The Bossier banner., 1883-01-25
BESSY'S HAPPIEST NEW TEARS
DAY. Hs.

uhu JuSb 1cib suClTs pcdull4tu NOME on the
main street of Clayton Village, one
morning few days before New Year s,
and We're on their way to buy some
toys at Mr.. Dayton's large store, when
another little girl, poorly clad, with q
thin, pale face. stopped them, and
said: y
Please, ma am, nayn't do some
work for you?''
"Work for mer' exclaimed Mrs.
Barton. "What can such little tot
IS you do? Why. you are smaller than
my Bessy, and l don't believe Bessy is
old enough yet to be Of much use in
housework.
Pm older than I'm big, ma, am.
I'm almost eight. an i can wash dishes,
run errands, an mind the baby
Where do you live and why do you
want placer" asked the lady, gently,
won by the earnest blue eyes that looked
so pleadingly into hers
''We live down at the Montana fac
tory. You see, father got hurt in the
machinery last fall. an mother can't
take care OF us all, SO | thought 7 d hire
out. Oh, ma'am, we're so poor! l.
haven't had any breakfast y 8
The voice hesitated, and tears came
into her blue eyes.
IN give you aquarter TO buy one,s
replied Mrs. Barton, opening her purse.
But the little one drew back, SAYING:
Mother wouldn't want me to beg'a 4
20 mamma! do let her come help
nurse run after Eddy she says she is all
tired out every night" said Bessy,
eagerly.
Mrs. Barton looked from one to the
other, and thought tsSuppose, it was
my chill wanting food" Then she
said: Come, we'll 90 back. and YOU
shall have a good warm breakfast. then
help amuse the baby. If you do well,
may hire You by the week. What is
your namepn
''Susy Davis. Oma'am, I'll do my
best, for we are to be turned out Of our
room by the middle Of next week If
mother don't t have the rent.
''Well. we viii see how you behaye,"
replied Mrs. Barton. as they returned
to the house. There she told the old
nurse Susy's story, and what she want
ed her to do, an said that she intended
going right down to Montana to see her
parents.
Bessy begged permission TO accom-
pany her mother, and in a short time
they found the tenement house where.
in one room, the family lived. The
sick father lay upon a straw mattress
on the floor, and beside him sat his
wife, sewing on some coarse garment,
while little girl, smaller than StIsy,
held pale, sickly baby in her arms,
rocking to and fro, irving to- hush its
cries. ThOre was no fife, although the
weather was freezing.
Mrs. Barton told them that she had
met Susy, anu hal heard of their trouble
from her. and had now come to seehow
she could help them.
She listened to the story of the acei-
dent, and how gradually all their mon
ey was used up; then she gave them
enough to buy food and wood for their
present need, and said she had engaged
Susy to run after her .two-year- old boy.
and she would see what more she could
do to help them. M
When they left the house Mrs. Barton
said to Bessy: Now, dear, we will go
buy your toys"
But, mamma, i think I'd rather.
give the money to thoEe poor people.
When papa read that verse this morn
ing: 1t is more blessed to give than to
receive, thought I'd never find it so,
yet now ( believe it.would be great
deal nicer to see how happy it would
make them. =
"Wait till o-morroW, love, and think
1t all over, and if you still want to give
it to these poor children you shall de-
eide what to get them. = sa M
Early the next morning Bessy ran
into her mother room, saying MANI
ma, Pve such nice plan for Mrs Da-
Wis and all, If you will only consent.
You know that our old gardener IS gone.
the cottage at the gate is empty, all but
Johns room. Why couldn't we bring
them there to lyep Then Mrs. Davis
could take care of John s meals. and
Susy could go home every night. .
Il declare, that is not q bad pIan.
Bessy. I'll talk with your papa about
it but don't tell Susy till we decide. ;
The next day Bessvfs parents gave
their consent and Mrs. Barton had the
rooms put in thorough order. 1t was
not very difficult thing to do, for the
old gardener had not been long gone:
and Bessy enjoyed herself much in set
ting things right 95r9t
Early New Years morning Bessy
went with her mother. to tell them Of
the happy change in their prospects.
Mfs. Davis wept Tor Joy. and her hus.
band, when told tnat the plan was an
Bessys, put his hand en her head, saw
ingi "God bless YOU. my child you
have no do BIT saved nv life BIZ your
kindness. for | feel sure shall get well
and strong there q
Re!ore night they were moved into
their new abode, where good fire was
burning, and where over the mantel
In letters OF evergreen, were the words
= Happy New Year. Welcome home.''
Bessy and Susy were waiting to receive
them. and Bessy instantly drew Mrs.
Davis to the cupboard, where was
generous supply of things for them to
begin housekeeping with.