The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-12-23

they are gons. 1t would not seem
like Christmas without the children,
whose merry voices had made such
glad music. The longer she unused
over the pas, tie harder the prssent
81 med t. tear, ard the tears ell
rapidly down her CHEEKS. Finally
che vent 10 the ~jndog TO watch
the psssers-bv, some in their h and
seine carriages with liyeIitd drivers,
some walking brlskly along with
br gh', happy face, meeting others
who wore ragged garments and car
rid heavy bundles AID baskets.
There passed merry groups of girls
on their way home from shopping
eSIediticns, telling Christmas secrets.
Then che noticed group of children
layir < IN the street, all of them
ragged and dirty and hnhgry-look-
ing, ard suddenly there dawned on
her mind the thought Of making
u happy Christmas for soue of the
poor Ct ildTen 10 whom dear old
Santa Claus never made visit.
5 ie went back t. her chair aud
b'gan to thina a.d try to devise
come plan { work. She had never
worked among the poor, therefore
did not know Just now 70 begin:
yet VIXEN che made up her mind to
do certain thing, there was no
m ~ &c
difficulty arose before her. She
either tried to fad a guide or
Struggled oorsvely on alone.
/ Her reverie was soon broken, how
ever, by the the announcement Of a
caller; her pastor, Rev. Oscar Dalton.
III was n young man Of handsome
'orm and face that revealed a
strong and deep. He was an earnest,
practical man, fine preacher, and,
though he was only assistant pastor,
all the congregation liked him. The
regular pastor was very old man,
30 most Of the duties of visiting de
volved on young Dlltons yet his
labors were not confined within the
limits Of his own church. No one
knew thu good he did smo z the
poor of the town, for his deeds were
done IN secret, yet many were tine
homes that blessed the name OF
Oscar Dalton.
After q short conversation on
everyday topics, mention was made
of the Christmas season-its deep
full meaning, that 80 many lose
sight Of.
"But. Mr. Dalton,' said Helen
81 have not taken any pleasure in
the thoughts of it. 1t is so differ.
ent from last Christmas, and it does
not seem ike Christmas since mamms
and my dear little ones are gone.
and with ,ut planning for them ii
loses, half if meaning to me-"
eyes, Miss Helen, 1T 10 a lonely
time for You; but try to make some
one else happy, and you will be
happy, too"
81 was looking out of the window
this morning and saw group of
poor children on the street, and !
wondered h W many o. them know
anything about the Oh st-chlld al
the Star of Bethlehem, | would
be 20 glad to make g h ppy time
for some of them, but | DON'T know
now to do it. Can you suggest d, y
way"
81 don't know just how you could
do it, but | have organized little
school among some of tie very poor,
and | know theirs will be a meager
Christmas. Their parer Is are poor,
uneducated peoble, some of them in
dolent and wicked, Will, others,
though honest, have scarcely enou gh
to keep soul and body together"
"WelI, what would be the best
plan of bestowing the sifts-st
their homes, or how? l might have a
Christmas tree containing something
useful as we'll as toys for them"
81 think the tree would please
them most"
every we'll, l will undertake it;
but, having never done such before,
l shall need great deal of help and
advice from you. | will first have
to know the names and ages of the
chi dren, and get some idea of what
they would like and what they need.
You can find that out for mo,
please"
Gall right, Miss Helen, l shall be
glad to help you in any way l can,
and | shall not allow you to pro id-
all these gifts, for their are twenty
children who come to school, and
there are other children in their
homes who will need to be remember
ed. will let you know tomorrow
the names and ages, for what we
do must be done promptly l must 90
now. and | trust you will find
p easure in the work, and l will help
you in this cause. Good morning."
"Good morning, Mr.. Dalton. Il
thank you so much for your sugges-
ton, and your visit has helped m, a
g. eat deal"
That afternoon Helen donned her
street dress and hat and started out
to make her purchases without wait
ing for Mr.. Dalton's report. She
knew the girls would want dolls, so
she first secured a number of them
1t the top store. The next morn;n,
when Mr.. Dalton came he found
her very busy. Near her was
large baskets of materials of various
hues and texture, while on the table
we're already several dainty dressed
Tolls that would please the most
fastldlous child; but what untold
happiness they meant for some little
waits who had never possessed a
'eal bought doll! He waite ned the
beautiful girl with increasing ad-
n'ratlon as with deft fingers she