Oxford eagle., 1895-12-19

~ Christmas John
Browning and his
wife sat By the waning Ere IN the crate
after al their children hal gone TO bed.
They enjoyed It's warmth and their own
relaxation from t0ii. and were talking
over their Affairs IN general Mr.
Browning was good mechanic, and n
reasonably good times always made a
comfortable living for his wife aad i've
children; but the stagnation Of basi-
ness and frequent ceSzafiru Of work
during the past two years lad cramps,i
them greatly IN money aEairs. The
children grew SO fast. and wanted new
clothes 50 often. and needed - many
books. and had such healthy appetft,ss,
that the struggle to supply them had,
for long time. been a hard one Mrs.
Browning bad done all her own work
and taken in souse sewing besides. Mr..
Browning had worn his old clothes and
boots until they WeFe scarcely respect
able; had left No stone unLuruesi 70 get
work. and yet withal the butcher and
grocer were pressing him. and things
looked diseoGraging generally Is a
result Of a general survey of the situa-
tion. Mrs Browning said.
We'll. II Is evident We can't have much
Christmas. yet / 10 think We ought 10
make the children as happy As We can
Il does 10 good to have them teeI the
weight Of ere. or rralize he burdens
and difficulties of life as We do. and 80.
If you can ccllect enough money on the
small bills due you. think we ought to
get them some small present. and that
We had better get turkey If We pos
sibly can
With this conclusion her husband
agreed. and they began to ecunt up
what money they might prob< hiy de-
pend upon Mr.. browning took cut his
account book and pencil and commenced
70 figure
'-CoL- Randall owes me SO Ealanee
for fixing his porch He is able 10 nav.
and / think l can depend upon that.
Mr. Smith owes 50 eents for a fire.
board; Nrs. Jones. the m.lliner. owes
me dollar for a screen for her window:
that new grocer around the corner owes
me sl-25 FOR making him seat for his
wagon, and perhaps some other piece
Of work may 0e found between this and
Christmas But even IL get no work
Ne can depezd on five dollars with A
good deal Of certainty
All good is comparative. Having
thus concluded to have as happy a
Christmas as possible, and also that
they had I've dollars to be happy on.
John Browning and his wife went to
sleep with J feeling OF fcontentment and
happiness which many a Iich family
planning for costly expenditures might
envy them
The next morning the ground vas
covered with a deep snow, aEd while
they sat at their frugal breakfast a
loud knock was heard at tue door. On
opening it. Nr. Browning was met bv
a portly and handsome geErIeuan u 10
wore a great cvereoat with costly fur
collar and gloves. who asked IL he was
John browning. the carpenter.
We'll, l want to get you to make a
jumper for me right away. We don't
often have such a snow as this in the
west. and my wife and children van,
10 enjoy it Can you come over 70 nv
house right after breakfast and see how
want il uade2 Then want large
wOod-shed built this week Could you
90 On and buisd il immediateIy2-
John Browning's eyes giistened. and
his face fairly giowed with pleasure
et this unexpected good fortune. He
agreed 20 come az once. and when he
sat down To finish his breakfast he
could not to-5ear saying 20 bis wife and
children: i guess we AZ. going to
have a jolly good Christmas. Mr.. Pot
ter is rich man. the people say, and
viii pay well and promptly for work
done can earn $50 this week IL he
gives ne the work he speaks Of
Ths effect Of the good news Of work
obtained was felt by the whole family.
The children we're exuitznt and good
tempered as they went or 10 school.
Mrs. browning went around with a
light step and cheerful heart singing
AZ her work IL Is wonderful how hope
lightens toll As she sang and worked
abe thought what comfort and pleasure
the eozaEng SO wosld bring. They
could sssEly square ea viih he gFosss