The Portland daily press., 1885-12-24
philadelphia Evening CALI
OF USE IN THE WORLD
A CHRISTMAS SKETCH.

the room 70 ma Sadles pale ana 1TlSntehou'
standing in the midst of demolished chair,
fragments of earthern flower pots and Drok-
en- glass, VIGOROUSLY slpoothing out her dress
ssWell. / do declared calculated Aunt Ma
tilda. a spinster sister of Mr.. Benson's as
She surveyed the destruction through her
spectacles
film real sorry, Aunty. I'm sure did not
mean to break Them" apologized Sadie,
humbly.
''Oh, no. answered Aunt Matilda, CURLY,
holding crushed fuchsia tenderly in her
hand; ''children never mean to do anything
wrong after the mischief S been accomplished.
You ought to have been hurt as punish
ment for your inquisitiveness," she contin-
ued with emphasis THE flower was bloom
ing so beautifully, so rapidly; and then con-
slider the care and pride took in decorating
the pot, the appropriate designs. the exqul-
site harmony of color-all my labor gone to
naught Oh, dear mep' she Intercepted
petulently, ''of what use are children in the
world anyway"
Remember, Matilda" quietly interposed
Mr. Benson, 'you were child.
eyes, but unlike your children, John Ben
son, l was taught never to NEEDLE with
things which did not belong to me, and you
know it, she rejoined sarcastically, as she
swept with an air of disdain 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 drilling rain descending steadily upon
the earth, making everybody morose and
cross and fretful. In fact it was what chill
dren call keep in" day; when they roau
aimlessly from room to room, or are lulieo
to sleep by the pattering rain drops against
the window panes And this particular Sun
day was keep in" day with Sadie Benson,
and it was while attempting to move the flow
er stand that the misfortune narrated over
took her.
"Oh my!' she YEARLY soliloquized, as she
stood gazing out of the window, after the ex-
element had subsidized, ''Iwish the sun would
shine"
AS she turned away, an open Bible on the
table caught her notice. Picking it up she
began to read, and coming presently to pas
sage which she did not clearly comprehend,
she fastened with the book to her mother. 1t
49,
was this:
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good
measure, pressed down and shaken together,
and running over, shall men give into your
bosoms. For with the same measure that ye
mete withal, it shall be meaured to you
against. Luke iy. 3S.
"WeH, Sadie, answered her mother, 'per-
haps I'm not competent to give you really
intelligent 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, unselfsh spirit; God
repays doubly, or in measure pressed down
and running 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 in
spired by selfish motives, and God does not
recognize such gifts as true charity What
we give from the hand must be prompted by
a clean, generous, sympathetic heart"
"Thank you, mamma" said Sadie, respect
fully, as her mother ceased speaking; Il
think understand now"
Mr.. Benson entered the raom, Lit cigar,
picked up the paper and settling himself
comfortably in his chair, gave himself over to
perusal of the events of the day.
Presently Sadie looked up from the Bible.
Papa" she asked ''are you rich?"
Mr.. Benson looked up from his paper as
he answered:
'God has been good to me, daughter; he
hoe, cod oil xxyifh nd
prospered me in all my undertakings
Yes, sir; but papa" she continued, look
ing HIM directly in the face, do you ever
give anything to the poor?"
An expression of sudden confusion crossed
his features. He seemed to sit uncomforta-
bly,, and he shifted his position several times
ere he answered in somewhat distracted
way:
'Well, 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 partic-
ular object in the journal. His countenance
had relaxed into grave and sober express
sion. He picked up his hat and went out
into the nipping air.
do / ever give anything to the poor? IT'S
true I'm rich, but since I've acquired my
wealth there's something left undone. What
is it?" 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. Sadie and Frankie-he was Sadie's
brother-had risen before the stars were out
of the heavens and were shouting and laugh
ing as they looked upon their presents; and
mamma and papa, too, joined them in their
happiness, while Aunt Matilda, whose slum-
bers had been disturbed by the din and
noise, lamented the "extrayagant expendi-
ture of hard-earned money for foolish toys
for foolish children"
Take it away take it away!" she shrieked,
as frankie blew a loud blast on his trumpet,
my head is nearly burstingv' And clapping
her hands to her ears sho fed precipitately
from the room followed by the laughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Benson.
Toward midday Sadie strolled up on
Eighth street, wandering along. looking first
in one window and then in another. At one
she halted to admire some dolls, and while
there she took piece of candy from her
pocket and raised it to her mouth.
81 like candy" squeaked voice close be-
side her. Looking around, she discovered
mite of humanity, who had crept up unob-
served, gazing up wistfully into her face.
''Then you shall have this" she quickly
replied, offering him the candy, which he
eagerly seized. His clothes were medley
of patches, his shoes were out and torn cap
his fiaxen hair.
Now, that's somebody's poor boy, l
know" she argued. 81 think I'll take him
home with me. I'm sure mamma and papa
will give him something. I'll ask him at
any rate"
Little boy" she said, ''do you want to go
home with me and get Christmas caEe?"
"0h, yes, me dol" exclaimed the little fell
low, clapping his tiny cold hands, while his
thin face beamed all over with smiles.
Sadie took him by the hand and retraced
her steps'up the street
"Oh, just see there, girls There's Sadie
Benson leading little beggar" remarked
one of Sadie's acquaintance to her compan-