The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-12-20

lott. said Nellie.
..Oh, l dread it, answered Clara,
land l do not know why. for she will
be pleasant enough"
Mrs. Elliott listened very courteously
and kindly to their story, smiled at
their carnestness, and thought how
beautiful it was to be young and enthu-
siastic, and what Il pity they must soon
outgrow it, and said:
Probably the Home Mission Society
knows best the condition of the field,
and l consider it doubtful if it is the
mans duty to stay and let his family
suffer. But it is evident you will
not let them suffer this year, at
least" noticing the look of disappoint-
ment on their faces, land the Bible
says. 1t is more blessed to give than
to receive don't know that l have
anything to give, unless this chrome
would be worth sending. 1t came to me
with Il magazine
Twas really a very pretty picture,
neatly framed. and the girls accepted it
with many thanks and went away.
II suppose we young fellows will
have to make up Il purse" said Fred
Sharpe; so stupid! but do not know
what else we can do
Il assure YOU it will not be stupid
ut all to the one who receives it, said
Mr.. Truman.
Swiftly now comes on the Christmas
times, and merrily ring sweet Christ
mas bells. There are few homes too
lofty to admit the genial influence of
the time, and few too humble to feel its
good cheer. For the children every
where it is made the one gal,-time of
the year, perhaps in remembrance of
the dear Christ-child who once lived on
the earth, and whose coming should
bring JOY to every heart.
Almost sadly it came to Mr.. Grey's
log-cabin home. He sat YEARLY in his
armchair by the fire while his wife was
near him hushing her baby to sleep As
he glanced at the row of stockings
hanging against the wall, he said:
Perhaps it is not right to the children
to remain and struggle on rs we are
doing. never intended to let their
Christmas pass by aforementioned, but
l have not had dollar to expend this
time"
Never mind,'' said Mrs. Grey, cheer
lily, "The children will have some lit
tie things which have made for them,
and have baked some of the most
wonderful gingerbread men, and with
some rosy apples and popcorn balls
they will do very nicely. Horace is add
vancing faster with your teaching than
he would do at the best school in the
land and JEANNE is learning to be a
famous little housewife, while the 9TH
ers have this pure air to breathe and
are growing hearty and strong. We will
not give up just yet
Il have really not bought of leaving
the post where l believe the Lord has
placed me, dear wife. The harvest is
sure to follow the seed sown in tears
and self-denials, and sometime l think
| see signs of its coming. That young
farmer whose only child we buried last
week seems to me not far FROM the
Kingdom. The future does not look
dark to me, but how we are to live in
the present is the question Just now.''
You forget our big turkey which is
to give us such a grand dinner to-mor-
row. replied his wife, determined not
to yield to any gloomy view of their
prospects, "and if we can't have Il
plum-pudding, so much the better for
possible dyspepsia. l have no fear
that the barrel of meal will fail us al
though it does get almost empty some
times"
There was chattcrlng enough among
the children in the upper room.
care you afraid that Santa Claus
will forget us this time, Jeannie?'
asked little Helen.
"No, why should he?'' answered
JEANNE.
.'Oh, because it SHOWS so fast and he
has SO far to come"
"Well, Santa Claus is just papa and
mamma, and they never forget u.s. said
practical JEANNE.
"What makes you tell her that?''
called Horace from his corner. "Do
let her enjoy Santa Clause few years
longer
But Helen's faith was not shaken
papa and mamma coming down the
chimney! that was likely story-Of
course it was old Santa Claus himself.
s'Is tomorrow really Jesus Christ S
birth-day?" asked thoughtful frankie.
ga great many people believe that it
isl answered Horace. II suppose
no one really knows, but no other day
has ever been kept as this one is
81 think He ought to have Il present,
then, if it is His birthday, instead OF
every one else having them," said
frankie, to whom presents and birth.
days were inseparable.
1--WE can't give Him anything, you
know, everything is his already" said
Horace, but even as He spoke this verse
flashed into his mind: 'sMy son, give
Me thine heart and it followed him
after the other children were sleeping
soundly-" Thy heart" give Me-
"My son." How kind and Affections
ate the address-"My son." and here
was something that not only could bt
given to Jesus, but that He desired tt
have, and asked for it. "Thy heart, >
the love of the heart, the hope ant
trust, the homage of the heart. and tn,
next day would surely be a suitable
time to offer the gift-but how? and h
had not time to think about it, and i
all became rather confused, and he tot
was sleeping with the others when thu
mother came to see that they wer'
properly tucked in for the night.
On Christmas morning silence reignet
over all the broad prairie; so spotless
ly white with the new-fallen snow
There was anything but silence in Mr.
} Grey's house, as the patter of little fee
was heard at daybreak and the shout
of Merry Christmas!'' The stocking
were pulled down and very 500
emptied of their contents, the apple
} rolled out upon the floor, the popcorn
} scattered about, the gingerbread me
, set up in soldier-like row. and a
much confusion as four eager childre
could possibly make in five minutes.
Little Helen was quite happy with
new rag-doll and frankie with a ne,
pair Of mittens, and if JEANNE. an
Horace felt any disappointment the
said nothing, but JEANNE sat down t
hold the baby and Horace went out
, shovel some paths. Beginning at til
back-door, he soon had a path aroun
SOnn VyrApsv