Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-18

down on the hurrying throng; and
through uncurtained windows were
glimpses of gay Christmas trees with
happy children dancing around them.
and smiling fathers aud mothers look
ing on.
Holly wreaths hung in profusion and
festoons of evergreen and mistletoe
adorned the walls; and over these hap
Nv scenes played the pickering light of
the '-yule" logs glow.
The church bells rang merrily, and
.he organs deep note peeled forth upon
the night winds; lights strcamed from
they SWING 10 and fro while softly on
the listening ear stole the sound Of
voices singing of Peace on earth, good
will toward men"
But the peace and warmth and glow
had not reached French street, first
chimney. two fights down"
There was litcle 6re-just enough
to give it the name-but it seemed an
empty title.
The curtain was not drawn-what
need of that? since the frost had
worked SO thick a screen that not even
a loving star could peep in with hap
Ply Christmas greeting. Mrs. Hill. with
an old shawl over her shoulders. sat
close to the ia ole, with dim kerosene
lamp beside her
She was blue with the cold, and her
fingers were so stiff that the needle
went laboriously through the heavy
seam Her tired eyes filed with tears
now and again, but she dashed them
away-every minute was precious; for
If the coat was not finished tonight.
and taken back-thcre was a sorry ont
look for tomorrow. And the thought
of the empty larder and coalhod nerved
her to frantic efforts at faster work
ing; and when the clock outside told
the hour of eight, it sent colder thrill
through her frame.
Arthur, in spite of the cold. had
pulled of one of his stockings, and was
looking ruefully at a large hole in the
toe.
Look" he said. holding IL up before
his mother, with comical expression
on his little mottled face.
20, Arthur, how you do wear your
stockings out. l mended them all up
last Saturday night"
But il coined right through again."
and Arthur glanced from the yawning
stocking toe to his mothers tired face,
then back again to the stocking.
do you s'pose the presents will come
through?'
mo, I am afraid they won't" she
said. half bitterly.
But don't want 'em tor and he
looked up with perplexed expression
a: his mother. who was afraid his pres
ents wouldn't come through.
lie examined the hole again, taking
its dimensions by thrusting three
fingers through it and stretching them
apart.
Yes. there was no doubt a good
sized toy could squeeze through that
hole.
''Can you mend it, mother?"
20. Arthur, DON. ask me to do any
thing" she answered. fretfuily, and
Arthur moved away n little: for never
in his life before had he heard his
mother speak like that.
But the next instant she reached out
her arm, and snatched him passionate
ly to her heart
Arthur, dear. mother is sorry that
she spoke like that TO you" and she
kissed the little cold face. while her
tcars-so near the surface-raincd over
her own face and his. II am tired, but
that is no reason for nv speaking
GROSSLY To you; and mother viii mend
the stocking before she goes to bed.
Arthur put his arms around her neck.
You'll have n happy Christmas he
said. loosiny up into her face with
bcaming eyes: and her tears started
afresh as she looked at his hopeful face
and thought Of the gloomy prospect
Il wish could make n fire. and
warm you before You go to bed" she
said. rubbing his blue cheeks with her
cold fingers. land give you something
70 eat
Il Amt much hungry" he answered.
with brave smile.
IF finish this coat in time shall
get something 10 eat. and | viii wake
You mp and give you some" and kiss
ing him. she turned back 20 her work
aud began that weary stitch. stitch.
Arthur hung MP his stocking. aai
going back to his mother pnllcd the
shawl away a Mile and kissed her on
the neck--a form of caress which did
not Interfere with the needle-anf
with a bright face opened the bed
room door and shut himself in. How
cold Il was, for the door had beer shut
all day. that what heat there was
might DO kept in the kitchen lie
would IKE 10 have opened IL. for
raw Of light from his mothers dim
lamp. but il would make her colder;
40 he kicked OF bis shoes not parting
with very much else. for il was too
cold 20 uniress. and jumped into bed
and in a few minutes was fast asleep.
dreaming. perhaps. Of Christmas feast
in1s and Santa Claus
Arthur had rot been dreaming long
when a low knock startled Mrs. Hill
What could il mean And she treSn-
hled little as she walked To the door
snd cpeped il
A kind-faced man with uerr7 hlne
eyes was standing there. he Rad very
fat pocizef<. ard sled in ore han1 and
a parcel m the ether and NJ Hiu