The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1891-12-17

Was b~nding over q child who lay pros
trate In a snmpiuops room. She WAS look
ing up at him ~ he touched her body gent
~. world Of faath Ia her great brown
ewes Ii WAS iitlls wonder his mild vet
strong ceuntenAnce inspired her conf
dence The face was all she saw, but
her waichful parents had begun to hope
that here was helper indeed, for they
noted the scientific Nay in which the firm
hands I'D their work and the keen qqes
tons which showed his complete knowl.
edge u the disease 10 be treated. And yet,
when Mr. Claus found him. the man had
said. Il am not a physician, but only =
physicians aid help those whose bodies
are helpless merely by giving them out
ward support"
The group in that lovely room formed
picture, and the growing hope In the par
ents faces became JOY ~ they heard him
say presently, Il believe she can be cured;
but il will take long time. and ! will
only act Ia connection with your regular
physician"
The child's look WAS triumphant.
"Didn't tell you so, mammal And he
must cure Kitty too"
Then she told the gentleman OF Kitty,
and how the poor chid's illness had been
the means OF their hearing about him, and
be agreed to 20 at once 10 Gunnson alley
to examine Kitty. as Mr. Claus requested
him TO do,
"It Is Christmas eye," cried Margaret
TELL her you came from Santa Claus, for
you really do, you know, because ] am
playing Santa Claus this year, But
her voice grew very tender-"it isn't truly
santa Claus at all; it's the Christ child,
he puts it into our hearts, You see, and !
want you to tell Kitty about him, will
your Because | can't go. don't think
she's so well acquainted with him rs she
h with Santa Claus. They have the Christ
child in Germany on Christmas, and like
1t better than Santa Claus"
Well, DIR Good, as Margaret chose TO
call him, though he wasn't doctor and
his name WAS plain Mr. Goodsell went to
Gunnison alley aud made favorable re
port OF kitty's case also And so touched
was he by Margaret's request that he did
not forget to tell his new patient about her
and the story Of the Christ-child.
After he had gone another knock sur
prised the Worrells. This time colored
man came with Mr. Santa Claus compli
ments, and he wasn't feelin able to get
round TO Gunnison alley, but would they
accept these, with his best wishes and his
particular love TO Miss kittyp
These" proved to be more things than
can he described. Edibles, Of course
some wonderful toys for Kitty, a soft
afghan and down pillows for her bed and
another purse, not at all like that the
strange gentleman had given her, but
quite as well filed,
The spirit OF Christmas was lowering in
the air that night, for in the midst of joy
Gus gift making in richer homes, the ring
ing of Christmas bells in towers and
steeples and the remembrances for child
hood throughout the worls, some good
angel found time to bring dream to
weary, happy Kitty. She saw-not Santa
Claus--Dut beautiful child, who held out
hands full to Overlooking with gifts and
blessings, saying, "The Christ-chid sends
them"
..
A year passed. 1t was Christmas eve
again, and there was an air Of expectancy
noticeable in Mary and Joe Worrell as
they moved about their humble home.
Kitty was too engrossed in picture book
10 see it, She sat in reclining chair-Mr.
Claus and his wife had spared no pains to
make her comfortabe-an was so interest
ed that she never heard the rattle of wheels,
Joe left the room and went down to help
If needed. There was a sound of people
climbing the stairs; vision OF loneliness
with golden hair framed in the soft white
Of floating feathers and downy furs; then
rosy faced maid placed child before the
door and stepped to one side Joe leaned
from the other and gave sounding knock.
1t was part of the plan that when it opened
Kitty should see no one but Margaret, her
friend and benefactor, who had grown able
10 90 out and was come TO see her for the
first time.
Mary threw the door wide open and,
smiling, Margaret stepped forward, her
hands full Of packages. The figure in the
chair looked up. and never noticing the
slight limp and bent back, results Of the
disease which time would cure. gave
glad cry.
1T is my dream, my Christmas dream"
she said. ut is the Christ-child."
mo, dear. it is Margaret" said Mary
gently, with tears In her eyes.
81 saw it just as plain" Kitty went on,
land never forgot how 1t looked. Are
you sure this is MargaretW
A merry laugh from the child herself
settled the question, and the two little
friends went straight to work to get better
acquainted over the contents OF sundry
Christmas packages