St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-03


thized with her and together they built
pans OF the tea parties they would have
on the new dishes. Christmas WAS COM
ing nearer, Jim was more away than
ever, having found friend who had
some money TO spend and the child was
much alone, but singing. and merry al
ways. ION, grandma, Christmas will
soon be here and we will lie so happy"
Christmas eve came. "Grandma, me
Will hang up our stockings tonight. To-
morrow is almost here" and the little
hands clapped with delight. She laid
long awake that night thinking of
Gods beautiful city and trying to
count His nickels shining in the
Sky. Christmas morning came and
went. Jim and his new friend had been
out all night having glorious time, but
now when the day was nearly gone and
the money more than gone, they were
coming home. Slowly, as was his wont,
came jim up the squeaky, rickety stairs,
and away up there. standing in the glare
of the setting sun, he saw the sheen of
the tangled golden hair. But what
woeful, pitiful face peered from within
it! And when he reached her the little
arms clutched him cOnvulSively as she
Sobbed:
"Oh, Jim, darling. nobody loves me
but YOU"
Jim carried her quietly to his room,
the friend following. He placed her on
his knee. Gently smoothed the silky
hair until the violent sobbing ceased.
why. Elsie, what's the matter?
Where are all the beautiful dishes?"
The dropping eyes raised to his as
with little nOurntul shake of the head
she slowly said
''Not-a-nickel, not-a-dish."
why. Elsie, how's that?''
"God didn't love me. jim. He didn't
hear, L 'spose, when | aXed him. But |
aXed him SO many times maybe he got
tired of me-" And great tears rolled
down her pale cheeks. Jim got up and
walked the floor.
Il can't stand this, Will. Have YOU
any money!"
The stranger boy. whose handsome
eyes were glistening with slight mois-
ture he tried in vain to hide, repeated
the child's words: mot nickel. Not
-a-diSh."
do you think the ianitor would put
up little more for fellow?"
I'VE could not find him this afternoon.
Come to me, Elsie.'
The little detected one dragged her
self over to the boy, Will, attracted by
the kindly good nature in his face. his
fine clothes and his grandiose manner,
she placed her little hand in his.
Il like you; you've got SO many pretty
things L guess God loves you, too. Pm
so little and SO poor he couldn't love
me-"
The grandmother stood in the door.
Taking the little slender hand in hers
she led Elsie out of the room, saying:
All this nonsense is making the
child sick.''
Though the night and day had been
spent by the boys forgetful of God and
the teachings of good fathers and moth
ers. yet so far the world had left some
Innocence i'll their hearts. and they were
overcome to see little child lose faith
i'll Gods love, and to find themselves
poWerless to help her. Next morning
swung open jim and his friend were
the first to enter. Together they went
to the janitOr. The old man was OBJ
durate, proof against their promises.
VIII then told the story of Elsie. AS
he proceeded i'll his graphic way the
messengers gathered round him, and
throughout the great bank the words
were carried from mouth to mouth:
mot nickel, not diSh.' The pres
sure proved too strong for the janitor.
He advanced the loan. Nor did it end
there. Every messenger, clerk, teller
and cashier made contribution to the
fund. During the excitement the presi-
dent-the great mOney-king of the city
Suffered. He, loo, heard the story, and
taking from the cash counter three
packages, each containing twenty new
shining nickeis, he placed them in Jim's
hands, saying: a,''% ssN
"There are the three nickels," and
taking q bank-nOte from his pocket:
This is for the little girls dishes.''
With light hearts Jim and Will went
home that night. They had selected
the prettiest set of dishes the city stores
Afforded, and the remainder of the
money had been converted into new
nickelS from the mint. These treas
ures were left for safe keeping until
night with friends below. AS they
mounted the stairs Elsie was waiting
as usual for Jim. She was more cheer
full, but much suDdued.
"Elsie," said Will, "dld you hang
up your stocking last night?''
"Oh, no; last night was not the
night. 1t was the night-be-fore last,'
and the little lips quivered.
Yes. but maybe the angel God sent
with the things could not find the way
up these dark, shaky stairs"
THE teacher told me that angels
could see in the dark, the same as in
the:light.''
"Well," suggested Jim, "perhaps the
angel hasn't had time to get around to
you. You know this is an awfully big
city and the angels may be going round
yet"
The pretty eyes opened wide. She
had never thought of that.
do you really think that God loves
me, and that the angel will come yet?'
'Well, wouldn't wonder. If were
you, I'd hang up the stockings tonight.
You see, we must not be in such a hurry
with God.''
Elsie was now all life again, and her
spirits rising, dubbed over in dimpleS