The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-25
A TRUE CHRISTMAS STORY FOR
CHILDREN.

At the entrance of the Jesuit Church, on
Baronne street, sits every day, and all long
day long, poor old negro beggar. Whether
the sun shines OF the rain falls; whether the
6ery rays Of the summer sun scorch the pave
ment. or the icy blasts Of winter freeze the
>holy water in the marble fonts within, there
SITS this miserable son Of Africa, this old man
Chose happiest days were those passed with
Ms kind master on sugar plantation,
when lie for him had no shadow, and when
we'll fed and we'll cared for, he neither knew
the joys nor the pains Of freedom. The
brightness has died out of his face and his
old head, now crowned with crisp, bleached
wool, mods ever up and down in mute suppl
cation to every passer-by. His bony right
hand holds out. constantly, Q weather-beaten
hat, and among the thousands who pass him
daily are those who find some trifle to deposit in
his treasury. To see the old fe'low'sndiant ex-
preston of gratitude when some pssser-by
drops q nickel in his hat, is to see marvel
Gus transition from profound misery to &C.
static happiness-is to appreciate the wonder
full capacity Of the human face to express
emotion. II his fsrvent prayers and suppl
cations for God to bless his benehctors be
not answered, it will not be for intense earn
estness in the manner of their utterance.
few days ago little girl-a sweet little
human rosebud-whose age could not have
been more than six or seven, and whose in
nocent bright face was rendered more win
some by long, loose, sunshiny curls that
clustered lovingly around it, was tripping
by the Jesuit Church as fast as q slightly
lame foot would admit; her bright blue eyes
fell upon the poor old beggar, sitting there
in the sunshine, bowling his old white head
in mute supplication and extending his greasy
hat for aims The sight arrested her foot
steps instantly, and looking ct the poor old
man her soft eyes soon SWAN in tears. In .
moment a little hand was plunged into a tiny
pocket, and drawing therefrom purse shs
unclasped it and found therein just one
piece Of money, and that was g.
fifty cent note. It seemed . whole fortune to
her, and glancing again at the beggar and
then once more at the note, she sighed deeply
and sudibly, and replacing the purse in her
pocket moved away slowly and reAectively.
suddenly bright idea seemed to strike her,
and running back, her whole soul in her
face, and her eyes sparkling with happiness,
she took out the money again and said to the
old man, somewhat imidly: ''n you can
change this I'll give you some money" The
old fellow fumbled about in his various
ragged pockets for q time but could find no
change. What beggar ever could?
She was puzzled for moment as to what
course to pursue, wanting to help the old
man. but not being able to spare her whole
little fortune. At length IN idea dawned
upon her, and tripping away swiftly to .
neighboring fruit stand, she had the bill
changed, and Fastening back, deposited .
part Of it in the hat OF the enchanted beggar,
who blessed her so fervently that tears Of
gratitude actually fell into his faded hat, and
coursed down the uraccustomed channels Of
his wrinkled face. If Santa Claus didn't re-
member that darling little child last night,
he is not the dear old fellow he is reputed.
Let everyone buy q ticket on Christmas for
the $40. 900 Prize in the La. State Lottery.
Let everyone buy ticket on Christmas for