, 1876-12-24

with ttuted ceiling, world Of books, lovely pic
lures, and warm, rosy arelight. He sat down
9elore tha hearth, end pqt hts slippercd feet on
1ns tender: .ta Ae haa hardly thought Of Christ
whole city with mirth and joy. In the parlorg
they were making ready. for an evening with
santa s ., Gays himself Tho vas to appear punctu
a. oeGes s19ssnn ThSght: OF his eeqntn
busy, eyenttul day In the world OF money, and
he was not quite ready to give himself In to
CHRISTMAS and its froiicsonae joys.
Outside, the keen north wind was moaning
t and shrlck1ng; aud presently blast, wild and
strong, penetrated even the perfumed warmth
OF this pleasant room, anu the man shrugged
Ms ha' shoulders 3S shiyertngly, and remarked God
He said it rather thoughtlessly and mccbantc-
| ally, but somehew the words echoed through
Inc room and kept coming back to him,
| Thoughts OF the innocent, suffering lives that
the great city held, came to his brain like
wnae-ofsasted singing birds, and asked admit-
| was Business" stood before thc Brain, and
he brushed the white thoughts aside, and the
man r. went e T. thinking of the interesting affairs
| Of Wall Street.
But BY and By white, compassionate thoughts
came back again. And this time they got ia.
! he got thinking outkght, at last, about the
poor. Hoo was God to "help the poor''! stuff
ana ana nonsensel Il rich men didn't help them,
VINO ,vouldt 1t was Christmas-Eve, too. Obi
] bow the white thoughts futtered into his brain.
| Ha began thinking of the poor people whom he
| actually knew. And among them was that Door
| widow, With two children, just over the way.
Mhat sort Of Christmas was she going to have!
- he would like to tear her old house down.
the old house with its spinal curvature and
! patched windows, and build one that wouldn't
| % an eye,sore to him every day Of his life. But
soon goto the dickens il he was to give after that
fashion! However, since It was Christmas, he
| might bestow. little something, Miserable
brats OF r9g-pickers, without doubt; but then
| oWn children, and probably knew what good
| fire Wns-when they had it. And then, the fun
Of surprising the little shabby, old housei Yes
be would do 1t, and do it at once. He rang the
send the cook to him. Cook came shaking in
| his shoes for fear something had gone wrong
about the dinner.
.n.x, .N9w, g Cork, supposs, ., there's plenty of
Cook-rejoicing that he was not to be scoldeu
answered, =" 0-ceans, stri' -,
"Very we'll. Find good-szed basket,-the
biggest IN the AouRe,-and I'll it with-let me
see7-some chickens, ham, Jelly, oranges, grapes,
"Maybe some butter, and salad, and loaf of
the frut-eake, sir,'' respectfully suggested the
"certain1y, and some Of your good bread, and
and aPpfs and meal
had best be pitt in some sacks by themselves
Cook again suggestcd
"ot course! and then-it's not far-just the
old shanty oyer the way:-.you and Dick may
carry. C. 8 them 3 n WIN my complfnents,-an bushcl
.:Yes, sir, )" said Cook
swell, That Is ali, except some candies and
oh to b9 1n1 parcel Of tea Now
- Io4, sir7" said Cook.
,"Ot courset It is Christmas.Eye, YOU KNOW"
eyes, slr," said Cook.
Halt an hour atterwarA; while the poor woman
shivering by the dead fire, and the stockings
we're still hanging forlorn and empty under the
mantel-shclf, there came stealthy steps at the
door, a sound as Of a small regiment grounding
arms, a rap at the door, and then swiftly-depart-
"Those, miserable, rude boys!" said Mrs.
Morris to herself.
II have brought you Merry Christmas"
said kind, gent1emanly voice through the key
40 mother, It's Godr' cried little Johnny,
starting up but half-awake.
Mrs. Morris opened the door with trembling
hands. Fer rich neighbor bowed . pleasant
things inside tic door for you. The baskets can
be returned tomorrow
Mrs Mortjs tried to speak, but tn, words were
fast in her throat.
Johnny's tongue Was easier managed. He
"utNA~A
OF the oranges. He saw the yellow legs of the
chickens peKing out Of their neat white wrapping.
He seized Katy by tho shoulder and shouted:
."Kntyi Katy! wake up! God has done 1t! I |
TOLD you He would ~ !
t'1s your ch1ld-illt'' asked the rich mau, t
glancing compassionately at JohnnV's flushed !
cheeks and sparkling eyes. He fancied his |
words to be the dclirium OF fever.
"No, ha is not i'll, sir, and don't know tntat |
Ee mcans-unless he neans just what he says!'' |
cried Mrs. Morris, almost delirious herself over |
such sudden comfort and plenty. I
livery we'll, then, thank God; and good |
nieht1" aud the rich man went home, sweeter |
in heart and nobler in soul for this one generous
impersonation OF Special Providence.
Il doesn't seem right to leave you thinking !
OF these poor people with only weeks comfort
before them, aud the old, pinched, frozen lie !
going to set in again the s0me rs ever,-as it |
naturally would Il Providence never helped them !
any more,-and so / must add q sort OF post
script, and tell you TINT our struggles IN the
crooked-baeked house never were q7tite SO poor
again. The rich man had no one Tor Katy to
marry, to be sure; nor did Johnny get to be his |
partner In Wall street. But the rich family be-
gun to take an interest IN the poor family. They
gave Mrs. Morris their plain sewing, for which
she got better pay than the coarse shirts
brought her. They helped Johnny to respecta-
ble clothes and place In q good school; and,
after while, Katy became their nursery-gir], |
and took care OF the sweetest best-natured, and
best-dressed little baby in the world.
Mrs, EMILY.