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

upon Clc "alt>, STATUES OF cnllQfel
stood upon the mantle-piece, and oil
brackets. The small wardrobe in the
corner held dainty suits of fine cloth
ing, the fur trimmed coat and cay
the boy had worn when he last walk
ed beside his fond proud mother, the
tiny tasselled cane, the shining boots
In the bureau were piles of dainty
linen, little socks, pretty pocket
handkerchiefs, the gay little necll,ie:
that were worn with such a jaunty
air.
Only one dark spot was in the
room, and it had been its brightest
sunshine; the kneeling mother. She
had wept herself quiet, and was rest,
ing her white, beautiful face upon
her boys pillow. when the door
opened softly, and a lady nearly her
own age, and closely resembling her,
came in softly.
ais this well, Sybil?" she asked
kissing The fair sad face on the pill
low.
Yearly the mourner rose, and
tried to smile greeting for her only
sister, whom she loved very fondly.
He was NY all, Elsie" she ans
wered; ''you have three, and | had
but that one. Let me weep, for
am very desolate"
"Darling, know it." was the re-
ply, "but we shall lose you too. if
you shut yourself up here to mourn
constantly, l have come for you to
take our Christmas drive. am
alone, and George will stay with the
children. You will Gomez"
Il cannot! | cannot!"
"Our poor folks will expect us.
1t is some years since we have spent
Christmas Eve III visiting the poor,
and it will comfort you, to think you
went"
"Oh, Elsie, cannot. | will give
you the money, but it will kill me to
go. Do you not remember last year
we took Freddie? | can see him
now rs he gave my contribution to
one and another, his face flushing
with pleasure, as he said Mamma
and Freddie wish you q merry Christ
mast"
81 remember dear. Try to think
he will he with us tonight. Come
with mel If the trial is too much for
you, l will bring YOU home, and 90
again alone; but make the effort,
Sybil. for my sake
1t required much urging and many
tender, loving arguments to conquer
Sybil's morbid desire to remain alone
III Ffeddie's room, and even after
she had submitted to have her cloak
and bonnet on, she fingered there.
Opening q closet she said:-
Here IS the sled that was to b.
FIR Christmas, Elsie, aud the pair Of
rubber boots to tramp in the snow.
ike a man! You shall take them for
Willie, when you come back. | have
not forgotten your little ones, though
/ could not promise to join you, to-
morrow. Ali their gifts are in my.
ROOM"
Elsie thanked her with a loving
kiss, and then led her to the carriage,
which was piled with packages and
baskets. 1t had been for many years
the habit of the sisters to distribute
personally a portion of their large
wealth amongst the poor Of their ma
tive city, giving money, food, cloth
ing and orders for fuel, and giving
what was as highly priced, gentle
sympathy and kindly counsel. Since
Sybil had last been amongst these
humble friends she had lost husband
and child, and many a rough hand
trembled, many tear dimmed the
eyes of those to whom she spoke, as
they proffered words of sympathy
and comfort.
Yet. as her sister had hoped, it
WAS doing her good to leave her
home, and feel that there was work
for her hands to do. She realized
fully, as she passed from one poor
home to another, that her generous
gifts were increased fourfold in value,
by the fact that in her own sorrow,
she had remembered the wants of her
Ifrllow-creatures. Many h arty
''God bless and comfort YOU. ma am,
though it was answered with tremh-
ling lip an" fearful eye, yet left its
healing influence upon her heart.
Elsie spared her too much talking,