The Hawaiian gazette., 1883-12-26


gars sometimes, but had never been brought
into closer contact with them. 1t did not occur
to her, however, that these people were beg
gars like those whom she had relieved in the
streets. To her fancitul mind they appeared
like the poor whom one reads OF in story
books, and who knock at the doors Of the rich
OF winter days like this, and especially at
Christmas-time. So she asked the man and
the woman to come in.
q am all alone" she said to them land
how very small a mite she must have APP
pcared to them as she said thisD "but will
you come and warm yourselves in the school
room? Aud think can give you some
dinner as they have left GU, some for me-"
The man and the woman followed her into
the school-room, and it was evident that they
were in great distress, for the man al once sat
down near the fire and spread his hands over
the crate, almost unable 10 speak. He was
pale and hSggard, as il he bad had serious
illness. The woman knelt on the hearthrug
aud held her baby near to the warmth. She
also looked i'll and starving. God bless you,
my little dear ~ she ialtered to Evie. "WeNe
not always been like this-oblised to beg our
bread. Dear, dear-see how cold the child
was. Another hour out in that frost and he'd
have been dead"
But he won't die now, will he?" asked
Evie, standing close to the women and putting
one Of her hands on the child's head. 81 once
had baby-brother like him."
lis your mother dead, childo" asked the
poor woman, glancinS in = compassionate way
at Ewes black sown.
Yes; papa and mamma arc both dead."
And they've left you all by yourself here2"
Evie explained that she was staying with
her guardian, who was absent, and that the
four servants had all gone out "But they will
be back this evening" she added.
1--WE shall he away before then," said the
man. 81 don't suppose they'd care much to
see US here"
knowing Susan to be kind-hearted girl, it
did not seem likely to Evie that these poor
people would have been turned away had she
been at home; they looked so cold and hungry
that anybody would have Piticd them. 1t was
thus EVE unused, as she went to the kitchen
to get the poor people something to eat
The dinner that had been left out for her
was ! slice Of roast beef and piece Of cold
plum-pudiing; but the joint and the pudding
from which these slices had been cut were in
the lardeT, which was not locked. Unfortu-
ualely the dishes were too heavy for Evie to
liz them by herself, so she had to SO and beg
the poor man to come and help her. He came,
but with weary steps, and tiRidly; not liking
to give trouble. 'The merest bite OF some
thing will do for us, my dear. shouldn't
like you TO get scolded."
"They wont scold me when tell them all
about it, said EVE; and soon, with the mans
assistance, the dishes had been carried into
the school-room, with jug of beer, loaf and
some cheese; and saucepan full Of milk was
set boiling on the fire for the baby, who, as
EVE thought would like something warm.
Then EVE set about lying the cloth very
neatly. She was so busy in putting knives,
forks, and glasses in their proper places
that the woman, looking up from the fire,
babe her more than once not to take so much
trouble. But it was no trouble TO her. A
fancy had suddenly entered her min dthat she
would treat the poor people exactly as if they
were her father, mother, and y-brother
come back TO spend the Christmas with her
She would play 1t having papa and a NAM
ma ike other little girls. She would not
think Of their clothes, but look only At their
faces, and Try to imagine that her father and
mother might have looked like that if it had
been willed that they should have been POOR,
cold and hungry on earth.
Perhaps the angels who bring peace to the
Christian homes at Christmas lent themselves
to the realisation Of the child's affectionate
fancy; for presently, when the baby had been
fed with the milk and had been warmed back
into life and rosy color; and when the poor
man and woman had also eaten, there was a
happier look upon their faces. They drew
their chairs near the fire, and Evie nestled
close to the poor woman, who began to speak
about her recent sorrows--the death Of her
eldest child, the illness Of her husband and
herself, and their soioum ia a hospital They
were soiug to the neighborins town now,
where her husband hoped to find work; but
the cold had nipped them sadly that merniug,
and they might have died on their way if they
had not found friendly house TO rest in.
EVE listened TO all atteutively, but wishing
with Der little heart that she had father, a
mother and baby-brUther, even though she
should lave,to wander in the cold with them,
It would DO - nice 10 have a mother 10 whom
she could always nestle as she was nesting
against this poor woman; and thinking this,
Eve kept siroking the poor baby's head.
"Nou were very fond Of your little brother,
my dear y asked the poor woman.
i must have been, said EVE; "but was
very small then, and can hardly rvcollect."
And your mamma-do you remember
her!n
''Only litils-a very little. was trying
to think about her this morning, but | could
not remember clearly"
Her poor heart must have achei when she
had TO leave you, my dear; but il she could only
see YOU at this moment, she would saw that
you was a good little girl to have been so
kind to Us. You must let me kiss You now,
for We must he going, so as to reach the work
house IN the town before it grows dark"
"Oh, not yet" pleaded EVE ~ want frs,
to make a present to baby" She ran
to little desk, unlocked 1t, and drew out
a small bead purse, which contained all her
savings Of pocket money, about dozen shil-
lings, and she pressed it into baby's tiny. hand
And now please give me lock Of his hair"
she said, 81 shall keep il and think it i. nv
baby brothers.. II live ever so long | shall
never forget this Christmas nerer-u.ver.n
and suddenly she burst out crying over III.
poor woman's shoulder.
When the servants returned home some
hours afterwards, Susan, seeing no light in
scho0lTo0m from the outside, ran there at
once, and found EVE, who had cried herself |
to sleep in the chair where the poor woman |
had sat,
Why, Miss EVE, dear, what's happened9n
asked Susan, lifting her in her arms. Have
you been unhappy"
''oh, no Susan I've spent such a happy
Christmas" said the child. 1--WE been with |
papa, mamma: and baby."-LOH,Iou T-ntl.
An olden Time Christna.