The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-12-21

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of entrance.
The lad, not needing the remark Of
his companion, dragged along toward
his desk, passing as he did 80 by Willie
Crane, who, looking up, saw that he had
been crying.
"How is Bessie, Tom9" he asked,
kindly.
"She's worse. The doctor thinks
choked voice, as he rubbed the sleeve
of his old jacket hastily across his red
and swollen eyes.
"I'm real sorryl" exclaimed tender
hearted Willie.
Tom looked at the friendly little face,
seemed about to speak, then walked off
without saying word
A few weeks later, Willie, in the
pleasant nursery, was busy with paste
pot and brush, making a scrapbook for
baby Nell.
Mamma" he said, as he pasted a
bunch of red roses on to the blue cam
brio background. 81 wish / could do
something for Tom Armstrong"
Tom Armstrong? l thought you
hated him." and mamma smiled one of
her queer smiles.
II don't, now" answered the little
boy, coloring under his mothers quiz
zical look +" You see, asked Jesus to
take the hate out of my heart, and he
answered my prayer, mamma"
eyes, he always will" replied Mrs.
Crane, lovingly kissing his flushed
cheek.
"well," continued Willie, stopping
long enough, however, to give his
mother tight squeeze around her neck !;
~ thought, perhaps, could ask him
and little Bessie to my tree Christmas
night. You know, he wouldn't go to
the church to see one. May l, mammal"
"Would you ask Besse?"
"Tom wouldn't come without her.
Since she is well again, he doesn't
want to have her out of his sight"
"Well, dear, do as you wish, Papa
and 1 will gladly aid your endeavors to
give to the poor children happy even
ing"
Willie was up Christmas morning
hours before the staid old sun had a
thought of rising, and, by the light Of
his small lamp was hastily pulling out
the contents of his crowded stocking.
But not till he went TO breakfast did he
discover the big box resting against his
chair before the table. There it stood
what he had long been hoping and wish
ing for. Lifting the cover, to his spark
ling eyes were disclosed the bright saw
and screw driver, hammer and plane,
and all the other implements of carpen-
try which so delight boys heart. He
took them out, one by one, patting and
smoothing them as gently as if they
were other than cold and unfeeling steel
and wood Then carefully replaced
each in the box, only second after
to have all out again.
But, shortly, the excited little face
grew quiet and the smile gave place to
a sol er, dreamy look. Evidently Will
lies tireless brain was busying itself
over some knotty question. Even the
roast turkey and plum pudding failed
TO rouse him from his abstraction
Baby Nell wondered greatly why
Bruf'r Willie did not answer with
his usual jolly laugh, as she held up,
shouting with glee, a plump raisin on
herfat little thumb. Papalooked troubled
and questioned. Mamma was per-
plexed-but waited.
AS she was resting in her room, two
hours later, timid tap was heard, and
the door opened to admit a very
misunderstanding boy.
Mamma" said Willie, with a Gu
rious catch in his breath, as he set
himself down at her side; "would you
and papa care if gave away my tool
box?"
"Give away your toolbox" And
mamma was so astonished that she sat
bolt upright. My child, l thought
that was what you wanted above every
thing else.'
$50 | did, mamma" and the little
lads words were tremulous, "and l
don't-at least-I didn't want to give
it away But, you see," he continued :,
earnestly, tone of the fellows in our
school had box just like mine, and
when he told us boys you ought to have
seen Tom Armstrong; eyes. 'Crackee!
Don't | wish had one,' he said. l
could earn heaps of money
"And he could, mamma, for he makes
real pretty things with nothing but his
knife. Toms father spends most of
the money he gets for drink, and l
know that Tom and little Bess don't
always have enough to eat, and we all
see what poor clothes they wear.
-" thought, perhaps, if gave him
my tool box, he would believe loved
him-he thinks, now, every one hates
him-and, mamma, besides l asked
Jesus to show me how to help him be-
come better boy, and may not this be
the way?"
" 1t will probably be long time,
Willie, before you can have another"
said Mrs. Crane in thoughtful, mus
ing manner
" oh, yes, / know that. But shall
be happy enough without any"
There was silence for few moments,
then Mrs. Crane, in a voice which
quivered a little, answered, "Do what
you think right, my darling. That will
please both your father and myself"
Seven O'Clock found Tom and Bessie
Armstrong in the Cranes pleasant par
lor, gazing with delighted eyes on
Willie's little Christmas tree. Papa
had thrown, from a magic lantern, on
to the light-tinted wall at the back,
picture of Santa Claus, and the old fell
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