Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-12-20

"Oh, wish had that doll with the
red silk dress on, said Maggie.
"Id like that drum, and that funny
man that keeps his head going, and that
donkey, and them steam cars, and that
fiddle" ratified Johnny.
Oh, there's the fing want-that
wooden horse" said George. "Maggie,
can't I have that horse Ait won't cost
more'n two cents"
"No, George, it costs awful much, I
know, and we're so poor" groaned
Maggie.
"What makes us pocS4 Is it because
we're bad ?" asked George.
"No, 1 don't think father is bad he
doesn't drink a drop. I guess God
made us poor, or else we wouldn't be
so."
Just then big boy with sled in his
hand and a great package on his
shoulder passed. Swinging the sled
carelessly, it hit George and threw him
upon the walk. He screamed frightfully.
Maggie and Johnny rushed to help him.
els he much hurt ?" asked a lady
who had few moments before alighted
from carriage, and who had fingered
to hear the curious talk of the children.
"Oh, hope not, said Maggie, trying
to lift her screaming brother, "for
we're SO poor. 'Twould kill mother if
his leg is broken, and we would all
starve, l know"
She succeeded at last in getting him
on his feet, and rubbed his leg and COM
forted him.
When Maggie found he could stand,
and was beginning to stop crying, she
turned to look at the lady, who still
stood by them.
She saw beautiful girl, so lovely
and SO richly dressed it seemed to Mag
gle it must be fairy /; for to tell the
truth, Maggie had always been expect
ing to meet fairy.
Her grandmother had told her about
the wierd folk, till she believed some
thing might happen to her as well as to
Cinderella. The lady stood looking at
the beautiful golden hair from which
the faded shawl had slipped, and scan
ming the ragged little boys, and trying
to recall their strange words about be-
ing poor.
"Don't you have any nice Christmas
|
ono, indeed we're too poor" said
Maggie.
"And you came out to see the pretty
toys you cannot buy" said the lady.
And Maggie, still half believing it
might be fairy or magic god-mother,
or some such creature, told her all about
their hard times-about her sad father
and her weary mother, and the strike,
and how hungry they sometimes were,
and how she tended the baby all day,
and kept just little bit of fire because
they couldn't afford to be very warm.
People passing turned to see the curl
ous group, and many smiled because
the grand, proud young lady had SO for
gotten herself as to talk to set of dirty
children in the open street, where every
body could see her.
But the proud young lady cared very
little for the opinion of the world Just
then. She was not even conscious of
the people who were passing. After a
few moments she turned back to her
carriage and drove away.
Maggie thought how happy she must
be, she was so beautiful and so rich; but
if Maggie could have seen the torn and
tortured heart beneath the velvet robe,
she would have felt more pity than ad-
miration.
The children fingered till they knew
everything in the window by heart, and
then, helping on the limping Georgia,
they went on to others, till they had
seen, Maggie said. call the pretty things
in the world" "It's fun to look at
them, if we can't have them," she said,
as they turned down the dark street and
into Anderson court to their desolate
home.
And very desolate did it seem to Mag
gle that night. She wanted to cry, but
would not, because it would make her
father and mother feel badly. There
was just little fire in the CRATE, for the
coal was almost gone. Her mother was
walking with the crying baby and had
not even smile for the children when
they came in; and when they told her of
Georgie's accident she only said: "I'm
glad it was not worse"
Mr.. Burton was seated on q low
bench, his elbows on his knees, and his
face buried in his hands. George went
to his fathers side and said, "Papa, a
big boy hurt me, and purity lady came
and said she was sorry; and saw the
: purtiest horse and everything; and can't
1 have the horse for Christmas 2"
go away, boy" said Mr.. Burton
surlily, there amt any money to buy
toys with. We hain't got any money to
buy food for tomorrow"
Father, something good will turn
: up soon, I'm sure" she said tenderly,
! and then took her brothers by the hand
} and led them to dusky corner of the
room, where they talked low for long
| time. Then she undressed George, and
| the three curled down on bed which
you, my reader, would have called O
pile of rags.
: "There amt any stockings hung up
in this house tonight, said Johnny.
Christmas morning the bells rang out
: on the frosty air, filing thousands oi
l hearts with Joy; but there was no glad.
ness in the sound to this detected family.
t The bells said to thousands of hearts,
D "Peace on earth, goodwill to men,
Q but Mr.. Burton shook his head sadly
Q and his wan face wore no smile. He
4 said it was not "peace on earth wher
The rich lived in luxury and the pool
Q starved. When the children awakened
s there were no "Merry Christmas
e wishes exchanged in that dismal home
!, Mr.. Burton had no words for his chill
t dren, he felt so gloomy and detected
Il The mother spoke low and sadly
y seemed to her it would be mockery tt
say merry words when they had hardl,
# clothes enough to keep them warm, anC
|, hardly bread enough for the day, ant
!, the future looked so hopelessly blacl
g and ugly. They had just taken thei
o scanty breakfast when loud knock a
| II, IIc.a nLn..L11I khnrn