Connecticut western news., 1879-12-24

tude than the words could have done.
 "A young lady had been looking on at this scene; and as the boy passed out she dropped into his dirty little hand two bright five-cent pieces. Another ''thankye," rewarded her.
 Rob, as soon as he was out of the shop, ran along as fast as his torn and clumsy shoes Qike the jacket, much too large for him), would admit of, and soon turned into cross street, where we no handsome stores and brilliant windows. After going some blocks he came to a narrow street or alley, down which he went more slowly; for the pavement was broken and blocked up with barrels and boxes of oranges.
 Suddenly he stopped and seemed to consider, then ran back little way to g dingy cornerstone where eatables of every description seemed to be sold. Here he inve sted three cents in an orange, and then, after little further consi Iteration, purchased, with the re- mainder of one of his fve-cent pieces, two sticks of lemon candy.
 A little further on he entered an old tenement house, and knocked at door of the dirty passage. It was opened by boy a little older than himself.
 slows Dick ?" said Rob.
 "Oh, he's better. Miss Sullivan says he'll git we'll now if he gifts the right things to eat. Mother'n beg for 'em. Come in, Rob-come right in."
 "I can't now, cause I see yer father a-staggerin' along from Crosby's, and he'll be along in 8 minute. But it's Christmas Eve, you know, Crowdy."
 'Chrisrmas Eve for rich folks," said Crowdy, with some bitterness, "not for us."
 "Oh, yes. I've brought an orange for Dick. Iknowed he wanted an orange; and I've got some candy for Ed and Liz. You must put it in their stockings, you know, Crowdy."
 "Oh, but Rob, 'twon'b do to take all your things away from you"
 "Look here p interrupted Rob, hold ing up his picture, triumphantly, "see what I've got for a Christmas gift Ain't it jest splendidP What do want of oranges and oandy?"
 A gruf voice, cursing at the uneven ness of the pavement, reached their ears, and with nasty ''good-by," Rob mov- ed of. In the middle of the same block ke stopped at an old frame dwell ing-a remnant of long-past days-and cautiously ascended 8 riekety outside staircase to door in the upper story. Here he knocked.
 {" Who's that2" said harsh but fec ble voice from within.
 Me-Wiegin's Rob-"
 Push-push hard"
 With the exertion of all his feeble strength, he forced open the door which dragged in worn groove on the floor, and stood in the midst of utter darkness A close, musty smell almost choked him.
 "Feel on the chimney-piece for the matches, Rob, and get light"
 The feeble light of smoky lamp soon partially d1spelled the darkness, an6 showed on one side the room great pile of rags and bones. The other was occupied bya wretched bed, or which lay gaunt and hollow-eyed ole woman.
 "Are you sick, Polly2" inquired tht boy, sympathizingly, as he stood by he side.
 "I'm a-goin,' Rob-a-goin'.
 "Where too?" he in quired, wonder ingly.
 "To hellp she answered with groan.
 Rob stood silent and awe-stricken.
 Polly, ain't you afeared2"
 "No. Whats the usea I've knowei what it would come to in the end. Tn prepared. I'll die gamel
 |" You're the only one that's been a nigh me to-day. What did you com for2"
 "I wanted you to keep my pictur for me-"
 He united the frame and held it u before her, holding the dim light clos that she might the better sec it. Sh stared at it for 8 moment.
 "Reb, that's yer mothers face. Sh used to look just 50 before she died used to look so at you, a-sleeping in he arms"
 Was this then the mysterious spe which had attracted the cbild to th picture?
 "You member your mother, Rob
 "Y e-s," he answered, dreamily, wit his eyes fixed on the face of the Chris
 She warn't one of our sort, poo thing Her drunken husband brougl her down, and poverty did the res Mother Wiggins nussed her when sh } died"
 She looked again at the face in tt picture.
 "What is it, Rob? can't see good"
 "It's Jesus Christ, and He say Suffer little children to come to me. The woman groaned. "Yes, I member. Little children not old sim CTS like me. If Ihad knowe when Twas 8 little child" And s1 groaned again.
 "Polly, I would like to go to Him knowed how to. He'd take care of m l He's good. I've says so." She suddenly turned her head ar fixed her hollow, glazing eyes upon u pale, wistful face.
 "Boyl" she said, almost fiercel l "come here" l Then she clutched him by the shou der.
 I 0Listen to me. and mind every wo,