, 1885-12-25
A FOOLS CHRISTMAS

a All STORY ARTIFICIAL Lights
Everybody said that the Carson children
had done very well with themselves since
their parents died Indeed, there were those
who considered 1t quite providential that
they bad been thrown on their own resources
idnce their father had boon anything but a
model Of financial success and their mother n
Ay-hke woman who had neve thrived Ia
the rude western garden into which she had
oean transplanted.
died in the same week, and the children
ut once set about the business of life with
great good sense. They had not a dollar left
When everything was settled. Even the old
bonse was sold away from them. But they
declded to hold together and get their share OF
The worlds chances. There were five OF
them-George, Catherine, Julia, Annette and
pavy.
Nobody ever mentioned Davy who did not
.peak his name softly and with an accent Of
gentle pity, for he WIS simple minded. He
Nns a fool Though he was large and well
mrmed, at sixteen his face was as vacant as
a haby's But there was mo harm In him. n
The neighbors said. He was just a big in
FAINT, pleased with the trihes that delight the
very least Of children, and Of as little use, as
usefulness is reckoned in this blind old world.
AS the weeds that grow ON the hillsides or tho
Wild vines that choke the grain.
Yet he wasn't a disagreeable figure TO look
A. His appearance never excited repukion,
only pity. He was always well dressed, and
the yellow curls that covered his big head
like n fleece were always brushed and shin
ing Though his va,ant brown eyes were
-rmetimes misty with tears, they knew moth
ing Of anger. He had a laugh for every
hody and WAS invar ably happy. He could
not understand in the smallest degree the
troubles which beset all humanity born to
superior endowmentS- His world was 50 lit
Gle and 10 comfortable, so simple N 10
beautiful, 70 entirely without distress or
lfead, that be was absolutely happy.
Mothers of bright boys just beginning To
make places for themselves in the world
sighed as they looked at Davy Carson and
recalled his image when be was n chubby
baby toddling by his mothers side.
They recalled him as he had often sat by
hq as she sewed, on the shady porch, putting
the words OF his small vocabulary together
10 express his pleasure. The dogs and the
eats, the swallows that built their nests under
the roof of the old porch, the squirrels that
sometimes flashed through the yard, the but
terfiies and even the bees knew Davy. He
Who could talk only haltingly to men and
women knew the language the voiceless crea-
lures understand. Many the days he passed
IN their company, laughing and happy.
And 10 be grewup-grew in body, though
scarcely At all in mind. 1t was pitiful
10 see him, almost a man In stature, holding
hs bands below some foolish toy, a babyis
mug. ur a glass bird, whom another examined
g. childlshly eager TO protect il from possibls
sarelessnez
In but two things did he advance-kind
uiss aud love Though his Intellect stood
TN his spiritual senses seemed somehow to
grow lnstinctively be understood tina all
living things were entitled to kindness, and
IN his poor, simple fashion he was forever
trying 10 help the helpless. His mind was
not clouded there. Higher than the intellect
rits the soul Through the strange veil thai
ahrOuded his mind the simple boys soul
looked out clear AID beautiful Literally and
absolutely did he fulfill the golden rule-he
who could not understand Il law, who knew
not a line Of injunction, who had no idea OF
inward OF punishment, Of hea ven or he'll, OF
uod or demon. Yet be did all that the wi@st
Of us are commanded 10 do.
And 50 he grew up-blg, simple, kind and
loving.
When his father and mother died-both
were carried h the cemetery ON the same
day-pavy was dazed by the -strangeness Of
Il all but he could not understand that any
thing IN the nature Of "A calamity had o.
eurpd He tiptoed over the room and spoke
In whispers, not because he was awed by the
presence Of death, but for fear a noise would
disturb their sleep
When he Jaw them no m0rs he called them
often, searched for them again and again