The Indiana State sentinel., 1880-12-29

cause. she waited silently, watching her ez-
pressive face. But when the weary, discour-
aged look again settled upon it. she spoke:
"There, l have chosen so many" laying
aside several articles" and now l want you
to tell me your name and who makes all
these pretty things2"
"My name is Nellie Lovejoy. and mother
makes the things. 1t is the only work she
can do now."
ais she sick?"
"Yes, ma'am," and then followed short
sketch of what we have read. Mrs. Lester
listened with interest and sympathy, for the
reserved, delicate way in which the story
was told, as though the child felt that it was
not common property, convinced her that
this was no ordinary case of suffering and
misfortune.
81 am very glad that did not wait until
another day to make your acquaintance, my
child" she said kindly, '.for mean to see
that these pretty things OF yours find a
good market. VIII you give me your ad-
dress, so that may call on your mother
and talk with her about it?" Nellie gave
the address and thanked Mrs. Lester. But
she went away none the less heavy-hearted,
for, alas, this was no new experience to the
child. Many ladies had shown the same
sympathy, and made the same promise, and
Nellie had been disappointed many. times
before she learned the selfshness of human
nature.
She went down the steps, and out of the
iron gate, with her mind still full Of the
Christmas tree, and as she glanced back at
the low, old-fashioned windows q bright
thought struck her. Why couldn't she see
the tree from the outside of the house2 If
the windows were left as they were now,
nothing would be EASIER. The inside blinds
were open almost to the top. The shades,
were drawn up high, and inside of these
were only the lace curtains. Nellie had
stopped on the sidewalk TO study out the
chances for and against her new plan, when
a.
"Halloo, Nelll' startled her, and she turned
to greet what looked like pretty hard
specimen. At least so Mrs Lester thought,
as she watched the children from the win
dow.
80, Benl is that you'll Why 1 haven't
seen you for q week." and Nell shook cor
daily the grimy hand held out to her.
"No! I've kept pretty dark lately. You
see I've lost my dress suitl'
"Lost It'll how2"
dad sold it."
40, Benl he didn'tr'
"he did, thought l slept IN it at FIRST, hut
that wasn't good for it, so L put it under
my pillow one night, and the next morning
it was gone, and dad was drunk for week.
/ amt fit to speak TO you now, and won't
when anybody can see US, till / get rid of
these rags again"
"Don't say that, Benl / am not ashamed
of you, no matter how ragged you are. Do
you suppose / have forgotten the day when
1 first met you? How L slipped and fell on
the sidewalk, and all the things rolled out OF
my box2 There was crowd Of boys on the
corner, and they all laughed and shouted,
1 but you were the only one who offered 10
help me. You picked NE up and then
gathered all the things together and fixed
them in my box. We've been good friends
ever since, and we always will be, no matter
what kind of clothes you wear. But o, Ben
L could cry, 1 feel So dreadfully about it
You worked so long, and nearly starved
yourself to get them, and now they're gone
How could your father be so horridl'
dads all right, Nell. if it wasn't for the
whisky, but l tell you when / see how it'll
make a man such mean, sneaking thing as
that, feel like turning lecturer There's
one thing sure, l don't want any oft. But
goodbye, L must be off,"
"Wait a minute, Ben. What are you
going to do on Christmas ever"
II was going to the supper at the News.
boys Home, but can't now on, account Of
my clothes. Why2"
because have plan" And then Mel
lie told all about the gorgeous tree which
she wanted so much to see and to have Har
~ see. and wound up with the question.
Would you care enough about it to come
and help me bring Harry? We might have
to carry him part of the way, but he isn't
very hesvyp
Il think could manage him, and I'll be
on hand; it'll be so dark my rags won't
show. But 1 say, Nelll don't set your heart
on it too much, for you know the windows
might be closed"
"Yesl 1 know, but, somehow, don't be-
lieve they will be, anc any way I'd like to
try it, if mothers willing"
Gall right. III be there!" and lifting the
round of cloth, which answered for a cap,
the boy hurried away. This bit of courtesy,
coming from such figure, was not lost on
though unseen by the children.
AS Ben disappeared, Nellie, too, started
off al q brisk pace, for it was too late then
4 ~ l44Auh VI duQ sue WIS INK
ious 10 talk with her mother about her
plan. She had some fear that it would not
meet her approval. But when she reached
home, and the mothers sweet face and the
little brothers glad voice welcomed her,
she could only think of what contrast
there was between this, and what Ben would
find on his home g, ing. and so Ben and
his misfortune were the first things talked
about. Then came her own story and her
plan for Christmas eve. Mrs. Loveioy
would not decide then, but promised to
think about it, so Nellie and Harry went to
bed in state of hopeful uncertainty. The
next morning Nellie waited anxiously for
her mothers decision, but nothing was said
on the subject, SO she started off on her days
tramp with the question still unsettled.
This day, like the previous ones, was fail
ure as regarded sales, and when Nellie
reached home and laid before her mother
the small result of her long days labor, she
could not keep back the complaint which
sprang to her lips
"You must n 1t be discouraged, my daugh-
ter" her mother said gently, ''for you know
our Father has promised to care for his chill
dren, and feel sure that he has not forgot
ten US. have some good news for you, l
have decided to let you take Harry and go
to the Christmas tree, though it does seem a
strange thing to do. But, my daughter,
what if the windows should be closed2" The
bright, happy expression with which her