The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-12-23
A Christmas Story for Little Boys,

Out III the u6dTlS Oh three poor IIlIIe
boys, there was the most settled and
grimmest sort of despair. Was there
anywhere in the big, wide world, three
more miserable outcasts, who had moth.
ing to look forward to, nothing to ex-
pect from Santa Claus
This great parsonage ought not to be
partial to rich boys and girls, whose re-
latives and friends will look after them
in due season-but alas Santa Claus
seems of late to be growing more and
more discriminating in dealing out
skates, muffiers, sleds, wax dolls, sugar
plums and bran new clothes.
1t is sad enough to get only crumb
from the banquet-but how dreadfully
bitter to be ignored, neglected and for
gotten altogether.
'tSon, what are you crying for ?" said
a red-faced, portly old gentleman, stop
ping to look at Dick O'Gorman, the
middle boy, whose sorrow had finally
filled his heart to overlooking, the big
tears making icicles on the threadbare
knees of his old fustian trousers.
81 say you'd better go home, you'll
catch the dipthery, its just awful, on
youngsters like you. What's the matter
anybody-sick ?"
Dick shook his head. as people do
who are beyond the reach of comfort
Il don't care to get anything in my
stocking" said Dick, bravely, "cos, it's
too ragged to hold anything, but did
want to earn money enough to buy
paid of red-topped boots for Georgy, or
Christmas cake with angels on it.
That's what ais me"
The wind blew around the corner so
sharply that the water ran from the old
gentleman's eyes.
could you do anything real hard,
now, to earn money!"
cit couldn't be no harder than sitting
here in the cold all day without any
dinner, could it ?" asked Dick, with pa
thetic simplicity.
II should say not. Good Lord no
dinner the day before Christmas is it
possible, and this civized country. l
want you to run back to the corner and
get this bill changed; can your"
"They might think he stole it, sir"
said Howard Ryan, the biggest of the
three boys, stepping up. ''Pl be glad to
do it, or anything else to keep my blood
moving" and Howard ran off like a
modern Mercury.
''You'n never see that kid again, or
the money either" said policeman
standing by, but the portly gentleman
laughed to himself.
Now the third little boy, the young
est and most unhappy of all, came up to
Dick and said in tones of resignation I'M
usual for one of his years, Don't cry,
Dick it amt no use II ain't hungry any
more, and don't want no Christmas,
nor no red top boots. (What fib.) 1
amt got no clothes to match 'em, you
know, and Santa Claus never brung US
nothing, and | reckon he won't begin
now. He don't care nothing about little
boys. love you. Dickey. If he brings
me anything you may have it"
"Here you are, sir, said Howard,
coming back out of breath 81 had to
wait some time at the counter" care
these your brothers ?" said the old gem
tleman, frowing on the policeman, who
moved on down the street.
s'No, sir, but take care of them we
are all orphans alike, and what l make
share with them. They are too little
to work, although they try to sell pa
pers or hold horses but I've had no
luck to-day and we've all had to do
without. / sorter promised them that
Santa Claus would remember them to-
night, as l had the prospect of a job,
but the place is taken now"
"Where do you liver"
eve sleep in a cellar on Cherry
street, down toward the river. We
don't live anywhere. A ragman lets us
lie there on the rags, which is better
than the street, you know"
81 would like an Office boy about your
size, said the portly gentlemen, look
ing keenly at the pale, respondent boy,
who had such helpless family to care
for.
"Here's my card, come to my office
day after tomorrow, and Pll see what
can do-stay; here's the number of my
house on Garrison avenue, come up, all
three of you, tomorrow, and you shall
have your Cristmas dinners. can't be
quite heathen," and the old gentle.
man went briskly around the corner
without his change. Howard ran after
him in great fright, his heart beating
with a variety of emotions. He had
prayed to have money on Christmas Eve
now it was within his grasp-ten dol
lars-oh, what heaven was within his
reachl Think oft you forget the poor
on Christmas Eve.
"Well, now, you're an honest fellow"
said the old gentleman, proud of his flu
ture Office boy. You see that Santa
Claus has not forgotten you, after all.
That is his present to you and Dick and
George"
In all his life Howard had never met
o real live Christian before-an angel in
a gray overcoat and fur gloves-and he
was nightly surprised. But he few
to his desolate proteges, whose tears
were fast freezing on their cold cheeks.
Howard was full of grand scheme
a stupendous thing. Dick and Georgy
must have new clothes and boots, but
Howard knew very little about buying
In fact, his garments were old castaways.
Now where 70 go to shop where no
mean advantage would be taken of him
was the next thing. Howard sold his
daily papers and watched the advertise.
ments, but was greatly perplexed where
to g0with his little fortune. He made
the boys wait for him IN . doorway, while
he ran into several establishments on
Fourth and Fifth streets to price gar
ments. He came back heavy at heart.
His money would not reach by q long
jun, and MI the clerks were too busy
10 Kait on ragged boy like him. He
met newsboY he knew and asked Il
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