Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-12-26

raised himself upon the railing outside, IN
order to obtain better view. she uttereo
an exclamation of surprise.
s.Why, mother, there's boy looking in !
at the window. just look at him.
Mrs. Dinsmoor looked in the direction
indicated, and saw the little boy, without
his perceiving that attention had been
drawn towards him.
"Some poor boy" she remarked to her
husband. in compassionate tone. WHO
loses for moment the sensation OF his
own discomfort in witnessing our happl-
ness. See how eagerly he looks at the tree.
which no doubt appears like something
marvellous to him."
'Why can't you let him come INF" asked
Lizzie eagerly. HE must be very cold
out there, with the snow-flakes falling
upon him. Perhaps he would like to see
our tree near tor ls
'.Very we'll and kindly thought of, my
little girl" said Mr.. Dinsmo0r, placing his
hand for moment upon her cluster ing
locks. 81 will follow your suggestion, but
/ must do it carefully, or he may be fright
ened and run away before he knows what
are our Intentions
So speaking, Mr.. Dinsmoor moved eau
tiously to the front door and opened it
suddenly. The boy, startled by the sound,
turned towards Mr.. Dinsmoor with a
! frightened air, as if fearing that he would
be suspected of some improper motive.
s.Indeed, sir. said he earnestly. II didn't
mean any harm, but it looked so bright
and cheerful inside that couldn't help
looking in.'
"You have done nothing wrong, my
boy,' said Mr.. Dinsmoor, kindly. . But
you must be cold here; come in, and you
will have a chance to see more comforta-
bly, than you now do"
The boy looked a little doubtful, for TO
him, neglected as he had been by the rich
and prosperous all his life. it was very
difficult to imagine that he was actually
invited to enter the imposing mansion be-
fore him as guest. Perhaps Mr.. Dins-
moor OWNED his doubts, fer he continued:
"Come, you must not refuse the invita-
ton. There are some little people inside
who would be very much disappointed if
you should, since it was they who COM
missioned me to invite you."
IL am sure, sir. am very much obliged
both to them and to you,' said the boy.
gratefully, advancing towards Mr.. Dins-
moor, Of whom he had lost whatever little
d;otrust ho had ar first falt
A moment afterwards and the boy STEP
ned within the spacious parlor. To him.
whose home offered no attractions and
few comforts, the scene which spread be-
fore him might well seem a scene of en-
chantment.
'Lizzie," said Mr.. Dinsmoor, 'come
forward and welcome your guest. would
introduce him to you, but unluckily | dc
not know his name"
"My name is Willie-W lille Grant, u
was the boys reply.
''Then, Willie Grant, this is Miss Liz
zie Dinsmoor. who is. I am sure, glad tc
see you, since it was at her request that
invited you to enter"
Willie raised his eyes timidly, and ben,
them for a moment on the singularly
, beautiful child, who had come forward
|, and frankly placed her hand in his.
Il There is something Irresistible in thu
| witchery of beauty, and Willie felt a warn
glow crimsoDing his cheeks, as, for mo
. ment, forgetful of everything else, be BEN
his eyes earnestly upon Lizzie. Then an
, other feeling came over him, and with
. | look of shame at his scanty and ill-ittinl
, garments, he dropped her hand, and invol
. unfairly shrank back, as if seeking tt
3 screen them from sight.
Perceiving the movement, and guessing
, its cause, Mr.. Dinsmoor, with view t.
, dissipate these feelings, led forward Harr:
: and Charlie, the younger boys, and toll
Z them to make acquaintance with Willie
! With loud shouts of delight they display
: ed the various gifts which st. Nichola
: had brought them and challenged his ad
Q miratiOn.
8 Everything was new to Willie. Hi
childhood had net been smiled upon b.
b fortune, and the costly toys which tn
s boys exhibited elected quite as much ad
9 miration as they could desire.
s Occupied in this way. his constrain
s gradually wore off to such degree tina
9 he assisted Charlie and Harry in tryin
their new toys. Soon, however, the If
y collection that it was growing late, an
= that he had yet to find his way home
!. came to him, and taking his old hat h
II said to Mr.. Dinsmoor, in an embarrasse
IS manner:
b "My mother will be expecting me home
b and should already have been there bu
r. that lost my way, and happened to loo
n in at your window, and you were SO kin
3, as to let me come in"
IS "Where does your mother live, m
t, little fellow?" asked Mr.. Dinsmoor.
e. son - street."
d so, that is not far off. will myse
show you the way if you will remain
te few minutes longer"
Mr.. Dinsmoor rang the bell, and ordel
Is ed plate of cake and apples, as he col
st iectured they would not be Unacceptable
it to his little visitor.
is Meanwhile Lizzie crept to her mother
le side and whispered:
at "Willie is poor, isn't he?"
20 Eyes. What makes you ask?"
r. II thought he must be, because b
D. clothes look SO thin and patched. Don
N you think he would like Christmas pr
sent, mother?" a.
in eyes, my darling, Have you anythin
In to give himl"
IT. II thought. mother, perhaps you woul
re let me give him my five dollar gold piece