The Indiana State sentinel., 1880-12-29

/ Dand- at length 0:oO was pOlnteQ on on
the clock, and they started of.
At length they reached the street on
which the house stood, and few more steps
would decide their fate. Ben looked anxious
| ly at Nellie, but she did not say word;
and then, all OF sudden, they stood within
a blaze of lighi, and the Christmas tree was
before them, as though they were in The
room with it. With one breathless ex-
clamation of delight they paused, and Mel
! lie snatched Harry up and held him high,
so that he, too, could see it all. But Ben
took him gently from her, and, point
ing to large dry-goods box, which
stood close to the fence, he said,
"Well, put him on that and he'll be fixed.
1t looks as though it was meant for that"
And sure enough, it was just the right
height, and Harry clapped his hands with
delight. How they did devour it all with
their eyesl The great tree with its load of
gifts, and the children in their white dresses
dancing about it like group Of little fair
les. And now we will leave them looking
and we will go back to Mrs. Lovejoy. The
children had been gone but a short time
when there came such nose of feet clatter-
ing up the stairs that one would have sup
posed they were all returning. Mrs. Love-
Joy, however, did not appear in the least
surprised, and when the door opened and
there walked in two young girls about the
age Of her Nell, and tall, manly look
ing lad some years older, she only
said:
"Wbat kind, unselfsh little trio you
are, and how long to help you with what
you have undertaken"
go dear Mrs. Lovejoy, we want to do it
every bit ourselves, and it is such fun. If
you can only hear the noise and not mind
our chatter we shall be so pleased For you
know we must talk good DEAL" and the
merry girl, Kate by name, laughed gleefully
as she threw aside her cloak and prepared
for business.
"The noise and the chatter will be sweet
music to me-" was Mrs. Loyejoy's reply.
"Then We will begin to make it al once if
Randolph will go down and see if the wagon
has come. We drove on ahead, but think
it is time now for it. And o Ran, do make
the men he careful"
Yes, the wagon had come, and in a few
minutes there was heard the tramp of heavy
boots on the stairs, and two burly Irishmen
appeared bearing tall something covered
with sheet. This was placed in the mid
die of the floor and the men disappeared,
but only to return again and again, until
I
bundles and bags. And Mrs. Lovejoy could
only exclaim:
80 my children, you have done too
much"
PLEASE don't say So" exclaimed Kate,
who seemed to be director of the party.
you know it will be a whole long year be-
fore another Christmas, and it is such a
! pleasure to u.s."
And then the way those children worked
The walls were hung with crosses and
wreaths of evergreen and holly yberries
The smaller gifts were hung on the tree,
and t.S larger ones spread on chairs, each
marked with the name of the one for whom
it was intended. Then the barrels of -four
and apples were opened, papers, and strings
tucked away out Of sight and the room
looked, indeed, as though a magic wand had
been passed over it. Now there is one
thing more and we are done. Bring it in,
Randolph" and Kate danced about the
room like bunch of thistle-down, while
her more quiet sister went about giving fin.
ishing touches to its decorations.
Randolph had disappeared, but returned
in moment, wheeling in an invalid's chair
which could be adjusted to suit the comfort
of the occupant. At the side Of it was q
small table, which folded down out of the
; way when not needed. Then Kate pro-
duced a warm flannel wrapper for Mrs.
Lovejoy. and helped her to put it on. The
chair was placed close by the bed, and with
Randolph's help the invalid managed to get
into it. A soft comforter was thrown over
her, and the chair wheeled into the middle
OF the floor, by the side of the tree and all
was ready save the lighting of the candles.
This took some time and the children got into
panic, when they found out how late it was,
for their mother had promised to close the
windows at half past &, so that the children
would soon be home. AT last the tree was
one blaze OF glory, and the children were
running eff without giving Mrs. Lovejoy
time to say a word of thanks, but she called
them back, and taking their hands in hers
said: "My children, the way has been grow
ing very dark to me OF late, and my faith
had almost failed me, but the Lord, whose
birthday you will celebrate tomorrow, sent
His angels, with such an answer to my
prayer, as l never could have dreamed Of
/ believe the happiness you have given to-
night in such generous measure, will shed
light over your whole lives, as it surely
! will over ours" Tears came into the eyes
of the children, as Mrs. Lovejoy spoke, and
each one kissed her warmly, as they said
good night.
And all this time the other three had been
feasting their eyes upon the beauties Of the
tree, and it was only when the blinds were
suddenly closed that they realized how cold
and tired they we're. Little was said as they
hurried home, Ben carrying Harry most OF
the way. As they climbed the stsirs, and
came in sight of their home, Nellie suddenly
exclaimed. "Why. Ben, see what broad
streak of light comes from under the door
what is it'll" and, in an instant more, she
had thrown it open, and they all stood
motionless as though turned to stone Nellie
pinched herself as soon as she recovered a
little. She touched the floor and she caught
hold of Ben to be sure she was awake-and
still she could not believe that it was not a
dream. At length, Mrs. Loveioy, who had
waited to see what they would do, exclaimed:
"Come in and shut the door, my children,
for it is all real and you are wide awake.
An angel of the Lord has visited u.s. and
left such signs of His presence that we can
never doubt again." Then Nellie came to
her mother, and, bowling her head in her
lap, whispered: 30 mother-and l have
been SO wicked and rebellious."
ave are all that, my darling-but our
Father sees eur temptations and forgives US
all. Let us learn the lesson which he has
given US, and be grateful that it is such a
kind one. And now sit down by me, and
will tell you how it all came about, while
you admire the tree. Then, Ben must be
master of ceremonies and distribute the
| oriffc