Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-25

RAfOoIOU6I tAAS
And vhO must stay;
rsa.,,e not auart from or beneath as
This Christmas Day.
rwe CHRISTMAS Ewes.
The flames Qloxsd and sparkled in the
- ,nonthed fireplace. leapinR and
Sarc;no ia JOYOUS CLEO over the rugged
s;1ss of the great Yule log, which had
hsSr ssasonino for months IN antisipa-
49,, - the "merry Christmas time"
Hov oheerful and cosy the best room at
~ farm house looked on that Christ
mas ave. with muslin curtains, fresh
Tram the Laundry, loopsd back from the
iou windows. and tied with scarlet rib
hnns. Farmer McLane believed in let
Tine the light of his pleasant home shine
M into the night to cheer the paseers-
What a jolly time the children were
having in the great room, playing blind
nransa buif and pussy wants corner,
ending forth shouts Of glee at the awk-
vard attempts Of the elder portion cf
fhe family, who were vainlv endeavoring
- learn tho games. Brother Tom was
driving a row of nails on either side Of
the fireplace, and anon each nail was to
hold a pair Of little stockings, and the
Ara vas to be smotherod out SO that
santa Claus would not burn his feet
vhsn he made his annual visit. All me!
the Christmas tree and the small round
stove have fairly crowded the dear old
follow of from The stage OF action these
latter years.
They were all too intent Watching ths
noigy games to notice the wee pinehed
iaoe at the window; but the freight saw
q and flashed little waves and ripples Of
joey over il. ThG flames leaped higher
ssdhigher, extending warm invitation
toiAe homeless child without, whose SOL
IN gray eyes were Watching, With such
hungry light in them, the frolicsoms
children within.
"Well, WE'LL" said farmer McLane,
viping the perspiration from his heated
brow, "yoa little folks can tire mo all
out and no mistake"
He turned toward the window as he
spoke, and at that instant every curve
and outline of the wee piuched face, lit
No by tho dancing freight, was wildly
distinct against the dark background Of
the night without. Without moments
hesitation he opened the door and drew
The frightened child into the room. How
they crowded about her and questioned
her, those happy children, who had never
There was q great pity shining in Mr..
NoLane's kindly blue eyes, a. he led her
up 70 the FIRE which had first attracted
her attention and had drawn her to the
window.
"Who are you, little girl9'' he asked,
@ he warmed her blue, chilled hands
in his.
"rm only Maggie, and" catching
her breath With . sob" I'm 40 cold and
hungry
Where are your father and mother.
dear7'
"Both dead, and I don't want togo
baek 70 Meg. Say, can't stay herey"
"Who 10 Meg?" asked Mrs. McIans,
Who came in from another room TO Ques-
Shes tho woman live with. Mar
died oVin' her lots o. rent; 30 ahe keeps
mo to beg for her; but today / didu't get
anything, and she whipped me just aw-
ful. Bee here"
She threw back the loose sleeves of
her dress, which hung In tatters about
0V4S 0klu l0lA w Al0I AstsAU UNIV 0tnAs
showing where the whip had left its cruel
marks.
"And 90 ruined away" she added,
IAN. and I'd !, rather die than go back to her
Mother" said farmer NcI.ane, look
ing up With misty eyes, isnt there room
In AQgie's bed for hsr?"
cay, jamie, but we're far from being
rich, you know, and our own must DO
cared for"
"Sach Q wee mite thing couldn't eat
much" said he. spreading tho thin little
hand out ON his broad palm.
"rll eat Just as little ~ ever ! can"
said Maggie, looking 40 appealingly.
Well, well" said Mrs. McLaue, turn
ing away and wiping her eyes with the
corner Of her apron, I'VE can try II,
jamie"
"Drive up another nail, Tom! drive up
another nsilr' shouted tbs children:
"Oh, mother. what shall We DOR little
Aencs asked. Her stockings are % full
Of holes they'll lot the Christmas things
right through" :.
"Yoa'll have to lend her some. guess, y
aid her mother.
After the children h sd all been pat to
bed, and the little stranger. in ono of
Aggie's clean white nixht-gOwns, lay
desping beside her, Mr.. and Mrs. Mo
Lane sat In front Of the Yule log, which
vas now a bed OF glowing Goals, and
tailed and planned for the future. :.
"l'm afraid it's an unwise thing" said
ahe, shaking her head dolsfully.
"You have hard work filing the
mouths of your own children, Jamie
dear, and this one viii b. great Ok
pense to "a"
God wont see Ne suffer because ",
do q deed Of kindness 10 ono of Hi
homeless little ones, he answered.
And then commenced the task Of Oil
ing dve pairs Of stockings with the toy,
and swsetmeats which had been pur
chased for four.
Little Maggie remained at the farm
house for several months; but one day
. wealthy, childless lady, stopping il
the neigh00rhood, heard the story Of %,
child, and, being attracted BY MagRisf
pretty face, she asked permislion Of th,
LcLAnes TO adopt the little waif ~ he
own. During the months Maggie has
been an inmate Of sheir home they has
grown to love her dearly, and were ~
luctant to part with her; bot they Eel
that il would not only be for her owl
GOOD. but for theirs NJ we'll, TO let he
20; for their circumstances were sucl
that they could not afford to keep her.
. .
Again Il is Christmas eve. and ono
more tho wintry winds are making drift
and mounds Of the newly fAllee snow
The city 10 deckSd in it, holiday drcsH
md tho streets are throngsd with ga
PEDESTRIANS, b -aring mystsrious bundle
and packages to their respective homes
IN the handsome psrlor OF brown stou
teeidence, on enc OF the aristOcrasic ave
nues. q young merchant ats in the brs
liant light Of = chandelier enjoying th
epCiety OF his wife and child.
Helen haA forgotten 70 close tn
enuttArs,' be- aid, rising and going {
the window.
Please, Ralph" said his wife. er
trsatingly. let them remain open thi
one evening""
He Turned toward her with surprise
inquiry in his eyes.
~ cant understand your motive ]
saving thsm open on this especial ever