Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-12-21
Lutte BENSON.

curly ntdu Ill ueV zap. lie hcNt
mornings sun would usher in the
glad Christmas time, and Lutte had
been thinking seriously about the
possibility of being like other folks,
if only this once.
Mamma heart was brooding over
it, own bitterness; her cup was full,
and il needed but this little tilt which
Lutte had unconsciously given, 10
start the overflow, that went oat In
her reply. Il know tomorrow Is
Christmas. dear, but Christmas din
ners do not come To us any more, 50
don't bother me about il. Ragged
shoes. faded dresses and empty cup
boards don't promise much for to-
morrow, Lutte"
Poor Lutte. she knew what mamma
meant. She went back To the win.
dow and looked out.
She ceased CRYING with sigh. Now
il papa didn't drink So, why, how
happy they would be. But then, God
knows all about it anyway, and He
doesn't think any more Of the rich
than the poor"
Ask aud ye shall receive" God
meant any thing good you wanted
aud she believed it,
Mamma, she said, shortly, lets
ask tod To send us nice dinner 10.
morrow. know lie will il we'd only
ask
II should he thinking all the time,
that il would not come il | should; 50
there's no use in my asking, answered
Mrs Benson.
20, haven { you any faith, mamma.
+ 1t doesn't need much, said Lutte.
How much does ii need, daughter
/ asked mamma, with IA smile.
90, not much; II piece IA big as u
mustard seed would do, answered
/ Lutte, eagerly, remembering another
+ text of Scripture. 1t won't be half
"a hard To get us dinner IA to move
a mountain, mamma.
We'll, il would do no good for me
To ask, at any rate, said Mrs. Benson,
discouragingly.
1t wont do any harm, | know, y
said Lutte, with an emphatic nod of
her curly head; 80 I'm going TO ask
right away. We've put il oil 80 long
now that God il most ashamed of us.
hnccliug beside her mothers knee
she said earnestly: 20, Lord! please
send us a Christmas dinner; mamma
would ask but she hasn't any faith
Then Lutte went out To where
brother Johnnie was trying To make
snow man. We're going To have
nice dinner tomorrow. Johnnie,
she laid, gleefully.
Johnnie, dropping the broken shovel
aud opening his eyes very wide; who
said soy'
"Oh, asked God "A minute ago, and
He'll send il, | know answered
Lutte
"Of course, said Johnnie, brushing
the snow off his knickerbockers and
looking very much pleased.
Mrs. Critchfeld, their next door
neighbor, heard every word the little
Beusons said. She noticed, too, the
glad look Of hopeful trust OH each
pinched face.
"I'll do IL, - she said to herself later
those hens haven't laid eggs enough
TO half pay for their keeping, and the
lazy things can't do n better work
tnan TO furnish Christmas dinner
for those children. Why, Id rather
lose the whole flock than To have the
simple, trusting faith OF Lutte shaken, '
and Mrs. Critchneld put her hand on
glass OF currant jelly. mentally
counting it in for the Christmas
next door.
After dusk, when. the streets illuuied
for busy lovers OF the holy eve; when
Joe Benson had gone down to the
corner grocery, and while his wife sat
gloomily with her mending, Mrs
Critchheld crept slyly over the division
fence witha well-flled basket. Putting
il down ON the door-stone carefully
she raped on the door and with
drew.
20, my! who's coming TO see us.
calculated Lutte, "a mamma opened
the door
There, in a great basket, reposed
the lazy Biddie. nanked by an array
OF pastry delightful To- see.
Lutte rubbed her eyes a moment
then, clapping her hands, exclaimed
20 mamma God has sent III the nicesi
blcssedest dinner ] ever saw. She
stopped 70 examine a scrap of paper
fastend 70 the basket ''As sure as
every thing, MAMMA, here'a letter
from God.
Mrs. Benson took up the myrterioU'
Christmas gift and took IL over to the
little deal table. while Johnnie clung
10 her skirfs. Then she began TO de
ciphering the crainped chirography oi
her neighbOr.
20, mammal shouted Lutte, lifting
the plump fowl and spying a can oi
rich cream, II think my faith musi
have been as big as two mustard
seeds, don't you! But what does Goo
say ia his letter.
Mrs. Benson said nothing; she wa'
thinking Of her example Of the day
and wondering who could have re
Inembered drunken Joe's family
Spreading out the paper on bel
daughters palm, she read: Here
your Christmas dinner. Lutte Benson
that you asked God for; eat IL and be
thankful"