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

CIIHlDIF, anu come down the raln-SpOut."
All at once he thought of the window on
| tis landing. Il went up with very little
I coaxing.
Cit yer things, Molly" he erred. in tri-
umph, and thrust his curly head into very
big old wool hat with kind Of trdp-door at
the top.
MoIy's things consisted Of small corner
Of what had once been a table-spread, and a
faded blue calico sunbonnet, so she was soon
ready, and the little midgets climbed through
the window, went cautiously down the slip
pert stairs and away, hand in hand, toward
the long row Of street-lamps that marked the
region of stores and churches
No one took the smallest notice Of them.
Mrs. Biddy Maloney, who took boarders on
the second floor, was cleaning up her room
for Christmas, and Tows, the dog, finding it
very slippery and uncomfortable inside, stood
shivering on the steps and waited for place
to dry. His tail was too stiff to wag, but he
gave a distressed wriggle Of his lanky body,
and followed the children block or two.
Go back, Tows," said Ted, and the dog
crcpt back to the step.
Such wonderful sights! Not dark, cold
room anywhere, but SO far as they could see,
fire and light and abundance Windows
filled with bread and cakes and pies; mar
kets overlooking on the very sidewalks
with meat and vegetables that these
hungry babies did not even know the names
OF. Confectioners' windows heaped with
dainties in pink and white and amber, and
frosted wonders that made your mouth water
only to look at; windows glowing with great
pyramids Of golden oranges, shining red az
pies, juicy pears, and grapes like clusters Of
pale emeraIds. Out of basement windows
came delicious whiffs Of roasting, broiIing and
coffee making, and through doors that opened
and closed quickly came sounds Of laughter,
and now and then OF music. So they went
on and on looking, and wondering, and chat
tering, and really forgetting they were cold
and hungry, and running away.
Once, when policeman spoke roughly to
them, they went through a short, dark alley,
and saw through a basement window a woman
with hard, heavy hands striking sobbing
little girl.
"Come away" said Ted, pulling Molly by
the hand and shaking his fist in the dark at
the cruel woman; "Pd like to lick her,
would. Good mind to chuck a SNOWFALL
through the window"
In the very next house, in room almost as
poor as their own, little child in a pure
white robe lay upon a table, with lighted can
dies, two at her head and two at her feet. Her
| hands were crossed upon her breast and held
bit Of green. She looked very peaceful and
happy, they thought; but woman sat by
her, with her head or her arms, and cried
aloud
BY and BY their wanderings brought them
to beautiful church, very tall and hand
some, with broad stone steps and stained
windows that glowed in the light like
great precious stones. They could hear
the sound Of voices, children's voices,
singing loud and clear inside, and when
the doors for an instant swung open there
was glimpse Of children swarming every
where in their holiday dresses like so many
butterflies. And OH, wonder Of wondersl
there were the two splendid trees, the
branches strangely laden and glittering with
light, and then-the doors closed again.
It's the Christmas tree" whispered Ted,
and half benumbed with cold the little runa-
ways crouched in a dark corner waiting for
another glimpse. Presently the doors were
=
the confusion and running back and forth the
children slipped in and dropped silently into
a seat by the door, piled full of chairs and
tables. One man looked doubtfully at them,
but no one ordered them out, so they watched
with dilated eyes the whole brilliant pageant
There were songs and speeches and tab
leauX. 4 lovely little girl, dressed all in
white, with her beautiful hair like a bright
cloud about her head, came out upon the
stage and recited a littlepoem in a sweet
voice. 1t was called " Looking Out and Look
ing In" and this is what it said:
Rosy and warm the freight falls
In the rich mans home tonight,
On the pictures hanging against the walls,
And the children's faces bright
They have parted the curtains crimson fold
Away from the window high,
And their eyes look out At the whirling snow
And the dull and stormy sky.
Their dainty garments are rich and rare
Their faces are fair to see,
And the golden CLEAN oftheir shining hair
Is bright rs a crown might be-
And many stranger stops to smile
At the picture warm and bright
The beautiful children looking out
on the dark and wintry night
With tattered garments and faces thin.
Abroad in the bitter cold,
The poor mans children are looking in
Through the curtains crimson fold
The bleak wind losses their rags in scorn.
Their feet are aching and bare.
While they gaze at the beauty and warmth
within,
And the chiIdren's faces fair
l think, as I hasten alcng the street.
OF the beautiful home above,
Where the rich and the poor alike will meet,
And share in the Fathers love.
The Lord will open the shining door
And gather His dear ones in,
The rich with their soft and dainty robes,
Andathe poor with their garments thin.
= guess She an angel" said Molly, ad-
miringly, but Ted Strengthened up and took
courage at hearing of the beautiful home
where the rich and the poor are to be gath
cred in and loved alike.
Then came very sweet old poem called
Little Barbara's Hymn" which tells how the
mother sang at her spinning the words of a
quaint OLD hymn with this refrain:
Whether zee SEeeD. or 2ybpfHe,, me 2p1Ee