Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

his child handsomely3 Ito give him a hand
full of that gold 50 easily gained. Since en-
tering the house he had seen a side Of
human nature with which he was TO, merly
poor in their misery. The courage of the
poor girl who had worked herself to death
weaving wreaths ton keep her child; the
generosity Of the poor cripple in adoptin G
the orphan, and, above all, the intelligent
goodness of the little street Arab in pro-
tecting the child. Who was still smaller
than himself-all' this, touched NJ. Godefroy
thought had occurred to him that there
were cripples who Needed to be looked
after as well as Pierron, and other orphans
as well as l:dore He also debated whether
1t would not be better to employ his time
looking after them,, and whether money
m ght not be put TO a better use than
merely gaining money. Such was his re-
ing children. Finally he turned around to
study the features Of the green grocer
and was charmed by the loyal expression
IN the face of the man, and his clear
truthful eyes.
My friend" said NJ. Godefroy, "you and
your adopted son have rendered me an
immense service. l shall soon prove to
you that 1 am not ungrateful. But for
today-l see that you are not in comfort
able circumstances, and 1 should like to
leave small proof of my thankfulness. !"
But the hand of the cripple arrested that
OF the banker. which was diving into his
coat pocket where he kept his bank notes.
No. sir; no. Anybody else would have
dore just as we have done. 1 will not ac-
cept any recompense; but pray don't take
offense. Certainly, l AIN not rolling in
wealth. but please eAcuse my pride-that
of an old soldier; 1 nave the TonouIn
medal-and 1 don't wish u eat food which
l haven't earned"
LAS you like" said the financier; but
an old soldier like you is capable of some
thing better. You are too good to push a
handcart. l will make some ARRANGEMENT
for you, never fear"
The cripple responded by a quiet smile
and said. coldly: Well. sir. if you really
wish to do something for me"
You'll let me care for Zidore. won't
your cried NJ. Gode1roy, eagerly, his
heart intent on this new pleasure of really
helping others.
That 1 will, with the greatest of pleas
ure." responded Pierron, joyfully Il have
often thought about the child's future
He is sharp little fellow. His teachers
are delighted with him.
Ihen Plerron suddenly stopped, and an ex-
preston came over his face which NJ
Godefroy at once Interpreted as one of
distrrst. The thought evidently was: "Oh,
when he has once left us he'll forget us
entirely; that is the way of these rich
people,
You can safely pick the child up in
your arms and take him to the carriage
He'll be better at home than here, Of
course. Oh, you needn't be afraid of dis
turbng him. He is fast asleep, and you
can just pick him up. He must have his
shoes on first. though
Following Pierrons glance. NJ Godefroy
perceived on the hearth, where a scanty
coke fire was dying out. two pairs of chill
drens shoes-the elegant ones of Raoul
and the rough ones of Zidore. Each pair
contained a little toy and package of
bon bons.
Don't think about that said Pierron,
y in an abashed tone. "Zidore put the shoes
there. You know. children still believe in
Christmas and the child Jesus. whatever
scholars may say about fables; so as 1
came back from the commiSSare as |
didn't know whether your boy would have
to stay here tonight, got those things for
them both"
AT which the eyes of NJ. Godefroy the
freethinker, the hardened capitalist and
''blase" man Of ther world, filled with
tears.
He rushed out of, the house. but returned
In minute with his arms full of the su-
perb mechanical horse, the box of leaden
soldiers and the rest of the costly play
things bought by him in the afternoon
and which had not, even been taken out of
the carriage.
My friend. my dear friend" said he to the
green grocer. see. these are the presents
which Christmas has brought to my little
Raoul: 1 want him to find them here
when he awakens. and to share them with
Zidore. who will henceforth be his play
mate and friend. You'll trust ME now
won't you? I'll take care both of Zidore
ana OF you, ana then l shall ever remain
in your debt. for not only have you found
my boy. but you have also reminded me.
who am rich and lived only for myself.
that there are other poor who need
to be looked after. swear by these two
sleeping children 1 won't forget them any
longer
Such is the miracle which happened on
the 24th of December of last year. ladies
and gentlemen, at Paris, in the full flow
Of modern egotism. 1t doesn't sound likely
that 1 own: and l am compelled to at
tribute this miraculous event to the in
fluence of the Divine child who came
down to earth nearly nineteen centuries
ago to command men to love one another.