Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-12-19

were Distributed and the package
unbound, the mirh became hilarilv, mn,
II was good to gee the two sets forget for
time the great gulf there was helweci
them.
Uncle Paul had shown rare taste M wei
as Judgment In the selection of gifts |
there were boos and shoes, stockings ant
slawls. hats and mufl1.rs for 1.-The litli,
baiefoos." there were also dolls, perfectly
gorgeous in their laces and trimming, anc
10 them belonged miniature trunks. con-
tanning changes enough to have satistie,
even S,ratoga bells; Jack-knives. ball-
and toys 100 numerous to mention,
gladdened the hearts. who had never
known II higher joy than the possession
of Jewsi,arp, or some rolled up rag,
to fondle, for even the most squ,lid pow
erly fails 10 extingnish the dawning Low,
of maternity. The element of beau v
should en'er ino every gift, though some
times it may take the form Of he beauty
of charity. but Paul had no idea OF cheat
ing the expectations of the children. by
making some article of necessity do double
service rs IL holiday gift.
All mt once there came little quiet
"Me@,' and then II prolonged "m-j-w,"
and the plainlive voice was repeated again
and again. "Who was the owner Of the
toy hat could mewp' Toys were eagerly
tossed over. and all thought Of caste
WAS lost sight of in the search, but no
discovery WAS made. Its you, Uncle
Paul; IFS some image you have in your
hand or on the uee."
Paul disclaimed all knowledge and they
began to rcniz3 that the voice was ubiqu
tOus, the excitement increased, the
news became ncessant, and the little
girls were anxiously calling, "Pussey
pussey, where ale youp'
"A boy. whom Paul had introduced as
Robbie Il ,e, walked into the centre of the
room. and in dramatic voice exclaimed
Its nle-you needn't look any urjer y
He became FIR the moment tho hero OF
The occasion. "lf some un you Will help
Pull these two pins. | II show you quicker
illan II wink
1t was Matte who helped finI the pin
heads, though Paul offered his assistance
10 the surprise and delight of all there
came from Robbie voumlnous pocket ii
real live kitten!
He drew her out with an air of triumph,
and holding her high above his head, as
sured them, "Shes a likely Cat. all white,
'crpt the end of her Tail and one hind foot,
and she can jump through ho' p or play
dt ad equal to anything you ever saw. |
WIS gong TO educate her, bua when Mr..
R,ymon told us bout The little gal we was
ming 10 see to-n'sht. thought wan'ed
10 hrng suthin, ant she wa, al Id got.
so 6ruag her, and hope you II take to
her, Miss, for she's terrible 'tectonate.'
He placed the poor hcw'ldered little
ci eatnre in Malties urris and locked as
pr oud rs q king while lie rec.ivei hel
thanks. No one could doubt hut what b,
found it more bessed to give than tu
receive, as indeed who has hot, Whoever
pad the pleasure of CIV ng?
Ah, The supper! Paul carried his little
prot. yes til, ough 1t wilhou, any uuparHon
able GU break, fol c,,ildrcn are quick lml-
';uois, and they had been put upon 'heT
uonor ito do theiI pIettiest. They we've
helped over the d flicnt places. and in
tl, d mo the my ST, ries ol lab.e etlquel,e
ny he ready hand and nving heart oi
Their fiien,is. ard MIS-. Raymond WAS lore
Ell 10 acknowledge that they tbaved ns
well rs some uf tho Others who might
reasonably have laid CLAIM 10 greater cuI-
tue.
Pull had arranged for them to be called
ror suon at suppr, but on stating,
Agu,s Ice was Lu, 10 be found, lht}
tinn Gecn having game OF "Elde, 20
SEEK and Matte suggested that 'he Iltlie
girl might sllI he in hiding, So her hame
was called by voices pitched 10 every Key
,tlll :hele came no response. she WAS
discovered IN II corner OF the dining room
fast asleep, her doll held tight IN her arms
On beng reused, she begged not 10 be
sent back, bnck 10 old ma rm Grey, who
would take the dear, darling dollio and
sell it for lum."
"Oh, mamma, if she might stay here,
I've clothes enough ior both, and she
could sleep with me, and | could make
her so happy
Every one,turned to Mrs. Raymond, bul
could read his face. that if he wlllrd her
to make such sacrifice that he would ash
ii of her That wou d make it easy.
ON, Uncle Paul, tell ner the Kings
WORDS" ami she led the weeping Agnes
up to Mrs. Raym, nd.
Would he heip her? No. it was pialn
enough he meant her TO decide for herself,
1t Is well for US that God is less exact
ing than cur friends, that when we come
TO the great crisis of our lives, lie does
not stand aloof, but surrounds us with
lhe gracious influences Of his spirit, MAX
ing nobleness possible, even to our ihiien
humanity. Did He send quick winged
messcn yer to whisper, "Whosoever shall
give to drink unto one of these little ones,
Il cup of cold water only, shall in nowse
lose his reward" If only it was done
for love of the Master. She might moi
have heard the words, but us she turned
her eyes from Paul, she held out her arms
to Agnes, and in another moment The
child was sobbng upon her breast
That night Two little forms were gently
tucked into Mattie's bed, and don't know
but might say there were Jomr-ior
each held doll, most rs big rs them
selves.
Mrs. Ray mond went down to the libra
ry, where she heard Paul singing:
GLORIA Tibi Domino"
Her heart had heen strangely softened by
Agnes revelation of what her life had
been. and she said, as Paul came towards
Us, II have taken to my home an angel
believe"
Mo- only aa angel, but Christ the very |
God himself" was the low spoken reply, |
As he took her hand.
Here | was going TO finish my story
md had read it to Matte and Agnes, who
,ay that | have left cut one OF the hest
hinps, that every body will want To know
f Robbie was heard from again, and so
must add, that this Christmas was more
han ten years ago. and that Robbie is now
, younp man Ot prnut DrOmSH. thanks Il