The Brookhaven leader., 1885-12-24
A FOOLS CHRISTMAS


TRUE STORY WITHOUT ARTIFICIAL LIcHTs.
Everybody said that thesCarson children
had done very well with themselves since
their parents died. Indeed, there were tho o
who considered it quite providential that
they had been thrown ON their own resources,
since their father had been anything but a
model of financial success and their mother a
hly-li woman who, had never thrived in
the rude western garden into which she had
been transplanted.
Both died in the same week, and the children
at once set about the business of life with
great good sense They had not dollar left
when everything was settled. Even the old
house was sold away from them. But they
decided to bold together and get their share of
the wof'ld's chances. There were five of
them-George, Catherine, Julia, Annette and
Davy. ~ gss = ~ 9
: Nobody ever mentioned Davy who did fiot
. speak his snarae softly and with an accent of
gentle pity, for he'was simple minded. He
was a fool Though he was large and well
formed, at sixteen his face was as vacant as
q baby 4 But there wasE NO harm in him."
the neighbors said. He was just big in
fapt, pleased with the trifies that delight tho
very least of children, and Of as little use, as
usefulness is reckoned in this blind old world,
a the weeds that grow on the hillsides or'the
wild vines that choke the grain. ar
|. Yet he wasn't disag agteeAble figure to look
at His appearance never excited repulsion,
only pity. lie was always well dressed, and
the yellow curls that covered his big head
ikea fleece were always brushed and shin
ing. Though lhis vacant brown eyes were
sometimes misty with tears, they knew moth
ing Of anger He had a laugh for every
h<>Ix- ~ lxIxx a<.xll
not understand in the sInaileA degree the
troubles which .beset all humanity Born to
superior endpwinents His world was so lit
tie and so cornfortable, so simple, and so
beautiful, SO entirely s. without distress or
dread that he was absolutely happy SEss@
4 Mothers of bright boys jdst beginning to
make places for themselves in the world
sighed as they looked at sDavy Carson and
recalled his image whenshe was a chubby
baby toddling by his mothers side. ss
They recalled him as shs had often sat by
her as she sewed, on the shady porch, pulling
The words of his snall socabulary together
to express his pleasure. The dogs and the
cats, the swallows that baiilt their nests under
the roof of the old porch, the squirrels that
sometimes flashed through the yard, the but
terfies and even the bees knew Dayy. He
who could talk only haltingly to men and
women know the Language the voiceless crear
.tures understand Many the days be passed
in'their company laughing and happy,
And so he grewup-grew in body, though
scarcely at all in mind. It was pitifui
to see him, almost a man in stature holding
his hands below some foolish toy, baby's
mug, or a glass. bird, when another examined
it childishly eager % protect 1t from Poasible
In, but two things did he advance Kind
nes and love. Though his intellect stood
still his spiritual senses seemed somsho3 10
grow InstinctiveIy he understood that all
living things were entitled to kindness. md
In his poor, simple fashion he was forevsr
trying TO help the helpless His mind was
not clouded there. Higher than the intellect
sits thu soul Through the strange veil that
shronded his mind the simple boys soul
looked out clear and beautifuL Literally and
absolutely did he fulfill the golden rule-he
VINO could not understand a law, who knew
not q line OF injunction, who had no idea Of
reward or punishment, of heaven or hell, Of
God or demon: Yet he did all that the wisest
OF us are conlnanded 10 do.
An, Ana % o.. he grew up-big, simple, kind and
When his father and mother died--bosh
were carried 20 the cemetery ON the same
day-Davy was dazed by the strangeness of
1t all; but he could not understand that any
thing in The nature Of calamity had oc-
CURED. He tiptoed over the room and spoke
IN whispers, not because he was awed by the
psesen-e OF death, but for fear a noise would
disturb their sleep
Vixen he saw them no more he called them
often, searched for them sgain and again,