The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-25

VS. dinneri And there's a good many

boys dinneri And there's good many
things"
Tom sighed little. He could not make
II out straight in his tired brain.
The crowd of boys went away presently,
declaring that 1t was the very jolliest sort
of Christmas. They thanked Joe and
Granny over and over again.
The next day was Sunday. Joe begged
Mr.. Linley to come and see the little sick
boy at his house. And one way and an
other, the story of the Christmas feast came
out.
For Tom was very sick. Cold and hun
ger had done their worst. But he was
quite willing to have that feast the last on
earth. 1t had been so hard and dreary since
his mother died, with no one to care for
him, and to have to dodge around contin-
ually, kicked and cuffed and almost starved.
And If the Lord up above did care, he would
rather 60 to Him.
"He's pretty sick chap" said Joe, "but
Granny and / will do our best to pull him
through"
Mr.. Linley felt the pulse, and shook his
head. The fever was high, and there was
no strength to battle with it. And then he
looked into Joe's great, wistful eyes, and
was touched to the heart. The boy had
learned the sweetest and noblest lesson of
all. He had gone out to the highways and
hedges, he had gathered in the lame and
the halt and the blind.
"You see, I've grown fond of him
Already" exclaimed Joe. I'd do anything
for him."
'Im afraid it is too late. 1 will send in
a doctor, and some delicacies from the
house"
eff you please, I'd rather not have you
do the last You see, Granny spoke a little
cross at first, and now she's trying to make
it all up to him. She'll feel better if she
does everything; and she's a good heart,
has Granny"
What point of conscience here, amid
poverty and ignorance!
"The lessons have not all been on my
side," said Mr.. Linley to his wife afterward.
"The poor newsboy has taught me some
thing that l shall never forget. To think
of his going without his coat, that he might
provide dinner for some homeless, hungry
boys! 1 wish you would 60 and see them,
my dear"
Mrs. Linley went with her husband. Ter
attire was very plain, and she was beautiful
always, everywhere.
Joe stared as if an angel had crossed the
threshold and made his best bow. Granny
dropped a quaint courtesy, and busted a
chair with her apron.
"Tom," the boy whispered. "Dear old
chap, can't you open your eyes minute?"
He opened them-wider, wider Then he
rose a little, and stared around--stretched
out his trembling hands toward her.
80 mother, mother Joe said l would
find you in heaven. 1 tried to be good, not
to lie or steal, though was nearly starved
And Joe's been so-kind. He brought me
into the observation-disclosures"
Mrs. Linley caught the swaying form in
her arms. The last words quivered slowly
on his lips, and his eyes dropped. She re-
membered just where she had seen the
child, and pang of bitter self-upbraiding
pierced her heart. She kissed the still lips
for his mothers sake, and laid him gently
down. Had Joe entertained an angel un-
awares, while her blind eyes had not been
able to discern "the least of thosep"
ooh" said Joe, sobbing, "Im so glad
you came. 81 s'pose he thought it was his
own mother, for he has talked about her
all the time. Poor little chap! he's gone
straight to heaven, hasn't he? / shall al
ways be thankful that ! brought him in out
of the cold, though never guessed he was
going to de-"
"The name of your Christmas feast has
gone up among the angels, Joe,' said MIR.
Linley, reverently. "And now, my dear
boy, have him buried where you like, and
bring the bill to me. want little share
in your good work"
Mr.. and Mrs. Linley walked quietly
home. Had her beautiful Christmas tree
borne any such fruit as this poor news
boy's9
''For was an hungered, and ye fed me-"
Methodist.