The Portland daily press., 1884-12-20

Eyes, and then, when Hs grew up, He
went about doing good. But at last, they
nailed Him to . cross.n
The child gave long, shuddering sigh.
"But he came out of the grave, Dick, and
went up into Heaven, and there Hs is
now.'
''Don't He care for US, mother?' said
Dick, after panse. "Don't He care for lit
tie lame boys like me? Do you think He
remembers about Christmas and likes US to
have tree?''
Eyes do, Dick, know He cares-shame
on me that I've not taught you betterl He
loves us and wants us to pray to Him."
The poor mother fell on her knees sob
bing bitterly, but angels rejoiced at her
tears, for she, too, prayed at last-"God be
mercful 10 me, sinner!'
Dick felt very tired after this, and enjoyed
his mothers gentle care of him and the cup
of tea and bit Of toast she prepared SO low
ingly. Then he fell asleep and dreamed
pleasant dreams till the morning broke.
Nauee was very fortunate the next day,
for it wa "slushy," and no one claimed the
crossing she chose. She worked hard and
kept it thoroughly cleaned, so that one and
another as they passed by felt that she had
earned penny, and she had great number
by the eud of The day. Tired. yet wonder
fully happy, she dragged herself, cold and
dirty, up to Dicks attic, but when she threw
open the door she started back, thinking
that she must have made a mistake. But
there lay Dick!
"Come in," cried the 10y, "come inl
Mothers just gone ont, but she'll be back.
Oh, Nance, she knew about Christmas, and
iG's just iovely-Jesus Christ was born on
Christmas, and he loves US still. aud mother
and me, we're goiug to do just the best we
know how, cause that pleases Him, and you
can talk to Him and ask Him whatever ycu
want"
Nance stood still, amazed. The room had
been thoroughly cleaned, even the flower
pot in which the greens stood was scrubbed.
''Well It's splendid, anyhowr' she SAID
at last, "and I've bought lots of things for
your tree. See-hens O candy, and little
candy chickens and dogs and big elephant;
and here's lots Of pop corn-all strung-the
woman says Pm 10 hang that on the tree
and just lool1-a-herep' and Nance lifted
carefully out of its tissue wrappngs little
figure of an angel.
Dick gazed with happy eyes; then the two
dressed the tree. l don't think any big tree
ever gave more pleasure than that little one.
In the midst of their fun Mrs Wall came in
with Christmas cake for Dick, and such
pleasant words for Nance that tue girl hated
to have 10 go away. Mary saw how she lin
gered, and said:
"Why can't you stay here, Nance? You
are welcome to half of my bed, if you care
to stay.''
Care to! Nance was only too glad, and
Mary did net have to give hint as to clean
face aud hands, for the girl stepped out to
the sink in he hall and splashed away vigor
ously for ten minutes, coming in with such
rosy face that Dick asked for Kiss at
once.
But you want to hear of the dinner at Mrs.
Haripg's? Well, it was just wonderful to
Nance. She had nice place set for her in
ehO hAsShSAB %uu AeVU "dtteu WI H5r, iodulu8 |
her plate with turkey, cranberries, sweet |
aud white potatoes, with side dishes of to-
matoes, onions and beets; but, to Bob's dis |
may, Nance ate very sparingly of the turkey
and potatoes-she knew she could tie them
up in paper, while the tomatoes couldn't |
b. carried, SO she ate them
Rob ran to his mother and she, suspecting
some reason for the girls want of appetite,
went out and said:
''Eat all you can, Nance, and if you have |
anyone at home to feed, I'll put up haskell
fu.''
Then Nance told of Dick and of his moth |
er, and an hour later, Rob, his mother and |
Nance, were riding over to the alley, Nance |
and Rob taking great care of basket filed |
with good things for Dick.
This all happened two Christmases ago.
This Christmas, Nance is cash-grl
in Broadway store, Dick is grow
ing stronger every day and walks on crutch-
es at a certain hospital, where he learns
more and more about all good things. an
Mrs. Wall is cooking iu Mrs. Haring's kitch-
en-, where she lives as maid-of-all-w
Faithful Nora does not know what came
through the pine boughs offered in His
name-may never know in this world. There
will be many sweet surprise in the Better
Country.