The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1885-12-24

pray to him."
The poor mother fell on her knees,
sobbing bitterly, but angels rejOiced at
her tears, for she, too, prayed at last
"GOd be merclful to me, Il sinnerIN
Dick felt very tired after this and
enjoyed his mother's gentle care of him
and the cup of tea and bit of toast she
prepared so lovingly. Then he fell
asleep and dreamed pleasant dreams
till the morning broke.
Nance was very fortunate the next
day, for it vas "slushy," and no one
claimed the crossing she chose. She
worked hard and kept it thoroughly
cleaned, so that one and another as
they passed by felt that shehad earned
a penny and she had a great number
by the end of the day. Tired, yet
wonderfully happy, she dragged her
self, cold and dirty, up to Dicks attic,
but when she threw open the door she
started back, thinking that she must
have made a mistake. But there lay
Dick
"Come ill.," cried the boy, "come in
Mothers just gone out, but she'll be
back. Oh, Nance, she knew about
Christmas, and it's just lovely-Jesus
Christ was born on Christmas and he
loves us still, and mother and me,
we're going to do just the best we
know how, cause that pleases Him
and you can talk to Him and ask Him
whatever you want"
Nance stood still, amazed. The
room had been thoroughly cleaned,
even the hOwer-pot in which the green's
stood a scrubbed.
"Well! It's splendid, anyhow" she
said at last, "and I've bought lots of
things for your tree. See-hens O.
candy and little candy chickens and
dogs and a big elephant; and here's
lots OF pOp-corn-all strung-the
woman says Pm to hang that on the
tree and-jus look a-herel." and Nance
lifted carefully out of its tissue wrap
ping, a little figure of an angel.
Dick gazed with happy eyes; then
the two dressed the tree. | don't
think any big tree ever gave more
pleasure than that little one. In the
midst of their fun, Mrs. Wall came in
with a New Years cake for Dick and
such pleasant words for Nance that
the girl hated to have to 90 away.
Mary saw how she fingered, and said:
"Why can't you stay here, Nance?
You're welcome to half O. my bed, if
you care to stay"
Care to! Nance was only too glad,
and Mary did not have to give a hint
as to clean face and hands, for the girl
stepped out to the sink in the hall
and splashed away vigorously for ten
minutes, coming in with such a rosy
face that Dick asked for a kiss at
once.
But you want to hear OF the dinner
at Mrs. Haring's? Well, it was lust
wonderful to Nance. She had a nice
place set for her in the kitchen, and
Rob waited on her, loading her plate
with turkey, cranberries, sweet and
white potatoes, with side dishes of to-
matoes, onions and beets; but, to
Rob's dlsmay, Nance ate very spar
ingly of the turkey and potatoes-she
knew she could tie them up in a paper,
while the tomatoes couldn't be car
rled, so she ate themi
Rob ran to his mother and she, sus-
pectlng some reason for the girls want
OF appetite, went to her and said:
EAT all you want, Nance, and if
you have anyone at home to feed, I'll
put up a basketful."
Then Nance told of Dick and his
mother, and an hour later, Rob, his
mother and Nance were riding over to
the alley, Nance and Rob taking great
care of a basket filled with good things
for Dick.
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