Connecticut western news., 1895-12-19

tH n WAS ChrtStmaS eve, anu tho
 wind blew keen Across the prairIes that lie between Fort Dodge. on the Arkansaw, under the
 hill,
 And tho struggling hamlet of Purdyville. Where dwelt Niles Nelson. who rode that From his home to the northward. far
 away, Over the bunch grass, bare and brown. Into the bustllng frontier town. The night was dark-not a star on high And the blizzard brewing up there in the sky. Niles Nelson stepped out Into the street. The wind was driving blinding sheet Of powdery snow right Into his face. But Niles was happy; he left the place With a glow in his heart. for little Moil. His baby daughter. would get her doll. The Christmas gift he had promised long. Niles Nelson. trolling Christmas song. And facing the north wind, sturdily rode. While past him the Storm Fiend's courseru strode.
 The snow Trows deeper. the night moro wild, | When he hears the wall of little child. Lost in the prairie and doomed to die If Heaven prove deaf to its feeble cry. He leaps from his pony. he searches long; | He feels it: he has 1t within his strong. | Rough hands: he presses 1t to his breast A place of shelter, place of rest. Don't cry. little honey, you'll catch moro cold.' And he wrapped the child in many a fold | Of his blanket coarse. and he hugged 1t tight | To his big. broad breast but the blizzard's blight \ stm strove to wither It's tender life. | He mounted his pony. and then the strife | With the wolfish wind, and the binding snow,
 And the biting cold Cthat the plainsmen When the Storm Fiend nies) began once And under his breath Niles Nelson swore. Then a silence fell in the tumult wild. | And he heard the voice of the little child: I Now I lay me down to sleep,
 pray Thee. Lord, my soul to keep;
 If I should die before wake,
 pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take" | Niles Nelson paused, at the sound dis- | mayed. And then-and then Niles Nelson prayed: Lord save" was all he could think of
 then.
 Lord save" he muttered. Lord save.
 amen"
 Then staring to northward and into the | night,
 "I see it!' he shouted: Thank God, n
 light"
 Twas a beam from a lamp on the window | sill
 Of his own sod cabin. With right good | will | Ills pony Quickened us luEElnK pACes And soon in that dear, familiar place, | His cozy cabin, Niles Nelson stands:
 He kisses his wife and he holds her hands, "where's Mollie7" he cries, where's lit- | tie Pollr
 I've brought her a wonderful Christmas | dolll"
 Then he points to the bed whore the | blanket lies
 In queer little bundle: That's my. sur | prise.
 Why don't you answerH You're deadly You tremble and shiver: you sob and wall. Answer! Where's Mollie7" ''oh. Hiles.' | she said:
 My God. he~ can IT oh. Niles. she's | dead"
 "Dead7.' "Yes. Nnes. she's lost in the | snow: fst To-day was pleasant. and Mollie would go On the prairie to play. and she didn't come | back.
 When the night shut down, all stormy and | black.
 I set the lamp on the window sill,
 Rushed into the storm and sought until The blizzard drifted me back to the door. That shall open for Mollie. our Mollie. no | more"
 Niles Nelson stood like a statue of stone: Then he raised his hand and said. with a | groan:
 ''Is there a God that will kill child
 And bring its father across the wild T Of wintry plains to save from death
 The child of another7'' He drew his | breath
 With a savage hiss, as he snatched away The blanket in which the baby lay.
 Tho blue eyes open; the rose lips call:
 "oh, papa, you're homel Now I want my | doll" | Stanley Wood fin Chicago Times-
 A Christmas Story.-"I did not ex- pect a single present."-Life. AITC yTAC rAITCIT