Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-12-26
THE CHRISTMAS WREATH.
BY FRANCES HENsHAw BADEN.


Three little faces were pressed close to
the window, watching with eager interest
the great brown stone house across the
way.
There were little children at the win
dows of that house too; bright, beautiful,
rosy, merry little ones they were, so differ
ent to those in the humble frame opposite,
who, pinched and pale and sad, had a
wistful look in their sweet eyes as they
saw the happiness of those they were
watching.
"Oh amt it jolly for themf And amt
it nice to be rich, and have lots of friends'"
exclaimed George, who for the time for
got his own dreariness in seeing the joy of
his neighbors.
ooh, yes, indeed. That big box is full
as ever it can be with goodies and dolls,
amt it, Georgie2' said little Evie, as the
expressman, with the assistance of SER
vant carried in a large box.
christmas is grand over the way. 1
know that boy will have a gun, and a
sword, and drum. oh, mamma, mamma,
will Christmas ever come so to us?'
George asked, with longing look in his
great blue eyes.
The mothers lips quivered, tears filled
her eyes, and for moment she could not
answer. George saw his words had made
his darling mother sad, and springing into
her lap, he clasped his arms about her.neck
and pressing kisses upon her sad, pale face,
said:
eve don't mind if we are not rich, man.
ma! Do we, girlsi We can wait for good
time until I get to be big man. Then,
mamma, we will have it. Don't cry;
please don't"
The mother forced back her tears, say
ing:
"My little man, as long as my darlings
are well and with me, am content. But,
oh. l do wish some one would send my
little ones something to make their Christ
mas merry"
Mamma, God won't forget us. oh I'm
sure He won't. Something good will come
to us, think. If could only get we'll
1 mean if could run about with the other
children-that would be the best thing l
could have for my Christmas" said May
lovely, patient little May. She was an
angelic child. Hopelessly crippled since
never playing with other children,
she was, when only eight years old, so full
of thoughts beautiful, good and wise, that
her mother felt she was not long for earth.
And though from her suffering and love-
illness she was dearer than the others to
the mothers heart, she often felt as if she
must loosen her clasping arms from about
her darling, and let her flee away where
she could wander about with the little
ones, in the Home where all the suffering
children grew well and happy.
Mary Grayson stole quietly out, while
the little one were prattling. Dropping on
her kness beside her bed, she wept bitterly.
Oh, how hard it was to have those little
ones really suffering for the comforts she
could never give them! May, most of all,
needed little delicacies, Oh, would better
days never come to themf"
Three years before, her husband, having
saved sufficient to support his little family
for two years, had left them, going with
a party to Australia, promising to be home
with a little fortune in two years. The
time rolled slowly by, but he came not,
nor one word since of him. The little
money left was all gone, and her little ones
were living on the small amount procured
by her needle.
'It snowsi it SHOWS! Now, mamma, fix
me up as warm as you can. I'm going to
run across the way to the big house, and
ask them to let me clear off their pavement
when it has done showing. I'll be in time.
oh, if could only get ten pavements to
clear off, I'd have lots of money; more
than enough for turkeyf" exclaimed
George, his eyes dancing with great ex-
pectation.
"Ten pavements to clear off with these
poor little hands! Why, little love, that
will be work enough for great strong
man." the mother said.
As she wrapped the warm scarf about
his neck, and buttoned the we'll patched
coat over the brave little heart, she thank
ed God for the great blessing he was.
"My love, have you noticed those little
faces at the window across the streetT
asked Philip Austin, the owner of the
brown stone house, and pretty, bright
children in it.
''Not particularly. Whyf" returned Mrs.
Austin.
"Well, to me they have very touching
expression. Now look! See how they watch
this housew
"Papa, the boy that is most all the time
with them has just gone down from our
door," said Willie Anstin.
"Ring the bell and inquire what he
my DEAR" said Mr.. Austin.
Another moment, and a servant entered.
Mrs Austin made tie desired inquiry.
The man, smiling, answered:
HE wanted to assist clearing Off the
pavement, when the snow has stopped
falling"
''Poor little fellowi And what did you