Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-12-25

eCl up Win HIS StuD vi u till, any oic "
have seen it would have doubted its
ability to create such a commotion.
"Lor' biz IS me? the critter acts as if
he understood and kindly Mrs. Chris
tian patel sahdy's rough coat, where
upon he, being a very intelligent dog
who knew as well as his betters how to
appreciate kindness, Immediately of.
fered his paw, causing the two child. en-
Eddie and Rosie-to laugh merrily, in
which their mother good naturally
joined, and even JitA-that was the poor
boys name,-warmed by the good fare,
found himself actually laughing heartily
too.
Before Avenue B was reached that
night kind Mrs Christian had learned
the little there was to tell of Jim's his
tory. A New York waif, homeless and
ffiendless, living as he best could. AS
far as he remembered, no one had ever
given him kind word until this night,
and feeling of wondering admiration
grew in his heart for this mptherls
woman who had so kindly befriehded
him.
Up two flights Of one Of The bettet
class of tenement houses jim helped with
the b,sket, and was rewarded with the
incest smile he thouc hit he had ever seen,
followed by the words:
There, sonny, there's your ten cents
and bit over, seeing its Christmas eve;;"
and while Jim stood gazing at the silver
quarter placed in his hand, too much
surprised TO speak i s thanks, che added:
"Come found tomorrow about ons
81 n
the turkey left, aad Sandy, poor doggie,
he shall have his Christmas, too"
"please, ma'am," Jim managed at last
to blurt out, ''perhaps if come round a
bit early might be able to give you q
hand at sumat. can do lots of things;
an and d like to Fur ye''
Something in the boys wistfu! face
went STRAIGHT to Mrs. { hr st;ans warm
heart, and smiling through The. tears that
cloudcd her eyes, she answered:
"rhat's right; always try to work
your way and be independent. So come
curly, and I'll warrant you'll earn your
dinner"
Then with nod and a smile she
babe him goodnight.
1t was late that hristmas eve before
Mrs. Christians numerous duties were
accomplished. So m.ny little things
there were to do that only mother
loving hands could rightly fashion.
Then there was Tom, her husband, who
had been woi king late at an extra Job,
he had to have his BIT Of supper and
smoke, and of course hear all his wife
had to tell Of poor Jim and how her
heart had gone out to him III his poverty
and lionel ness.
"WeeI, Mary" said her "gudeman, -
his genial face expanding in smile,
you're always right, and / guess you're
so now. Howsomever, we'll give him
one good feed, a.d as We say, it looks
neel for the lad offering to earn his
dinner"
Only to God alone was ever known of
how that Chlistmas eve a sorrowing
mother lovingly press ed little worn
frock to her quivcring lips as she muir
mured:
"My baby Jim and he would have
been just abolt his age, if he had we
lived" Then, as she tenderly returned
her treasure to its hiding place, she con-
tinued: IN do it, if Tom will let me.
No home, no mother, no one to care for
him. 1t might have been my Jim, or Ed
die or Rose. Perhaps it's the name that
draws me so toward him. Anyway, l
can help it-and we'll never miss the bit
and sup"
Such warmth and kindness and savory
odors as Jim found himself amid that
Chr stmas day! He did his best, poor
lad, in honor of the occasion by present.
ing himself with face and hands as clean
as soap and water could make them, and
hair in such a state of sickness that poor
Sandy was forced to indulge in an extra
sniff of his young master to convince him
self that he ha not made mistake.
How Mrs. Christian contrived on such
short notice to procure suit of clothes
that, If they were trltie large and SOME
what worn, trans 'orm ID jim into quite q
handsome little fellow, was known only
to her kindly heart. And the warm
6annels--there was no one to tell of the
plying fingers that had fashioned them
so early that bright Christmas morn.
And Jim-did he ever forget that
Christmas day, the first real one he b I'd
ever known! And when he was told
that he need never 60 back to the cold
and the hunger again; that if he wished
he could become one of this happy house
hold, he was speechless from sheer be-
wilderment at the dazzling prospc I'M
til Sandy, perhaps, fearing it al BODIED
no good to him, gave vent to a prolonged
howl; whereupon, with a big gulp, as il
to choke back the tears that filled his
eyes, Jim answ red:
"Pleasc, ma'am, don't think hard of
me, but couldn't dot. Yer see, he was
SIGH little 'un, when saved him from
being throttled by Mike lint, and his
leg was broke; but he was that smart,
and he's stuck to me liver since. Sich
friends as we've been, m Pam, l couldn't
go back on him now. He's all the friend
l liver knew till see you, ma'am. hope
ye won't think me ungrateful, and if
yell give me job row a I'd agin III only
lie too thankful, and fur all ye've done,
I cannot say it rightly, but I feel it,
ma'am, do"
Here, with a slight catching of his
breath, jim paused, and hugging Sandy,
who had crept into his arms, cl use to his
breast, he awaited his dismissal.
Two motherly hands we; ) laid loving
ly upon the boys shoulders, as in tones
tlat slightly trcmbled Mrs. Christian
said:
"Did you think, sonny, we would be-
grudge the bit and sup to the poor beast
Of course he's to stay, too, and it will be
his own fault if he goes without, when
there's plenty for him. Isn't il so. TOMB