Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-12-19
Never mind that. What is your namo?o

Never mind that. What is your name2"
Tommy"
Where does your mother live, Tommy"
haven't any mother That is, any real
mother, you know
"Hour real mother is" Here she began to
sing, oh, SO sweet aud loud. close to his ear.
And He shall reign forever and ever.n
Tommy nodded his head and shut his eyes
linen the tenor man at the bellows sang
And He shall reign forever and ever"
Then they both sang, and Tommy listened
still with his eyes closed.
The beautiful lady stopped aud said, "How
long have you blown the organ, Tommy
MORN year"
DO you lihe itY"
and pretty"
Again tine voice Of the lady broke forth in
holy song, rising majestically and echoing
along the shadowy arches,-
And He shall reign forever and ever"
How the organ pealed, the dragons seemed
to roar, and the white feather in the beautiful
ladys hat waved in the breath that came out
Of the black mouths
NOW comes the next piece, said the tenor
man. Can you manage the solo with that
child in your armsP
Eyes. Never fear"
Tommy thought he ought to get up, but the
lady arm was around him fast and tight, and
before he could stir she began TO sing
Come unto Me. all ye that labor and are heavy
laden
Tommy had never heard anything so beauti-
full He opened his eyes and smiled, and the
lady smiled and sang
And He will give rest unto your souls"
Then he heard the organ again. "oh, that
was beautiful :"
Ibid you like it, Tommy Again she took
up the strain
And He shall speak peace, peace unto your souls {"
Tommy thought he was in heaven, or that
earth must somehow have changed into para
disc this glorious Christmas morn.
Come unto Me. all ye that labor and are heavy
The lady was singing differently now, in a
voice as low as the Eellowed notes Of the
organ, and with exquisite tenderness.
"Bravo y said the tenor man.
The lady smiled and said, 'I'm singing to
Tommy now. II the people hear too, it is all
right, but I'm only singing for Tommy"
The boys whole face lighted with pleasure,
and the tenor man laughed, and the beautiful
lady smiled and sang
And He shall speak peace peace unto your souls.
and then continued in long glad strain that
seemed full OF rejoicing.
Presently she stopped and Tommy said,
| THAT was good ~ Then he seemed TO think
about something, and the beautiful lady APP
"
"Would You like to sing, Tommy 2"
''Yes'm. Only-only-I have TO blow-and
| mold rather"
"Rather what 2"
'Td rather play
"Play ' said the tenor man. "Play with tops
and things?'
mo, sir Play the organ. mean to-some
day"
;Laok ont again here's the next solo.
ayes" SAID the lady and then she sang
again
'And He shall feed His nocks like a shepherd,
and carry the lambs in His arms"
When she sang that she brushed the boys
hair back wit, er jeweled hand, and, draw
ing him close sang
| "And gather the lambs within His arms"
and kissed him. Then the organ went on
alone.
80 you'd like to play the organ, Tommy P
"Yes'm, / would
''Really and truly?'
''Yes'm; really and truly" said he, trying K
rise.
"Be quiet, Tommy. Lie still. cannot sins
| II you"
ing softer IN measured cadences-
And He shall speak peace, peace unto you
Peace Lower and more plaintive grew tn
notes OF the organ. They died away in silence
| Then followed the benediction-
| you"
There was rustle-more music-the peopl
were going out.
"Mercy and peace-forever,' said the lad
SOFTLY. Tommy felt himself lifted and place.
upon his feet. An ungloved hand was place,
within his own. Down the stairs he passed. Gu
into the frosty Christmas air he was led, TO tn
home Of his new found friend. And there b
found both shelter and Iowa foretRste o
the higher and happier home on high.
Years have passed. There is silver in tn
lady's hair. She no longer sits among tn
singers. The old organist is gone. In hi
place sits another who year by year takes u
the anthem of the centuries. The lady listen
TO him with more than a Christmas joy an
thanksgiving in her heart. She has been hi
guardian and benefactor through his orphane'
childhood and in his promising manhood-fo
il is Tommy TO whom she is hstening-sh
finds the full reward for her Christlike charit
10 one of "His little ones"
The Puritans' Christmas.