The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-12-25

smiling. / wished she wouldn't smile.
After breakfast she read the Bible
rather longer than usual. Those
psalms-"Th Lord is my Shepherd"
and 81 will lift up mine eyes unto the
hills from whence cometh my help
and something else, 1 believe; but /
can't remember what. After prayers
Tom and washed the dishes, as we
often did, while she put the room in or
der. When all was done, she put out
the light. 81 can knit as well in the
dark" she said; "and 1 am going to
tell you a story, so you will not care"
She told us a great many stories that
day.
| didn't see why 1 couldn't be as
brave as Tom. He told jokes and rid
dies, and helped ever so much to keep
the little ones amused. But my heart
was like lump of lead, and couldn't-
seem to do or say thing to keep the
rest frightened up or cheer poor moth
er. Yet Tom knew how bad things were,
just as we'll as did. Bob kept his face
hidden a good deal of the time when
there was light; but when he did
show it he looked as If the last day was
come. But then Bob was sick and 1
wasn't. Poor Bess lowed for her food
and water. We were sorry for her; but
couldn't help her. We lighted the can
die again at dinner. We didn't have
very good appetites. There was enough
pumpkin left, so Lizzie had her supper.
She went to sleep early, in my lap; it
was SO still. The stiffness was most as
bad as the darkness.
And now it was Christmas Eve. But
nobody said anything about hangingup
stockings. The little ones had not been
reminded that tonight was the time for
that; and the older ones were thinking
too much about fire, and food, and to-
morrow, even to speak of it.
"Christmas will bring father, / am
sure" said mother, after Lizzie was
laid in bed. "And now hadn't my lit
tie Johnnie better be undressed? Morn
| ing will seem to come sooner if he shuts
his eyes early"
Me wants my supper first" said
Johnnie.
1.-The pumpkin is all gone. But. if
Johnnie is brave and patient, think
God will send him some breakfast"
"Does He know the pumpkin is all
gomez" said Johnnie, with quivering
lip.
"Yes. 1 told Him. He will take
care that we have some breakfast. /
asked Him to-" said mother, cheerfully
and confidently. 1 wondered if she
really felt so sure. / didn't.
"But the snow is all up over the
door, SO nobody can't get in" Johnnie
said.
"God can find man who can shovel
papa home to do it." mother said.
"rm awful hungryr' said Johnnie,
mournfully. And then, in a quick,
glad tone: "Oi shouldn't wonder if
He sent some bread! Ma, did you ask
for pumpkin or for breadP" i
"For bread, dear. think it will be
bread"
20! then I'll go to bed quick"
He submitted to be undressed, and
when his head was on the pillow he
squeezed his eyelids close together, de-
termined to sleep, that morning might
come sooner. He had to speak once
more. "Butter on it! Did you ask for
butter on it, map"
81 asked for some meat. A piece of
meat would be good with bread.
Wouldn't it, Johnnie?''
Yes; but I'd ha' asked for butter,
too" said Johnnie, and subsidized again.
I'VE had better go to bed before
the room gets cold" mother said, as
we sat crouching around the few glow
ing Goals that the last stick of wood had
left.
"Mother, how can you be SO brave
and quiet?" said Bob, bitterly, with a
sound that was almost like sob.
Hush. dear! Be brave and quiet
yourself q little longer. God hasn't
forgotten us. Are you so very hun
gryP"
!" 1t isn't that. I've often been hun
grier when I've been eff in the woods
on tramp. don't seem to feel any
appetite; but tomorrow
"'Take no thought for the morrow
Let sat least, try to obey that pre-
the night when the blessed Christ-child
came down from Heaven. He gave us
Himself. How shall He not also free
ly give US all thingsP' Let us not
doubt Him on His birthnight. Go to
your bed with quiet heart, as shall
60 to mine. There is a glad Christmas
in store for us yet" So we went to
bed-if not with quiet hearts, at least
with a glimmer of hope, awakened by
mothers strong faith. But we did not
sleep.
The clock struck eight. There was a
sound on the roof. We started up to
listen. Yes, surely there was some one
stepping above our heads. "It's
fatherm was our glad cry. We were
out of bed in an instant, and beside the
old chimney, which was the only outlet
for our voices.
Father! Father! Are you thereP'
we called. But no voice answered.
Instead, there was a queer sound, as of
something rubbing and shuffiing down
the chimney.
Tom.
Well, it seemed as if it was. First
there came long, narrow bag, covered
with SCOT and ashes. 1t fell at our feet;
but before we could pick it up plump
round package followed it and bounced
into the middle of the floor. A second,
like it, rolled along after, undoing it
self and showing q loaf of brown bread.
Then came a shapeless package, with a
bone sticking out, which Bob caught
at, exclaiming, joyfully: "Dried beef.
Hurrah."
We kept calling. "Father! Why
don't you speak, fatherP" at intervals;
but got no answer. But we were sure
it was he, and with joyous laughter well
coined the bundles as they-came down
the chimney. A few potatoes, few
| turnips, a little soft clean package of
tea, and then the shower of good things
| was over.
But there was no voice yet, and the
sound of retiring footsteps left US look
ing in each others faces in amazement.
"It isn't father, after allr' said
mother, with a good deal of disap-
pointment in her tones. He would
never have gone off so, without speak
ing word"
We fell to eating, with keen relish.
Slices of brown bread and dried beef
disappeared rapidly. Johnnie was
awakened to have his share; and we
would have walked Lizzie, too, but
mother said mo"
ssTOn hod Tho Loot of ;s