Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-12-25
Nellie's Present.

II was near Christmas -only two days
bpfole the world holiday and the show
windows of all the v.lage stores were
gay with beautiful Christmas gifts. Ii
was really worth oue'S vhiln To stroll
leisurely down the principal street and
hook at the pretty things 81 tenptingly
displayed, and dream of the joyous
groups gathered in the many homes at
Christmas tide.
So at le at thought Mr.. Wells HD-
ward. tall, Fl ,e.lopking gentlrmln,
who had health and wealth, aud plenty
of leisure, but no home. 1t was no
fault OF the good 10 ntherS os Ma l1tnn.
nor of their pretty daughters, that Mr..
Howard had reached the rip age of
thirty tive, and was still noar'ieI at
one of the yllltge hOtels Any me ut
th IN Vllll have 'yf.lil1 .l4Ibt'i h'r-
Self to th,. task IF IN Xxi lg him home.
and helping him spa I'd his ample for
tune However, This eccentric gentle
man managpd t. diSp 'Se VI pretty lirg"
sums j., way thtt plets"l Al letst
himself.
THIS morning he had walked half the
kngth uf he village street, when H.
came UPON pictnIe which ctu'-d hi II
to st>p suddenly, aud watcn the pretty
tableau which was before him.
Within the show window, surround
ed by all kinds of bright, beautiful
things. st0 q large wax4n dbl with
lovely blue eyes, AM cnral lips, AMI
fl ,ating curls of bright golden hair.
Outside, her Ii tie blue hands cla5ped
in All ecstacy of delight, a little girl of
eight years stood gazing at the dolly,
exclaiming
"Oh-h.h You darling beauty -
Mr.. Howard glanced from one pic
ture to the other. The slm3 blue eyes
and golden hair, only the lips Of the
living child we're pinched and pale, and
her dress was thin aud SC tntv, and up-
on her poor little feet were only wnrh
out CATERS and thin white stockings.
She did not seem to mind the cold, for
her whole heart was abs ,rbtd in admir-
alton of the be iutful dbl
"Wnuld you like tn" pretty doll for
your own, little girl 7" said voice be-
side her, and poor little Nell started
violently.
Looking up into the dark, kindly
face, beaming up m her, then down up
on her poor patched dress, aud worn
out shoes
ssOh. sir. it is ton nice for such rs l."
she :swered, booking around for a
chance of escape, for qrite a crowd of
little people were now gathered around
the fine window, admirng the lovely
French doll.
Come with me-" he said, qhiptly
taking hold of her arm, and leading
her within the door.
"Mlss," he said to the obseqniouS
Young Ia lv WIN clms f1rwart, ''be 81
good as tn find pair Of scarl-t stock
ings and mittens for this Guild. aid Il
warm pair of CATERS, and put the large
doll In the window into box"
The girl obeyrd, with wide-"pen eyes,
bowing low as she gave HIM blck the
change for the bill which he put in heE
hand.
Little Nell cane forward, with II
o city fush upon her Ile c1eeks, an |
he put out his hand, saying
''I wish you merry Christians, lit
tie one. with your twin sister in thu
box =" ana he placed the box in hei
hand. ~
Mile can tht the extended hand, ,anG
kissed it, while two warm t"ars fell up
on it: but when she tried TO thank him
he was gone.
It was not many minutes later. that
little Nell .refully opened the do, r "i
the moor little room which she called
home, her eyes sparkling and he
cheeks glowing with happiness Ii
one coruer of the ri IN her faith r lay
pale and hollow. eyed, upnn Pnr-lo'k
ing corch, while near the window SD
her mother busily engaged at Saving
machine. She stopped "a moneut a.
the door opened. and pressed her hant
upon her side.
"see usa.ams see, papa - sac ez