Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-16
Gales and sketfhes.
A TRUE CHRISTMAS STORY
LITTLE FRANTz HOFFMAN.

| LITTLE ERANTZ hOfkMAN.
It was cold evening. and there was
but little fire in Mrs. Hoffman's stove; so
/ little Frantz sat close by it; and though
his thoughts were far away. yet slight
feeling of discomfort. from chilliness.
mingled with his fancies.
His mothers wheel kept on-as it al
ways did in the long winters evening
with low, humming sound, that had till
now been very cheerful and pleasant to
little Frantz; but somehow he forgot to
notice it this night. Poor Frantz he
scarcely looked like himself, for his head
was bent down. and his eyes seemed to be
looking straight through the floor. so tx
ed and intent did his gaze seem.
/ Often and often did the mothers eye
turn TO her little boy for never before had
the ioy-speaking eve of Frantz been so
long bent TO the earth ;but still the mother
spoke no word. till at last deep sigh
came from the parted lips OF Frantz, so
lost was he in thought land when he quick
| " lifted his face and saw the questioning
| look of his mother, his pent up thoughts
burst out at once.
s'Oh, neither, in a week it will be
Christmas dav; cannot have a Christmas
tree ?''
| The mothers face looked sad, but only
for a moment; she knew the earnest wish
of little Frantz was not likely to be real
lied but she knew, too, that it was best
| for her boy TO learn to bear cheerfully
any crossing of his desires that might be,
and she spoke more gently and soothing
| " than usual as she said
"And what makes my little Frantz set
mis- heart on that nowP He has never had
a Christmas tree before"
| "Oh that is it," exclaimed Frantz. 81
never had one. Ever since was IA baby.
mother, | have heard of the beautiful
Christ-child who brings beautiful gifts to
others. Why does he not bring them to
me? Am | worse than all the rest,
mother p''
Mono, Frantz - so spoke the mother
hastily-for in her heart rose the picture
of the gentleness, the self-denying forti-
tude of her little boy in the midst of
troubles: his patience in sickness, his in
dustry in health, his anxious care to help
| her in all that his little hands could do.
Mono my Frantz-it is not that"
"Well, mother is there any reason
| Oh ! YOU do not know how have dreamed
and dreamed of that beautiful tree that
should have this Christmas il was full of
golden fruit and lighted tapers. and under
it were laid gifts for you, dear mother-a
new bible, with large print, and purse
of money, so that you might not have to
work so hard, dear mother, and warm
clothes that wonld never let you get cold.
And oh as | came along the streets to-
day, and saw the windows shining with
their loads of beautiful toys, and gifts of
all sorts. and saw the boys and girls run
ming and telling how they would not care
for anything else, when the Christmas day
was once come and they would have their
loaded tree.-then mother, all the DIRE ans
have had since | can first remember,
came back; all you have told me of the
dren and have felt mother, as if was
left out, and not loved among the rest"
Dear Frantz," said the mother."it was
a sad, sad thought. Do not let it come
into your heart again. Oh! the Christ
child is always good-always good-al-
ways loving, even when his love is shown
in such ways that we do not see it at once.
Come closer to me, Frantz."
Frantz saw in his mothers face look
of such tenderness that his soul grew full.
He took his own little seat and sat close
beside her, and leaned his head upon her
knee, and the mother said, gently:
1.-The Christ-child has given you beauti-
! full gifts. my Frantz; he has given you
life, and warm. earnest heart; he has
given you mother, who loves you dear
| "; home to shelter you; he gives us
the light of the day, and all the glorious
things it reveals, and the stiller beauty of
the night; and he gives us, more than all
hope of heaven, and knowledge of
the path to il. Are not these great gifts,
Frantz?"
Frantz lifted his face, he did not speaks
but his eyes were full of tears, and his
mother knew his heart said
"Yes."
So she went on.
These are the gifts we most need to
make us happy, others may be good for
us, but the Christ-child knows better than
we do, what we need. If it were good
for us he would give us all we wished
for; but then we might not make a good
use OF his gifts. or we might grow proud
of them. or be so wrapped up in the gifts
as to forget the Giver. All my Frantz.
let us only ask for what is best for us to
have and he will give it; he loves to give,
and only refuses what will hurt u.s."
"How can we know what is best, what
to ask for ?"
"If it is not given, think it best withheld.
and be patient; if it is given, be thankful
and use the gift Alright See, Frantz."
And the mother aross and took from the
closet a small sum of money.
This" she continued, lis all | have,
and il any of it is spent for toys or play.
shall not have any to buy shoes for you
nor for me. and by this know that the
Christ-child deems it best for me to be
content with what is more necessary, and
to give up the pleasure of tuying you
beautiful golden fruit and colored tapers 4"
Gould not do without shoes ?" asked
Frantz. Il would go so many errands
for the old cobbler, that he would mend
my old ones; and oh ! if that would make
it right"
"And I-should do without shoes ~
asked the mother.
Frantz looked down at the WORKOUT
shoes she had on, and again his heart was
] full.
"Oh, no, mother you must have shoes.
1trN. oh k.Nxxv Lar H. L