The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-12-21
ELLEN GALES CHRISTMAS.

1t was a stormy eveningin December.
The north wind ratified the rickety case
ments, and the rain and sleet dashed
fiercely against the panes. Within the
room--a poor, bare room in tenement
house--a sad-faccd woman, and two
fragile-looking children, boy and girl,
sat crouching over the small cooking
stove trying to warm their shiyering
frames by the feeble fire that burned
therein.
Mother said the blue-eyed, fair
haired child of seven, Il don't suppose
we shall keep Christmas tomorrow,
shall we?n
Mrs. Gale made no reply to this ques-
ton of her boy. A choking sensation
in her throat prevented her.
Christmas!
What mockery was the word when
she and her children were starving!
Certainly not, Walter said Min
ME, who, though only nine years old,
yet by the thoughtful look in her hazel
eyes, and her quiet, old-fashiOned ways,
seemed almost q woman. Certainly
not, why need YOU ask? Only see, you
have almost made mamma cry"
Don't fret, mamma said Walter,
81 don't care for turkey and pumpkin
pies, and plum pudding and old Santa
Clauses-that is, not very much" add
ed the little fellow, whose supper of
bare bread and a single baked potato
had scarcely satisfied the cravings of
his healthy young appetite.
AhH' he said, but they are going to
have great spread over to Charlie At
wells tomorrow. -Four turkeys, be-
sides chickens. l was there when the
grocer brought them. Lots Of other
things besides. A barrel of apples,
two great big pumpkins, and packages,
ever 50 many Of them. Mother, did we
used to keep Christmas before father
went away?'
"Yes, my child" answered the moth
| er.
And then, as memory reverted to the
days of her happy wifehood, when her
husbands love had shielded her from
every care: when she had never dreamt
Of being brought face to face with want,
her self-contrOl gave way. She clasped
her hands over her face and burst into
a passion of tears.
"Oh, don't. pray don't, mamma"
said Minnie, rising from her chair and
kneeling down before her mother and
clasping her knees. Don't cry. We
have enough in the house for to-mor-
row, have we not? We have bread
and potatoes, and a little meal. Oh! |
do love mush, and 50 does Walter,
Don't you dear?'
yes said Walter, with milk; but
we haven't any money to buy milk.
But / say, don't cry, mother, am 60
ing to try and earn little something
tomorrow going errands. | tried to
get job to-day, but ! couldn't. But
you know last Monday earned twenty
five cents. All! when ] get to be little
older, mother, you shall have everything
YOU want; you and Minnie. | will work
and earn money for you"
And the little fellow shook back his
curls and expanded his chest, as he
thought Of the wonderful things he
would do when he was man.
His mother looked at him fondly
through her tears. How like his father
he was With the same brave, sanguinc
spirit, too How proud his father would
have been of him, And Minnie, too
the good, wise little woman. Surely
heaven had blessed her with her chill
drcn. For their sake she must be brave
and bear up, She raised Minnie from
the floor, kissed her, and calling Walter
TO her side, kissed him too, and strokec
his fair curls.
my darling she said, think 20,
had better 90 to bed now. The fire il
low"-indeed, it had nearly died ava,
land we must keep our coal for to
morrow"
Eyes, mother" said Minnie cheerful
~, land your"
81 shall come directly" said Mrs
Gale.
, "But, mamma, you will take cold; i
is SO cold here. Let me 60 and get 20,
, your warm shawl
G anu S'lilS w lIlc NlOsNl' hlllhit WV
! Il faded plaid wooden shawl from ANAL
|, and wrapped it around her mother
thin form. n
Q Thank you, dear; and now you ha
= better 20 directly to bed.
!. If ! only had just little piece {
y bread first said Walter with sigl
!, 1T seems as if something was gnawin
y y inside my stomach
u Mrs, Gale rose, without Il word, an
y going TO the cupboard, took from
J. plate a small, thin slice of bread, an
IN gave II to her son.
'e and you, MinnieN she said
oh, am not at all hungry, mothe
dear, said Minnie, not at all
The children undressed, and kneelin
TO down by the poor, but spotlessly clea
s. bed, said in concert their Now / Ia
G. me-, etc Then they added, Us the
is nightly custom was
'Oh! God bless our dear papa, ~
bring him back to us once more
God never answers ollr PRAYER viii