Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-12-23
HUNGRY ON CHRISTMAS DAY.
A True Story.

weary looking little lady sat close at
her window, painting rapidly yet
carefully as she finished delicate
miniature portrait on porcelain, for
she was employed by one of our
largest Photographic galleries, at that
time just in the beginning of its
existence.
Two children played lovingly and
merily at a table near her room was
unusually pleasant and comfortable
looking, her own dress and the chill
dren's good and suitable there SEEM
ed no cause for the look Of sad and
weary care upon her face-but this
dear little woman was one WHO lived
her neighbor aud conscientiousIy
lived for Others, and these were her
thoughts:
Il have not seen my young neigh
bors for nearly Week until TO, day,
and then the husband looked so pale
and thin. | fear they are in trouble,
and yet hardly dare venture IN
Oh, this life in large cities is cruel.
Where they pack Us so, utter strang-
srs, in separate rooms adjoining, and
we know nothing of each other. Our
neighbor on the othor side of the par
tition may be dying of grief or lone-
Illness, or want, while we are careless
and gay, until some morning the
anitor comes in with scared face
10 say that the man in the next is
dead died in the nignt--alone-his
body lies there on the other side OF
the wall. Oh, it is too horrible.
Such thing happened once in this
house before | came to it. 1t must
not happen again. | will get paid TO-
day for this pic ure, and when the
children are asleep will run round
to the market and buy turkey,
with all the Accomplishments, and
then | will invite Mr. and Mrs.
Wilson to eat with US tomorrow,
and | will learn if they are in trouble
Inspired by kindly thoughts, she
worked faster than ever, and soon
the last touch was gently placed, the
miniature rigidly scrutinized, and
with satisfied smile wrapped up
Then telling the children to get their
coats and hats they all three hasten
ed away to the photograph gallery.
One young clerk was there, having
been left in charge while the others
went home earlier than usual.
'Mr. Poser expected you, said he,
'and told me when you brought his
wite's picture to shut up the place,
and bring it to his house. Said he
knew you wouldn't dsappoint him
you never do
sWhere is the house, Johnnie :? |
might take it myself (and get paid.
she added mentally
up in fortieth street, but you
hadn't better take it, Mrs. Lanox,
for he has party tonight, and |
live near there.
very well, Johnnie don't undo
the package if you take it from the
box it might get broken
ooh, I'll look out Merry Christ
mas, Mrs. Lenox l won't see you to-
morrow
merry Christmas, Johnnie; l
shall not forget you on the 25th.'
She turned sadly away and went
home with the children, trying TO
share their enjoyment of the brilli-
antly beautiful shop windows, whore
so many things were displayed that
she would like to own. But she
scarcely thought of that, her disap
pointment 10 not getting the expect
ed ten dollars that evening had quite
deranged her plans, for now no tur~
key could be bought.
Laugh, mamma, laugh Don't be
so still + cried out little BERTHE as he
glanced up at her sad face. The
mother smiled to please him, tender,
loving smile such as an angels face
might wear, and both the children
laughed outright.
Dear innocents They know moth
ing of life's trials and disappoint~
ments Neither shall they know !;
| have always made them happy and
| will still do 80, whether we have a
Christmas dinner or notp
New energy animated her, she
joined with her darlings in admiring
beautiful and wonderful toys, books
and all the various gifts so tempting
ly displayed, and only took them
homo when they were ready. As
she helped little BERTHE up the long,
tedious flight of stairs that led to
their two rooms while Madge tripped
lightly on ahead, she met Mrs. Wilson,
her neighbor, coming down, and ex.
changing q pleasant greeting, saw
that the young wite's eyelashes were
wet with tears, while her voice
sounded unnaturaly cheerful.
SO the artist, who had been a
young wife herself once, and was now
a patient, quiet little widow, fell
a planning again as soon as she had
given the children their supper, and
after a merry game of romps put
them to bed.
Only one dollar besides the money
for rent I she sighed, 'and four meals
to provide before can see Mr.. Poser.
w XII, L b6fO bOLuS cbOlNN lu lhC pau
try, | will see what there is and then
go to market. | must manage TO
share my dinner with my poor neigh.
bors-at least to invite them-Or |
Ihall be troubled all day How glad
am that L bought gifts for the chill
dren three weeks since, when they
were cheaper and | had The money.
Now they at least will not be de-
frauded of their expected enjoy ment
on Christmas day4'
Among the lessons which the Vi
cissitudes of life had taught this
brave little woman, was thai Of the
true art of coz kipg-how 10 provide
delicious meal from cheap and sim
pie materials /; so when she bad look
ed through her pantry she tripped
off to market with a seIf-satisfied and
happy smile, as if she had been going