The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-12-23

When Rosamond went from her grand
father she sought her own room to put by
her little treasure
"a love-gift to the Lord of Christmas"
she repeated to herself. "That is beautiful
but l have no such gift. None Of mine are
meant for him. / never think such good
holy thoughts Of myself"
| She glanced over the array of presents she
had with such interest prepared Something
for every one who will be likely to give me
something" she said aloud. "And I'd never
thought of any one else. Christs birthday,
and no gift for Christi
At the table Rosamond's father said 81
heard to-day that the Minturn cottage is to
be sold next week under a mortgage. Min
turns been unfortunate lately-out of employ
ment so long. 1t will go hard with him to
lose his home. II won't bring over eight
hundred dollars at auction, and the mortgage
calls for three hundred more. The interest
and costs will consume another hundred
He won't have much left"
"What pity" said Mrs. Gale "such q
good man, and nice family. Cant some
thing be done"
II don't see what" said Mr.. Gale. "Poor
Minturn. How sad they must be to night
1t quite spos my Christmas"
After tea Grandpa calls Rosamond into the
library.
Come, Rosie" he said, "what am to do !?
It's too hard for our neighbor Minturn to
lose his home this way. Icould help him by
making little sacrifice"
ooh do help him them said Rosamond.
"But if do, somebody must needs do
without the Christmas PRESENT. intended to
bestow."
well, Grandpa, who would be SO selfish as
to care?"
81 am afraid my little Rosa WILL" said
Grandpa. my one gift is intended for her,
and it is to cost just four hundred dollars.
have selected it, and intended buying it to-
night and having it sent up in the morning
unless indeed
"Oh, Gradpa present for me to cost four
hundred dollars Is it's it IL new piano Oh,
you dear, beautiful Grandpa. just what l
had longed for My old worn-out hurdy-
gurdy is real trial to me-"
She had quite forgotten everything and
everybody save the much wished for piano
and the generous and doting grandfather
Suddenly she recollected.
"Oh, Grandpa" she said II understand
you now. Either must give up the piano
or the Minturns must give up their home"
She threw her arms around her grand
fathes neck and hid her face and the tears
that would come upon his shoulders. 1t was
a sharp struggle between selflove and Christ
love. The dear grandpa's words came to her
mind-"a love gift to the Lord of Christmas"
and she whispered, as she kissed the old
mans silvery locks, Dear Grandapa, we will
not buy the piano. We will make love-gift
to the Lord instead"
Rose of the world" murmured her grand
father fondly, you make my heart sing for
JOY. No music that you could have drawn
from the piano hoped to give you could
have yielded me such delight as does your
sweet voice now, when it speaks in accents of
unselfish love. 1t chimes in my heart true
Christmas Carol"
"Then each has sung u carol to the other
said the young girl, her face beaming with
smiles, "only mine would never have been
sung at all had not yours been sung first -
Aren't we happy, Grandie | feel almost as if
it were my home that was saved"
ave mustn't be selfish on Christmas Eve
Get my coat. I'll go down and speak good
word to Minturn," said the good old man.
Tears were in his eyes now When Grandpa
returned Rosamond was sitting at the old
piano, and the family were singing a Christ
mas Carol
"Chime bells chime
Glory be to God above
Christ has come to live and love,
Chime, bells, chime"
,.Che hurdy gurdy sounds splendidly to-
night, Uf&S.Idie, DEAR" cried the young girl
Rose ofthe world" said Grandpa, softly,
'it is because of heloyo gift"
And the Christmas Carols chimed lovingly
all the dreamful night, not only in hearts of
| the jewellers in the abode of plenty, but in
the grateful hearts of those who sang carols
while yet in darkness, and to whom the Lord
of Christians had sent his servant with a
promise of help for their time of trouble
| IL. ~. 4.