Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-12-25
The baby stopped crying and looked

n. -
| half in fear, oondhis pitying face n lob
heldnodt bis arms coaxingly. ..an6 smile
i came lover the baby face and 5000, COO. y
tbroke 'iins ispiug tones from the rosebud
montbs 1aHeatenderly lifted the little
creasurea andlopening his cost folded her
Iiu closnto his great warm heart.aq si.i
I No soundsaye that Of the bitirr wind
Idisturbed the stiffness, noitraek Of any
living, being was to be,found, and John.
| with his, buEdensi in bis, arms. elambered
lback into ahis wagon, and ;. closely nest
| ling tho little ione,l chirruped to his stout
Ihcrses' that isknews the road too we'll to
lpeed much watching. s,,p ~. n se,.o,..
" Presently looking down, be saw bis
Ibaby fast asleep, her long lashes lying on
her soft cheek /; and quietly and gently
he drew out bis warm buffalo robe and
cast about in his mind for q place in
| which to lay bis sleeping charge. The
Large empty box, which had borne his
[ponltry to market, caught his eye, and
placing in it his warm, comfortable, robe,
no made soft bed for his Christmas pres
cnt: soshe inestIed her down among the
Fskins and covered her with bis 'overcoat.
+ He'did hot mind the cold, although
his'face glowed scarlet and he had to
swihg his arms and clap his hands to
tbeybldod in circulation but he
whistlcd n'crrily to his good horses, that
ratified GU withincreased speed and soon
drcwsup before the gate of his farmhouse.
+ Thoidoorw was opened and the figure of
a woman Appeared, peering into tho
darkness; tho. light Of candle she
shielded whitaker hand falling upon the
Eblaekeyos and eager face Of Dolly. who
stood with her head pushed out under
her mothers arp hna ,,aioaa 4 .esd, ssl
i 'tMargcry," shouted John to his wife,
t'comc sec my, Christmas box. Give the
light 70 David, aud let him hold il here
il The wagon. Here, give me both your
bands, said John. STOPPING down aud
helping bis wife into the wagon and
there, quietly sleeping, her rosy cheek
close to the soft skins, lay Johns Christ
mas box,
/, Her plother-heart was touched, and,
opening TO this homeless waif, she bore
her into her own happy home, looking
already upon her as her own ga -
\ Who could depict Dolly's delight at
this "real live baby Not even tho
great nagnifccnce Of the new purchase
or the purchase of the box Of candies
could compare in her estimation, with
this uewly-found treasure. Upa tln Af
Tho sbaby-girl's quaint, serious ways
were never-failing source Of delight,
and Dolly wondered how she could have
cared for hor stupid baby, that could
not crow or laugh or poke lbs little fin-
gers into her eyes and pull her hair
and once again Margery and John grew
young in watching and guarding their
christmas box.a asi d. So .fa Ill. H,fi
# t1eHH& n4 n
Years rolled on, bringing their usual
change of joy and sorrow, Of good and
evil fortune, had left their traces in
wrinkles and gny hairs on the middle
aged and opened the gates Of Heaven to
many of the old; had changed romping
school children d into strong men and
sweet winning maidens. But the old
farmhouse still stood, looking very little
older than il did seventeen years ago
this christmas Eve 49, ~ e.ef-
2 Surely time hath dealt gently here
there sits John, ms evor---his hair more
,thickly mixed with grey. his brow more
wrinkled, but with soft sadness in his
eyes that was new TO them.
Il A young woman sits BY the window
tying d close, wnrm hood on chubby
baby. the very miniature of John, and
tho young mother Is fac-simile Of the
Margcry Of old, whom, alas we do not
iod. Naught but her empty place and
loving memory ever grcen'in Johns faith
ful Heart remains Of the farmers wife.
"WclI, father" said Dolly, giving her
baby a Hearty kiss and sitting him down
on the floor until she tied on her own
hood and folded closely her warm shawl,
81 must be getting toward home. Ned
win be wanting his supper, and it's
goddish piece 10 walk against this bleak
wind fmtc TO leave you all alone, but
Cldire will soon be in SO be sure TO
come Tomorrow night after church, and
we will have u merry Christmas SO
saying, Dolly picked up her fat baby
with loving squeeze, and nodding
gayly, left the house. sd qg qt
/. so like her MOTHER murmured John
10 himself, as he turned with q sigh into
bisisolitary home, and filing bis pipe,
he settled himself into thu warm chimney
eorney. The cmbers glowed brightly on
tho hearth, casting q pleasant glow on
the shining pewter ranged on the dresser
and half Illuminating the dusky corners
Of the large old-fashioned kitchen. 'e
/. John. gazing into the Goals, saw many
q pleasant sight First peercd out a
smiling baby face; next came little,
goldenshaircd lassie, with bright, fairy
figure, flying down the path with out
stretched arms 10 meet him returning
homo, tired with his hard days work
this faded into slender schoolgirl, with
large serious eyes, the very color Of the
midsummer sky, lowering around him
with an eager love and anxious to FORE
stall his slightest wish next came sick
chamber, with poor, weary pain-worn
occupant tenderly nursed and soothed by
the same sweet face and gentle hand
then a sad and weary time when all the
world seemed empty and his loneliness
became all but hesrtbreaking but even
amid this blackness was tho one bright
face, ever yipsomc aud kind, and ever
striving with all the might Of q loving
heart, 70 fiIl the gap left by death.
God bless my Christmas box y John
murmured softly,when there stole an arm
around his neck, a voice spoke in bis ear
and q soft kiss stole upon his check.
"Wby. father. dear, how long have
you boon .aslcop2 the Gro is all out and
your pipe, too They kept me longer at
church fixing the greens than l thought
for; you should see how pretty il looks.