Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1884-03-08

Rugby was the man who sent you awav
because you couldn't work when dear
mamma was dying
Just Is If you could help it"-kissing
the hand about his neck. but I
thought perhaps he never knew wha.
was the matter phen you didn't come "a
the store; and was agoing in 10 ten
him ell about it, when 4 little, roIs
looking man came out aud told me ii I
didn't get away from the door in two.
minutes, he would have me arrested.
II knew you didn't want your little
boy took up in tho bad station-house.
SO ran away Is fast . ever l could,
and was standing on the crossing
shivering ittle-you see it was getting
pretty cold-when kind lady asked ma
to cary her satchel for her to her he4el
which was only blodk away from uur
street, father. And when I had done ii
and it was awful ight-she gave mea
whole twenty and five cents. You ought
to have seen me; was that glad l near
forgot / was Prince, and cried And,
but didn't; I run fast to the grocery
man and buy-now count, father-two
candles, five cents; two bundles of
wood, i've cents; one loaf Of bread, five
cents; one box of matches, one cent.
How much nthatf' x
Sixteen cents"
and here's nine for you, right here
in my pocket, and it's all my Christn&
present al for yon." @ ! !
Afis qniet for ammute; then Jac6y
says, huskily:
keep the money for Christmas
sweets, Davey. ! 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 pleased Christmas evs-
and God watches ove- and will take care
of us, if we only ask Him, ,Davey." - )
A little figure slides to the foor apd
kneels with clasped hands, and reverent,
apturped face, and the prayer is an
swered as it floats to miserable l.rt-'
penting! :,
Dear God. I'm only little boy and.
care to my father and Thee. -Bnt-
please, God, make Mr.. Rugby .sea'
father couldn't help it, for .,Iesns' sake.
Amen. -.<..
The room, Jacoby and little Davey +.
now cannot see through-my tears, and l.
hide my head in the bedclothes and sot
like child. ..
When look up again, all is changed.
A large store books allabont in then
gay, vari- colored bindings ..~.
Fancy Christmas and.Nex Year cards,
fancy stationeEy-everythng speaking
of plenty There's 10 one N the store:
now, save three young clerks. and
bookle perched on high ateolbe-
hind his desk. - e6s
Clerk No. "Mest time for old
Rugby. Fly about. boys. Thank good
ness, a holiday tomorrow.
Clerk No. 2.-"Yes, hnrrah for Christ
mas; he can't take that away from ns,'"
Clerk No. IL wonder if he won't
break lis heart this once. and give MS n
quarter. Or, to be honest, he might
take us all out and trent u.s."
Bookkeeper thead hid in ledger. .-"If
he hears you, Simpkins, he'll treat vou
to d grand bounce. The old nliser
When he gets hold OF dollar its a pris-
oner for life :.
Clerk No. 3.-'1'm willing to do nay,
duty every time. But it's work, work,
| from morn tall night, with never
Thank you Never remembering '3h
are fneu as well as he, aud akind woHl
once in . while does fellow as much
! good as /. dinner" - -
|
Early, Christmas morning, and I'm
| up and dressed, . new mani "It may
| have been dream, say to tho clock
!! striking the hour d seven. but In
never balieve it. I've been . selfish:
mernenary. short-sighted man in the
pss, thinking of nothing bu. making
and. boarding money. which never did
Line or anybody else any good. I'm all
! old mani surely can't take If with me
in the other world haven't ki,h Or
kin to leave 1t TO IN this. Phineas
Rugby. wake up. Look about yon !,
| There is something in life after az. "
Merry Christmas to everybody.
Merry Christmas 10 an
| I'm in the street now, walking along
briskly; breathing m the fresh, eger-
veseing air; hummine 10 myself, drop
ping penny here. a penny there in the
ou,s.retched palm o! every becgar l
meet. Feeling like Toy le. loose from
a rigid school. nv fee: so light. 18th tire
very thought Of what / have n nv
nind-.ha. they scarcely touch The
walk l go into q pou!iercn huy
four large turkeys and send them. with
an envelope containing twenty Ave dol
Iarx. 10 each Of my clerks and nv beck.
keeper-irun the "oli m,s<r" inv lisil<
revenge, chuckle)-