The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-12-29
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TIE NEW YEARS GIFT.

TEE NEW YEARS GIFT.
II was New Years Eve; a cold, bluster.
ing night. The wind dashed the frozen
sleet fnriously against the sturdy walls OF
the Rcd Stone Farmhouse, making the
bright FIRE that was burning in the large
old-fashioned kitchen seem doubly CRATE.
ial, around which were gathered Farmor
Williams, his wife and four children.
The weather-bronzed face of the farmer
had care-worn, discontentod look lie
is one Of those who "make haste to be
rich, and though he is surrounded by
many Blessings and every reasonable want
is supplied, as the close of the old year
finds 20 surplus in his purse, his heart in
stead Of being lifted up with gratitude, is
illed with repinings.
His gentle meek k-browed wife is sitting
beside him. Her countenance wears a
look Of chastened sorrow, and tears glisten
in her eyes as they wander to corner of
tho room where stands vacant cradle,
from which smiled, week ago, the rosy
checked bright-eyed boy, upon whose little
grave to-night, the snow is drifted heavily.
The long silence was broken by heavy
knock At the door.
Farmer Williams opened it, revealing a
respectfully, middle-aged colored man, who
held carefully in his hand a covered
basket.
"Does Mrs. Williams live here p he
inquired
1Sho does
@Thc lady who buried a child yestcr-
day2"
''Yes."
"Well, here's New Years present for
her"
Thrusting the basket into the farmer S
hands, he turned and walked quickly
down the road, where could be dimly seen
The outlines of a covered sleigh, from
which came the faint sound of stihed
sobs.
Bewildered and astonished, Farmer
Williams carried the basket into the kitch.
en- and set it upon the table.
As he did so he was startled by plain.
tiyeery; and upon opening it, there lay a
lovely boy, apparently about three months
old.
Farmer Williams sprang to the door
but the sleigh and its occupants were no.
where 70 be seem
In the meantime Mrs. Williams and
her children gathered around the basket
with exclamations of surprise and pleas
urc. As the babe saw the sweet face that
bent over it, it smiled, and taking it up in
her arms she pressed it fondly to her bo,
som. Just then her husband came back
from his fruitless search.
a declare, it's an imposition p he ex-
claimed stamping the snow off his boots.
But / wont submit to it, III take it
over % the town farm the very first thing
in the morning"
u can't bear the idea of it going there
John said his wife. "Just sec what a
sweet babe it is y
~ dcn't see but what it looks like Other
babies, returned John gruffly, doing hi.
best to steel his heart against the little
stranger in which he only partly succeed
ed for rough as was the farmers way, he
had Kindly nature, If one could only
reach Il "Any way, the authorities will
have V take care of it; we can't. We've
gos more mouths to fll now than we car
find bread for"
Mis- Williams lip qulvered as her
thoughts reverted to the little grave in
the ehnrchyard, All to her there was one
Too fewl
Dear john" she said, pleadingly, al
seems as though God had sent this babe
% take Che place Of our own little Willie
whom He has taken to Himself Let m,
keep K 1t will not fail to bring bless
ing, you may be sure
Farmer Williams countenance relaxed
as'he boxed in those fearful eyes.
well well, Mary" he said, in a soften
ed voice, an think about il. If We do
you and the children may have to go with
out good many things, for these are hare
ilmes--and likely to be harder So you
had better weigh the matter well bcfor,
dsoid;ng.p
Mrs Williams did SO; and the rcsul
was tbat her "New Years Gift" becam,
ah.lare in Red Stone Farmhouse. He
gkN pp a merry winsome boy, twipiu,
even around the farmers rugged nature
and laking in tho heart Of his adopte,
Nosher the place of her lost darling, love,
and ehcrishod by her with equal tender
ncss. Many sacrifices did she make, man,
toilsomo hours did she spend, in orde
that her husband might not feel the ex
penee of his maintenance too heavily
Ana well did his growing intelligence an,
bcasity, and the ardent affection he eyince
for her. repay her for it all. There wa
nolhina ahout him that oo,,ld L.. a.