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

1t was the evening before Christmas as
lncat but scantly-dressed woman was seen
entering little frame house ON a back
street. She was met by Il group OF five
yery pretty and clean but poorly y-dressed
children who at once began to cling to her
and kiss her and dcaten her with questions,
,Oh mamma, did You get your money?
oh mamma. can't we have Christmas
iurkcy?" "Oh mamma, we haven't had
ANYTHING to eat since You went away, but
some raw cabbage and salt. '.Oh mann
ma, took good care Of Willie, and now IT
You did Get your money, can't l have five
cents" She gave into their hands crisp
fyc-doIlar bill, and sat down moment by
the scanty five, taking the youngest child,
Il lovely boy Of about three years, ON her
knees. The little fellow pulled her bonnet
of and said, Mamma, | am so hungry, |
want good supper" She stroked his
curly hair and kissed him with tears In her
ewes. while a smile was on her lips. The
children having all examined the bill re-
turned it to her charge with the questions:
Mamma, we can have meat for supper,
can't we ?" Mamma, can't you buy Will
lie pair OF shoes out of this money? oh
mamma. Mr.. Smith was here for the rent
while You were gone; don't pay him until
after Christmas. Mamma, mamma, know
where | can get Il squash for five cents, and
cant We have pumkin pics for tomorrow.
We will see, darling; don't trouble
mamma till she rests Il little. You know
it takes milk and eggs and sugar to make
pumpkin pies, and We have to get medicine
for dear papa; also.
Just then the weak voice Of an invalid
was heard calling from the room above.
In room without carpet or fire, and on
Il scantily-coyered, thin-looking bed, lay a
man whose face betokened intelligence and
refinement in an unusual degree There
was fcyered flush on his check, but his
eyes fairly bcamed as they rested on his
wife. He put out his arms and drew her
down to him, stroking her hair with his
thin hands and calling her tender names.
Dear love, but it is joyful to see you
home again. The day has been so long
and dreary and the pain in my side has
been so intense; the children, too, have
tretted 50 for you.
Tcndcrly kissing the wasted face she
sad cheeriulIy
"Oh, yes, Mr. Morton paid me the three
dollars he owed me before, and also gave
me two dollars for copying some papers to-
day. Five dollars will put us over Christ
mas, and then we can plan farther. If 1t
We're not for the rent ..
Just here the children called to her that
the landlord was waiting She had planned
topay him only two dollars, but he had
seen the five dollar bill in the children
hands and insisted on having all that was
due him.
Never mind darling" said her husband,
as she explained this Illustration to her
plan, 1T is so good to have you home again
that it would be Christmas if we had moth
ing but dry bread. -
Returning warmly his caresses she said,
Now [ must go and get supper and plan
Tor tomorrow" .. .. F..
Now, Bobbie, the first thing we must
have is wood Take this dollar and run
quick to the woodward, and ask the man
10 send it Immediately"
One dollar and forty cents remaining af-
Ter Robbie had gone with dollar for wood
and ten cents for oil. The mother figured
little. ... ,-
Dick, the second boy, was dispatched to
1ne corner grocery for twenty-five cents
worth Of sugar, fifteen cents worth Of tea,
zen cents worth of -four, twenty cents worth
VI butter. five cent loaf of bread and five
cents worth of lard The mothers heart
sank as she looked at the remaining thirty
VentS and remembered that this was all
'lat there was for Christmas
l am coming down stairs to eat with
!ou' Mary" called her husband from the
Top Of the stairs. ~ FlE4H
rapa Is coming down to supper. Come
mere, children" said the mother, ''now I
sol se ! want any of you children to ask papa
sol . piece of his toast, for it will make him
ln,, .Te, badly to think there is not toast for
Wm: want piece Of toast,pp said baby
all Mamma letWilIie have piece of toast
suV snu We won't ask for any arose almost
"uT1Tlltaneously M from all the children. &
ou;l Inc father sat next to his, wife and the
S1iuent vh'9 deep affection that peryaded the
,h InOle family as they talked together made
on one night a beautiful one. Willie asked
otI osee 1or piece of toast and got it the
,aaa 0s,,er children all said they would take
A'usH ~, with butter and syrup,
On. Mamma, | forgot to tell you we are
a' VI matches. I used mn the last one to