The Grenada sentinel., 1897-12-25
diney old station, II wa, indeed q merry

dingy old station. II was indeed . merry
Christmas.
However. II came to pass that the boy
was finally satisfied. He had stuffed
himself to his full capacity, and with .
sigh of supreme satisfaction prepared 70
slide OIL the high stool, ignoring all OBJ
legations and without q word of excuse
or thanks to his genial host. It was
very probable that with the purely
natural selfshness which we are all
heirs to, but which is more plainly evi-
dent in children owing to their inno-
cence, the boy who did not think that
his poor mother was still fasting, but
with the sublime faith of childhood in
the omnipotence Of parents. he rested
in the conviction that she was old
enough to look out for herself, if indeed
he gave the matter any consideration.
which is not at all probable.
But Reuben had not forgotten. and
had made up his mind that the woman's
fast should be broken.
"Wait a minute, Tommy" said he,
seeing the boy was about to escape.
"Don't you want something more?"
"No, l don't want no more" an
swered the polite Tommy.
wouldn't you like nice big apple
to put in your pocket?-or hold on, I've
an idea. It's Christmas, you know, but
you didn't know that / was old Santn
Claus. The reason you didnI know me,
Tommy, is because the blizzard blew
my beard clean off. Yet all the same
I'm going to fill your stocking, and if
can't get at your stocking I'll fill some
thing else for you. Here, young lady,
let's have one of those big paper bags.
Now, Tommy, We'll call this stocking
Let's fill it up. What'll you have? Ap'
pies, of course, and doughnuts and some
Of those delicious sandwiches and pie
like your mother makes, and I guess
that exhausts the bill of fare. Now hold
the end of the bag tight and don't spill
out the vicuals; and, Tommy, your
mother wants you"
The refreshed travellers had all set
tied themselves in their seats and ths
train was jogging along again as best il
could through the snow. Passing
through the car Reuben looked careful
ly about for the woman and child. as hi
was deeply interested in the success o:
his maneuvcrs. There is no great diff
ficulty in locating anyone on train o
cars, and as n matter of course Reubel
soon found the objects of his search
] His business with them was very brief
indeed it was completed with passing
glance. and completed to his intens
satisfaction, for that glance was suf
ficient to show him that the hungry
woman was enjoying his bounty with
relish which none can appreciate, un
less he has had corresponding ex
periences. He was not noticed as he hur
ried by the little group. lie did no
want to be recognized, for with fin'
delicacy which always accompanies
true generosity he felt that the less th
woman saw of him the more comfortabl
she would be. Reuben Bullwinkl'
wanted no recognition or thanks; in
deed the idea that he was entitled t.
thanks never entered his head for I
moment. Neither did he make an,
mental calculation as to the value of al
act of friendliness put down to hi
credit account on the recording angel
book, nor did he look for any specia
blessing which the Lord might owe hin
for his act of charity. Indeed the littl
thought which he gave the matter ha'
its relation entirely to the objects of hi
| sympathy, and if his heart was ligh
and his soul joyous, it was because h
had unconsciously wandered near tb
threshold of Heaven and heard the ech'
of angel voices singing: "Peace on cart
and good will to men."-Frauk Beard
in Rams Horn.