Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1885-01-31

n;.-:.h v.,2,:e called elecfilfiv ont:
ooh, Dackie'a toned home at las, an
hes Dot {. drcat bid loaf IF bread /"
The room into which Jack entered was
utterly devoid Of carpet, and an old
rusty stcvc, bachicss chair and 2 bun
He If straw were the pny articles there.
On the latter lay woman. Her thin,
pale face, with its refined features gave
evidence that she was III. and that she
was unused to the poverty she was now
u. i bright snil5 illuminated her face
as Jack, having tossed his cap into the
corner, seated himself beside his mother
with the loaf of bread i'll his hand.
ooh, poase div Ettie p;ecol Elite
so hundy!' said Ettie coming forward
with knife i'll her hand.
Mrs. Layton Gu. the bread with
smile.
"Wait, Elite, and Jack; we must never
DO too hungry to thank God for our
food, and laying her transparent hand
oll Ettie's and Jacks, she thanked the
Heavenly Father for the bread he had
sent.
"An', mamma I tan hang my stotin',
tant ? Tos its Tristmas Eve and San
tie Tlause II be tomin y asked Ettie, as
after eating the frugal meal, she stood
ready for bed, tiny stocking IL her
han5
eyes, dearie, but l am afraid he
won't come this ycar!'
T., he will mamma; he toned las
ear, an he brought ever SO many fngs.
Don't 'ou fink he'll tum, Dackie?o
"Why, yes, Elite, 1 guess he WILL"
answered Jack, wishing from the bot
tom Of his heart that lie would. but I
am afraid he won't find US, 1sttie," said
Mrs Layton.
oh 'cs, mamma, he Will, tause I'll
ak Dud to tell him. de way" So saying,
,, Elite claspal her tiny hands and rails
lpg her eyes to heaven she began:
'Pease Doa send Sauntie Taus, and SOW
him de way; don't 'et him fordet us.
Amen. And with, those words she Law
down in perfect faith, believing that God
| would answer her prayer.
| /'And what has my little boy been
doing all day = asked Mrs. Layton, lay,
ing her hand fondly on Jacks head,
Jack told bis mother all he had seen
| and done, and then about the kind
gentleman. But he was interrupted by
low rap on the door, and upon open
ing 1t'ne saw that very gentleman stand
| ing before him
Il have come 10 see you, my little
man, and have brought lady to SEE
| you, also; Mrs. Johnson, my wife,
Mrs Layton raised herself on her eli.
bow, faint flush on her cheek, as in a
| low voice she bade the new comers en-.
! ter.
Jackie she said, "get the lady the
chair. 1t is ali have to offer you" she
explained. But you will excuse it,
| know
Certainly I viii. Tlank you, my
| little lad, she said, seating herself on
the dusty chair regardless of her hand
| some cloak and dress.
/. But low cry from the invalid caused
her to start il su rplisa, fer Mrs. Layton
| had recognized IN the handsomely dressed
lady before her her old Fri end and school,
mate OF former years ooh, Ruby,
don't you know me: Don't yon re-
member Ettie Wilson, your playmate.
| your schoolmate and f1iend?'
In q moment the lady was on her
knees beside her, and clasping her arms
around Mrs. Layton she kissed her pale
lips again and again
us it possible that von are the merry,
romplng little girl | used to know and
play with? The sympathizing friend l
bade good-by to so long ago? Oh, how
sadly you have changed! But how is it
you are in this strait?"
Fhen Mrs. Layton began. with her
head pillowed Oh her friends bosom,
and told her how er husband had been
lost at sea and how she had been
obliged tosew for living, and then how
her over-strained nerves gave way, and
thus it was that Mr.. johnson found
them when he came back
"O1, Frank who would have thought
l should have found my old friend here.
This Is Ettie Wilson, the playmate
have spoken SO much of. Oh, Ettie !
what lovely child, How old IS she !?
Is she not pretty, Frank? p she said, as
she saw Ettie sleeping quietly beside
her mother.
"She is four years old"
-Four years Old? Tia. is just the
age my Elite would have been had she
lived named her after you, Ettie, ="
said Mrs. Johnston, her dark eyes fill
ing with tears. What is her name =
1T Is Elite, too said Mrs. Wilson.
"Oh, Ettie, what lovely children you
have! Would that tniue had lived, but
it was Gods will that they should NOT.
Bat, Elite, | am not going to lose sight
+, OF you now. l am going TO take you
home VIZ. me tomorrow. and we Will