The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-12-26

! y Zen his own presents came "a warm
red scarf and pair Of mittensl, he cast
quick. grateful look at her, but soon
turned to ,Isgeie again.
! Before the children left the hall Miss
/ Mayor tied his new scarf about his neck,
as &c do it himself would have given the
poor, bent back wrench.
| Now, you are ine-looking enough for
anybody, Ned" she cried, when she had
| finished There was an answering smile
on his face as he turned to go, holding
Maggie's hand, and then with pleasant
good night" he left the hall.
Peace on earth, good will to men,"
Christmas morning had dawned clear
and frosty. Miss Mayor was in her
pretty room dressing, when there was
knock at the door, and her mother en-
tered, letter in her hand. This came
for you, Grace; messenger boy just
! brought it," Grace took it and tore it
open. miss Mayon," it ran, "a little
cripple giving his name as Ned fell from
a street-car last night, and is badly hurt;
he Is at the hospital and asks for you"
Quickly hat and wrap were donned,
and Miss Mayor was soon at the hospital
asking for Ned.
The doctor shook his head. HE can't
| live. If he had been strong it would not
have amounted to anything, but being so
weak and crippled already, it has killed
| him. You viii see him?"
II will go to him." she said, and mo-
ment later they were at his side.
! He was paler than before. The corner
| at Smiths would soon be vacant now,l
| and there would be an empty bed at the
Home"
He looked up with smile, and said:
u knowed you'd come. You allus was
good to me-"
do you feel any pain, Ned?" she asked.
mo, 1t don't hurt a mite; Pm only
kind O. stiffish an numb"
HE will never feel pain again. said
| the doctor in a low tone.
How did it happen, Ned; do you
know"
YES. was gettin' on with Maggie, an
the car started with jerk. | was afraid
of Maggie fallin' an L caught her, an
then L pitched over. But Maggies all
right" he said, as if that were sufficient
for him.
After awhile he spoke: "You won't go
| way, will your"
mo, Ned; 1 will stay with you" That
seemed to satisfy him.
An hour or TWO wore on. Then he said
suddenly: This is Chris mas, amt it?
You know, when Christmas comes people
like to go home to their folks. shouldn't
wonder" with smile, "if 1 was goin'
home, too. Mother used to tell me about
q home fer all ofus that was good enough.
l hain't been very good, but do you think
| tHey WOulu Leu me III! L eS! l. InlnK l. q
| like to 60, cause mother is there an my
little sister," He couldn't talk any fur
ther, and lay quietly, his eyes fixed on
| her face.
By and by he went on: ''Maggie, you
know my sister looked like her, an she
was named Maggie, too. That's why L
allus petted Maggie"
Wouldn't you like to see herr"
''Oh, she was here this mornin'. an L
| told her good-by, | don't puess she nm
derstood, though and the doctor said
she'd better not stay. You know them
things got las night-the scarf an nit
| tens; | wisht you'd give them to some
body that needs 'em; you know l won't
want EN- any more. Youth do it, won't
you?'
Then his mind wandered. He was back
at The Home" or at the corner at
Smiths, or with Maggie. He talked on
about Miss Mayon's class, then of Maggie
again, and her song, Ppm going home to
die no more"
About noon he came back, and said
suddenly, Would you mind kissin' me-
| Miss Mayon?' When she kissed him he
seemed content.
pulse, gave Miss Mayor look which she
understood.
Then Ned spoke: RAISE me up, please;
/ can't breathe"
He lay on her arm for awhile, with his
eyes closed then he opened them, a Won
derful light in his face, and whispered,
Good bye, Pm-rm a-goin' home"
The black eyes shut, the pinched look
on his face disappeared.
Miss Mayor laid him down gently, and
bending, kissed his forehead again, her
eyes full of tears.
The nurse turned hastily away-he had
gone home fer Christmas"