The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-12-24
AUTHORIZATION
! BESSIE'S CHRISTMAS GIFT. !


~ "Nt ~" "tA W W w i""'"tt "-'
sure"
Bessie lay for awhile silent Two or
three months before she had been
thrown from carriage and hurt. Very
weary. indeed. had been the weeks
slnce in which she had had to lie still,
Mamma" she said at length. DO
you remember those poor little hospital
children We went to see a little while
before / was hurt:"
Yes. dear"
And We we're go sorry for them.
And We said we'd do something nice
for them"
Eyes" said mamma. "Bu, since
we've had one poor little hospital grille
at home I'm afraid we've forgotten the
others"
Il wanted TO do something for them
myself Aunt Lucy said she'd show
me how. wanted 10 dress some little
dolls. and now I'd like TO do Il more
than ever. because know what Il Is to
De sick. But | haven't done anything"
Bessie" said mamma. Il think you
might do Il; you are so much better
now. II you like I win get the dolls
and you may try"
"Oh. ! would like TO DO H." said the
little girl, = iiush OF pleasure over
spreading her pale face "s -.
don't you remember when So B. H
to us about Christmas be- 80.
birthday"
yes. Bessie"
And how people love TO give pres.
ents that day because Jesus came as
gift OF himself to US aly Aud how We
oush, to think Of giving presents to
him because 4 Is His own birthday
and We can do that by giving to the
Door little ones ne loves"
Yes. dear. but don't tire yourself
With talking"
mo; but ia like 10 give the dolls for
Christmas gift to the hoIpitai chn
iren."
six small dolls and plenty OF say bits
OF silk we're bought. and for q lew
days Bessle's eyes we're bright and
her thin fingers were busy. Then the
work went on more slowly. IN one day
ihe shook her head az mamma brough,
u 10 her.
Il can't do u. mamms." she SAID. with
tears and trembling lips IT makes
ny back ache and II hurts my eyes;
I've trlod and tried-bu,--"
Dear ealldr Mamma took her In
her arms Il ought not TO have lot
Fou try t."
Yes. you ought" said Bessie. "bs-
'ause Jesus knows that d.d want 20
give them = birthday present"
Then there we're mos OF the long
lays in which Bessie found II 50 hard
% be atlll and do nothing. when all
about her we're in the full tide Of get
Ing ready Tor Christmas
Mamma and Aunt Lucy were among
he huses;. and there we're many talks
~ TO how the Christmas season could
,est be made into a time OF rejoicing
o the patient little girl.
And by the pleased smiles on The
aces OF those who loved her. any one
night have been cure that they would
mcceed.
On Christmas morning Bessie was
awake early. II was before the frst
peep Of the sun: for, as We all know.
he Is not an early riser At holiday
line. and that very few little ores are
caught mapping by him on that mora
ing Of all the year.
She locked toward the chimney
Ehere she knew her stocking was hang
ing. Il was almost too dark to see
lnything. bu, she felt sure that Il was
not whore she had seen Il before she
vent TO SLEEP last night Gould any
,ne have taken Il away! Could Il have
fallen downF
But something else was there which
abe had not seen last night
Il grew light fast What a very odd
thing that vast Almost the shape Of
a stooklng-bu; who ever saw such a
stocking as that? Why. It was elk
times rs big as papa could wear.
Just then the sun go, the better OF
the morning mlsis ANA threw a long.
bright streak acros7 tho ROOM
Il was a stocking,
merry chrisimas. little darllngw
said mamma. canning Ia ius, as Bessie
laughed aloud. What makes you 80
merry alresdys"
Merry Chr.s.mas" cried Bessie.
why. mamma" ohe added. II was jus,
wondering n q fairy camo last night
and touched my stocking with her
wand and turned q into tha, big one. A."
"Oi course. aae did" saii mamma.
Dent YOU know sl has been about
here all the time. tho fairy who ais
our hearts with loving thoughts Of chs
ors. and with dcalfe1 10 make them
happy"
Merry Christmas. my honny bird.
Merry Christmas. sweet onel Merry,
merry Christmasr
Aunt Lucy. and papa. and al The
others we're crowdlng IN. and such a
. NNNNMN VI NNNNANA HNNNNANIHH NANMN AIAI
ramma had to Gem raud Cniot While
the grrnt Stocking was brought to Bes-
etc. Mamma and Aunt Lucy had made
It. Tor no Hloeaing coa.d De found whlca
would hold such gifts
AN gathered around "a the small
hands drew on; the Christmas love
tokens. There was a beautiful book
from papa. n doh and cradle from man.
mn. a tiny loefe' from Aunt Lucy.
But Besslo's face shono brighter Al
what came next
The six dolls. dressed aud ready Tor
their Journey 10 the hospital
Six picture bcohs 10 keep them com
pany.
Six bags fun Of fruit and candy to
make .4crfy feast for the slca chill
dren.
They are all TO bc sent after break
fast." said mamma. ~and yen viii have
the Joy all day long Of thinking Of the