Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-26

bon-bons. 1t was such delight too, TO have
all her dearest friends about her. She look
| ed very pretty in her new blue cashmere will
white overdress a holly-wreath twined among
| her dark curls, her eyes shining and check,
| glowing with pleasure and kind feeling
| Still, every little while, her face wore a
| thoughtful expression.
Can you guess her thoughts? They went
| out toward the poor and lowly children, who
had no such festival in their cold and desc
late dwellings, no such joyous family reunion,
such kindness and love ~ so richly blessed
her this night, and to one little girl in par.
| ticular, who had brought home her pretty
white overdress the evening before. This
was Gerda and her mothers careful fingers
had made and trimmed the delicate, dainty
thing. Gerda did not always carry home the
work, for her mother often wanted the walk
as a relief from sewing; and the little girl
sold her fruit till late in the afternoon. But
it sometimes happened that Gerda or Franz
did this and other errands.
Mrs. Lincoln was busy in her Christmas
preparations, when Gerda brought the dress
and, as she was careful never to let poor peo-
pie wait for their pay, or oblige them to call
again. she sent Rosalie down stairs with the
money. Something in the little German girls
face and manner attracted Rosalio and awak-
ened her interest it might be the wistful,
longing look in her great, dark eyes, though
her smile was bright and her voice cheerful.
Anyway, it came into Rosalie's mind again
and again and she dreamed that night that
she was filling Gerda's stocking, or rather try
ing to fill it, but there was hole in the toe
and another in the heel, and as fast as she
put in the things they slipped out on the
floor, after the manner of Peter Mits stock.
ing, that she had read about the week be-
aud tl,oN yniVa1 ifaalF Is, l.r lV4utpa
with little Gerdas stockings And when Ro-
sale woke, she began to wonder whether
Gerda wore stockings, she had not noticed,
and whether, il she had any, there were
holes in them, and if it wouldn't be a good
plan to give Gerda some Of her own. She
would ask mother, she thought; she was sure
she would say yes Then she wondered if
Gerda would have any Christmas presents
she didn't believe she would; nobody that
was going to have Christmas presents would
have that hungry look in their eyes. And all
day the thought kept coming into her mind,
now and then, and the wonder grew, though
she had a great deal to think about, with her
company, and the gifts she was expecting,
and the music aud the supper and the dance
they were to have AS soon as Christmas Eve
had really come. And so it came about that
she was not quite satisfied, though she had
everything she expected, even moro than
she would have asked. So it came about that
she glded to her mothers side when the sing
ing was over, and said something TO her in a
low voice and that her mother looked sur
prised at first and thought moment, and
then said, "Yes, dear, you may" And TINT
Rasale ran out OF the room, and stayed out
fifteen minutes, and came back looking hap
pier than ever; and that Uncle Frank, after
wards, was absent longer time.
Franz and Gerda placed their tiny tree in
the moon-lighted window, and were soon fast
asleep, though they had fully meant TO keep
awake and watch for the Chrst-child's com
ing But their tired feet had taken far too
many steps that day, they had worked too
hard, for even this excitement to hold their
eyes open. And the mother sat by, trying
vainly to think of some little gift she might
afford them. She dreaded their bitter disap-
pointment when the Christmas light should
show them only their little tree with still
empty boughs. Over and over again she
counted the contents of her scanty purse.
Food and fuel they must lace. Had they
been little children of three or four years old,
soap-bubble pipe, stick of candy, tin
horse, or sugar pussy, would have been rich
treasure in their eyes; but such Us these
would not of course, answer, and what c0Uli
she get, or even do, for them She could
faithful, affectionate children trying by cv-
cry means in their power to help and cheer
her, always contented with their poor fare
and hard work, but so longing for a share in
the Christmas joy of gifts and surprises.
Gerda's evening prayer re-echoed in her
thoughts. Our. Father in Heaven, forgive
Bless us and keep US this night. And please,
dear Father may the Christ-child come"
She was sorely puzzled. Her childs pray
err, offered in such hearty faith, how could il
remain unanswered? Did not Christ say,
"AH things, we ask, believing, ye shall re-
ceive z" And yet how impossible it seemed
A knock at her door aroused her from her
perplexed and saddened thoughts. She open
cd it, and, to her surprise gentleman stood
there, with a large basket on his arm.
''Does Mrs. Hermon live here 7" he asked,
in a respectful tone.
"That is my name, sir" she answered.
''And you are Gerda Hermons mother"
Eyes, sir"
"will you oblige me by accepting Christ
mas token from my little niece, Resale Lin
coin She sent this basket 1t contains
some things she thought would be of use to
the children. You sew for Mrs. Lincoln,
believe? / wish you merry Christmas.
Good Knight" And, without giving her time
to thank him, he was OFF
her sleeping children, and returned truly
humble and hearty thanks. Her little Ger
da's faith was not in vain. This was the an
swer to her prayer And the tall man in
overcOat and cap and muller the merry
hearted child by whose request and generous
thought he came, were as really angels of
Gods sending as if some Whitehead visitant
from the skies had foated down on shining
wings to their poor attic.
She opened the basket and took out one
thing after another, just what they needed,
Just what would please the children, and tied
them on the little tree. There were articles
of clothing, partly worn, but, oh how use
full still shoes and stockings, merno dress,
and warm fiannels There were story books,
which had been read again and again, but
new to these children, "a box of candies, and
round, frosted plum-cake.
Mother, mother" shouted Gerdn the
moment her eyes opened on Christmas morn
ing, ''the Christ-child has been here
thought he would come when l asked him.
Franz, look, look"
The two children were wild with delight in
their new treasures Could Rosalie Lincoln
have seen them, she would have counted this
the best of all the Christmas joy. She could
not know how much happiness she had Civ
Ell but she knew enough to make the day
doubly bright and beautiful to her, and plant
a happy recollection for all her after life.
She resolved that never again would she
let the day of Gods greatest gift to man pass
without some special effort on her part to
make some of His poor ones happy; and this
resolution she faithfully kept. as the years
brought its welcome return. -Ddysp7iHg.
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Hh.iss.n.,. Ras-v car.