The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-12-14
Berries Christmas Eve.

Berries Christmas Eve.
1t was disappointment to be sure.
Though BERTHE was as manly little fell
low as ever lived, he could not keep the
tears back as he tied the old knit COM
forter about his throat with his poor,
blue, half-fro2en fingers, making 1T COW
or as much space on his chill little body
AZ he could; for it had to serve as an
overcoat as well, and the weather was
freezing cold. There had been 80 many
people going in and out of the store all
day that his hands nearly froze to the
plated handles; for it was the day before
Christmas, and BERTHE was stationed at
the door in one of the large stores on
Sixth avenue. He was too small for
cash boy, they had told his mother when
she applied to the firm little while be-
fore, with tears in her eyes; but the
busy season was coming, and, for small
consideration, he might tend the door.
Every Saturday night he gave his weeks
earnings to his mother, and then they
went out together and bought few, a
very few, necessaries with the money.
They had not always been so poor.
BERTHE could remember very we'll when
he had warm, handsome clothes, and
had lived in fine house, and had a
father as we'll as a mother; but his
father had died, and afterwards all
their things were sold, and they grad
ually became poorer and poorer, until
now they hardly ever had enough to eat,
and were scantily warmed and clothed.
They had no relatives living, though
his mother had often talked to him
about his Uncle Egbert, her brother,
who, many years before, had gone away
to China, but who had never been heard
of again. This had happened about a
year ago. and BERTHE had nearly forgot
ten him, he was so busy, and had SO
many other and sadder things to think
about, poor little boy.
His disappointment on the day before
Christmas happened in this way: He
was not so wise as most of the boys and
girls are nowadays who know every
thing, and until the Christmas of which
/ am writing bad really believed in Santa
Claus. The Christmas before, his stock
ing was not very full, to be sure, but
still he found something in it, and until
about week before he had been sure
that Santa Claus would bring something
especially nice to his mother and himself,
and it cost his mother an extra heartache
to be obliged to undeceive him. For a
long time after she had told him he sat
meditatively in his little wooden chair
close to the fire until it was time to go
10 bed.
CT know" thought he, as he covered
himself up, head and all, with the scanty
bed-clothes. 81 will be Santa Claus my
self. / will go and buy mother some
thing with my own money. Perhaps l
urday night, and they say that Mr.. G..
always gives the boys little something
Christmas eve; 80 L will get mother a
warm pair of stockings, perhaps, or some
thick Gloves" and, with these thoughts,
he dropped asleep. But, alas every
cent of his wages Saturday had to go for
kindling wood.
Never mind" thought he. CT shall
certainly get something the day before
Christmas.
Fancy his disappointment, then.
when, instead of the expected present,
Mr.. q. made speech to all the men
and boys in his employ, telling them that
the times were 30 hard that he could not
afford to give them any Christmas re-
membrance this year: that he was very
sorry but he could not help it. A great
hard thing came up in Berries throat
and hurt him as he listened, and in spite
of all he could do, the tears would run
out of his eyes down the bridge of his
nose, though he sopped them up 30 fast
with the corner OF his comforter that he
thought nobody saw them.
But he was mistaken. One person
was watching him, and turned and
looked after him as he walked slowly
down the store, rubbing his nose sor-
rowfuuy.
"See, here, sonny" said he very hur-
riedly, as il. he had not minute to lose:
" Mr.. Paine give me 10 cents this morn
ing, as he knowed we wasn't to have no
present, and here's 3; it's all right. I"
And with these words he disappeared.
leaving BERTHE staring, with eyes and
mouth wide open.
1t was some time he before could col
lect his thoughts sufficiently to realize
that the cents lay in his hand to do
what he liked with. He turned the s
cents over in his palm as he pondered.
~ won't buy anything to eat," he
said to himself, because that will be
all gone in little while; and then
mother will make me eat half of it be-
sides. No 1 will go to the cheap
store, and see what / can find"
He rushed around to the cheap store,
half dreading lest he should find it shut,
for it was late; but it was wide open and
full of people, and BERTHE found it hard
work to get waited upon. He found that
there were not many very elegant articles
TO be purchased for the sum in his posses
sion; but, after much reflection, he de.
oded upon small blue heart, which
same 70 exactly cents. His spirits rose