The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-12-23

the Otner ana tne plying love Jney IelJ,
for just before moving to this place
they buried their only remaining child,
who would now have been about four
teen, and when, few days before
Christmas, Fred Rolfe picked up a
package he had dropped and returned
1t to him, he suddenly thought: "Just
such an energetic and handsome boy as
my George would have been" But
he probably would have said nothing
to him but to thank him if Freddie had
not persistently refused the bill he tried
to put in his hand. 60 shall not put
the money back in my pockets; and
what shall be done with it?" said he.
A thought flashed through the boys
mind, and his eyes fairly danced as he
launched forth into the story of the
Christmas tree they were going to have
at his home. The enthusiastic zest of
the bright boy was infectious, and Mr.
NARROW piled him with questions, till he
learned all he knew of the two poor
families in the dilapidated little house,
that lost none of its interest in the tell
ing, and found out, too, that poor and
old blind lady lived in the immediate
vicinity, whose loneliness would be al
most uncomfortable save for the kindness
of two poor orphan girls who were
alone in the world--one not strong
enough to work, and the other trying
to support both, but finding minutes in
which to be more than simply kind to
poor old Mrs. Mason.
Mr.. NARROW had felt no interest in
Christmas trees since the death of his
boy, but now his face flushed when
Freddie proposed to him to spend the
money for flannel and shoes for Mrs.
Mason, who was coming with the 9TH
ers to their Christmas party.
"My wife and have not been to a
party for six years, my boy, and none
of your poor people have hungrier
hearts than we have on such days.
Ask your mother if we may come"
Almost at that same moment they
Rolfe, and the impetuous boy seized
her by the hand and tried to introduce
her to his new acquaintance, when he
remembered that he did not know his
name. Mrs. Rolfe, however, knew
him by sight, and knew of him as a
reticent and upright man, but very I'M
sympathetic, she supposed; and when
he so graciOusly asked permission for
himself and wife to participate in his
Christmas festivities, and reminded her
that they were members of one church
she acquiesced in most charming way
though much astonished.
THANK God for your boy, Mrs.
Rolfe," said Mr.. Mason, in response to
the amazement she could not help
showing. "You'll let me furnish the
tree, and while you do the ornamental
my wife and l must claim the more
substantial part. The party originated
with you, and for the good cheer anC
the Joy of it we shall be indebted tc
you, but, after six years of selfishness
1 am not so embittered that cannot
see the beauty of it, and l want to joir
in it, heart and purse, and my poo
wife!'' The man gave sigh.
Later, Mrs. Rolfe received a call from
them, when they considered the needs
of those who were hidden to the feast
for it was to be feast, too; and she &C
knowledged her own hort-comings
and told how the singing of the littl,
children had awakened her to her duty
Good-fellowship was established, AM
Mrs. Rolfe buried her pride and foolish
ness under mantle of charity, and MI
and Mrs. NARROW entered into tn
spirit of it in such generous way the,
hoped to partially make amends TO
days gone by. Besides, when the even
ing came, in answer to their PRAYERS
they thought, Henry Sandal, who ha
been haunted by the words, N
drunkard shall inherit the kingdom o
heaven" and who had done a most as
founding thing-had not tasted liquo
for two days-brought his feeble it'll
Walter to Mrs. Rolfe's door. Snow, pur
and white, had fallen during the morn
ing; the child's shoes were very thi
and the mother feared to have him wall
The little cart had broken down an
little Walter said, tearfully, he shoul
stay at home, for mammals side was to
lame to carry him; besides, there wa
baby, and auntie's arms were full, too.
The father, filled with shame, wrappe
a shawl around the little fellow and cal
ried him there himself, though he ha
, persistently refused to go with thel
when Mrs. Rolfe had tried to preva
upon him to do so. Mr. NARROW me
him at the door and fairly brought hir
in, remarking: &C. want moment
talk with YOU" The two men talked
Mr.. NARROW doing most of it, and tn
result was Mr.. Sandal once more b.
) gan to feel manly aspirations, and M
NARROW, fully resolved to throw ever
: shield possible around the poor mar
had promised to take him into his en-
) ploy. Mr.. Sandal, fully understandin
, that no man worked for him who ha
, ever drank, knew that no temptation
3 would be put in his way during workin
8 hours, and the others of the party so
4 EMMY pledged themselves to guard hi
| to and from his work till he had strengt
g to go without them.
We have not space to tell all abol
3, the happy, happy evening, though SON
f: of the party had never in their live
$ feasted so royalty, and though the lit
folks had never seen anything quite /
il beautiful as the scene in the parlo
|, which they first looked upon in di
d light, then suddenly bright ligh
!. flashed over what seemed like fair
(: land.
d When Fred and Mr. NARROW disrobt
r the tree, no one was forgotten. To,
8 and candies gladdened the hearts of Il
:, children, and books and pictures we
8 there for all. Mr.. NARROW did not b
It lieve in spelling the day by making al
n one feel too much indebted while
O his presence, and had seen to it tn