Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-12-28
HIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT.
BY LIZZIE BoYNToN HARBERT.
PART /.

uotIaEs anu hdlI-yesi Will laNe thirty
pairs"
The handsome young clerk was sur
prised, and evinced some sensation in his
face. What could the fastidious Louise
Horton do with thirty pairs of little coarse
stockings ? and so wondering, he counted
the required number, while she fitted to
another counter, and examined the
wsrmest, thickest dress goods-then a
large roll of flannel was sent out to her
carriage, and when she had completed
her purchases, the clerk presented her
with bill Of one hundred dollars. Pay
ing it promptly, she was Fastening to her
carriage, when a young friend called to
her, saying, Louise, do come and see
the lovely lace sets. They are perfect
beauties, and enly hundred dollars"
II cannot stop moment, Belle; and
I pray you, lead me not into temptation.
I cannot afford it; have just disposed
of my Christmas allowance"
~ do believe that Louise is growing
close and stingy. 1 would like to know
how much she has spent"
Louise, all unconscious of the false
judgment OF her friend, passed on to
her carriage, her face Frightening per-
ceptibly as she discovered Hugh Lvings-
toR waiting to assist her.
"Merry Christmas, Miss Louise, in an
ticipation. By the packages which have
seen stored away here, should think
somebody is to be handsomely remem-
bered. Have you selected mine yet !?
What is it to be ?"
"Well, really, have forgotten you /;
but, if you will promise to accept and
carefully treasure whatever l send, 1 will
present ysu with something. Will you
promise ?"
"Certainly-with all my heart and l
know of nothing in the whole world that
would so treasure and prize as your own
precious SELF" and Hugh Livingston
meant what he saic. and Louise knew
that he meant it, and she was not ready
to hear it. because her mother had died a
few months before. and Louise had prom
ised her almost broken hearted father that
for five years she would devote herself to
him, not think of love or marriage.
AA only child, seated in her luxurious
home, thinking of the approaching
Christmas time, wondering what she
could do, there passed in front of near
by window, two little ragged, shivering
children, and instantly some good fairy
seemed TO whisper, "Inasmuch as We did
unto one of these little ones, We did it
unto me and instantly she decided that
some of these little waits should enjoy
merry Christmas. For several success
sive days she took long walks, stopping
each little ragged child, and telling it
just where to go on Christmas night.
The coachman had orders to tell the
same story, and even now the reception
o. the little wanderers was almost COM
plete. Little copper teed shoes, and little
warm shawls, together with flannel
dresses, and stockings are now provided,
and quite impatieatly she awaits the
evening.
But return to our Christmas merry
making. The great city was brilliant,
and in countless homes merry children
were dancing with delight, and old hearts
were made young again, as love and
plsasus reigned supreme. We pass them
by until we arrive at Louise Horizons s
house. Peeping into the drawing room
We discover beautiful scene. The large
Christmas tree, ablaze with tapers, is
teed shoes, red blue, and gray stockings,
cunning little rnittens, etc., etc. around
it are clustered the little ones found in
gsrrets or cellars, their thin blue fingers
yielding to the pleasant warmth, great
tears filling the sad, hungry eyes as these
little children of poverty catch glmpses
of the luxury of wealth. No, not the
luxury, but just the comfort. What
though one of the little boot blacks had
brushed his hair with the blacking brush,
and lef. polish on his forehead What
though little newsboy had wiped his
face with freshly printed newspaper
until he looked like walking advertise
ment? Though some of the little girl S
curls knew nothing about parting, they
were all taken to the bath room and rem
dersd pure and clean, for even the SER
wants had at last entered heartily into
Miss Louise's plans, and in this manner
rendered valuable assistance, their rodgh
hands becoming gentle in their touch as
they prepared :he lI:le cold, bruised feet
for the warm stockings and soft shoes.
After they had been washed and dress
ed, the folding doors were opened, and
10 long table, burdened not with costly
CONNECTIONS or rich cake, but laden with
baskets of snowy white rolls, large slices
of beautiful brown bread, beautiful ap-
Piles and golden oranges.
The servants eyes suddenly became
dim, Mr.. Horton dived for his handker.
chief, and Miss Louise failed to crowd
back the tears, as these poor little hungry
waits snatched and grabbed the whole
some food.
Be not shocked, dear little ones II
happy homes, because they seemed thu
greedy. They pere starring, they haC
not been taught differently much NOR,
excusable were they than are ehildrei
of plenty, who pick for the largest sic
of cake or the longest stick of candy
or who rush to the oest places in tn
quadrille, and in fact we have seen grow
up children struggling for the best seat
at the table. at parties. in hotels and o