The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-22

bly, distressed. She followed tue itt.e
procession up to old Potter's room. and
tended the unconscious child as lovingly
as she would have cared for one or her
own little ones: her tears falling fast
meanwhile on Toms curly brown hair.
After a while he opened his eyes. and
he smiled az he saw his grandfather. Then
he stared at the strangers gathered about
him, and seemed both puzzled and trou-
bled
DO you feel very much paing' they
asked him.
Pain? No: I'm very tired. Is widow
Ward Gomez
who is widow Ward? asked the lady
Potter had turned away his head. IL
was Tom who answered her.
she IS somebody az Is poorer than We
and we want TO give her pleasure for
Christmas-for the Lords sake, grand
father said She is 20 have some OF my
holly there" and he pointed with very
shaking hand 10 the green sprigs on the
wall.
cant you give him nothing. sir?' said
Potter, appealing TO the doctor in tones
Of anguish.
quite useless" was the reply. Moth
ing can be done"
Tom heard and understood. Am ! so
much hurt? Am | going to die? All, but
the angels will have to teach me hard,
very hard indeed; | don't know anything
quite right. oh and to-day they VIII
have a grander song than ever, because
its Christmas, you see. Oh. grandfather,
grandfather what shall / do?"
"The Lord HimselfH teach you, lad
He'll make things right. for sure" said
poor old Potter, reverently.
YES forgot - lie came 70
max az everything rigat, you said.
Motherll be glad 10 see me on Christmas
Day" he ramraked presently. bid faith
or and the little uns good bye for me;
and don't you, don't you forget TO give
my holly to widow Ward
The lady and the doctor thought that he
never spoke again, but his grandfather
fancied that he could quite plainly eaten
two whispered words Joyful and thank
full"
The short life was over. Tom Dimond
spirit had left the earth, where SIN might
have hardened him and temptation wreck
ed him, for the land where he learned
the song, not Of the angels, but OF the
redeemed ones whom the Lord Christ
came TO save.
II was a joyful day for him, that sun
shiny Christmas. And though old Potter
misses him sorely, he knows II Is well
with the child: he would not have him
back, even II he could choose. 1T won't
be long now until l see him again, please
God" he says.
Widow Ward had her sprays Of holly.
Long. long into the night cross widow
Ward sat with Toms holly in her lap.
thinking as she had not thought for years
and years. Before she slept that night
her cheeks were wet with tears. and her
poor benumt ed heart came nearer TO
forming a prayer than II had been since
the days Of her youth.
The lady Of Roveden Hall begged for a
bit Of that holly.
She too. kept il and looked at II. and
found meanings of good I'm II. She re-
membered Toms answer 10 her question,
who is widow Ward?" lie had said.
"She IS just somebody poorer than We
whom we want 10 make happy. and to
pleasure. for the Lords sake
Hitherto she had tried 20 make folks
happy for their own sakes or for hers.
Was the pretty. pleasant. gentle life she
led mere selhshness after all?
She laid the holly spray under the tray
Of her dressng-case. whore she saw il
often At last the thoughts IL awakened
deepened and strengthened, until she came
TO seek teaching from the Lord Christ,
who. as little Tom Dimond said, came
to make everything right"
And everything Will be made right some
day.
The misery and darkness will scatter
and pass The song Of the angels, Peace
and good will" will be on our earth I'm
stead OF the dlscords that rend us now.
so let as bind the holly wreaths In their
glossy beauty. let us listen 10 the chimes
as the JOY bells ring out upon the air.
For as each there is appointed our own
share I'm the cheering and the Frightening
Of the world. let as search for whatever
that share may be-. and having found II,
do it bravely and well.-Canadian Oh.