The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-12-26
OF USE IN THE WORLD.
A CHRISTMAS SKETCH.


The NOISE alarmed the whole household, the
members thereof rushing excitedly into the
room to find Sadie pale and frightened, stand
ing IN the midst of a demolished chair, frag-
ments OF earthen hower-pots and broken glass,
nervously smoothing out her dress.
"Well, do declare |" calculated Aunt NATL
da, spinster sister of Mr. Benson's, as she
surveyed the destruction through her spec
tacles.
'Im real sorry, Aunty Tn sure did not
mean to break them, apologzed Sadie, hum
bly,.
ooh. no." answered Aunt Matilda, CURLY,
holding crushed fuchsia tendcrly in her hand
"childpen never mean to do ANYTHING wrong
after the mschief's been ACCOMPLISHED You
ought to have been hurt as a punishment for
your inquisitveness," she continued with enl-
phasis. 'The flower was blooming 30 beauti-
fully 80 rapidly; and then consider the care
and pride took in decorating the pot. the an
proprlate designs, the exquisite harmony of
oolor-all my labor gone to naught Oh, dear
me y she Intercepted petulently, of what
use are children iii the world anyway ?"
Remember, Matilda" quietly interposed
MIR. Benson, "you were child"
Eyes, but unlike your children John Benson,
was taught never to NEEDLE with things which
did not belong to me, and YOU know it." she
reloined sarcasticaliy, as she swept with an air
OF indignant dlsdain from the ROOM
1t was Sunday before Christmas one of those
gloomy, monotonous days with leaden clouds
floating overhead the biting wind bowling and
moaning through the streets, and drizzling
rain descending steadily upon the earth. max.
ing everybody morose and cross and fretful.
In fact 1t was what children call ''keep in" day,
when they roam aimlessly from room to room,
or are !uled to sleep by the pattering rain
drops against the W. ndow-panes. And this
particular Sunday was keep in" day
with Sadie Benson, and it was while attempt
ing to move the flower stand that the msfor-
tune narrated overlook her.
"Ob, myl" she YEARLY so!iloauZed. az she
stood gazing out of the window, after the ex-
citement had subsidized, II wish the sun would
shine"
AS she turned away, an open Bible on the ia
Bile caught her notice Picking it up she be-
gan to read, and coming presently to pas
sage which she did not clearly comprehend
she hastened with the book to her mother. 1t
was this:
"Give, and it shall be given unto YOU: good
measure, pressed down and shaken toeether
and running over, shall men give into your bo-
SONS. For with the same measure that We
mete wlthal, 1t shall be measured to you again. ="
St. Luke ", SO.
SWELL Sadie" answered her mother, ''per-
maps I'm not competent to give you really in
teligent Interpretation, but maybe | can give
you an idea of its meaning; that we should be
generous; that those who have an abundance
OF everything should give to those who are
poor and needy; that what we give must be
given in free, unsclfsh spirit; God repays
doubly, or in measure pressed down and run
ming over, in some unseen manner. 1t is not
benevolence to boast and tell the world what
you give and do for the poor. That is vanity
and accommodation inspired by selfish mo-
tives, and God does not recognize such gifts as
true charity. What we give from the hand
must be prompted by clean, generous and
sympathetic heart"
''Thank you, mamma" said Sadie respect
fully, as her mother ceased speaking; 81 think
understand now"
Mr.. Benson entered the room, Lit a cigar,
picked up the paper and, settling himself COM
fortably in his chair, gave himself over TO a
perusal of the events of the day
Presently Sadie looked up from the Bible.
"Papa," she asked, 'are you rich p
MIR. Benson looked up from his paper as he
answered:
"God has been good to me, daughter; He
has blessed us all with excellent health and
prosspered me in all my undertakings"
"Yes, sir, but paps," she continued, looking
anything to the poor2"
An expression of sudden confusion crossed
his features. He seemed to sit uncomfortably,
and he shifted his position several times ere he
answered in somewhat abstract way:
swell, yes-that is-sometimes. But what
prompted that question ?" he inquired gazing
at her curiously.
She read the verse over for him
He made no reply at its conclusion, but
pulled away vigorously at his cigar and tried
to get interested in his reading. But some
how or other his mind wandered; he could
concentrate his thoughts upon no one particu-
lar object in the journal His countenance
had relaxed into grave and sober expression
He pick.d up his hat and went out into the
nipping air.
"Do ever give anything to the poor? TITS
true I'm rich, but since I've acquired my
wealth there's something left undone. What is
it2" he mentally queried.
Conscience whispered give and it shall be
given unto you"
Christmas came at last, bright and crisp,
and the whole world seemed Joyous and glad.