The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-23

tea. bell rang, and ell thoughts Of toys
and dolls were, for the moment, dissi-
pated After supper, the children. we're
washed and dressed in their night clothes.
Each hung stocking in the chimney
corner, ready for the advent Of the good
genius who loves children, and then
yielded to the Oft repeated solicitation
OF Margaret, the nurse, TO come along
and go to bed.
II must say my prayers 6rst," lisped
dear little Charley, running up to his
mother and kneeling down before her.
Our Father" said the mother, in .
low, serious voice
won't Kriss fll my STOCKINGS fgak
mother p
"But YOU are saying your prayers,
now. You mustn't think Of toys, Char
ley. Our Either"
"Onr Father" came musically from
the sweet lips OF the child.
"Wbo art in heaven"
'On. / hope he'll bring me whole
pile OF wagons and dogs and horses
and Charley clapped his hands with de.
light
"Hu.h. dear! You mustn't think
about TOYS now. Who art 10 heaven
"Our Father. who art in Heaven
softly murmured the child.
"Hallo we'd he Thy name"
"Won't good old Krissy come, moth
er7"
"Charley must say his prayers good
il he wants the dear angels to say with
him while he is asleep. Come, Lowell
Nov don't think any more about toys
and sugar plums. Hallowed be Thy
name"
Bat it was no use Charley could mo-
say his prayers His head was too ful
of Christmas. Harry met with but lit
tie better success-and Anna. after sh,
had been in bed Eve minutes, remember
bered her neglect on this acore, and
kneeling under the clothes, piously lifted
her Thoughts TO Heaven.
Ere this scene closed, Mr.. Lambertor
had half repented his resolution -and
the mother OF these three dear little
ones felt her heart almost too weak tc
carry out her purpose
IL declare" said the former, "Fm
afraid it will ne felt as too serious Q dis,
appointment"
"And so am IT, returned the latter.
at is such q useless waste OF money u
If know It is."
"Besides, ii does children no real
good. In fact. as far as my observation
goes, it does them HARM"
In this Mrs. Lamberton agreed
Then said the husband, "will It not
he mere weakness on our part, IL We
follow the old custom this year. and not
true regard for our children2''
II Suppose So"
"Will it be acting right. then :"
Perhaps not. But it will be such o
! iitiisanpoinsment."@ 49, es=
M doubt OF that But light one
compared to what they will have to suf-
fer in after life. The fact is, trial like
this will help TO prepare them for the
severer ones 10 come in the future"
Thus arguing the question, Mr. ard
Mrs. Lsmberton finally came back to
their original determination, which was
to dispense with the usual "nonsense"
OF toys, that would be broken or thro wp
aside in an hour, and heal the wounded
hearts occasionsd thereby, with gen
erous distribution OF few sixpence and
shiIlings. This wouli be q saving and
/ am afraid the economy OF the new Or
der of things, was. in reality, its highest
recommendation. Bed-t me at last came,
and Mr.. and Mrs Lamber,on retired for
the night, leaving the expectant stock
ings hanging empty in the chimney-cor.
ner. The mother, just before lying
down, had occasion to 60 into the room
adjoining. II was The one in which
Kriss Kringle was expected to make his
appearance some time during the night.
There was Charley's little stocking.
round, almost as when his foot was in
it. and bent to the very shape. Mrs.
Lsmberton sighed gently, as the image
OF his hopeful face, turned mp to hers
presented itself; and she heard, in imag-
ination, his sweet voice as it mineled bis
evening PRAYER with words that showed
his thoughts to be near the earth.
Hours went by after the mothers head
rested upon the pillow before sleep came.
And then abe dreamed that it was Christ.
mas morning, and that the chi.dreo's
stockings we're filed, and that ihsy we're
wild with delight Charley was on her
knee, showing his wagons, and dogs,an
horses. Harry was marching about the
room with his sword and drum and Anna
was hugging in her arms a wax doll with
almost as much delight as young moth
er ever felt in clasping to her bosom her
newborn babe. A noise, which seemed
to come from overhead. where Uacle Jo-
seph and Aunt Rachel slept, awoke Mrs.
Lamberton from this dream She started
up and listened, but all was silent
The mother slept again; but this time
her draams we're less pleasant. Christ.
mas morning had come; hut It brought
70 Joy to the expectant children. Their
stockings were empty and their hearts
nigi. broken. Sleep passed once more
IRON ber eyelids, and. though it Was long
before the approach of dawn, The gentle
visitant came not again to her pillow.
And long ere the morning hroke Mr..
Lsmherton found himself awake and
thinking Of the children.
"They will be so Disappointed" sighed
the mother when she found that her hus.
hands slumber was likewise broken.
ais there nothing that We csn put into
their stockingsf' askel the father, thus
indicating the state Of bi, mind
ave been thinking of tast: but there
isn't thing in the house that would do
I'm sorry We hstin't bought them some.
thing" replied the mother,
"We can do so still. l will 60 ont di.
rec,ly after breakfast and buy .hem lots
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