The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-12-22

bear hand with the basket"
Me, ma'amI calculated the boy, at
this unexpected kindness.
Why, of course; come right along.
Lor', child, it's Christmas Eve and it
comes but once'a year."
Into the warmth and brightness and
| good cheer the lad stepped, closely fol-
lowed by Sandy, whose bright eyes and
stubby nose wore an air of puzzled in
quiry. Feeling as if it were all dream,
and that he would awake in moment to
find himself outside in the cold again,
this poor waif sipre his hot coffee and
ate of the bread and butter and meat
that was plentifuly supplied him, slyly
now and again chucking bits to his dumb
friend, who kept close beneath his mas.
ter's chair, until his kind benefactress,
catching him in the act, CALCULATED:
For mercy sake, child1 what are you
doing"
1t flashed across her that perhaps the
boy was an imposter, and not being hun
CRY, was disposing of the meat in that
way in order to deceive her. But in his
pale cheeks there crept the quick color
as he answered:
If you please, ma'am, it's Sandy.
couldn't eat and he go without"
At the mention Of his name Sandy
crawled with half apologetic air from
beneath the chair
is that how it is2 Here, waiter,
bring plate full of meat and bones for
this dog" and this whole -souled woman
gazed compassionately upon the half
starved beast
Such humping as Sandy thereupon
set up with his stub of tail, any one to
have seen it would have doubted its
ability to create such commotion.
"Lor' bless me2 the critter acts as if
he understood, and kindly Mrs. Chris
tian patted Sandy's rough coat, where
upon he, being a very intelligent dog
who knew as well as his betters how TO
appreciate a kindness, Immediately Of
fered his paw, causing the two childlen
Eddie and Rosie-to laugh merrily, in
which their mother good -naturedly
joined, and even Jim-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 re tell of Jim's his
tory. A New York wall homeless and
friendless, living as he bes s,could. As
far as he remembered, lEp. lad ever
given him kind word untl. hit.
and feeling of wondering IA,
grew in his heart for this m,
woman who had so kindly befrienu
him. =
Up two flights of one of the better
class of tenement-houses Jim helped with
the basket, and was rewarded with the
incest smile he thought 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 his thanks, she added:
Come round tomorrow about one
o'clock, and l guess therell be bit of
the turkey left, and Sandy, poor doggie,
he shall have his Christmas, too.n
"Please, ma'am," Jim managed at last
to blurt out, "perhaps if l come round
bit early l might be able to give you a
hand at sumat. l can do lots of things,
and-and Id like to fur ye."
Something in the boys wistful face
went straight to Mrs. Chrstians warm
heart, and smiling through the tears that
clouded her eyes, she answered:
"That's right; always try to work |
your way and be Independent. So come
early, and I'll warrant you'll earn your
dinner"
Then with q nod and smile she |
bade him goodnight.
1t was late that Christmas eve before
Mrs. Christians numerous duties were
accomplished. So many little things
there were to do that only IA mothers |
loving hands could rightly fashion.
Then there was Tom, her husband who
had been working 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 in his poverty
and lionel ness.
"Weel, Mary" said her 'gudeman,"
his genial face expanding in a smile,
''you're always right, and guess you're
so now. Howsomever, Wen give him
one good feed, and as We say, it looks
weel for the lad offering to earn his
dinner"
Only to God alone was ever known of
liow that Christmas eve a sorrowing
mother lovingly pressed little worn
frock to her quivering lips as she muir
"AIy baby Jim and he would have
been just about his age, if he had We
lived" Then, as she tenderly returned
her treasure to its hiding place, she con
tinued I'm do it, if Tom will let me-
No home, no mother no one 10 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, |
can't help it-and we'll never miss the bit
and sup"
Such warmth and kindness and savory
odors as Jim found himself amid that
Christmas 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 state of sickness that poor
Sandy was forced to indulge in an extra