Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-12-25
THE SOLDIERS ORPHANS CHRIST
MAS.

of frost were on the windows; and
there was dismal moan in the wind,
as it ratified at the shutters Of the d.
lapidated tenement. There was a
crunching, creaking sound as the pass
ers-by trod hurriedly on the side
walk; and every few minutes some
frost-nipped nail In the wall would
snap with loud report. Her grand
child, little Mary, sat Nesting close by
the old lady, and as gust went
bowling by, she gave shudder, and
said:
1.-THE night bowls like an old giant,
I'm afraid Billy will freeze"
1T was too bad to send him out on
such night" said the good woman,
but the brave, little fellow would
have cried if I had gone myself" And
she rose and went to the window, try
ing to peer out, but there was no
power in her eyes to see through the
white, plush-like coat of frost on the
panes A shade of anxiety rested on
her face-a sad, sweet, yet strong one,
with traces of beauty still INCREASED by
years of poverty, anx ETY., toll and
sorrow.
tBut [ think he'll come soon" she
said as she saw distress and fear deep
eniug in the face of little Mary,
He's so spry that Jack Frost can
hardly catch him"
And she was right. For hardly had
she spoken when a brisk step was
heard with out, crulnching the snow
then kick or two on the doorstep,
and the door swung open with a squeal,
and a ruddy-faced boy, some ten or
twelve years of age strobe In.
''Well if this amt a singer, said
he. my toes are as hard as hickory
nuts-they feel so anyway"
did my brave, little man get the
things2"
eyes, grandma; all but the meat
The butcher said he'd bring you down
two chickens in the morning for a
Christmas present "Whew, but amt
Jack Frost saucy tonight. He's just
on his ear-on mine, too" This was
said as the little fellow raised his cap,
the rim of which had been pulled
down we'll upon his cheeks, hiding his
fine, manly face and his merry eye,
full of gentle, kindly fun.
Il was sorry you had to go out in
such cold night.
I'D be a splendid man to have in
the house, if I'd let poor grandma 60
out wouldn't IL But didn't [ get paid
for it?" he continued. 81 met Col.
Granger in toy store, where peek
ed in to see the things. He said he
knew my papa IN the war; and he
asked me what [ wanted.
What did you tel him?" asked lit
tie Mary.
Il told him there wasn't any use in
wanting anything, when you couldn't
make raise to buy it. "
Then" said he, what would buy
If you had the money to buy it?'
4 told him pair of skates.
Then, what do you think? Col.
Granger told tie man to fetch me out
a good, nice, strong, pair. the best
style, and he brought me a pair of the
new kInd-you don't have to have
straps but just put your foot in and
turn a handle and the skate hangs TO
your boot like it was froze on"
So diving INTO the market basket
which he bad brought home the little
fellow produced his skates. It'd
like to go out and try 'em on the ice
to night" he said.
Little Mary shared the joy which
sparkled IN his eyes, as he tried on his
skates. and held his feet up to show
how they fitted and fastened on.
The grandmother looked on proudly
said to herself
80 like his father. So like my own
brave Billy II
Then she drew out little trundle
q +oI
boards, and undressed Little Mary and
put her to bed, after she had hung up
her stockings at Billy's suggestion, for
he seemed so full of secret that it
almost told itself.
Soon the little nero was persuaded
to go to bed himself, SO as to rise early
and try his skates. When the good
old lady knelt beside their bed and
prayed prayed as only those can
pray who through the ears of long
life, have borne the cross of misfor-
tune, and sorrow, laboring more In the
shadow than the sunshine. 1t was
not the appeal of selfshness, but the
prayer of resignation, of hope, of love,
of duty. It's burden was not self, but
others-those is affection, In poverty,
In sin. For herself she onl1 besought
the Heavenly Father to spare her and
give her strength little longer to
guide and care for her orphanec.
grandchildren through their tender
years.
When her prayers were said and the
good night kiss was given to each,
the good woman drawing her shawl
still close around her put out the
candle to save it, and spread an old
rug down at the door to keep out the
cold, and sat down by the stove t.
absorb a little of its heat before re
firing.
Just then little Billy crept out OF
his trundle bed in his long flannel
nightgown and stole up to his grand