Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-09-09
blue eyes followed him wistfully, but he

blue eyes followed him wistfully, but b.
was too shy even too stop. Then one after
noon it clouded up and began to grow cold
BY night the sky was all overcast by gray
lowering clouds, and the cold had iDcreas-
ed. Johnnie was in an ecstasy of delight
for everybody prophesied there would b.
sDow before morning.
But very strange thing happened tt
Johnnie. He was standing looking at thai
new sled of his when Suddenly there ap-
peared before bim very beautiful angel
and this angel was all dressed in robes OF
snow, with wings of snow, and snow
crown on his head. "Come with me-" be
said, and Johnnie felt himself lifted up and
soon he was flying through the air beside
the angel who held him by the arm. He
felt very cold and also frightened, and won-
dereG what would happen to him if the an
gel should happen to let go of his arr.
Soon they bad reached the clouds, which
parted to let them pass through. Then
suddenly the angel let go Johnnie's arm
| ard he felt himself standing on solid
ground. He looked around with a great
deal of curiosity.
On one side of him we're piled mountains
and mountains of pure, dazzlingly white
snow, while on the other was great golden
ball which threw out a blaze Of golden
ance felt warm and comfortable to Johnnie,
while the side toward the snow mountains
felt very cold and bleak. Then suddenly
another angel stood before him, even more
beautiful than the other, for his garments,
his wings, and the crown on his head were
OF brightest gold. Then the white angel
said to Johnnie: II am the snow-angel and
this is the angel of the sun. We are both
at your command;it is for you to say wheth-
or the san shall shine upon the earth or the
snow fall. Which shall it be?"
Johnnie felt rather overwhelmed at this,
but also very proud and important at the
power thus suddenly thrust upon him. 'I'll
have the snow, of COURSE" he thought to
| himself, and then he suddenly remembered
the poor boy who 30 loved the warm SUM-
shine and who couldn't run and play like
other boys. He hesitated for a moment,
then he thought again of that beautiful new
sled which had stood idle so long, and the
lovely time he could have on the hill in the
snow. 'Oh! I'll have the snow" he cried.
Then the angel of the sun turned away
with very sad look on his beautiful face,
and the snow angel led Johnnie forward
until he saw at his feet window. "Look,"
said the angel. And looking down Johnnie
saw the little town where be lived, and
great, feathery flakes of snow swiftly de-
scending upon it. And
"Johnuie, Johnnie! wake up! Don't you
know it's long after seven o'clock, and you
will be late for sehool?''
Johnnie sat up in bed and rubbed his
eyes.
"What lazy boy you are" went on his
mother, with smile, as she gently shook
him. "Jump up, don't you know it's beeu
| showing nseriy all night?"
''SnowingH johnnie was out of bed in a
minute and running to the window, pushed
aside tie blind. Yes, the snow was coming
down fast aud also lay thick on the ground.
For the first few moments Johnnie danced
around with delight, but in a little while
this snbsided aud ne was rather subdued
ard thoughtful as be proceeded to dress
himself, He did not 20 to school By the
cottage where the Deans lived, nor return
that way. When school was over Johnnie
was again all excitement and delight, as he
proudly brought forth that new sled. The
hour 80 eagerly anticipated and so intense
ly longed for had at length arrived.
Without thinking, he started for the hill
along the road leading by the Deans cot
tage. He looked at it rather hesitatingIy as
be vert by. dragging tho sled after him
The porch had an empty, lonesome look,
-. J~l.-.-- o,..-.. -. -
dow pane small, pale, wistfnl face. After
that there was very thoughtful look on
Johnnie's face as he trudged along through
the snow. Soon he had reached the hill
where the boys were already making the air
rescund with their happy shouts. They
crowded around johnnie in admiration aud
astonisnment, and rapturously admired tie
new sled.
Johnnie had not overestimated the swift
ness of those bright, shining runners; they
fairly few over the saow; there wasn't a
sled on the hill which could in any way
come near that new cns of Johnnie's. john
ME could have enjoyed himself immensely
if he could only have forgotten that white,
wissful face st the snow-snronded window,
but somehow he couldn't. He had no been
on the hill hardly haitian hour when, to the
astonishment of the boys, be announced his
intention of going home and, notwithstand-
ing their loud remonstrances, took himself
and that wonderful sled off.
He made fer home 80 fast as be could.
put away the sled, signing rather heavily
as he did 80, and, going up to his room, be
selected couple Of his most interesting
story books and his newest game. Then,
with these tucked carefully under his arm,
he sailed forth again. In little while he |
was standing in the little, low-ceiled room
where Charlie Dean sat in his big chair by |
the window. and, with ve-y red, shy face |
and in his most sheepish manner, was say |
isg, 81 thought I'd just come and pay you
a visit, and I'Te brought some story-books |
and game if you think you'd like 'em."
How the white facs flushed and grew |
radiant with delight.
"Oh I am SO glad to see you, and it is 80 |
kind of you," was the answer, while the |
gentle voice trembled with pleasure.
JohDne's heart was very light hen, an
hour later, he bade Charlie and his mother
goodbye Ho had left the story-books and
a promise to como very soon again behind
him. He had b!ushed very much when
Mrs. Dean bent and kissed him and said,
with tears 10 her eyes, "Thank you so
much, dear, for making nay poor boy Sc
happy and giving him such {. great pleas
ure"
Johnnie whistled very loud and shrilI as
he trudged along, with his hands deep in
his pockets, through the snow in the winter
twilight. He could hear the shouts of the
boys returning from tho hill, but / am quite
sure there was no little boy 80 happy that
cold, SNOWY night as Johnnie.