The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-12-26

II do not know, dear. we can none
of us Judge of another's heart life"
They had drawn away from the win
dow, now, and were shivering over
the dying embers in the cheerless
CRATE, catching now and then sound
of the happy Christmas carols over
the way, while the patient mother
tried to instill in their young hearts
that love for Christ and our heavenly
Father in which she had always
trusted.
"But why does God leave us to die
of cold and hunger?" Ernie asked
wistfully.
Eve will not die of cold and hum
ger" the mother returned patiently,
"God will not forget us"
Scarcely had she spoken, when
loud "Whoa!" from the outside made
them start and look curiously at each
other, while an audible tramping
came up to their very door and with
It the ceremony of rapping, the
door was opened and Mr.. Brown, or
"old Brown" as some good people
very ungraciously termed him,
stepped over the threshold, bringing
cold draught of air with him,
but at the same time some kindling
and bucket of coal, which he pro-
ceeded to lay scientifically upon the
dying fire, remarking as he did So:
Elisa goldfish kind of night, and l
lowed it wouldn't seem much like
Christmas to the little ones without
good fire. I'll leave enough round
the back door to last you several
days, reckon" And without waiting
for thanks he went out, to return in
moment, with a basket of groceries
in one hand and in the other basket
of cooked provision, saying:
"My wife sent this ere basket over,
causes she thought you wouldn't have
much time to do much cooking for
tonight or tomorrow, and some way
when l hear everybody singing,
Good will to men, it seems as if it
meant women and children, too, and
what is our good will worth if we
don't look out for each other. Never
mind ma'am, its all right, and 'old
Brown don't want any thanks"
After this he made several trips to
the sleigh, outside the door, return
ing with such substantial gifts as
flour, meat, vegetables and apples,
and lastly, packages of warm clothing
and four pairs of shoes. And when
the widow broke down completely,
he said: "Now / wouldn't go to dom
that if | was you, cause the little
ones here will think faint right some
way, and | know it is, and my wife
she said, today, says she, We've got
NOR n we know what to do with, father,
and some way, since they all went
away and left us it don't seem right
to be hoardin' up their clothes when
there's many little one that could
use 'em;' so she jist picked up what
she's mind to and sent it right along.
| took some things down to Jim
Torrence's just afore l come here.
You see he's had bad luck this year,
and don't get along first rate; and
we just thought what we had to give
we'd give in our own way. Good
night, a'am, AMI Merry Christ
mas to the little ones. Oh, forgot
to mention, my wife said if you'd
come over day after tomorrow she
thought she'd find SEWN enough to
keep you busy all winter; she's
poorly, like, and amt SO spry at sew
in as she used to be. Good night,
agin, a'am."
And this time neighbor Brown had
really gone, and the wondering Err
mie said:
"He must be a Christian, Mamma,
if he don't help about Christmas
trees and things"
And the thankful mother rever-
emily replied:
"Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of
the least of these We did it unto me"
and "Let us never forget to trust our
heavenly Father and to thank him
for his many blessings"
While neighbor Brown drove away
from the sound of the Christmas
carols muttering:
"'Peace on earth, good will to
menp Seems to me we ought to show
our good will as we'll as sing it. I've
got few more apples and taters
left, and another piece of rib. l
b'lieve I'll drive over to Nat Towers.
He didn't raise much this year."