South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-01-16
A Hungry Christmas.
A TRUE sronY.

her window, painting rapidly yet care
fully as she finished delicate minia.
ture portrait on porcelain, for she was
employed by one OF our largest photo
graphic galleries. at that time just in
the beginning Of its existence.
Two children played lovingly and
merrily at table near, her room was
unusually pleasant an. c I'm forts blelook.
ing, her own dress amt chiidren's good
and sui.ab'e-thcre seemed no cause
for the sal and weary care upon her
face-but this dca- ii'tie woman was
one who 10 ell her neighbor and consci.
ously lived for others, aud these were
her thoughts:
Il have not seen my neighburs for
nearly a week until to-day, and then
the husband looked 90 pale and,
thin ! l fear they arc in trouble, and
yet hardly dare venture i'll. Oh, this
lite in large cities l. cruel Where they
pack us.such utter strangers. il Sc; araie
rooms adjoining. and We know nothing
OF each other! Our eiyhbors on the
other si'le of the partition may he dying
oil griei and loneliness, or want, while
we are careless C gay. until some morn.
ing the janitor comes in with q search
face to say that the man in the next
room is dead died in the night alone
his body lies there on the other side of
the wall! o., il is too horrible! Such
thing happened once in this house be
fore l came to it. II must rot happen
again II will get paid to-day for this
picture, and when the chillren are n.
sleep | Will run around 10 the market
and buy III key. with all the accom-
paniments, and then 1 viii! invite Mr..
and Mrs. Wilson to eat with us to-mor-
row, and will learn if they are in
trouble
Inspired by kindly thoughts. she
worked fas'er than ever and soon The
last touch was gently placed, the m, ia.
tuge rightly scrutinized. and. with n sat
isiied smile. wrapped up. Then, telling
the children tn get their coats an, hats,
they all three FASTENED away to the
photograph gallery. Only one clerk
was there, having been left in charge
while the others went home earlier than
usual.
MIR. Poser expected YOU said he,
and told me when you brought his wife's
picture TO shut up the place AMI hiring it
wouldn't disappoint him-you never do
Where's the house. Johnnie? nigh,
lake i! myself-ani &c. paid she al.
de,l, mentally.
Up in forticth street; but you hadn't
better take it. Mrs. Lennon, fpr he has
party TO night, and live near there
Very well, Johnnie. Don't undo the
package; if you take it from The box 1t
might get broken
o.. I'll look out. Merry Christmas.
Mrs. Lennox; ] won't see yoa TO NOR
row.
| Merry Christmas. Johnnie; l shall
not forget you on the 26th.' She turn
ell sally away aod went slowly home
with the children, trying TO share their
"rj'yment Of the brilliantly beau,ifGi
sLop windows, where so many things
we're displayed that she would like TO
own. But she scarcely though, Of that,
her disappointment in not getting the
exPeS'ed SO that evening had quite de-
range her plans. for now no turkey can
be bought.
Laugh, mamma, laugh. Don't he so
STILL cried out little BERTHE as he glanc
eel up at her sal face. The mother
smiled 10 please him, tender loving
smile. such "a al angcl's face might
wear, and both tile children laughed out
right.
Dear inn cents. They know nothing
OF LIES trials and appointments
Neither shall they know; have aleays
made them AMI will still do so, whether
We have a Christmas dinner or not
4
with her darling' in ajmiring beautiful
and wonderful toys, books an | ell the
various holiday gifts so temptingly dis
played and only took them home when
| they were ready. AS she helped little
Berthe up the long, tedious flight Of
stairs that led to their two rooms, while
/ Madge tripped tightly on ahead, she
met Mrs. Wilson, her neighbor, coming
! down, and exchanging a pleasant greet.
ing, saw that the young wife's eyelash-
es we're wet with tears, while her voice
/ sounded unnaturally cheerful.
/ So tie artist who hal been a Young
wife herself once, and was now pa
/ tiehi. quiet little widow, fell planning
/ again rs soon a she had given the chill
drcn their supper, and, after merry
L -@thN W lDiAi'N l'At tt4tNi W pI'As
Only one dollar beside the money for
rent she sighed, and four meals TO pro-
vide e:ore can see Mr.. Poser. Well
| have som5 stores in the pantry will
sec what there ia. and then 90 TO mar
%et. | mast manage to share my dinner
with nv poor neighbors-at least TO in
vite them-or | stall bc troubled all
dav. How glad am that bought
gifts for the children three weeks since,
when they were cheaper and had
the money: now they at least will
not he defrauded OF their expected en-
joyment on Christmas dav.'
Among other lessons which the vicis-
situdes Of life had Taught this brave lit
tie woman, was that Of tie true art OF
coOkery-how TO provide a delicious
meal from rhnan md aimlnlo nnafnrinla.