Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-12-26
ROCKVILLE. MORNING DECEMBER
rather than to repine for what He had de-


fed them.
1--WE must lose the cottage, Mildred, Mr.
Mintuu said to his wife when alone with
her, "but we must not lose our trust in God
Lut us sing hymn of praise. Our home
will be sold next week, but we can celebrate
our last Christmas in the dear old place with
a pleasant sound Of carols, can't wei"
When Rosamond went from her grand.
father she sought her own room to put by
her little treasure.
"a love-gift to the Lord of Christmas"
she repeated to herself. "That is beautiful
but have no such gift. None Of mine are
meant for him, never think such good
holy thoughts Of myself"
She glanced over the array of presents
she had with such interest prepared. "Some-
thing for every one who will be likely to
give mo something" she said aloud. "And
pdnever thought of any one else. Christs
birthday, and no gift for Christ I"
At the table Rosamond's father said ~
heard to-day that the Minturn cottage is to
be sold next week under mortgage. Min
turns been unfortunate lately--out of EN-
ployment 30 long. 1t will 60 hard with
him to lose his home. 1t won't bring over
eight hundred dollars at auction, and the
mortgage calls for three hundred more. The
interests and costs will consume another
hundred, He won't have much LEFT"
what a pity" said Mrs. Gale; "such a
good man, and nice family. Can't some.
thing be done?"
~ don't see what said Mr.. Gale. Poor
Minturn, How sad they must be tonight.
1t quite spols my Christmas"
After tea Grandpa called Rosamond int
the library.
"Come, Rosie" he said, what am | to do
It's too hard for our neighbor Minturn to
lose his home this way. | could help him
by making little sacrifice"
"Oh do help him them" said Rosamond.
"But il | do, somebody must needs do
without the Christmas present ! intended
to bestow."
swell, Grandpa, who would be so selfish
as to carer
81 ana afraid my little Rosa will" said
Grandpa. my one gift is intended for her,
and II is To cost just four hundred dollars
| have selected it, and intended buying to-
night, and having 1t sent up in the morn
ing--unless, indeed
"Oh, Grandpa a present for me to cost
four hundred dollars Ia its it a new
piano? Oh, you DEAR beautiful Grandpa.
Just what had longed for. My old
worn-out hurdy -gurdy is real trial to me-"
She had quite forgotten everything and
everybody save the much wished for piano
and the generous and doting grandfather
Snddanlp abe recolected.
"Oh, Grandpa, she saiu, oIsSs.r'asf>i
you now. Either must give up the piano
or the Minturns must give up their home.'
She threw her arms around her grand
fathers neck, and hid her face and the tears
that mould come upon his shoulder. 1t was
asharp struggle between self-love and Christ
love- The dear Grandpa's words came to
her mind--"a love gift to the Lord Of Christ
mass--and she whispered, as she kissed the
old mans silvery locks, "Dear Grandpa, we
will not buy the piano. We will make
love-gift to the Lord instead"
'Rose of the world, murmured her grand
father fondly, you make my heart sing for
Joy. No music that you could have drawn
from the piano hoped to give you could
have yielded me such delight as does your
sweet voice now, when 1t speaks in accents
of unselfish love. 1t chimes in my heart
true Christmas Carol"
"Then each has sung carol to the other"
said the young girl, her face beaming with
smiles, "only mine would never have been
sung at all had not yours been sung first.
Aren't we happy, Grandies feel almost
as if 1t were my home that was saved"
ave mustn't be selfish on Christmas Eve.
Get M coat. I'll go down and speak
good word 10 Minturn," said the good old
man. Tears were in hs eyes now, When
trHnupu TclurHtu IWshinpnu WhS ehtihB NJ
the old piano, and the family were singing
q Christmas Carol
"Chime, bells, chime,
Glory be 10 God above
Christ has come 10 live and love,
Chime, bells, chime"
1.-THE old hurdy-gurdy sounds splendidly
tonight, Grandie, dear" cried the young
girl.
"Rose Of the world" said Grandpa, softly,
ait Is because Of the love-gift."
And the Christmas Carols chimed loving
ly all the dreamful night, not only in the
hearts Of the jewellers in the abode Of plenty,
but in the grateful hearts Of those who sang
carols while yet in darkness, and to whom
the Lord OF Christmas had sent his servant
with a promise Of help for their time Of
trouble. "Glory be TO God in the highest,
and on earth peace, and goodwill toward