Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-16

and Industry that day. for in his heart was
a fountain of hope and love; and he
wished to help everyone. But. lively as
he was he did not forget to drop his
precious letter IN the post-otiiee-
When the postmaster came to look
over the letters, of course he was much
surprised at this one of Frantz's, with so
strange direction but in a moment he
saw that it was child's hand, and he
opened the letter. 1t ran thus:
..GooD CHRIST Child am poor lit
! tie boy, but | have a good mother, who
taught me many things about you; and
she said that You are kind and good, and
love little children, and delight to give
them gifts, so that they are not hurtful
ones Now, nv mother is kind, too, and
would like to give me all want; but she
/ is poor and when asked her for a Christ
mas tree. she could not give me one. |
| hope am not bad boy-I am sure my
mother does not think | am; and if it is
/ best for me not to have the tree, will try
and be patient, and bear it as good boy
should; but don't see what hurt large
Bible or warm clothes could do my moth
err so, if | may not have the tree, oh !!
please give her those and | shall be so
happy.
FRANTz HOFFMAN"
Pleased with the simple. childish limo
cence of the letter, the postmaster put it
in his pocket. When he went home he
found a rich lady there who had come to
take tea with lis wife; and at the table.
when they were all assembled, he drew
forth the letter of little Frantz, and read
it aloud. telling how it had come into his
hands. and saying how the poor little fcl-
low would wonder at never getting his
tree, or ever hearing OF his letter again.
but he may hear of it again" said the
rich lady, who had listened carefully to
every word. There is so much good
ness of heart in the poor sboy's love for
his mother. that it well deserves to be re-
warded. He may hear of it again.
So the lady remembered the name of the
boy; indeed, she asked the gentleman to
give her the letter. which he did, and by
IT'S aid she sought and found out where
Frantz lived. From some of the neighbors
she heard how poor they were, and how
little Frantz helped his mother all day
cheerfully, and was the best boy in all the
neighborhood, and that Mrs. Hoffman had
not now even the money to buy shoes, and
that her landlord had raised her rent, and
she had to give the little sum laid aside to
him. And the lady thought to herself
that it would not be likely to spoil so good
boy to have a beautiful tree, so she had
one brought to her house. large and full
of leaves it was and she bought all kinds
of beautiful and useful things to hang on
it, and little rose-colored tapers to be
placed among the branches, and on the
table under the tree were laid two pairs of
shoes-one pair for the mother, and one
pair for Frantz--and thick blankets, and a
large shawl and purse of money (for the
lady knew that poor Mrs. Hoffman must
have many wants of which she could not
know, and she wanted her to supply them
by means of the purse) and. best of all,
there was large Bible.
If FrantZ's dream had suddenly turned
into reality, it could not have been more
beautiful.
So day after day went on. and though
Frantz knew not the fate of the letter. he
never doubted that all would go we'll. 1t
was pleasant to see the sunshiny face with
which he greeted every morning as zone
day nearer Christmas" And when at
last Christmas morning came, bright and
clear, there was a leaping. bounding heart
in his bosom. and light in his blue eye,
that made his mother smile. though she
scarcely knew where the next meal was
to come from; the wheel kept on its whir-
ring and Frantz sat with his eyes fixed on
the blue sky, as if he almost thought his
expected tree would drop down from it.
Suddenly low knock was heard at the
door. and voice asked;
"ls little Frantz Hoffman hereP"
mt oil Aa,,y o. Ioor
Il am Frantz ~ said he.
And the little maiden who had asked for
him told him to come with her, and his
mother must come too.
Soon, very soon, was the little party
ready, and the little maiden led them
along gayly to handsome house. whose
door she pushed open, and they entered
in.
How lightly Frantz trod along the wide
passage, for his heart whispered aloud to
him. At the end stood door, just aiar,
and as the girl pushed it open, blaze of
light streamed out. Frantz caught his
mothers hand and drew her forward ex-
claiming
at is my tree-my treei knew so
we'll it would be ready!'
And sure enough, there stood the shin
ing tree, all bright with shining tapers
and laden with fruit; and on high was the
image of the Christ-child, holding out its
hand and smiling so lovingly. and below
was written-"For Frantz. because he
loved his mother"