The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-12-24

| envelope.
Taking the blank envelope, Mr.. Morton
placed therin twenty dollar bill and sealed
it. Softly approaching the door of the lit
tie hall that formed the entrance, he thrust
the envelope under the door, having first
written Mrs Halls name on it. Then he
walked briskly home saying to himself:
''Well, my office will have to go without
that new carpet this winter, but L guess L
shall get the worth of my money out Of
this transaction"
Long after the little ones fell asleep did
Mrs. Hall sit and think over the past, and
try to penetrate the future. Here was
strange story. On this Christmas eve her
thoughts ran back to her youth. She saw
herself the idol of a happy home not the
home of wealth, but of comfort and refine
ment Parents, sisters, and brother looked
up to and trusted in her Then came her
marriage to the man of her choice-the
cultivated refined student who, with moth
ing but his profession of the law had thought
they would be sure to get along and do well
in the West. His reticence, his dislike OF
thrusting himself forward or of greedily
taking advantage of others, his scholarly
habits, his refinement all initiated against
him in the hurly burly headlong rush of
Western life Men without much educa-
ton but with immense self-confdence and
the audacity Of ignorance were constantly
elbowing him off the track and seizing the
prizes Mrs. Hall was a good musician,
and for many years had helped by teaching
music to exc out their slender income.
Finally, despairing of success in the town
where they first settled, they gathered to-
gether all their resources, selling her piano
to raise funds, and moved to another place.
Here sickness, in the shape of low mala-
rial fever had overtaken her husband, and
had clung to him as only such fevers can
cling. They were among strangers, and so
the day came when there was no money and
no bread, and Mrs Hall looked over her
household articles to see what could be sold
to provide for the presenC distress.
1t was not long until every article that
could be spared from the daily necessities
was gone, and still health did not return to
the husband Now it was Christmas Eve
and both hunger and cold stared them in
the face with the approaching winter.
1t was late when she retired; and COM
plete physical fatigue soon closed her eyes IN
heavy sleep after her head pressed the pill
low.
1t was cold gray dawn when she awoke,
and the sharp blowing wind had brought a
thin, fine snow which drifted in between
the cracks of the loose, shaky windows and
Law in white lines along the bare floor A
sudden realization of their situation came
over her-a horror of waking from sweet
sleep in its reality-a shirking from once
more rousing herself to face the unequal
struggle, deep groan burst involuntarily
from her lips. This partially aroused her
husband and reminded her of the necessity
of selfcontrol. In few moments she re-
solved to Get up and have a good fire at
least, and set the breakfast as cheerfully as
possible so that there was something differ
ent in Christmas after all.
She arose and dressed, the cold air pene-
trating to her very vitals She had Il mind
to arouse Bobbie, but he slept so sweetly
and soundly that she forbore.
The fire was soon kindled, and then she
stepped into the hall to sweep out the snow
that had blown in the cracks around the
cracks around the door. As she did so the
first thing she saw was the envelope. Hel
name was on it and there could be no mis-
take When she opened it she stood like
one petrifed. Who could have sent it
So far as she knew, no one knew Of their
circumstances. Her first impulse was tc
inform her husband, but in moment bet
ter plans prevailed. This was Christmas
she would surprise them all with a gooC
breakfast. An extra amount of fuel was
, placed in the stove, and then going to the
nearest meat shop she bought two generous
porter-steaks; then on her way home she
!. bought bread and coffee, and at the door Of
her house stopped the milkman and she got
three quarts of milk, and then the mother
was ready.
In a little while fragrant coffee was
steaming, potatoes were nearly baked in the
oven. the table was set, the bread was cut
the milk was distributed to the children's
places in generous cupfuls, and then the
steak was put on to broil. She was now
ready for her surprise
''Bobbie, Bobbie Dick, Mamie, children
, wake up, wake up, it is Christmas day
Wake up, and see if you don't smell some
thing good! !!
Its meat, said Bobbie, and with one
bound he was out of bed and followed by
Dick and the rest, he ran down to verify
his guess. 1t was a picture worthy of F.;
painters skill-that group of eager, child
ish faces that looked with such delight upor
the juicy steak as it cooked.
Perhaps in but few homes of wealth
and comfort could there be found happier
group than that which surrounded thai
breakfast table The husband supposed
his wife had really planned for surprise
and the nutritious meat and rich coffee haC
| their immediate happy effect in strengthen
ing him and cheering him. She, also, fell
; the reviving power of good food and a re
lieved heart, and it seemed as though thi'
must be the beginning of new life fol
them.
Il While they fingered at the breakfast
, table, the grocers wagon appeared al th'
, door.
There must be some mistake, said Mrs
, nan, as tne uTIVer cdHle Ill carrying Iht
turkey and the ham.
''No mistake; these goods are to be left
here Where shall | put this -four anc
these potatoes ~
And then such another joyful running
to and fro as there was. The apples came
in and the squashes, and the husband look
, ed at his wife and said
L.IULo4 l,o. Ill Ali, ,,ooo ~
Il know nothing about it, said the wife
r''It must in some way be a special provi
dence," and then she told of the twenty
, dollar bill found in the hall.
The stores were scarcely all packed ava.
| when ponderous load of hickory wood ar
rived, and was without ado thrown into th'
! yard