Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17

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better"
20 dear! I can't bear TO have it go
aH ay," said Nell.
But think how she'll enjoy it! And I
can make you another. Now l must
cover these black handles"
Why didn't you put them under the
clothP"
Because they arc needed to lift it by"
Maud soon found some narrow brown
ribbon, which harmonized with the soft
tints of the MOSES and bark. With this
she wound the handles. AMI the whole
thing was done.
Perfect! said everybody down stairs,
when Maud took it down to exhibit.
Z" Well it's Christmas morning." said
Miss Prim to herself that morning. as soe
put her little house in order; land don't
know us | ever spent one quite so lonely
ar so poorly us | shall this. wonder if |
can be the same girl who used to have
such happy home, and such joy over my
stuffed stOcking!"
With sigh she put away the duster,
and sill down in the low rocking. chair be-
fore the fire.
- can hardly feel reconcied that all
should be gone-all sleeping in their quiet
graves-and | alone-and poor! Alas
now poor!" She went ON, after pause:
e" How father would have felt, and brother
WiIl-if they could have known could
nave seen me us am to-day! And llar-
ry! Ali! it would have been different if
Harry
Here she sprang up.
4" But won't get sad over might-have.
bcens. I'll remember that I'm lonely
old maid seamstress, with my dinner to
get. And resolutelv she folded away her
life romance, and steadily she turned to
stitching on the bands of II happier girls
apron, though she didn't get ON us well us
usual, and quiet tear did once or twice
fall on her work.
At last twelve O'Clock drew near, and
she rose to get her dinner. She covered
the table with fresh white cloth, put her
little tea kettle on the fire, and went 10 the
cupboard to set out the dainties.
What were they? Well, first slice
or two of cold corned beef, next TWO
cold DO ators. which she intended to warm
up, and lastly little bread.
" Not very luxurious, to be sure!' said
the brave little woman, "but better than
Sally Ward will have, and good enough
with the tea shall make, | dare say; to-
morrow, | shall be as happy as though |
dined ut the Squire's to-day"
But these things was not destined to
grace the table that day, for just ut that
moment there came knock at the door.
She hurried to open it, and there stood
Maud, holding the "mossrry in both
hands, and nellie staggering under the
weight of IL market-basket.
Miss Prim," said Maud, we want
you to help us enjoy Christmas, and We
nave broug ht you II tiny bit of it. Won't
you let us IMP" for Miss Prim stood
holding the door as though she had lost
her senses.
"Lpt you IMP why, of course will"
said she, starliug back and throwing open
the door. But what is ii you saidp and
what is this wonderful thing you have
brought?'
"Look ut it," said Maud, "while I set
your table. You must have expected us
you've got the tabe-coth on"
She placed the "mo>serv on n stand,
and Miss Prim who loved the woods as
well us Maud but never got time to 60
into them, sank into chair with speech
less delight, while Maud and Nellie began
to spread the table.
Dat Of mammals basket came first a
roast duck and nicely Drowned chicken
pie. then IL dish o mashed potatoes. gold
en- brown on the top, then tnmbler Of
cranbery jelly. then mnce pie and piece
Of cheese, then tartS. apples. nuts and
luisins, tn. beautiful loaf of cake, and
last of all, II small ;in- pmilf'i of hot coffee,
the gcnui e solt, such as Miss Prim sell
dom DRAM.
She, meantime, sat in II sort of stupor,
which at last found expression in Ill of
tears. Maud and Nellie whose eyes
wonld get mi~ty--dil not dis 'urh her, but,
having arranged The table, Maud went up
to her and sad, quietly:
Now, Miss Prim. | was real cross,
this morning, ill began to think abodI
making your Christmas II liltle brighter,
and You needn't say word about ii, for it
has done NE more good than it can YOU"
and before Miss Prm could speak, they
went out, feeling very warm about the
heart, and very damp about the eyes.
Miss Prim soon recovered herself, and
feeling that her pleasure was too great to
be enjoyed alone she put the coffee and
potatoes down TO the fire to keep hot,
while she threw a slawl over her head
and went over to Sally Ward. Sally was
widow, living in one room, and earning
u very scant living by making shirts by
hand.
AS she expected, the good soul was hard
at work, with no prospect Of dinner unless
a crust Of bread in the cupboa d was in
tended for that.
christmas has come to my house."
said Miss Prim, land you're to ask no
questions, but come right over and help
me enjoy it,"
Of The wonderful dinner, and the Won
dcrful warmth and good feeling it awokc
in their hearts, cannot half tell.
And of the blessed warmth of heart
and the heavenly goodwill to all the
world, that made Maud's Christmas the
most delightful she had ever known, | can
tell still ess.-OLiue Torne, IN Hearth
and HOn1P