The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-12-23

know what ails 1t.
. "Where does granny liveY
'Down t lane Dime getting stiff,
and he dragged himself up feebly
81 should think you would get stiff
sitting there, come home with me and
get warm, and III give you something
for the baby, come and Mrs Els
more held ont her hand "IIave you
hurt yourselfl' she asked, as the child
gave sort Of moan.
"Oime thinkin' Dime fast, he said
ruefuly. 81 don't see as can move on,
pointing to his feet. True enough, the
poor little bare toes damp with the misty
fallen slect, had frozen fast to the stone
pavement.
Tears sprang to Mrs Ellsmore's eyes.
MY poor child! what are we to do ?''
The child looked wonderingly at her
that this pretty lady, with her white
hands and soft warm furs and shining
dress, should really cry for him was some
thing too extraordinary to be believed.
81 can get EN- off, he said, presently,
but with a sudden thoughtfulness,
''you might turn yer head, mum, it'll he
| NbIlt Dl'DtNs blllN thlllNlh'
Seeing he really wished it, Mrs Ellis
more turned away her head, waiting till
the boy voice--a little unsteady--said,
"Now, mum" Then she knelt down
quickly to bind up the little thin feet in
her handkerchief hastily torn in two.
A dog cart ratified up quickly behind
her, stopped, and a pleasant voice said :
what is the matter, Mrs Ellsmore,
can help you y
''See, Mr.. Fairbanks, the childs feet
have frozen to the stones.
"Oh, shocking and Mr. Fairbanks
came to her side. ale cant walk in that
state. Where does he live?
"IIe lives in the Hollow'-his father
worked in the mills" she said, slowly. II
was going to take him to the vicarage,
and send basket of food home with
him, but now
Mr. Fairbanks bekconcd to his groom:
'IIerc, James, lift the boy up to the
back seat, and hold on to him; don't let
him fall. Come Mrs. Ellsmore, let me
drive you aud your protege to the vicar
age You say the boys father works i'll
my mills 2" he asked as the horse trotted
off briskly.
Did work there, said Mrs. Ellsmore
"He was one of those hands turned off
this fall Hunger and cold will keep
Christmas in many a home this year, she
added sadly. She spoke half to herself
but Mr.. Fairbanks beard. and frowned
slightly.
Good night and thank you,' said Mrs
Ellsmore, holding out her hand at the
door of the vicarage.
james will take your patient home if
you desire; | will send him right blck
from The Cedars.'
Mrs. Ellsmore shook her head. "No,
thank you; like to see for myself Mr.
Ellsmore will drive me over in the phae
ton after. Good night again. Come
Bob, and she drew the boy gently into
| the warm, lighted hall.
Mr.. Fairbanks was very grave and
silent all that evening His wife looked
at him wonderingly from her end of the
table, as he sent away dish after dish un-
tasted He seemed not even to hear the
merry chatter of his children, who were
eagerly discussing ball to which they
had just received invitations. lie was
fond and proud of his handsome son and
his pretty daughters, but tonight their
laughter Jared upon him. Across the
cleaning silver and glass, he saw the
wan, pinched face of u child, the spark
ling lights and beautiful hot house
flowers faded away, and he stood again
under the cold gray sky in the village
street, watching Mrs, Ellsmore as she
bound up his little frozen feet. lie bad no
ticed spot of blood on each of the ten
little toes,he had counted them. he re-
mcmbcred, as he waited, smiling at him
self for doing so. Now wherever he
went they seemed to follow him
Hunger and cold will keep Christmas
in many Il home Mrs. EllSmore had
said; aud whose work was this? His.
For fear of losing little, II very little
of his great wealth, he was taking the
bread from these starving children.
With the dessert came little Philipthc
youngest, and his fathers pet; but that
night even his prattle failed to rouse Mr.
Fairbanks. lie smootered the boys curl>
absently; then the scene changed, and he
fancied he saw Philips little white feet
bare upon the stones. lie brushed his
hands across his eyes, where the slow
tears had gathered.
When dinner was over, Mr.. Fairbamk,
shut himself up in his ''otfice," as he
called the cosy little room where he read
or wrote his letters. lie took Philip witt
him, The tlaXen haired child was ;
strange counsel for the wealthy mil
owner to have; but when he had told
him, in few short sentences, all Of It'll,
Bob's story, 50 far as he knew it,the tear
full blue eyes were raised to his, and tn,
childish voice he loved so well said
softly.
Papa, dear, You have plenty; Civ,
/, them some, and a little lower-"Satm
day is Jesus birthday, you know, papa.
Mr.. Fairbanks bowed his head, anC
touched the bright curls with his lips
, "A little child shall lead them he sal,
softly.
Saturday being Christmas Day, th
mill hands were to be paid on Friday
? nights aud when the great bell clange,
out the hour for closing, they all file,
into the foreman'S room, where, behnC
the mass of shining coin, he sat waitin.
, for them.
= There was a little movement of su,
prise when they saw, waiting at Il farthe
table, Mr.. Fairbanks and his little sou
Philip. The boy was looking,with bright
eager eyes, into the faces of the men
leaning his head against his father
" shoulder the while.
p The foreman said word or two t
= each man as he paused before the desk
and instead of passing out as usual, the
y all ranged themselves along the wall, wit
looks of doubtful expectancy,
I The last man was paid, and there wa
$ a little hush. Then the doors at tn
5 end of the room slid back, and ther,
/ crowded together, gaunt and hungr,
n eyed, stood their former companion
. | h., ,rg L