Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-12-18

| tile IRE ana L Will come out Directly"
/ got up and dressed myself. Bob
walked while was dressing and asked
me what | was getting up in the night
for. | told him it was morning, but we
were showed in. So he got up, TOO.
! went TO the door to see if l could
open it, 1t opened easy enough; but a
bank of snow was all there was to be
seen. believe / turned white. know
shook as people do with the ague.
Ten sticks of wood for fuel, one-half a
candle for light and about pumpkin
enough for two meals. These were our
resources; and we were showed in.
Mother came out. She was paler than
| yesterday, but calm and brave as ever.
Let's have fire, boys, quickly, and
we will have breakfast soon. feel sure
father will come to-day"
She lighted our one piece of candle.
| couldn't speak. There was a great
lump in my throat. Ny shaking hands
would hardly lay the sticks for the fire.
Mother put the pumpkins on to warm.
1t was all cooked now. We had only to
warm it up. Then she brought out a
little handful of cloves, that she said
she had found hidden away in one of her
trunks. She put them on the table in a
ss1t-dish. MAY be somebody will like
them for RELISH" said she, smiling. l
wished she wouldn't smile. After
breakfast she read the Bible rather
longer than usual. After prayers Tom
and washed the dishes, as we often
did, while she put the room in order.
When all was done, she put out the
light. g can knit as well in the dark -
she said; land am going to tell you
story, so you will not care.'' She told
US great many stories that day.
didn't see why | 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 a thing to keep the
rest frightened up or cheer poor mother.
Yet Tom knew how bad things were,
Just as well as did. Bob kept his face
there was light; but when he did show
it he looked as if the last day was come.
But then Bob was sick, and [ wasn't.
Poor Bess lowed for her food and
water. We were sorry for her; but
couldn't help her. We lighted the candle
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 almost
as bad as the darkness.
And now it was Christmas eve. But
nobody said anything about hanging up
stockings. The little ones had not been
reminded that tonight was the time for
that anG we older ones were thinking
too much about fire and food and to-
morrow, even to speak of it.
thrI MOS will brine fa+L 7 o,,o
sure,n said mother, after Lizzie was
laid in her bed. And now hadn't my
little johnny better be undressed?
Morning will seem to come sooner if he
shuts his eyes early"
:, Me wants my supper first" said
Johnnie.
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
lip.
Yes. l told Him. He will take
care that we have some breakfast. ]
asked Him to-" said mother, cheerfully
and confidently. ] wondered if she
really felt so sure. I 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
away the snow. I guess He viii send
papa home 20 do it, mother said.
I'm awful hungryi' said Johnnie,
mournfully. And then, ia a quick,
glad tone: "Ohi I shouldn't wonder if
He sent some bread Ma, did you ask
for pumpkin or for breadpn
For bread. dear. think it will be
bread"
'fOh! then I'll go to bed quick
He submitted TO be undressed, and
when his head was on the pillow he
squeezed his eyelids closed 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"
II 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.
"We had better go to bed before
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
sound that was almost like q sob.s
Hush, dear! Be brave and quiet
yourself little longer. God hasn't for
getten US. Are you SO very hungry?"
9 1t isn't that. I've often been hum
grier when I've been off in the woods on
a tramp. | don't seem to feel any ap-
petite; but tomorrow"
"'T Take no thought for the morrow
Let US, at least, try to obey that preeept
for this one night. Go to your bed with
qniet heart. as l shall go 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 glim-
mer 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
fatherr' 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 there?n
we called. But no voice answered In
stead. there WIS a queer sound, rs Of
something rubbing and shutting down
the chimney.
"Santa Claus. for certaini' said Tom.
Well. it seemed as if it was. First
. a.