The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1896-01-08
He thought Of all the misery

4 LAO V'touSut VI I'LL pUS misery
,''.That came. And so when Jimmie
=, "sand"
BE saw he felt twas good to live,
tsThat he might aid and comfort give:
| The editor-whose melting heart
Proclaimed him now for what he was
And showed that gruftness had no part
To live in-did not weep because
or times Observation-Disclosures indeed
He'd been carrier once in need
] OF help--tt was because his life -
! Had been SO full of longing Just
To have son. and when his wife > -
! Had died be felt his faith and trust
| Go with her; then this Little jim
Had walked mysterious chords in him.
But, oh, that sullen pressn,an there
| No longer sullen, only sad
Who, looking now with blinded stare,
Saw only IN the pasta lad; .
His son he WAS, and lust about
like Jim, except he wasn't stout
OF arm and limb. And every day,
/ When Jim's true eyes had met his own,
He felt the tears and turned away
1t seemed that backward years had flown
And once again his darling boy
Was filling all his soul with Joy.
Thus these and all the other men,
So used to business ways and hard,
Felt all their pulses beat again,
Affoction's gates again unbarred,
And when Of Jin,mies life they knew
They felt that ell that they could.do
Was not enough. Tho mother stood
With face made.h holy in the light
Which these rough angels cast, nor could
She speak. Her little girl SO bright,
Chung hnppyat her side-the pair
A picture made surprising fair
And seeing all with wonderrnent
The weakened boy laised up In bed,
And one, whose eyes were Oh him bent,
That editor, came quick and said,
why, Jimmie boy, awake at lastS
Thank God you're we'll - tho dangers
pttat. .
You rogue, why did you mover toll
= Us where you were and let us know =.
You were not feeling strong and wells
4 don't know when views worried go"
Thus gently chiding, he carcssed
Tho head upon the pillow pressed. ;.
Jim's mother and his sister then
Came quickly forward. and the crowd
OF awkward, kind and tender men
Could not resist, and feeling proud
To SEQ again tho winsome look,
On Jimmie's face came up and took
Their places near. The lad, abashed,
,Blnshed family thus to have them stand
Around his cot. His eye then flashed
With merry fun; he raised his hand
To feebly shake with all and said,
I'm sorry to receive In bed"
They loudly laughed, but 1t was queer
10 see their trimming eyes and see
Them all confused bepause tear
Would come, provoked By .gayety,
But talking lively every one
They made the place esound with fun.
They spoke of Christmas; lin the while
In wonder lost--he'd been so Ill
He didn't know twas come His smile
Was lovely thCn and with a will
He rose up straight, that he could call
A Merry Christmas to you all!''
They almost shouted forth in glee
Their answers back, and then at le1igth
They said goodby to oil the three.
They feared 10 tax their Iaddie's strength
By staying longer, but before
They Went they wanted one thing more
A promise-which they got--,hat they
Could come to send the afternoon
And bring the dinner Christmas day.
And us they went it seemed too soon
To leave that hallowcd, dear retreat
Which looked so shabby from the street.
The mother in a.nazement sat =.
And thought and blessed, when all had
gone. ....
Tho little maid. with soothing chat,
Made Jimmie sleep. His face, though
wan"
Was happy, and the fever's flush
Had gone and left aloHely blush
OF health upon his wasted cheek.
She then, with silent, lively feet, $
Approached the mother-not to speak,
But just to Join the blessings sweet
Which there ascended--and the mon
Who gave were all rewarded then.
Within the bags and boxes brought
: BY all those friends, unknown before,
They found that all that careful thought
Could e'er suggest WIS there, and more
OF dresses, garments, shaw's and wraps
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