Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-12-24

/ and the happy children as their names were
called futtered up to the lighted stage and
received their gifts from the wonderful tree
| Molly watched with breathless interest, but
/ as name after name was called her clear ewes
! began to grow troubled
They don't cali US, Teddy" she whis
Pered, anEiously, "there won't be a thing
| left At last the long list came to an end;
tears gathered in MolIy's eyes and rolled
slowly down her cheeks, but just then the
minister came forward and said:
Among so many children it is quite likely
we may have omitted some one. If anvcbHd's
name has not been called let him come for
ward now: We have plenty Of presents left"
!" That's Us, Molly; come on" said Ted,
grasplng his sisters hand and pushing his old
hat so firmly upon his head that lock of hair
like little red plume came up through the torn
top There was moments silence and then
| everyone began TO stare and smile as the two
queer little figures made their way up the
aisle and through the welI-dressed crowd,
rightup on the lighted platform.
Please, sir" said Ted, looking as bold as a
lion, they didn't call US; we hain't had nary
a thing, mem Molly"
Somebody laughed; I think it was girl:
not an ifl-natured laugh, but one of those
merry little giggles that bubble over of their
| own accord, and everybody else Joined in.
The young folks because they felt Jolly and
were just spelling for something to laugh at,
and the older ones because their eyes were
full of something that blinded them and their
Threats full OF something that choked them;
and if they had not laughed they must GER
| tainly have cried.
| When it was all quiet, boy in the very
front seat-a fat boy in a velvet jacket-came
out with funny little hot ho!n and Ted,
who had stood all the rest, doubled up his fists
and called out, angrily:
"Jist come up here if you want to git a
head put on ye."
Poor little souls" said the minister, com
ing forward. Whose children are youg
"Hisn," said Ted, confidently; " His'n who
gave His life for our sakes," thinking only,
/ you know, of his dead father.
At, said the minister, picking little Molly
up and pushing the sunbonnet off from the
bright, curly head, 81 believe you are, and
He sent you to teach us lesson"
| Then stepping forward, with the child still
in his arms, he said:
My friends, here are two of Gods little
children whom we neglected to invite to our
feast. Who will help to make merry Christ
mas for them?'
And, bless you! how they helped.
| One mother spared hood and another
! cloak from the wraps Of her petted darling,
and the fat boy gave Ted his warm cap and
went home with his comforter over his ears
! Molly had doll, a crying doll, and all little
1
in doll, whatever notions grown-up mothers
may have about fesh-and blood babies Ted
had Two jack-knives, one in each hand, for
there was nothing left of his pockets but the
| hole at the top, which was as good as new
| They took them to the refreshment tables,
and let them choose of all the tempting array;
and they chose, these two little smpIetons,
frosted cake and jelly, lemonade and pink ice
cream And why not, to be sure? If once in
our lives you and | should happen to stumble
into fairy land wouldn't we eat the COLLINS
golden apples, and fill our pockets from his
chest of jewels, without any regard to the
| dreadful consequences?
While they are eating we may as well look
| after the mother who had locked them up
and carried off the key to the castle
through the window she was polishing off the
last piece from her ironing in the warm
kitchen OF an elegant mansion, glancing as
she did it at the windows where the daylight
was fast disappearing, and thinking it would
be quite dark before she got home. The door
opened and face as fair as pink wild rose
looked in. Two white hands glittering with
gems held long, trailing vines and bright
berries, AMI pleasant voice said:
ooh, Mary, I must have you moment to
help me trim the parlor curtains; never mind
the rest of the ironing"
"Im just done, Miss" and with sinking
heart the poor woman followed the young
girl to the parlors, where the gas-light made
a soft radiance over velvet and marble and
rare paintings. Her coarse shoes were
quite buried among the roses of the carpet,
and she was glad to step upon the bright
drugget spread to catch the dropping leaves.
Mounted on step-laddcr she followed skill
fully the lady's directions, and the green
tracery of the vines was soon fastened against
the frost-work of the exquisite lace
6 That is lovely" said the lady, stepping
back to surrey the effect you're real ge-
MUS, Mary; John nearly drove me wild with
his clumsiness. Wouldn't you like to stay and
help in the supper-room to-night?7
1ve two little children at home"
Oh, we'll, let them run into a neighbours;
you needn't be away very late"
But they've no supper"
Supper doesn't matter to children; they
can pick up something for themselves, dare
say; we children used to think it was prime
fun to 60 to the pantry"
If there was anything there" said thep poor
woman with a sorrowful thought of the empty
cupboard; " but you don't know much about
poor folks pantries, Miss Alice"
Suit yourself Of course" said the lady, |
turning carelessly away and bending her fair |
face over basket of fl wers
Gould you pay me, if you please, Miss"
Certainly" was the pleasant answer, and |
the white fingers opened a dainty little porte
monnaie and explored the perfumed depths |
Only one bill, large and crisp, that rustled its |
skirts at few pennies that seemed quite out |
OF place in such aristocratic company