Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-12-11
THE ROADSIDE wAIF.
A CHRISTMAS SKETCH.

A CHRISTMAS SKETCH.
1t was the afternoon before Christmas
day, and honest John Grahame was pack
ing up his butter tubs and the remnant
of his Christmas marketing before re-
turning to his expectant family far off in
the quiet country.
All day long the great market house
had been full to overfowing with an
eager crowd of people, busy with the
buying of their Christmas cheer; and
Johns fat turkeys, ducks and country,
homemade sausages had been so well
patronized that not one remained to
burden his two strong horses, which had
drawn the whole heavy load into the
great city on the afternoon previous.
Many kindly greetingof the season had
been given honest John by his smiling
customers; for St. Nicholas gives to all
who love him happy face and light
heart in this his own festive season.
One thing yet remained to be done,
and John would have sooner lost his
strong right hand than have neglected
this pleasant duty. There must be a
nice present bought for the kind wife
at home, and stop-a happy thought
flashed athwart the good mans mind.
He would buy Margery new bonnet,
for times had been hard this winter, and,
although she had made no mention of it,
John well knew in his heart that it
would be the very thing to please her.
Then there was his little Dolly, who,
with her eyes as black as sloeberry and
bright as stars on frosty night, had stood
on tip-toe to kiss him as he sat in his
wagon well rolled in blanket to keep
out the cold, and who ran down the
walk to open the wide gate, kissing her
hand to him until he was hidden from
sight by turn in the road
PUSSY shall have her doll she has
asked for SO often, and a good big box
of sugar plums, too," he softly promised
himself, a loving look coming into his
mild brown eyes; so, calling his boy to
finish his preparations for him, he sailed
forth on his errand of love. He strolled
along the busy streets, looking into the
store windows with wondering curiosity
until a milliner's display caught his eye,
and he paused in front of the window.
His big, burly frame. with its rough
overcoat took up SO much room and
looked so utterly out Of place that many
a curious, smiling look was cast upon
him. He stood so long time trying to
conquer his difidence and enter the
store that little street gamin sang out,
with nasal twang "Say, old 'un,
which suits yer complexion bestg Buy
the one with the peaked top, old cabbage
head.n
John, thus rudely aroused to a sense
of his position, shook bis big fist good
naturedly at the saucy urchin and en-
tered the store Good humor and love
held high carnival in Johns heart this
blessed Christmas tide and left no room
for unkind feelings for any one.
The smiling saIeslady, wondering at
her odd customer, displayed several bon
nets to Johns astonished eyes, fairly be-
wildering him with the variety of shape,
colors, feathers, and flowers, and the
many other varieties that she exhibited
to him. At last he sank into chair,
saying, "Well, ma'am, guess I'll have
to leave it to you; can drive a plow
and manage farm, but I can't buy a
woman's bonnet. =
The woman laughed heartily, and.
picking out one of quiet gray silk; with
red rose and gray feather, presented it
to his tired gaze, and our good farmer,
glad to be quit Of this hurculean task
(worse to him than a whole days hay
making), clutched the bonnet box, and
without murmur paid the fashionable
price the woman named, only too glad to
get off thus easily.
Next came the toy store. There he
found less difficulty, and soon picked out
an immense doll, almost as large as the
human Dolly, and to this was added the
box Of goodies 50 dear to the heart af.all
little ones
Now then he was all ready and in
another half hour was rattling over the
stones of the city toward the country.
The horses, as if knowing whittier
they were bound, laid themselves to