News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-01-10

the throat of Phineas Rugby that he
hasn't felt for years. What busy little
man he is now, running to and fro,
building a fire, placing the most COM
fortable-looking chair before it invit-
ingly. Just putting the last finishing
touches on all as the door again opens,
and there enters-bless me, Jacoby my
ex-bookkeeper
Father, father, see p the boy cries,
as he dances to his fathers side, and
pulls him down in the chair, "your
Christmas present from your little son
L earned it myself-an myself I'm
most big man now, and we won't be
hungry any more. Oh, father !''--his
arms clasped about his neck, and his
tiny face close to the elder one-''ain't
we pleased ?"
Jacoby says nothing; but tears, such
as | never knew man could shed, fall
on the dark curls of the little one. He
had changed a good deal in six months,
Jacoby had, and not for the better
no, no.
"Phineas Rugby, take my hat and put
it where it belongs" he says, after
short and mournful silence; "then come
and sit on fathers knee and tell him all
about this wonderful surprise"
''You see," and the little head is
pressed close to the faded great coat of
the man, ''after you went out I was
thinking and thinking of the story you
had Just told me-of the good prince
that went out in the world to help his
father, the king. And then I remem-
bered mamma used always to give you
Christmas present, and something
seemed saying: Go, Davey, go, go =
So 1 Just put on my hat and that nice
warm scarf of yours, took the basket,
locked the door. and went out, just like
the prince, in the cold world. was
little 'fraid at first; but nobody noticed
me, and hadn't went very far when [
came to store-oh the most beautiful
store, father, with two large windows,
all full of such nice books and pretty
[ owned Just such place when I spelt
under the window on sign P-h-i-n-e-a-s
-Phineas -g-b-y-Rugby, and then
I knew it was the place where you
worked when mother was alive and we
had such nice home. And Phineas
Rugby was the man who sent you away
because you couldn't work when dear
mamma was dying.
"Just as if you could help it''-kissing
the hand about his neck. ''But 1
thought perhaps he never knew what
was the matter when you didn't come to
the store; and was agoing in to tell
him all about it, when little, cross
looking man came out and told me If 1
didn't get away from the door in two
minutes, he would have me arrested.
'I knew you didn't want your little
boy took up in the bad station-house,
so ran away as fast as ever I could,
and was standing on the crossing a
shivering little-you see it was getting
pretty cold-when kind lady asked me
to carry her satchel for her to her hotel
which was only block away from our
street, father. And when L had done it
and it was awful ight-she gave me "a
whole twenty and five cents. You ought
to have seen me; l was that glad I near
forgot was a Prince, and cried. And,
but 1 didn't; I run fast to the grocery
man and buy-now count, father-two
candles, five cents; two bundles of
wood, five cents; one loaf of bread, five
cents; one box of matches, one cent.
How much is that?"
''Sixteen cents"
''And here's nine for you, right here
in my pocket, and it's all my Christmas
present-all for you"
All is quiet for minute then Jacoby
says. huskily:
"Keep the money for Christmas
sweets, Davey. 1 wish I could add
more /; but have had no success every
one asks for reference. Rugby denied
me that. But we won't think of it to
night-'tis the blessed Christmas eve
and God watches over and will take care
of us, if we only ask Him, Davey."
A little figure slides to the floor ant
kneels with clasped hands, and reverent
upturned face, and the prayer is an
swered as it floats to me-miserable re
penting!
''Desr God, I'm only little boy, anC
care to my father and Thee. Bu
please, God, make Mr.. Rugby SCI
father couldn't help it, for Jesus sake
Amen"
The room, Jacoby and little Davey
now cannot see through my tears, and
hide my head in the bedclothes and sol
like a child.
When I look up again, all is changed
| A large store-books all about In thei
gay, vari-colored bindings.
, Fancy Christmas and New Year cards
: fancy stationery-everything speaking
2 of plenty. There's no one in the stor
5 now, save three young clerks, and ,
< bookkeeper, perched on high stool be
hind his desk.
4 Clerk No. 1.-"Most time for oil
e Rugby. Fly about, boys. Thank good
v ness, holiday tomorrow"
e Clerk No. 2.-"Yes, hurrah for Christ
4 mas he can't take that away from us.
e Clerk No. III wonder if he won
break his heart this once, and give us
e quarter. Or, to be honest, he mign
e take us all out and treat u.s."
/. Bookkeeper (head hid in ledger).-"l
p he hears you, Simpkins, he'll treat yo
to Il grand bounce. The old miser
. When he gets hold of dollar it's pris
: oner for life."
4 Clerk No. 3.-"1'm willing to do m
:. duty every time. But it's work, worB
7 from morn till night, with never
o Thank you Never remembering W
are men as well as he, and kind wor
4 once in a while does a fellow as muc
n good as dinner"
n
e Early, Christmas morning, and II
e up and dressed, new man 'It ma
Y have been a dream" say to the cloc
# striking the hour of seven, "but L
!. never believe it. I've been selfsl