The Coconino weekly sun., 1893-12-21

and balls, and tops, and other nice toys hung upon them. In one window the child noticed little lamb made of soft white wool. Around it's neck was tied red ribbon. It had evidently been hung on the tree for one of the chil- dren. The little wanderer stopped be- fore this window and looked long and earnestly at the beautiful things in- side, but most of all was he drawn towards this white lamb. At last, creeping up to the window pane, he gently tapped upon it A little girl came to the window and looked out into the dark street where the snow had begun to fall She saw the child, but only drowned and shook her head and said: "Go away and come some other time. We are too busy to take care of you now" Back into the cold, dark street he turned again. The wind was whirling past him and seemed to say: "Hurry on, hurry on, we have no time to stop. 'Tis Christmas Eve and every body is in hurry tonight"
 Agaln and again the little child rapped softly at door or window pane. Ateach place he was refused admission. One mother feared he might have some ugly disease which her darlings would catch; another father said he had only enough for his own children, and none to spare for beggar brats Still another told him to go home where he belonged, and not to trou ble other folks.
 ln& night, and colder grew the wind, and darker seemed the street. Farther and farther the little one wandered. There was scarcely anyone left upon the street by this time, and the few who remained did not seem to see the child. when suddenly ahead of him there ap- peared a bright, single ray of light It shone through the darkness into the child's eyes. He looked up smiling and said: q will go where the light beck ons; perhaps they will share their Christmas with me-"
 Hurrying past all the other houses he soon reached the end of the street and went straight up to the window from which the light was streaming twas poor, little, low house, but the child cared not for that. The light seemed still to call him in. What do you suppose the light came from? Nothing but a tallow candle which had been placed in an old cup with broken handle, in the window, as glad token of Christmas Eve There was neither curtain nor shade to the little square window, and as the little child looked in he saw standing upon small wooden table branch of Christmas tree. The room was plainly furnished, but was very clean. Near the fireplace sat lovely-faced mother with little two year-old on her knee and an older child beside her. The two children were looking into their mothers face and listening to a story. She must have been telling them Christmas story, I think. A few bright coals were burn ing in the fireplace, and all seemed light and warm within.
 The little wanderer crept closer and closer to the window pane. So sweet seemed the mothers face, so loving seemed the little children, that at last he took courage and tapped gently, very gently, on the door. The mother stopped talking, the little childre n looked up "What was that, mother?" asked the little girl at her side. "I think it was some one tapping on the door," replied the mother. "Run as quickly as you can and open it, dear, for it is bitter cold night to keep any one waiting in this storm" 'Oh, moth