Frostburg mining journal., 1882-12-23

her trials.
Presently the door slowly opened, and
n smiling face peeped into the room-it
was Willie May. He motioned for his
mother to come to the door. She did so,
and the boy whispered:
''ls Dot asleep?'
eyes, dear" replied his mother, fond
ly gazing at her little son. "Dot is GER
tainly better; she sleeps very sweetly,
and says that she has no pain"
81 am so glad, said Willie smiling.
"See here, mamma, I've got something
for Dots Christmas stocking. Where
shall put the things she mustn't see
them until tomorrow morning. have
been very lucky to-day. L carried home
some bundles for a lady, and she paid
me fifty cents, which make $l.10 I've
earned to-day, and I've spent iifty-two
cents for Dots Christmas stocking. The
rest of the money is yours; here it is
mamma"
Mrs. May smiled and kissed Willie,
saying: "My dearest boy, what should
[ do without you? you are so brave, so
industrious and SO good. God bless you,
darling ?"
""Thank you, mamma" said Willie ;
81 am glad can work, and when I'm n
man you and Dot shall have lots of nice
things"
''Is that you, Willie?" said Dot, in a
low tone.
Instantly the boy was by the side of
his sisters bed, and taking one of her
little white hnnds in his shapely yet
brown hands, he gently said:
''Dear Dot, are you better?"
81 guess so, Willie; have no pain,
and l sleep so well" replied Dot, family
smiling; "and how are you this Christ
mas eve?"
II am splendid, Dot; I've made lots of
money to-day, and you shall hang up
your stocking tonight, and perhaps old
Santa Claus will put something i'll it."
"Now, Willie, you can't fool me; you
are my Santa Claus. 1 know you've
bought me something for my Christmas
stocking"
"Oh, Dot, you know too much. Why
should I buy you something for your
stocking?"
because you love me, Willie, and you
know | can't earn cent-and there is no
one but you to give me anything"
'You darling, little sweet! !" said Willie.
eyes, 1 am your Santa Claus, and you
bet, Dot, if had more money You should
have splendid Christmas, and I'd make
you hang up dozen stockings, and I'd
fill 'em all-you sweet, lovely, beautiful
sister. Now you bet, you'll have Christ
mas stocking full of nice things"
kiss me, Willie; I'm very sleepy
good night"
Willie May was only twelve years old !;
but he was very wise for his age. He
seemed to comprehend that he was now
the head of the family, and should do all
that he could for his mother and invalid
sister. Williesoldnewspapers and blacked
boots and went on errands. He was
careful of his money-never spent cent
for himself.
Mamma" said Willie, 'you look very
pale this evening I wish you wouldn't
sew so steadily. Iknowwe are very poor,
but you must not work so hard. You do
the work of the room, and you nurse
Dot, and make ever so many store clothes
you do too much"
'.Bless your dear heart" exclaimed
the fond mother, ''you talk so old like;
so loving, too. Oh, my dear Willie, you
are such comfort and strength to me.
"Some day." said Willie, going up to
his mother and resting his hand on her
shoulder, eve will be very happy. I
will get you and Dot splendid things.
To-day | stood looking into show win
dow, and saw beautiful cloak, Oh 1!
how L did want you to have it."
ooh, my dear boy! always thinking
of others, and never thought do you
give to your own comfort.
81 hate selfishness, mamma" quickly
exclaimed Willie; ''now | will run over
on Grand street, and see if / can't get a
doll for Dots Christmas stocking"
When Willie returned Dot was awake
and bolstered up in the bed She family
smiled as she remarked, "You look like
huge SNOWFALL. "
Willie laughed and said he was ga
snow-clad Santa Claus" the mother
smiled, and sunshine, good cheer, and
peace reigned in that very humble
home.
LOU uStliu SlttlubGtcli, anu tleH w llle
took from his pocket small parcel and
showed his purchase; it was cheap
doll.
81 wish it was a better one," said
Willie, in disappointed tone chow it
looks. l hadn't money enough to buy a
dressed doll. Poor Dot, she ought to
have splendid doll, she is so good.
81 will dress it, Willie, have some
bits of lace and some pretty pieces of
muslin; the doll will look very different
when tits dressed, . said Mrs. May, smil-
ing.
"Soit will you see, mamma, / got it
at a bargain, because bought it SO late
Christmas eve.
"Has Willie come ?" asked Dot in a
rather loud voice.