The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1874-01-07
load, when Elsie said

load, when Elsie said:-
"There is one new family to visit,
Sybil, and then we will go home"
"Who are they?"
"a poor woman living on the out
skirts Of the town, who has been do
ing some sewing for me. Her house
is tiny one, but she rented one
floor to a widow, who is dying in
consumption, if not already dead.
1t was her kindness to the suffering
lodger, in the face of her own power
ty, that drew me to the woman.
Sewing hard to support an aged
mother, and four little ones of her
own, she has given this still poor
er sister the rent, put food into her
mouth, and nursed faithfully at her
dying bed. ! have comforts here
for both, and some toys, fruit and
candies to make Christmas for the
children"
"What is her name?"
"Maloney! But her lodger think
has seen brighter days. She speaks
like person of refinement and edu-
cation, and told me her husband had
been wood engraver. This is the
house, and we are expected"
Entering the small lower room,
the ladies found an Irish woman
poorly clad, who was evidently watch
ing for them. She spoke at once to
Elsie.
you are too late, ma'am. Shes
gone"
Dead"
"Shc died at four O'Clock, as easy
as baby going to sleep. I'd have
sent YOU word, if you hadn't said You
would be here this evening"
She led the way to an upper cham
Der, where it was evident there had
been many comforts added to the
dying bed. Everything was decent
and in order, the wasted form upon
the bed clothed in clean white gar
ments, the hands folded, and the
fair hair smooth. But Sybil gave a
quick gasping cry, and would have
fallen, but for her sisters arm.
For across the dead figure, asleep as
if in the utter exhaustion Of weeping
was golden-haired boy, who seemed
her own lost darling restored to her.
The long fair curls shaded Il face
beautiful as a cherub's, and the poor
clothes covered noble little form.
He was four years old, and alone in
the bleak world. All that had been
his Of love and tenderness, lay dead
under his extended arms.
"Dcar, dcar!" said the kind Irish
woman, IF the poor boy amt up
here again. It's three times the
night I've put the poor clathur to
bed with me own childer, and he
slips up here again, when think he's
slaping. Oh, ladies, if yees could
have heard the prayer lie made this
Christmas night"
"Yhat was his prayer?7 asked
Elsie.
"He heard the childer ali talking
of Kriss-Kringle. ma'am, and see
their stockings all hanging fornist
the fireplace, and he knelt down and
sez he,
$50 God! please send Kris-Krin-
gle to give me warm room and
some clothes, and make dear mamma
alive again."
"What will become of him?n asked
Elsie.
'Indade ma am, Pm afraid it's the
I'll try spell, but I've
more mouths to feed than I've food
to give already. I'm fearful it will
be the almshouse at last
Il do not think So" whispered
Elsie, and they both looked towards
the bed.
Sybil was bending over the boy,
softly unclosing the baby fingers from
their clasp on the dead mothers hand.
She had lifted her heavy black veil,
and IN her sweet face was a look of
heavenly mother love as she gently
lOosened that hold. Then, still SO
softly that the weary child slept on
all unconscious Of her tender touch,
she folded the round limbs, SO cold
in their ragged night garments, in
her own heavy shawl, and lifted the
boy to her own mothers breast.
II will care for the child, Mrs.
Maloney,' she said, in a sweet, low
voice. "God has surely sent us to
each other this Christmas night"
Sfin Sla.,,i,,o baa,,;I1. tho o,.Jdap-