken my boy from me that night but
you saved him and me, while your own was
suffering. Inever was so happy in my life.
as when we found you tonight. Johns come
home rich man this time; he's had better
than good luck, and we're able to help you.-
Pvc brought little of everything, and some
New Years pretties for the babies. | knew
you had 'em no heart but u mothers could a.
felt for me in my trouble as yours did and
now I'll help you put 'em by, while John looks
in the sick room he's capital nurse, John
is. But first take ths--don't look at it now
slip It in your bosom till by and by, and let's
get the things into the larder"
did as she babe me, slipping the little par
Gel into my bosom, and while the sailor laid
| by hat and coat, and crossed over into the
room where Charlie lay, we took out and ar
ranged the beautiful supplies they had
brought bottles of wine, and chickens, and
rounds of meat the golden rolls of butter,
and tea, and white bread and cakes, and toys
and dolls that would set my babies wild with
delight.
The New Years dawn was breaking when
they left me. Charlie slept quietly. his shat
tered arm newly bandaged by the sailors skill
! full hand, and the babies were beginning to
stir and futter Ike restless birds in theil
nest
replenished the fire, and while the fragrant
coffee boiled, and the chicken Drowned, l sat
down. and drew the little package from my
bosom.
Twenty bills, Of five dollars each, crisp, and
fresh, and new---one hundred dollars all my
own. My little gift of mercy had brought me
glorious interest for the New Year.
A cockney who lately crossed from Canada
to Ogdensburg asked his hack driver as to
the population and form Of government OF
Ogdensburg. On being informed that 1t was
an incorporated city whose chief executive
officer was a Mayor he inquired "And does
he wear the insignia of Office 2" Insignia
what's that !" asked the astonisl,ed hackman.
"Why, chain about his neck, :" explained
the cockney. "Oh, bless you no " respond
ed the other. Giles perfectly harmless and
goes about loose"
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