Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1897-12-17
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Z! Dolly's Christmas. :
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Written by an Elizabeth City Girl specially for the
Fisherman & Farmer,
Fisherman & Farmer.

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sand times no Rather would [
die like a starved dog than ask
charity in the streets. | will
ask my Father which is in Hea,
ven, to help me if He should
fail me, what would others do j?
Thus the sad thoughts of
Dolly ran on like the tide of a
sunless sea.
Soon she neared a handsome
church, brilliantly illuminated,
the sound Of the sweet songs
which the people were singing,
were waited to her listening ear
by the still blowing winds. How
beautiful and tender the sweet
music was How it reminded
our Dolly of the days past in
her native town, when her own
sweet voice ran like the tinkl NO
OF silver bells in many Christ>
mas entertainments. Now, all
her past life at the old home
doomed up before her like a
happy dream, from whence there
must be an awakening. She
stepped upon the stone steps
anc then near the door, where
she could distinctly catch the
words of the songs. She knew
that they were practicing for
Christmas. How she wished to
60 inside the grand edi6ce, with
its soft, mellow lights. it's velvet
cushions and rich carpets, where
warmth and comfort could be
found. Yet, how dared she ?
Would not cu,ious eyes be upon
her? All, no, that place seemed
alone for the rich and grand
not tor poor homeless ones.
Tremblingly she tottered down
the steps out into the street
again. where all the fury of the
binding snow storm prevailed.
The very clouds seemed to open
and let tall their burden Of
snow. Faster and thicker tell
the flakes, until the air was SO
dense that it seemed a blank
sheet of whiteness. How the
furious storil confused Door
Dolly, yet she struggled on>
w1r and turne1 the small narrow
rooted tenement, where a kind
but very poor old woman had
given her shelter III an attic
room for several days. AT
length she reached the door and
knocked and it was opened by
the old woman herself.
"Ah dear Mrs. Brown, | have
found no work yet. only that of
selling few papers, and that is
barely enough to sustain my
weary life
There seemed to be something
pressing tightly against Dolly's
heart, her throat swollen, her
tongue stiff, as she uttered these
words to the woman before her.
That night, as she climbed the
narrow attic steps, she telt her
| heart siuk within her. Had
God aud all his loved ones for,
saken her Would he never
send her mamma from Heav II ?
She sat down Oh the bed which
was only made of straw, and by
the dim lamp she read, as was
her usual custom, her little
Bible. She read where God
said "Lo, | am with you Away,
even unto the end" She thought
IT this be true, why did he not
come now to her in her sore
need of Him, though more aud
more her faith grew, stronger,
unit. at last she laid her Bible
under her head and prayed for
Gods love and tender mercies.
She then closed her tear dimmcd
eyes in peaceful stu NJ b r.
Heaven had at least heard her
prayer, and bestowed the mercy
OF sleep upon her. When she
awoke the next morning it was
late and the Sabbeth bells were
ringing; the lines of the old
hymn came floating to her mem
Dry f:
ut seemed as tho woke from dream
How sweet was the light Of day,
Melodious sounded the Sabbath bells |
From towers that were far away"
Dolly arose and ate her scanty |
meal with old Mrs. Brown. |
During the day she tried to con-
tent herself by reading the beau |