Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1876-12-16

yOuS CQr1SClan WOMAN you IL 20 Q8rs
Good night, Missy"
Miss Wing shut the door, and sat down
again with her knitting. But somehow
the room was not as pleasant as before.
The fire didn't burn as clearly, and her
chair seemed very uncomfortable. She
couldn't compose her mind. Several very
uncomfortable verses of scripture would
force themselves upon her. In the little
church over the way she could hear. them
practicing their anthems for the morrow.
Clearly and distinctly out on the frosty
ar their voices rang. Over and over she
heard them sing:
peace on earth, good win to men"
She knew very we'll that she felt neith-
er peace nor good will. II wish they'd
stop their noise" she said, as she fidget-
ed from her chair to the window and
back again to the stove. Still they sang
on, louder and clearer, stirring Miss
Wing up in an unacc0untable manner.
Her better nature was having terrible
struggle with the other, and being much
smaller, was in great danger of defeat.
At last she started from her chair,
snatched her hood and blanket shawl,
and started towards the door. Little
better nature had conquered. Miss Wing
hardly knew herself as she stepped out
into the frosty night. 1t was many years
since she had visited the sick or gone out
upon an GRAND oil mercy. Such charity
as she had given. had been like throw
ing a bone to dog. When she reached
the tumblc-down house where Caterpil-
lars mother lived, and knocked at the
door, she heard a shrill voice pipe up:
"Dar she am, nanny, mos know dat's
her," There was hlrrying over the
floor, and noise as if stray articles were
being hastily shufiled into their places.
Then the door opened and Miss Wing
walked i'm.
"Bless us and save US !" said she. Boil
stored up on a narrow cot was pitiful
little heap of skin and bones. all that was
LETT of the mischievous Caterpillar. He
smiled feebly whenshe saw Miss Wing,
and held out a skinny little hand.
MOS awful sorry done kill your cat.
Pears like couldn't die out I.tOle you. y
"Never mind the cat. Is'pOse her
time had come. What ails you, anyhow
Be you hungry?"
He shook his head.
"Nebber any more," he said; got past
dat"
There was a Juggling at Miss Selina's
rusty old heart-strings, and q suspicious
moisture about her spectacles; so, to
hide these unaccustOmed emotions. she
turned fiercely to the mother and de
manded:
"Haint you got no better bed nor pill
low for that child?"
The woman began long story. which
Miss Wing cut short by marching out of
the door.
There, she's madI' exclaimed she.
"Nebber mind, nanny" sighed Cat
erpillar, turning wearily on his pillow,
Il feels better"
But Miss Wing was far from being
angry as she hurried down the street,
and so Caterpillar's mother soon dlscov-
cred. as the door opened again, and a
man carrying soft single bed entered.
closely followed by Miss Wing, herself
heavily laden.
lap" said she, in peremptOry manner.
The woman meekly obeyed. and seat
ed herself with the wondering boy i'm
her arms. don't think Milly ThOrne
would have believed her eyes if she
could have seen her cousin Selma then.
She flew around the room with marvel
Gus CELEBRITY, beating up the bed, spread
ing over lavender-scented sheets and soft
blankets, and finishing off with plump
pillow, and white spread, quilted by
her own hands. Caterpillar's delight
was unbounded when, after being clad
i'm flannel night-gown, he was placed
in the soft, fragrant bed.
"Like oranges, bub?" asked Miss Wing,
as she plunged her hand i'm her pocket.
Nafo nd haI
been stran gers, so his eyes glistened with
pleasure when huge yellow ole drop.
ped on his bed.
use to me-" said she, tossing tinted
picture card on the bed. Then turning
to the mother, she said. Them sheets
and things is to make the child comfort
able as long as he lives you'll find good
vittles in that basket" And out she
bounced. leaving Caterpillar and his
mother in a confused state of gratitude
and bewilderment.
The angel of mercy had touched Miss
Wings stony heart, and taught her the
infinite pleasure of giving. And as some
streams, when released from the icy fet-
tiers that have bound them, rush on with
terrific force, overwhelming and sub
merging, so Miss Wing suddenly set free
from lifelong bondage, yearned to do
more for some one else. So she sent q
telegram early next morning, which
dropped liked a bOmb-shell into the little
parsonage at Hopewell:
'.Bring the children to dinner; Ill pay
the expenses"
There had been great deal of COM
motion i'm that little house before, but
never anything equal to that which fol-
lowed the receipt of this telegram. Mil
ly's heart misgave her as she washed
faces and tied on hoods and tippets. for
she felt that nothing less than miracle
could change cousin Selma. But after a
grand sleigh-ride they found her ready
to receive them, dressed in her best black
silk and snowy apron, the grim look in
her face very much softened.
The little Thornes had never in their
lives eaten such dinner as she bad ready
for them. They did everything they
pleased, even to eating apples in the par
lOr::and cracking nuts on that shining
kitchen floor. But, best of all, when
they were going home she tucked a 300
bill in Mr.. Thorne's hand, and when he
tried to thank her she said:
'sGo long, Bob Thorne, there's plenty
more where that came FROM"
So "Bob" Thorne went along, rejoicing
for the spirit which had moved Miss
Wings heart and given them all such
happy Thanksgiving.
A Rio Grande dispatch says Gen. Diaz,
the revolutionist, has occupied the city OF
Mexico, and that President Lerd0 and
his ministers have fled.