The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-31
JOHN HENRY's NEW YEAR.

JOHN HENRY'S NEW YEAR.
John Henry was a boy Of not more
than five years Of age. He lived IN
dark, alley, over which he sometimes
saw the blue sky on the dull clouds,
but oftener only dingy coal smoke.
His mother was q hard worker but she
took pretty good care Of him. They
lived alone in single room. When
she could she took him with her, but it
frequently happened that he was left
alone in the room all day with his din
ner set out for him on the table. On
such occasions he would watch the lit
tie clock patiently, and when the short
hand began TO near certain figure he
knew that he had not much longer TO
wait and he would press his nose against
the window pane and watch each shad-
owy figure as it passed.
The day before the New Year seemed
longer than usual In the first place,
his dinner was scanty and he was hum
grv when his mother set it out for him
on the little tin plate. As she stopped
TO bid him good-by he noticed tears in
her eyes, and though he said nothing at
the time, he began to wonder as the
law wore on what it all meant. The
hands on the clock never moved so slow
before. He ate his insufficient meal
earlier than usual, and wished there
was another one. Then he thought Of
the great stores downtown and the
windows filed with beautiful things,
and wondered if there was no way in
which he could get into them. The
markets and groceries in particular rose
ND before him in his vision like verita-
BILE heavens.
His mind dwelt on what he had seen
only few weeks ago when he was
downtown with his mother-how
nearly every one they met was carrying
home huge bundles, and that his mother
told him they contained turkeys for the
Thanksgiving dinners of the rich.
Only few days ago nearly every one
he had seen passing along the streets
was loaded down with large packages
which he was told contained Christmas
presents of toys and other playthings
for children. John Henry did not so
much care for these rs he did for some
thing to eat. The pangs of hunger
were superior TO the desire for amuse-
ment and his mind reverted to turkeys.
He thought he would know a turkey if
he saw one. Then he began to wonder
and think rs he never had before. In
some of the long and bitter days and
nights that he had passed with his
mother he remembered that in her
PRAYERS and instruction she had told
him that the great God had said ASK
and We shall receive She had asked
many times and he had seen no return.
He never had asked because he had not
seen anybody TO ask, and he wondered
how his mother could expect to get the
things she asked for when she only
talked into vacancy. Alas, that the
whispered PRAYERS of millions, answer
ed maybe in ways that they know not
of, should from older lips than this pro-
woke similar marveling.
There was only one thing 10 be done,
he thought, and that he proceeded to
do. 1t was disobedience, but he be-
lieved that his mother when she re-
turned hungry and tired would forgive
him. 1t was plain TO his mind that she
had not gone about things in the right
way. Bundling himself up in a we'll
worn shawl, for he had no overcoat, he
ran down the alley, the frosty air max
ing his little frame quake, and gaining
the brilliantly lighted street he walked
along peering into windows until he
came to q market. With his mother
words ringing in his ears and with
faith sublime in lis simplicity he raised
the latch with difficulty and walking
straight to the big man behind the block
said:
''Will you please give me turkeyP'
''Got any money!
''No, sir
"Who is it forP,'
"For me and mother.
"Get out of this, you little devili'
and the man made a motion as if to
chase him. The boy retreated toward
the door and pressed on. In dozen
places he repeated his query, and as he
grew colder and his teeth began to
chatter he made up his mind that per-
haps after all his mother knew best.
Maybe she had tried all these places
and met with no better success than he.
He would have turned back, but he saw
one great market ahead. larger, hand
somer, and more brilliantly lighted
than any he had yet seen. There were
beautiful carriages and horses with liv-
cried drivers in front of it, and through
the frosted windows he could see many
fine ladies and gentleman and some
richly dressed children.
Everybody turned as the queer little
fellow entered. and when his blue lips
parted to ask the oft-used question
everybody heard it.
"Have you any money!" was the re-
ply. but in a kinder tone.
Once more the answer came No.
and then, with an effort. Il have asked
everywhere, and if l don't get it now
I'm going home"
The market man looked at him cur
iously, wondering what to make of him.
Was it a child's freak or was he the
crafty emissary of an older good-for-
nothing-a wolf in sleeps clothing?
One of the gentlemen who had been
an interested listener stopped down and
felt of the lad. Withdrawing his hand
quickly and saying:
God bless the child He's all of a
tremor and he is not halfclothed. Who
do you want turkey for? Come here
and get warm"
Mother and me wants it. came in
piping voice. 1--WE amt got any,
and mothers at work. and / thought
maybe I'd get one if / asked for it. y
80 you shall. So you SHALL" said
the man. Give me the biggest bird
you've got. Tom, right away. and I'll
take 1t home with this child at once. y
The turkey that was made ready
looked bigger than John Henry, and
when the three were in the carriage the
eoachman drove rapidly downtown 1t
was a great day fer John Henry. He
answered his companions questions as
best he could, but he kept close watch
on the streets and alleys. Finally the
buildings began to look familiar. and
heat last broke out with
''Here-it Isl Here it is! Please stop
him and I'll run home.n
The gentleman stopped the carriage;
got out and helped the boy down the
dreary alley to his cherries room. The
fire in the cook stove had burned low
and the room was dark. The man
lighted the lamp which his little com.
panion gave him and was evidently
pleased to witness the tidy though bar
rem aspect of the place. John Henry's
mother had not returned, which fact
pleased him, but not the visitor.
44op may tell your mother that some
OF my folks will be here in day or
two, my boy. / will not wait any
longer now. You and your mother eat
the turkey and have a feast. There are
others where that came FROM
When his companion had gone the
child turned down the lamp and blew
1t out and resumed his place at the
window, Once or twice he thought he
heard his mothers footsteps. but they
died away on the pavement. He was
hungry and cold and impatient. AL
dozen times he moved his chair up to
the little clock and felt of the hands. 1t
was getting late--later than usual for