The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-12-21

i can't be like Jesus, for Jesus never was
SO little as me That first birthday of His,
there wasn't room for Him at the tavern,
and when the dear little baby Jesus was
sleepy, they laid Him right in a stable man
ger, and the shepherds found him lying there
Christmas is His birthday, and | suppose
they give all the children presents because
Jesus loved little children, and then Santa
Claus-Oh, Mrs Huntley, that's what came
about, and most forgot If you don't keep
Christmas-I mean as we do" she added, as
Mrs. Huntley frowned, "and if you don't use
things that Santa Claus leaves here, can't I
come over and get 'em Only I'd rather Ned
should have 'em."
"Child alivel How your tongue runs
Here now, take these cookies home with
you. lguess Ned's too busy to play with
you"
"Thank you, ma'am. And you'll remem-
Der about Santa CLAUSE" said little Mamie,
as she walked away with her cookies.
Mrs. Huntley worked on for few minutes
longer, and then leaving dishes she went to
her own room and opened bureau drawer
There lay bright little dress and pretty
white apron-Polly's best things-the little
clothes in which she used to look so lovely
There were the last .Christmas toys the
mother had ever bought-only little tin
bank, a paper cornucopia, and a doll; but
she remembered that Christmas so well |!
Could it be that it was only three years ago !?
How Polly had laughed and chattcd over her
stocking And Ned-now that she thought
about it-she remembered that they bought
him pair OF skates that year. He had made
great time over those skates, and had taken
his little sister out to see him try to use
them. Ned was so loving and gentle in
those days. And then the mothers heart
reproached her. Could she blame her boy
because he seemed to care so little for his
parents and his home, when she had nursed
her grief for the loss of her baby girl, and
taken no pains to be bright or cheerful with
him? She thought how clearly Mamie had
told the story of the Saviour's birthday.
Could her boy, who was six years older, do
as well? He went to Sunday school some
times, but she had never talked with him
about Jesus-never since God took her Polly.
And her eyes filled as she shut the drawer.
Mrs Huntley went back to the kitchen,
but the room seemed different to her Ned
brought in the milk, and looked at his moth
er curiously at hearing her say, "thank you,
Ned" Wonders would never end, Ned
thought, when, after tea, she said, Father,
it's moonlight night; couldn't you and
drive to the village? Ned will excuse our
leaving him alone"
Excuse" When had his mother ever
asked him to excuse her? And then, as
mother waited for the wagon to be ready, she
asked him to read about the Saviour's BIRTH
and surely there were tears in her eyes as
father came in, Just rs Ned read, "And they
came with haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the babe lying in manger."
Mr. Huntley was bewildered, too To start
off for the village at seven o'clock in the
evening! When had such n thing happen
ed?
On the road Mrs Huntley told her husband
what Mamie had said to her, and she added
Perhaps, as tell it, it don't seem much, but
it made me think of our Polly, and"-the
woman's voice broke, and the father, sadden-
ed too, said, comfortingly, "She's safe; my
dear, in heaven"
Yes, father, but Pm thinking of the one
that's left, and she cried little. 81 guess you
were near right about getting him something
nice He's but a boy yet, and he'd think
more of Christmas and perhaps of the Child
that was born on Christmas, if we show him
that Jesus has made our hearts little more
tender"
What it cost that hard, reserved woman to
say that, none knew, but think her hus.
band felt dimly how she must have fought
with herself, and he was silent for some time.
AT last he said, with tone of gladness in his
voice, MY DEAR I'll be glad to get him some
thing. He's good boy, Ned is"
What pleasant time they had, and how
they caught the spirit of Christmas They
bought sled and skates, book or two, and
candies, and Mrs. Huntley found a jack knife
that was just the thing Ned wanted. Then
she said to her husband:
"Id like to buy something for Mamie. 1t
will be nice to Duy girls present"
Their hearts ached little, as she chose
wonderful little wash tub and board, with a
clothes horse to match How Polly's eyes
would have shone at these!
Meantime, Ned unused over his mothers
tears and her strangely kind tones, and
thought, II wonder if she's going to be as
good to me as she was to Polly | hated to
hear Mamie talk about Santa Claus. Polly
used to talk just that way, and we did have
such good times. used to get skates and
things at Christmas, but nov [ get some
handkerchiefs or lot of shirts 1t makes
me mad" Then Ned fell asleep, and so the
mother found him. She woke him gently
and he went off to bed, bewildered by more
kind words.
Morning dawned and Ned hurried down
to light the fire in the kitchen, but he went
no further than the sitting room. There was
a sled-a splendid one-a pair of skates, and
books He put his hands in his pockets to
take long stare, and felt something strange
in one OF them. Why, there was a beautiful
knife.
Mother came in and watched his face, but
at the sight of her boy fairly broke down.
Laying his head on her shoulder, "It's like
Polly coming back" he said
And so it was, and so it continued to be.