South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-01-09

- ~ 49, ta(itnNo W ANA ~ ~ y EI
a choice bi, Of ChrisImss humor, and
ne vas not indisposet TO contribute a
trihs to the success of the scheme.
de began TO think over the things
in bis load. Since buying the mu.ic.
box the rest seemed rather iasiguif-
cant. There was Noah's Ark now,
good oftbordox plsything-he be-
lieved Il was mentioned in the Bible
why not hand it over to- Sister Az
pesp He considered for a moment 4,
then, with good natured annie. drew
one of the boxes from under bis arm
and deposited IL on the top OF the
basket. The next instant DO Was
hurrying out 10 catch the street.car.
just q few moments later = uidy.
faced Irishmap, who was evidently an
expresemsD, entered the bazaar. He
smiled broadly as he saw the heaped
up basket, shock IL q little 10 settle
the contents, drew down the cover IS
best he could and carried II out TO his
wagon. Then he drove away with il.
down the gay, crowded street, through
narrower and quieter ones, till be
came to red brick cottage, with a
little brown cross on the roof A
might almost have seemed a chapel
bat FOR the plants blossoming in es-
erv window.
Sister Agnes herself threw open th Q
door. There was on eager expression
on her face ss she peered cut into the
twilight. but il gave place to . smile
which was like q burst OF Sunshine
when she saw the basket, 'Oh, the
dear, kind hearts that are In this
world I she cried, elasping her bands.
Il knew / knew 1t would be sor
She reached out her arms for the
load as it neared the door, aud when
the bearer OF i. laughingly pushed by
her into the little parlor she followed
lin on tip,oe, the color coming aud
going in her cheeks like child's.
/! Thank you,' she said, earnestly, az he
set down the basket
The man nodded. 'l'll be round
10 belp you deliver 'em in the morn
iug.' be said, then ran whistling back
TO his wagon.
Left alone with the basket, Sister
Agnes walked around &c several times
in q sort of speecbless happiness. a
little maid came TITO the room to tell
her that supper was ready.
'Yes, yes, said Sister Agues, Pll
come in q minute
Still. she seemed unable to turn q.
way frnm her store Of treasures +.
There Was one laxge package. lying
on the very stop, at which she felt she
must takc.a peep before she could
eat.
She lifted i. and united the string
The wrappers fell of, and in her
hands she held tho most beautiful
music box sue had ever seen-carved
rose wood, inIaid with pearl.
Why, why exclaimed Sister Ag
mes, fairly trembling with surprise.
She turned tiny handle, and all al
once the room began. TO be flied with
music--frst the soft. sweet strains OF
Annie Laurie, then q ght, tripping
waltz and then patriotic air strong
and stirring.
The little maid had come back u
the room and stood agape with as
tonisbment. When the music died
away Sister Agnes turned to her in q
culver Of excitement. 1T is for Lee
Mingo, she cried. IT vii! make him
veil sgain. He must have it this
very night. L will take it to blm al
once.
II was in vain that the little maid
demonstrated. In vain she reminded
Sister Agnes that she had been Out
all dsv and had eaten nothing since
morning, iu vain she recalled to bel
own plan of opening be packages af'
ter supper and labelling every thing
ready TO deliver in the morning. Sis
ter Agnes could not be deferred. Ste
vas not hungry any more. She Wss
not tired. As for the rest OF the
things, they might wait bat this one
must 90 tonight. And feW minutes
later. with thu box IN her arms, she
was fitting down the street.
II was = long walk sbe had before
her, but she did not care for that
She cared only for the little Italian
boy WHO was 10 have this wonderful
gift, and Gesfs and smiles followed
each other fast ia her eyes as she
thought what Il would mean to him.
His mother had been q sweet singer,
and bis father, they said, had played
the violin rarely we'll when be touch
ed The strings 70 the sound OF her
voice. But it brought him no fame
after she died, II had only helped
him to earn a scanly living as part
Of the orchottra 10 a dingy theatre.
Here he had played his part, With the
little Leo by his side, nigh. after
night, for two long years. But the
late hours and the bad ait had told
upon bic health. and one spring he,
too. had died leaving The boy alone,
ell alone, for even tbe violin bad been
sold to pay for food and rent. For 3
while the child had earned few pen.
MES each day singing on the streets 4,
but heart aud voice had failed him,
and now, ~ the Christmas tune, be
lay sick in the garnet Of = woman
who, in a rough sort Of way, bad been
kind 10 him.
II was here that Sister Agnes was
hurrying 10 end him. Her heart beat
fast 90 she climbed the riekety stairs
that led to bis room, and she pressed
~. =. - L.