The National tribune., 1883-09-13

snot.-rcal live rooster and hen And she tied
them by the legs, swung them over her arm,
and LEFT the village.
As she neared the hut, she almost feared to
enter. What if Dora had gone? What if some
one had come and lured the child away?
Where, then, would have been the use OF all
this expenditure?
But Dora had not gone At the door, with
open arms. and eager face all sunny with smiles,
stood the child. and the cat beside her.
They entered the house, and then Dora
laughed and danced and clapped her hands to
see the old dame stare; for the little hut seemed
turned into a bower. Boughs and branches of
green hid the once bare walls and the broken
places; a bright fire burned on the hearth;
the table was set with its homely appointments,
but it had also pitcher filled with purple
aSters and bright red leaves; nice little loaf
of bread was on the table, too; the floor had
been swept, and the kettle sang a merry well
come.
Where did you get that loaf, child ?" asked
Il made it, Granny, all By myself, and baked
it in the ashes.
80 oh can bake, and can brew, and can fill the
kettle too
sang Dora dancing about, and holding up her
little skirts; then, catching up the cat, she
romped about till the old dame shook with
laughter.
But when the cock and hen were put upon
the floor, and their legs united, Dora was wild
with delight. Aud away she went to look for
something TO make house for their comfort.
Soon she returned with an old box she had seen
out-of-doors, saying:
"This viii do nicely Now we will have
fresh eggs every dag | will keep them in
this, till You get somebody to make nice
'chcken-coop, Granny; and then somebody,
too must come with q hammer and nails and
1 aud niran
rag carpet, and you shall have new bed. Oh,
! it will be so nice! !"
But Granny looked grave and shook her
head when the eat suddenly drew up and
looked very solemn, and Granny was sure she
| heard a low
Take carei"
But Dora did not hear. She only danced up
to the old woman and kissed her, took off her
shawl and folded it, and, putting some tea TO
| draw, made " Granny sit still by the fire and
eat bit of the little loaf.
The child's kiss again had a strange effect
upon the dame: it brought tears to the old
eyes, and made her willing to do j1st as Dora
wished
Then the blue stuff for Dora's dress and the
ribbon to match were shown, and there was
another shout Of gte and dance Of delight
and once more the cat was hugged and old
| Granny kissed.
Never had the dame known such a day
Never had her old heart been so gladdened
She seemed to have become a child again
young and fresh and happy. And when night
sent long shadows upon the hearth, and the
child, after saying her few words of prayer
crept into bed, the old daile knelt down, too
and cried:
"Oh, Lord God forgive nae all my misery
wickedness."
From that day forward, there was great
change in the old hut and its owner. Dirt ant
untidiness vanished. Dora knitted so fast that
the old dame had to send her twice week fol
yarn and the stockings and mittens she made
were so strong and SO warm, that every one
was glad to buy"theIn. More chickens were
bought. and there were so many eggs that some
had to be sold. a carpenter came from th'
village and IneDded the chairs and tables, anC
put on a new roof. At evening ruddy ligh
cleaned through bright window panes, and in
the morning Dora might be seen with pail OF
arm going TO milk q meek brown COW which
the dame had bought. Coed, thick, rich cream
was now in the cats bowl, and she no more ha(
to hunt squirrels and nice A bright-facee
clock ticked over the fireplace, white curtains
draped the snowy bed, and peace and plenty
abode in the old danes home
Dora grew tall and strong, and more an(
more helpful. The dame sat beside the fire il
spotless cap and did nothing but knit Neigh
bors aud friends came in aud chatted, and wer
welcome. No more the hungry beggar passe'
by the door, for all who saw Dora knew tina
pity and kindness were within her heart
Flowers blossomed in the doorway, and vine
!, crept up the door-posts.
The cat grew older and older, and purred on
her happiness; never again had she spoken il
audible words, but peace and plenty, ay, ant
gold, had come to the old danes hearth.
A strange clergyman, passing one day, asked
for draught TO quench his thirst. Dor
brought him brimming glass OF sweetest milk
Whom shall / thank?" he asked, as h
glanced at her lovely face
My name is Theodore" she returned.
THAT means THE gift Of God" said tn
; stranger, reyerently.
Sometimes. the thought of what she woul'
have lost that dreary night, had she refuset
shelter to the little sobblng child, would com
TO the old DANES mind and then she woult
shiver and bend down to pat the purring pussy
, Was it, then, conscience or the cat that ha
spoken2 Whichever it was, the dame neve
, regretted opening her cottage and her heart
little Theodora.-St. Nicholas.