Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-12-24

off this fall. Hunger and cold will keeu
Christmas in many a home this year, q
she added, sadly. She spoke half Ia
herself, but Mr.. Fairbanks heard, and
frowned slightly.
Goodnight, and thank you,n said
Mrs. Ellsmore, holding out her hand al
the door of the vicarage.
| "James will take your patient home
II you desire; l will send him right back
from THE Cedars.'"
Mrs. Ellsmore shook her head. "No,
thank you; l like to see for myself
Mr. Ellsmore will drive me over in the
| phaeton after. Goodnight again. Come,
Bob" and she drew the boy gently into
the warm, lighted hall.
MIR. Fairbanks was very grave and
silent all that evening. His wife looked
at him wonderingly from her end of the
table, as he sent away dish after dish
untasted. He seemed not even to hear
the merry chatter Of his children, who
were eagerly discussing ball to which
they had Just received invitations. He
was very fond and proud of his hand.
some son and his pretty daughters, but
tonight their laughter Jared upon him.
Across the cleaning silver and glass, he
saw the wan, pinched face of child,
the sparkling lights and beautiful hot.
house flowers faded away, and he stood
again under the cold grey sky in the
village street, watching Mrs. Ellsmore
as she bound up his little frozen feet.
lie had noticed a spot of blood on each
OF the ten little toes, he had counted
them, he remembered, as he waited,
smiling at himself for doing so. Now
wherever he went they seemed to fol-
low him.
Hunger and cold will keep Christ
mas in many a home," Mrs. Ellsmore
had said; and whose work was thisp
HtS. For fear of losing little, very
little of his great wealth, he was taking
the bread from these starving children.
With the dessert came little Philip, the
youngest, and his fathers pet; but that
night even his prattle failed to rouse
Mr.. Fairbanks. He smoothed the bows
curl's absently; then the scene changed,
and he fancied he saw Philips little
white feet bare upon the stones He
brushed his hands across his eyes, where
the slow tears had gathered.
When dinner was over, Mr.. Fairbanks
shut himself up in his "oflice," " as he
called the cosy little room where he read
or. wrote his letters. He took Philip
with him. The tlaxen haired child was
strange counsel for the wealthy mill
owner to have; but when he had told
him, in few short sentences, all of
little BOb's story, as far as he knew it,
the fearful blue eyes were raised to his,
and the childish voice he loved so well
said, softly;
Papa, dear, you have plenty; give
them some, and "a little lower" Sat
urday is Jesus birthday, you know,
papa"
MIR. Fairbanks bowed his head, and
touched the bright curls with his lips.
ga little child shall lead them," he said,
softly.
Saturday being Christmas Day, the
mill hands were to be paid on Friday
night; and when the great bell changed
out the hour for closing, they all filed
into the foreman's room, where, behind
the mass of shining coin, he sat waiting
for them.
There was little movement of sur
prise when they saw, waiting at far
ther table, Mr.. Fairbanks and his little
son, Philip. The boy was looking, with
bright, eager eyes, into the faces of the
men, leaning his head against his fa-
theirs shou der the while.
The foreman said a word or two TO
each man as he paused before the desk;
and, instead of passing out as usual,
they all ranged themselves along the
wall, with looks of doubtful expectancy.
The last man was paid, and there was
a little hush. Then the doors at the end
of the room slid back, and there, crowd
ed together, gaunt and hungry-eyed,
stood their former companions, "the
turned-off hands,"
Mr.. Fairbanks rose.
al have word to say to you, my
men," he began. "You have called
me hard master, because when trade
was dull turned off half of nv hands.
had heard threats used, and some hard
words said, and l was determined not
to take any of you back; but last night,
on my way home from the station, saw
a little lad, not bigger than my boy
here "-drawing Philip closer to him
50 whose little feet, thrust through the
torn socks that partly covered them,
had frozen fast to the stones by the |
church gates. A lady was down on her
lnees binding them up with her hand
No need to tell you who that
vas, my lads!"
" Ma, ma! 'Twor Parsons missus,"
laid two or three together.
" Right; it was Mrs. Ellsmore-God
bless her! Well, my men, somehow l
couldn't get it out of my mind, and ev-
'rywhere l went those little feet seemed
o follow me; and ut last those ten little
rozen toes walked straight into my
leart, and wouldn't let me shut the
loor again. | have only few more
words to say, my men. Tomorrow, as
'ou know, is Christmas Day; l wish you
would all go to church and hear what
ir. Ellsmore has to tell us about it.
Then, at one O'Clock, in the big room at
he mill here, there will be long tables
ct, with plenty ofroast beef and plum
udding for you and your wives and
airns, and If any of you have fathers
nd mothers, bring them with you, too.
low, lads, pass around here; my boy
as chosen his Christmas present, and
hat is a crown-piece to each of you;
ut don't spend it at the public You,
oo," and Mr.. Fairbanks motioned to
ne men in the outer room. "But first,
lr. simpson, turning to the forem IN,
'ho was mending his quill unconcern- ,
your announcement,
lease" !
Mr.. Simpson said, shrilly, "I have
My this to say: Mr.. Fairbanks has Or {
Il NsnIN IL