The Grant County herald. (Big Stone City, Grant County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1883, 1880-04-24

the first time in her life she had plenty
to eat-good, substantial food, not
broken victuals, chohcd down in breath
less haste, lest it might be snatched
away, nor yet the cold bread and cup of
tea given her now and then by Mrs.
Brennan from her own scantv store.
After supper came tile tree. with a
small paper Of candy and toy for each
child, The children sang hymns and a
gentleman told them again about Jesus,
how lie loved and lived, and how He
even died for others.
Bones crept home when it was all
over, feeling as though she was no
longer frlendless and hugging her toy
"A cheap wooden doli-close to her
heart.
Creeping up the stair, not daring to
make noise, lest she might rouse some
drunken brute who would take it from
her, she saw as she passed q stocking
hanging on the knob of Davies door.
She hid her treasure under the straw,
and, too excited to sleep, lay thinking
the evening over. And as she recalled
it oil there came the memory Of what
the speaker had said of how even the
smallest child might serve Christ by
serving others for His sake; might live
Tor Jesus by living to do good as He
did. But what can J do?" thought
Bones. And then, almost like a blow.
came the thought Of Davies stocking.
She had not much faith iii San ia Claus;
she knew that his mother cared nothing
for Christmas. and she felt aim ost cer-
tain that III the morning the empty
stocking would be empty still. Her
doll-it was all she had how could she
give it up? But had she not had the
supper, seen the tree, heard the music
and had her candy? II only she had
kept some Of that It was gone, how
ever, and wishing did no good.
The doll the doll Poor, crippled
Davlo. What would Jesus have done?
1t was not an elegant doll-10 cents
would have bought it an vwhere-but IL
was the only toy she had ever had, and
she priced It more than many spoiled
child Of fashion does her most costly
French doll. So the struggle was q
hard one. Still, the newborn love OF
Jesus IN the cnild's heart conquered,
and, stealing softly down, she dropped
her doll into Davies stocking, and to
make it safe opened the door and very
gently placed It inside. Then she 9.oIe
back and slept the sleep oG yl4e llst.
In the morning, as she crept down,
Dayie called her, and, radiant, showed
tie doll "The Christ child did conle,a
he said, "only see what lie brought"
Bones told him Of ler evening, and
then went ont to her work. leaving him
happy because Of her sacrifice II am
glad I did It, j" she thought, and | hope
Jesus likes It.
She could not help regretting the
doll; still she felt thoroughly the bless
edness Of giving. And then had no
place to keep II" she thought; $50 the
poor baby is better of"
And here, according to the rules of
story-hooks generally, some rich and
benevolent person ought to have ap-
peared, and, at least, have given her
doll far better than the one she had
given Davie, # he did not claim her as
4 long-lost child. But, since this IS a
true story, we are obliged to say that
nothing of the kind happened
Things went on with her much as
usual after that, except that the kind
district visitor took al interest in her,
and she went on Sunday to the mission
school. Not for very long, however;
the winter was hard one, and. plying
her trade as a nuisance on Broadway in
the snow and sinsh, poor little Bones
took severe case of pneumonia. The
district visitor found ler very i'll on Ter
pallet and managed to set her sent to
the chilaren's hospital. Here such care
as she had never dreamed OF was given
her, but all ii vain tie wasted frame
WIS too weak e resist disease. Aad so
poor little Bones went home, Where she
will never be hungry or cold any more.
NEs. NJ. II. HANDY.