The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-12-12
Miss Grey's Christmas Gift.

Miss Theodore Grey lived in a big
white house ON a bleak hilltop over
looking the small village Of Elverton.
She lived alone, with the exception of
her two servants, Joanna, middle
aged woman, and Nieodemus, small
colored boy.
Years before, Miss Grey had been
young and beautiful. She had had a
lover, too; but they had quarreled and
parted, and since then no suitor had
dared to face the pitiless fash of the cold
eyes, that looked as if they had never
known the softening dew of tears.
One Christmas morning, Joanna, after
kindling the fires, sent Eicodemus TO
clear the snow from the front steps
The world was all in white that morning.
The first snow of the season had fallen
IN the night, swiftly, silently, softly.
In Miss Grey's house was no wreathing
of evergreens, nor garlanding with
flowers, to repeat the message of peace
and goodwill among men. Only Joanna
had gathered some sprays of cedar and
arbor-vit@, from the stately shrubs in
the front yard, and mingling with them
some scarlet berries of the holly, had
grouped them in one of the old vases
Iver the parlor hearth.
Well, when Nicodemus came to clean
the steps, he found a basket sitting on
5hem, closely covered. He returned in
loors and reported to Joanna.
Joanna thrust more wood into the
stove, where the breakfast was cooking,
and went out to investigate.
"I wonder who has brought Miss
Theodora a presenta" was her aston
ished reflection as she beheld the neat
covered basket. ~ III .3.g..I .,
At that moment Miss Theodore her
self opened the door Of her room and
looked out.
"What is it You are bringing in,
Joanna ?" she asked. 10 ' r.
al don't know, ma'am," answered
Joanna 'fI found it on the steps"
Miss Theodore walked up to it, and
lifted the cover without ceremony. Two
blinking blue eyes peeped up at her,
from nest Of downy flannel and cam
brio.
"Lord preserve us p she cried, re-
treating so suddenly as nearly to upset
Joanna in the rear Then she leaned
against the wall, looking white and
breathless. ......,.-....,... 81, (.
Joanna ventured near enough to take
a peep into the basket, when she like
wise staggered back with a shrek of
CONSERVATION, and the two women stood
and looked at each other in dumb dis
may. Nicodemus suspended operations
on the doorstep, and stood with open
mouth, staring into their faces.
Joanna found her voice first. " It's q
babyl" she gasped, in bushed whisper.
Miss Grey lifted her head. joan
na, she said sternly, were you at
home all night?" -,,..-~s 4
"At home TO be sure I was,
ma am T. ssAf "a ~
'Then how came this here p
"Oh, Miss Theodore, how can tell :?
It's like as if spirit had brought it. I I
never slept 50 soundly before that some
thing wouldn't have told me, if any
human thing had come inside the gate.
Getyour bonnet and shawl, Joanna, !"
said her mistress, "and take this child
to the village poor-house.
Joanna disappeared, and Miss Grey
went to the basket and looked in it
again. Curiosity got the better of her,
and she stopped and threw aside the
blanket that enveloped the rosy bundle,
and gazed curiously at the dainty en-
broidery that covered the infants robes.
Up came tiny hand-a small fist full
of fingers came out and grasped one OF
hers, and bird. like note gurgled from
the perfect mouth. She drew back half
frightened the little one opened it's
blue eyes wider, seeking hers with a
wondering, wounded look, and burst
into low, grieved cry. .a4a kA
Joanna came back with her wrappings
on. The little ones piteous cry went to
her heart.
"Poor baby y she mnrmmed, stoop-
ing down and rocking the basket gently
to and fro.
There was something motherly in the
very touch of her hand upon the basket,
and in the strangely softened tone OF her
voice that awoke fierce jealousy in her
companions breast. She almost pushed
her aside, as though she could not bear
the sight. ~ --.
"w6at do you know of children, Jo-
anna 2" she said "give II to me-"