The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-12-29
THE LOST GROSCHEN,

THE LOST GROSCHEN.
1t had been showing all day, intense
cold had succeeded the storm, and the
stars, shining brightly in the clear sky,
looked down on the good old town of
Nuremberg in the year 1900. 1t was a
beautiful winter night, and although
the curfew hour had passed the lights
still glistened through the small diamond
shaped window panes in the houses, and
the church bells rang out loud and clear.
The people were coming out of their
dwellings and walking slowly but cheer
fully along the streets, not seeming to
mind the crisp cold o the deep NOW
under their feet.
The throng of people had passed on and
the voices Of the bells had become mere
reverberations, when a little girl
about s years old appeared in the
principal street, which was now silent
and deserted. She was alone and look
ed SO small as she walked fearlessly
along, taking short steps so as not to
slip on the hard glistening snow, and
singing in a soft voice, made a little
tremulous by the sharp cold, an old
Christmas hymn about the angels, Beth
lehem and a child asleep in a manager.
Suddenly she stopped, uttered a cry of
dismay. and falling on her knees began
searching for something in the snow.
She was evidently unsuccessful, how
ever. for her signs changed to tears and
her grief increased until it found ventin
sobs.
My money" she cried; my poor
groschen! o dear infant Jesus. bring
me back my groschenv'
Like an answer to her prayer there
sounded not far off a strange, sweet
melody, and she dried her eyes suddenly
and looked about, half expecting to see
an angel, for she thought the music
must have come from heaven. so beauti-
full it was.
But she soon perceived a figure with
wings, harp or halo, a lad about Is
years old, dressed unlike any one in Nu-
remberg. with dark blue breeches, a
short cloak on his shoulders and a little
red cap on his black hair. He carried a
musical instrument and touched the
strings as he glanced up at a house where
a light wa cleaning. 1t was the home
of a rich merchant, and lantern swung
from above the doorway, and this light
had attracted the young musician. When
he had played a few chords on his lutte,
he sang, and the little girl, remembering
the guide of young Tobias who had
seemed but a simple traveller. began to
think that the singer was indeed an
angel. The child did not understand
the singers words, and feeling sure that
he was using the language of heaven she
threw herself 1t his feet, clasped her
hands and raised her eyes entreatingly
to his face. F.
Good angel. l pray thee" she cried,
'thelp me to find my groschen! I beg
thee in the name of the infant Jesus!'
What is the trouble, little one? Tell
me. and if | al help you l will. There
is SO much sorrow in the world for every
n that | always like to help other peo-
pie carry theirs. He smiled cheerily as
be spoke, and the child answered:
4 have lost my money-my g~roschen.
We never have anything nice for sup
per. but because it is Christmastime
my mother gave me the money to buy a
sausage and an apple pie, but l have
dropped my groschen in the snow. We
have no more. and now we can have no
Christmas supper"
Where did you drop it," asked her
listener, and when she pointed to the
spot he knelt down and began turning
over the snow. His back was turned to-
ward the child, when he gave a cry of
triumph and held up a coin in his fin
gers.
"Oh, you must be an angel!" cried the
little girl joyfully And he added with
o smile:
"A F~lorentine angel then. My name
is Maso Napone. Remember it and pray
for me sometimes, little one. Now
goodby. Go buy your supper"
Not until | have been to the mid
night mass" replied the girl. my
mother is i'll, so must go and pray for
her"
Then | will go with you" said Maso,
taking her hand. What is your manner
Christine Dachs. My mother is the
Widow Gudule."
Your mother has to work."
yes, she does beautiful embroidery.
/ do a little of it, but I have not learned
to work very well yet. Pretty soon !
shall do it better, and then mamma can
rest. She is often tired and weak, and
when she cannot work we have no
money"
i am all alone in the world" said the
youth when Christine stopped speaking.
Il have no parents, no money. no home.