The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-01-01
TOMS CHRISTMAS.

| NOW, 1EDDtE, DC q GOOD OOy,
there's darling, and. little Clover,
don't tease Daisy. Please lot mamma
60 away to church and know that you
arc all sweet and lovely md clean rs
new little pennies tonight"
Splash went one little body into the
bath.tub. and splash went another, aud
again third; and then. like 50 many
roses after q shower, oft they came
dripping. and laughing and screaming
with glee. The little mother was kept
busy enough, for il was Christmas.cye,
and the carols and anthems were to he
rehearsed for the last time, and Mrs.
M0rton's clear soprano voice could not
he spared. Indeed. her voice waS all
that kept Teddie and Clover and Daisy
in their neat little box Of q house, for
their father, n brave fireman. had been
killed more than two years before at a
fearful fire. and since then their mother
had striven hard 10 maintain her little
family By sewing and singing. and do
ing what ever work her slender hands
could accomplish which would bring in
food and clothing for her children.
BE dOod, Teddic," repeated Daisy,
after her mother. as she shook out her
little wet curls at him. aud Clover sol.
EMMY raised his finger at his bigger
brother. with the warning:
"Remcmber Santa Claus comes TO-
night"
eyes, and the stockings must DO
hung up" said Ted, who forthwith
proceeded to attend TO that important
duty.
There! how do they look?-one
brown. that's mine: one blue. that's
Clovers; and one red, that's Daisy's."
They were pinned fast 10 the fender
with many pins and much care.
but, mamma" said Clover, "the
stoves in the way. Santa Claus can't
get down with that big black thing
stopping the chimney"
"Oh. the fire will 20 ont by and by,
and then he may creep through the
stove.pipe and out OF the door"
"He'll be awful dirty. them" said
Daisy.
"Wcll. 'hc was dressed sll in fur
from his head to his foot, and his clothes
were ali furnished with ashes and SCOT |
SO that is to be expected. But really.
dear children. yOu must jump into Your
beds. and let me tuck yonup; it is time
for me to 60"
Very quickly the rosy little faces were
Nesting in the pillows, and Mrs. Nor
ton, after kissing them, put out the
lamp and left them to their slumbers.
Hastily putting on her cloak and bon
net, she paused nj the door Of her sit
ling room 10 see il the lire was safe.
The room was dark but for the CLEAN.
ing stove, the chairs and table were all
IN order. and in one corner. under 4
covering Of paper. was the little tree
he had decked in odd moments to dc.
light The eyes Of her children. She
could not afford wax candles, 50 the
morning was 10 bring the tree rs well
Is the other gifts. Sure that all was in
readiness, she trippcd down the stairs.
ockcd her door and sped over the snow
10 the church, the two tall towers of
which stood out against the starry sky.
As she entered the church, her mind
'ull u her duties and her heart tender
with thoughts Of her children. she
hOught she saw q dusky little object
in the angle made by the
overs; but she was already late. and
,ad no time to Iingcr. Up she went to ,
he choir, which was full OF light, but
he body Of the church was dark.
Without any words, she took up her
heet Of music and began to sing.
Never had the carols and anthems 4
ecmed 80 sweet to her. and her voice Z
ose clear and pure As q birds. The
'rganist paused TO listen. and her com.
'anions turned satisfied glances upon ,
Ter; but she went on uncOnsciOuSly, as I
bird does until the burden OF lis {
heme Is finished, and its cxuItant q
trains are lost in silence. They went
yer tho whole Church service. the glo. q
iOus 7e JtuD, the Beneaicsus and the Il
nthcm for the day, unto us Child \
, born. unto us q Son is given" and '
very delicate chord and fugIe had to u
q repeated until the desired perfection n
{ harmony was attained. II was really Q
very long and arduous study; but Of 7
II days Christmas demands good l
music, and they were willing to do their
est. At last all were satisfied and
omewhat tired: but the organist
urned to Mrs. Morton, and asked her