The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-12-29
THE BELL SPRITE.

How the bells did ring! One would
have supposed they had fit or had
gone mad, if everybody hadn't known
what they were making such noise
about. First one, then the other, and
then all together; and not in one
church, but in all the churches, for il
was Christmas day morning. But when
the chimes began it was lovelier and
brighter and more merry than ever lit
tie May Nelson thought so, as sweet,
old-fashioned hymn came floating out
in the clear, still air from the belfry of
the church in the next street. She was
lying on bed in such poor, little
room. There were only two really bright
things in 1.-THE sunshine on the floor,
and her own sweet, bright, little face.
"I'm 80 glad the sun is shining, she
said. "I don't feel half so lonely when
you're gone if the sun shines, mother. ="
Mrs. Nelson was putting on bonnet
and shawl as May spoke, and she turned
round, showing q kind, pleasant face,
but one that looked tired and thin, and
said, as she went to the side of the bed
and leaned over to kiss her:
"I'm glad it shines, too, darling and
/ wish 1 could make this a real shiny
Christmas for you all day long,"
"Why, SO you have, mother" said
May, putting two little, thin arms round
her neck. "lt's lovely Christmas,
I'm sure so much jollier than it was
last year, cause I can sit up while
you're gene. And then, I've got 80
much this year-grapes and oranges and
two books. There's just two things ]
want, mother"
"What, dear9 Hurry, I'm late now
TO do Mrs. Johnson's hair, I'm afraid. 4"
"You to stay home all day an some
thing live to stay home when you
can't"
"What would become of all the heads
If I should stay home9 And where
would the bread and butter come from
But perhaps 1 can get kitten for you
somewhere.
"Oh splendid I" And May almost
jumped. But she didn't, because she
couldn't-she had some trouble with the
spine. So her mother kissed her, and
went out to her long days work of hair
dressing at ever so many houses, and
May was all alone. She lay quite still
for little while, listening to the bells
that were still Ginning. And, when they
stopped, she thought how nice it was to
have two new books, and such nice,
warm room to be in; and not to be like
some poor little newsboys she had been
reading about, who had to sleep in areas
or any old box they could find. Pres
emily, q voice right in her ear said
"Jsn't it jolly, thought" She turned
her head, and there, sitting on her pill
low, was the oldest little man, Just
about as long as my hand, dressed in 0
suit of gray, with slashed sleeves, where
blue showed through, and a little gold
colored cap on his head. There he sat,
as quiet as could be, and with such 9
merry, kind face-sort of old, and yet il
wasn't, either.
looked round.
"Who in the world are You 2" she
said. "You cant be Santa Claus. Yor
amt big enough"
Not bit of it." laughed the elf
"I'm the Bell Sprite. come, / &c
here, there, everywhere. Nobody sees
me or hears me; they only feel me.
get into peoples hearts, whether they
will or no. Sometimes it's hard dig
ging; but do get i'll, il keep at it Ions
enough. But love the hearts best tha
are wide open for me, like yours
pleasant hind Of hearts that see thing,
right. Dear dear I've had dreadful
time in the next street digging into
some children's hearts who squabblec
in shocking way over their presents
L declare I'm tired out!" And he pu
on a comical look of despair.
"Why, how do you get round 2" sale
May.
"I go anywhere where the sound O
any bell goes; no matter where. Oh
I've seen lots of things in my time"
"Oh do tell me about EN-"
"Ho no !" laughed the elf. "Why
never could get through. I've live,
always-long before there were any bells