The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-12-27
Written for the Sunday Sentinel.
A CHRISTMAS DAY.


20 Frank 1T il more than I can bear; il
is more than God ought to require of me.
can not bear to hear the mirth and JOY OF
their homes, for they only recall the desola-
tiOn Of cur own. A year ago | was busy
planning pleasures for Minnie, and she was
cliHging TO me at every step, teazing m and
trying to find out her gifts. and now she is
gone. q my husband, 7 can not stand il, f"
and Inc poor young wife wept more bitterly
than ever Lillian. darling. you have me
here. Minnie il waiting for you just little
way beyond. Can you not be willing to
trust her with Jesusr' Frank. 1 want her
here. My heart aches for the tight clasp OF
her 10 wing arms and the pure kisses that
fell from her sweet lips. No l can not
b. resigned; | want her this Christmas tune,
for she always loved il 90, and had antici-
pIred 50 much JOY for her. IL is all a hate
ful mockery to me now. and | want To shut
tn, sight and sound of it from me, ana know
nothing OF the terrible days Of the festive
season. Just now | took her little clothes
from The trunk and there were the stockings
she hung MP last year. She always refused
10 wear them and there is no one 10 call for
them nov. | envy the poorest. weakest
mother in all the city for her children. l
WOuiN " Wiling ~ ruACi OACN
more 20 have my Minnie. There is no one
In all the world so wretched as am. Please
Frank. do not 90 down town and leave me
alone; can not bear 70 stay in this house
without you" LILLIAN, come 90 with me;
know how deeOlate you must be without our
darling. Wrap up warmly aud We will go and
see ii pc baps W. may not be able 10 re-
Geve sODe of the terrible Indebtedness
about US"
For the sake Of her husband Mrs. Murray
tried TO be interested IN the gay scene and
The happy throng. but all in vain. She could
only recall the year gone By when her sunny,
bright eyed darling clinging To her hand
had enjoyed the merriment and glee. and
now she was sleeping with the late fall flow
ers elasped in the tiny white fingers. They
paused Tor a Goment before a toy store
crUwded with people all of whom had some
one at home to make glad with the simplest
Christmas gift Outside the children were
pressing close TO the window eagerly gazing
at the coveted toys that they lOnged SO for
and which they had no way to obtain, and
the whispered conversation Of some of them
made Mrs. Murray stop TO listen.
Don't get too close, Bessie, you know
mama toid u not even 10 touch anything
but YOU NAV look ali you want to. Don't
cry little sister. YOU know mama Is too poor
to let US have any Santa Claus, and we must
Be good children and not grieve over it,
Why Billy, mamma does not have TO
buy santa Claus; I've just comes. Won he
come this year at all7 Are We TOO poor, say
Biilyy'
Il don't know, Bessie; but mamma said
that sitce papa died she has had 10 work so
hard that she could not get time to tell him
to come to our house. wish / could get
you Christmas tree, Bessie, a real little
cedar with a stocking full of candy hanging
on it, and little doll all dressed up in pink,
Ss4ffrr s,r, tine limbs lilo V-aS ~
And I'd get poor mamma some shoes. Last
night the snow made her feet SO cold and
wet And I'd get her nice shawl. all blue
and gray and a pair of warm gloves. o
Bessie, mamma gets so cold when she has 10
walk away down town. wish could get
you and her something" And, Billy, /
would give you new jacket aud sled
Wouldn't you like sled Billy?' 20
Bessier' and the brown eyes grew big with
~. for the boyish heart was
starved until now il feasted on the very idea
OF pleasure. "if could only have one. F."
Bat, Billy, I spect had better buy you a
pair OF boots. for your toes are all out. and
your socks are too old to hang up Please.
Billy, get me tree; Just little wee one
''Stay here, Bessie; ! want 70 see my papers.
Now don't you move from here, one step
even" and the boy darted off after one OF
his regular patrons. who always bought bis
mornings paper Of him
The little girl was afraid for moment and
looked frightened at being left all alone. but
presently she was lost in admiration OF the
beautiful gifts in the window. She pushed
the faded hood from her forehead, and a
tangle OF golden curls were unloosened. Her
little fingers pointed out the things she most
liked while she chartered away 70 herself in
sweet, childish innocence.
Little grille. are you wishing for Santa
CLAUSE" and Mrs. Murray bent low to the
child beside her. Bessie shraDk back half
afraid, but the sweet smile treasured
her Eyes. na'am." What would you
like 70 hase7 Tell me all about il. Yes,
Frank, you can 90 on and will stay and
talk 70 this little woman" Bessie grew vol
uble at once and told her wants and WISHES
freely, reciting Billy's gifts for poor ma
MAJ She told the lady Of her home. oil
'bow often We 80 70 bed hungry. and mama