Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-12-22
SCENE VI

SCENE vi
Now, papa, want you to give me some
thing special TO day, because it's Christmas"
said the little princess TO her father, as she
kissed aud wished him "Nierry Christmas "
next morning.
"What is it, Pussy-half of my kingdon?"
mo, no, papa not so much as that. It's
a little bit of my own way that want"
"Of course well, what is it 2"
"Well, | want you to take John back
again"
Her fathers face grew hard.
Now, please, papa, don't say word till
you have heard me. John was a capital
gardener he kept the greenhouse looking
beautiful and this Mike that we've got now,
he's nothing but an apprentice and stupid
rs an owl at that He'll never do in the
world"
" All that is very true" said Mr.. DE Witt,
" but john drinks, and 'front.' have drink
ing man"
But, papa, mean to take care OF that.
I've written out this temperance pledge, and
dated it, aud got John to sign it, and here il
is, and she handed the paper to her father,
who read it carefully, and sat turning it in
his hands, while his daughter went on
You ought to have seen how poor, how
very poor they were. His wife is such u
nice, quiet, hard-working woman, and has
two such pretty children. went to see
them and carry them Christmas things yes
terday but it's no good doing anything If
John can't get work. She told me how the
poor fellow had been walking the streets in
the cold day after day, trying everywhere,
and nobody would take him. It's dread
| full time now for man TO be out of work,
and it isn't fair that his poor wife and chill
dren shouldsuifer Do try him again, papaV'
John always did better with the pine
apples than anybody we have tried" said
Mrs DE Witt, at this point. " He is the
only one who really understands pineapples."
At this moment the door opened aud there
was a sound of chirping voices in the hall.
Please, Miss Florence" said Betty, " the
| little folks says they want TO give you u
Christmas" She added in whisper
"rhey thinks much of giving you some
thing, poor little things-plase take it of
em" Aud little Tottie at the word marched
in and offered the young princess his dear,
beautiful, beloved string of glass beads, and
Elsie presented the cross OF red berries
most dear to her heart and fair to her eyes
"We wanted to give you something" she said
bashfully.
"Oh, you lovely dears " cried Florence !;
how sweet of YOU | shall keep these
]
cross up over my dressing-table thank
you erer so much
"Are those Johns children Z" asked Mr..
DE Witt, winking tear out of his sye-he
was at bottom a soft-hearted old gentleman.
Yes, papa" said Florence, caressing
Elsie scurly hair" see how sweet they are I"
"Well-you may tell John I'll try him
again
Aud so passed Florence's Christmas, with
a new, warm sense OF Joy in her heart---a
feeling of something in the world to be done,
worth doing.
How much Joy one can give with little
money !" she said TO herself, as she counted
over what she had spent on her Christmas.
All, yes and how true that "lt Is more
blessed TO give than to receive" A shining,
invisible Hand was laid on her head in
blessing as she lay down that night, and
sweet sense of loving presence stole like
music into her soul. Unknown TO herself,
she had that day taken the first step out of
sef-life into that life of love and care for
others which brought the King Of Glory
down to share earths tolls and sorrows.
And that precious experience was Christie
! Christmas gift to her.