The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-12-26

mas day"
Among other lessons which the vicis
situdes OF life had taught this b.ave lit
tie woman was that OF the true art o
cookery-how to provide delicious
meal from cheap and simple materials
so when she had looked through ,b'
pantry she tripped off to market with {
self-satisficd and happy smile as II she
had been going 10 buy the largest lar.
key and hest bunch OF celery to he found
there, though her basket was small and
her purse held only one dollar.
Tue Wilson's, her neighbors, occupied
but ono room. which was warmed by 6
fire in large open CRATE, and Mrs, Len
nox knew that the Young wife was &C
cusiomed to cook simple breakfast by
this fire every morning. But for two
mornings past there bad been no fra.
GRANGE OF b etsteak aud coffee, or eny
good thing coming through the cracks
of the nailed-up door that led from her
pantry into their room, and the vido "
could not help fearing they were living
very frugally.
Soon Christmas morning Mrs. Len
nox went with her children to bid the
neighhors "Merry Christmas" and when
the Wilsons' ioor was opened one quick
glance showed her that no cooking had
lreen done that tay, nor was likely to
ne. The husband sat by the window
looking out, while she sat sewing near a
very small carefully built Gre.
Both responded politely to her greet
ing, but they looked pale and sad.
The artist hurried back to her room
and wrote friendly little note inviting
them to share her Christmas dinner, be
cause her "other friends" we're not cor
ing, and she did not like to dine alone
Blu, they returned delica'ely-
flienily refusal on the ground OF their
preferrlng to spenl their holidays with
each other only.
The kind little woman sighed, bu'
went on With her preparations for din:
nsr. while her children enjoyed !he pret-
ty gifts that had made them happy since
morning BY and by che wrote another
note. which said:
"Don't be annoyed, dear Mrs. Wilson
if beg you TO accept one little dish
from my table since you prefer to remain
al home, because am dreadfully super.
stitious, and l believe in the old Saxon
proverb: "The family whose Christmas
dinner is uashared will be unlucky al
this year So please do taste morse
just to save me from misfortune.
Yours truly.
KATE LENNox."
Then in a china platter she arranged
q most appetizing little fillett, tender and
brown and juicy, fanked by sliced po
ta'oes brown in gravy, amber like bits o
carrot, tender as jelly, sippets of toast
and over the whole gravy that woult
have compelled the praise OF French
man. All around these she placed ten
der heart leaves of lettuce, and pu, th'
dish on pretty tea tray with a sauce
OF cranberry jelly beside it and her LITTLE
note edgewise betseen them, and gently
opening the door looked out.
No one in the hall, so Mrs. Lenno!
noiselessly put the tray close at he
neighbor's door, raped loudly and in
stantly darted swiftly back to her owl
room, softly shutting herself in. Thel
with her children she enjoyed just sucl
a dinner as she had given her neighbor
There came no sound from the adioin
ing room for the walls were thick enougI
TO mufrle ordinary noises and Mrs. Len
nox did not listen, but solaced hersel
with saying: mo news is good news,
and took her children out for walk.
That evening when the little one
we're asleep and the artist in her pro,t
studio ree!ined on the sofa enjoying
book, she heard 9 tirnid rap, and Mrs
Wilson came quietly 10. She tried t.
speak. but could not. her cheeks gre'
crimson and hor earnest eyes sparkle'
With moisture. Then as Kate Lenno
rose to receive her neighhor with
pleasant emile of welcome, the youn
wife fell into her arms sobbing:
"Oh, you angel! God bless YOU"
The artist ielt her own eyes grow dir
hut endeavored to speak lightly as sh
/ lrew her guest to sit by her on the Bofi
saying:
"You are very good not to be vexe
With me for waiting you to taste my Fl
let. Do you know rather pride my
self on nv cooking ?"
3 "Ah! God bless you! YAu saved Vi
We were hungry"
+. "Hungry!" cried Kate L"nnox. horr
:. fed. "Hungry on Christmas day 7"
Mrs. Wilson could only nod reply
! for her sobs came faster. The two Ii
: dies sat clasping each other and Ka,
: Lennox kissed her neighbor and con
forted her by repeating holy words {
l promise; while her own tears fell ia!
e and her heart stopped beating for a me
ment at the thought: "What if my dal
t lings should ever be hungry"
$ Mrs. Wilson was not weak youn
woman, only unneryed just then by e,
e citement. She composed herself 500
it and explained:
"Yes,' she said in low thrilling tone
}, eve had only loaf of bread and b
: Of cheese all yesterday, and to-day onl
a few biscuit until YOU placed that d.
u licious dinner at our door. Oh, it W.
like the heavenly mama. While W.
e eating thought was no longer in tn
lr world"
II 81 am so glad that you were not al
Is cry with me-"
% "Harry was angry at first. He wisht
t, me to carry it back at once, and wht
'e | implored him just to taste little,
3 said we were not heggars, and order.
N me to return it. think he was real
out of his mind, he went on 30 drea
10 fully and reminded me of my promi
ID to die with him to night"
ID "OhP
e, "Ah, yes. Don't condemn US too 6
ID verely. He has been sick and out
work; we have been poor a long tin
D. All our clothes are wearing oat-y'
8. know that is hard on lady and gent