The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-12-31

breakfast"
"Had q Christmas dinner for breakfast.
shouted the man who was with the porter q
the same time bursting into a hearty laugh
ga Christmas dinner for breakfast" he re
peated, sand somebody else's dinner, too (!
hearty laugh. Meantime the porter. with
his empty basket on his arm, his car
perched on the back of his head, and with
6ianched face, stood grasping Mr.. Jonee
oy tne arm, as though he feared he would
run away.
"Why did you eat the turkey for break,
tast Y" Inquired the porter "did you think
we would find out the mistake and come
back for it,"
| mo, no." answered Mr. Jones, 1--WE had
nothing else in the house to eat, aud nc
money to buy anything with as told
you, we thought it present. or we never
would have touched it. l an very sorry.
ann VIII do what l can to make it right"
By this time the gentleman had racov-
cred from his fit of laughter, aud declared
If was too good joke; while the porter,
who vas fearful he would have to pay for
the mistake he had made, could see no Joke
at all in the affair.
$50 your name is JONES'" said the stout
gentleman, sand you live in No. 1872. and
yoH got basket intended for Jones No. I37
and the porter nistook the number, which
was no wonder, as it was late at night aud
very Ozark, and he so very busy; bat IN
make it all right" And turning to the
porter he ordered him to take another
basket to Jones, No. l37, which order the
porter Immediately returned to execute,
ieeilog greatly relieved that he was not to
be held responsible for the lost basket.
-, NOW" asked the stout gentleman, after
the porter had gone, "you cay you were on
the point of gong hungry on Christmas
low does 1t happen that you, respectable
maDj are so destitute 7"
II have been out of work long time"
answered Mr Jones, sand unable to find
anything to do ; we had spent all our
money, and really hadnothiug to eat when
that basket came. How thankful we were
10 COD for supplying us, and what merry
christmas my wife and children have en-
Joyed, and how sad am now that have
to return and tell them it's all a mistake"
But it's not all mistake" said the
man, IN the kiu6est voice Imaginable Il
ordered that basket to DO sent to a poor
man who has been q long time in my en-
pioy, and it was ouly when l questioned
hln that l found he had not received IL
but it is all for the best; am abundantlv
able to send him another, and am pleased
tnat God has taken this way of making
your family happy. But you must let me
see your little ones; it will do me good.
DON'T tell them about the mistake;
would " not have their pleasure spoiled. Say
! a an gong to give you employment, and
am making inquiry about your character"
Mrs. Jones was greatly surprised to see
her husband return so early, and bringing
q stranger with him she was still more
when she saw the gentleman take |
such an interest in the children, and give |
them each little present ofmoney.
AS for the stout gentleman, he was fully |
that his accidental gift had fallen |
INTO good hands; but he was quite unable |
10 stand the blessings and thanks which |
we're bestowed upon the unknown benefac-
'or OF the family by Mrs. Jones, so he made |
ais escape, after promising Mr.. Jones to
give him employment, and wishing the
amily Merry Christmas.