The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-01-05
sadly, SHE spoke hall 10 herself hut Mr.
Fnirhan nks heard. and frowned slightly.

Of the vics1age.
jane. will take your patient home !
you desire; will send him right bael
from The Cedars
Mrs Ellsmore shook her he'd No
thank you'll like 10 see for myself. Mr.
Ellsmore will drive me over In the phm
ton after, Goodnight again. Come
Bob. and she drew the boy gently into tn
warm. lighted hall
Mr.. Fairbanks Was very grave and VI
lent all that evening. His wife looked a
him wondsringly from her end OF th'
table, as he sent away dish after dish nm
tasted He seemed not even 10 hear the
merry chatter Of his children, who wer.
eagerly discussing . ball TO which they
had just received invitations. He was very
fond and proud Of his handsome son and
pretty daughters, but tonight their laugh
ter Jared upon him. Across the cleaning
silver and glass. he saw the wan, pinched
face Of child, the sparkling 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. He had noticed aspot Of blood on
each the ten little toes, he had counted
them, he remembered, as he waited, smil.
ing at himself for doing 80. Now wher-
ever he went they seemed to follow him.
Hunger and cold will keep Christmas in
many home, Mrs. Ellsmome had said
and whose work wis this? His. For fear
Of losing little. very little, very little
Of his great wealth, he was taking the
bread from these starving children.
With the dessert came little Philip, the
youngest, and his fathers pet; but that
night oven his prattle failed to ronse Mr.
Fairbanks, He smoothed the boys cnrls
absently; Then the scene changed, and
ho fancied he saw Philips little white feet
bare upon the stones. He brushed his
eyes, where the slow tears had gathered
When dinner was over Mr.. Fairbanks
shut himself up in his office as he called
the cosy little room where be read or
wrote his letters. He took Philip with
him. The faxen haired child was strnge
counsel for the wealthy mill owner to
have; but when he had told him, in few
short sentences, all OF little Bob's story,
as far as he knew it, the fearful blue eyes
were raised to his, and the childish voice
he loved so well said. softly;
Papa, dear. you have plenty; give them
some, and--a little lower--S Saturday is
Jesus bowed his head, and touched the
bright curls with his lips. little child
shall lead them. he said, softly.
Saturday being Christmas Day, the mill
hands were to be paid on Friday night;
and when the great bell Changed ont the
hour for closing they all filed into the
foreman's room. where, behind the mass
Of shining coin, he sat waiting for them,
There was movement Of surprise when
they saw waiting ut II farther table, Mr..
Fairbanks aud his little SOU Philip. The
boy was looking. with bright, euger eyes
into the faces OF the men, leaning his head
against his fathers shoulder the while
The foreman sIid word or two to each
man as he paused before the desk; and in.
stead Of passing out as usual they ranged
along the wall, with looks Of
doubtful expectancy.
The last man paid, and there was lit.
lie hush. Then the doors slid back, and
there. crowded together, gaunt and hun
stood their former companions,
she turned of hands.
Mr.. Fairbanks rose.
/ Lave word to say to you. my men,
ie began. You have called me hard
master, because when trade was dull
urncd of half OF my hands. / had heard
hreats nsed, aud some hard words said.
md was determined not to take any OF yon
pack; but last night, on my way home,
rom the station, saw little boy, no big.
ger than my boy-drawing Philip closer
o him-whese little feet, thrust through
he torn socks that partly covered them,
lad frozen fast to the stones by the church
,ates. A lady was down on her knees
hief No need to tell you who that was,
ny ladsl
Ma. nal 'Twor Parsons missus, said
wo or three together.
Right; it was Mrs Ellsmors- bless
Ierl Well, my men, some how | couldn't
ret it out Of my mind, and every where |
rent those little feet seemed 10 follow me;
nj at last those ten little frozen toes
sslked straight into my heart and would
ot let me shut the door again. have
nly few more words 10 say my men.
o. morrow, as you know. is Christmas
Day ! wish you would all 60 TO church
nd hear what Mr.. Ellsmore has TO tell us
bont it. Then, at one O'Clock. in the big |
Dom at the mill here, there will be long |
ables set, with plenty Of roast beef aud |
'lum.pudding for ven and your wives and |
airns. and ifany Of you have fathers and |
aothers, bring them with you, too. Now.
ads. pass around here; my iboy has chosen |
is Christmas present. and that b crown
iece 70 each Of youi but don't spend Il at |
he public. You. tao. and Mr.. Fairbanks
iotioned 10 the men IN the outer Ioom. |
nut first, Mr.. Simpson, tnning to the
brennan, who was nending hh quill un-
oncernedly--make your announcement.
lease.
Mr.. Simpson said, Shrilly, Ihsve only
bis 10 say: Mr.. Fair banks has ordered
II the mills to be opened on Monday next,
nd as many Of the old hands as wish TO
ONE back will he taken on full time.