The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-05-24

'ssS$y: - they had spent the
~~I#lyYiS.sl9S evening unpucking
h1/aIinN N~" 1t; but it was quite
HV empty now.
The missionary aud his wife dill not
look at each other; the mans hand
rested TREMENDOUSLY on a little pile of
children's toys; the woman held q
long heavy ovcrcoat with fur collar:
with studied careiessncss she thrust
her fingers into all tho pockets. Keep
ing her tcll-talc face turned from the
light.
ut was fine box" said the mis-.
slonary. His voice was husky; he
struggled with it and added more firm
ly: "a generous box"
Yes" answered the woman me-
Chemically.
Suddenly she dropped tho coat in n
heap on the floor and buried her face
IN her hands; she made no sound, hut
her thin shoulders shook pitifully.
: Inc man crossed the room, stumbEnr
over the piles of clothing Oil the floor,
and caught her in his arms. His voice
was broken with pity.
Annie" he cried; ooh, you poor
' little girlr'
The woman did not lift her face the
words came chokingly from between
her fingers; Il was go sure of the
money" she sob5ed. "They've nj
ways sent us money before. and thew
knew how much more we needed it
this year. I thought that now we could
pay the bills for all last summers
sickness, and You could have hot cof
zee when You came homo these dread
lui nights, and the children more meat.
never doubted it. had been thank
ing God all these days that the box
was on its way. And now"
The man looked about him Mt the
motley heap of old aud new, poor and
fine, with pitiful appeal for com
fort.
And now You have good new
dress at last, dear; and that overcoat
is just what need: and there is much
TO give away" Then his ewes fell
again upon The little pile of TOYS. and
his face frightened; and he ended
with cheerful confidence: End VIC
can have Christmas for the children.
Annie. They never sent toys i'll the
box before"
The woman lifted her head earerlv
Il forgot the children. " she said: II
was thinking of you and the dreadful
winter. L an glad for the children
on, am! can wrIte-to-morrow-
am sure" She spoke with pathetic
eagerness and touched the TOYS loving
lly, trying in her thought to override
her disappointment with the children's
JOY.
Her husband stood looking at her;
as she bent over the toys, he noticed
how heavy were the blue veins on her
temples and how thin the hand that
set the dolls dress in order; and no
felt a sudden tightening at his heart.
Annie, " he said, pleadingly. take
the children and go back to vour
mothers this winter 1t is too hard
for You here"
She looked up, startled and hurt
and indignant all ot once. ''As If I
would think of itr' she cried. Gas If
it is any harder for me than If is for
you! j don't have 10 20 out in nil
weathers. Besides. " she added win
laugh that disappointed her bv
struggling uncertainty with the sobs
that choked her throat besides. +
couldn't; the money didn't come. Won
know"
yes, answered her husband, henv.
lily; "thHt is true. We haven't the
money But l wish you could go.
Annie"
She dropped tho toys aud looked
across ut him, speaking with slow in.
tensiiy. 81 believe yOu'rc making me
glad that tho money didn't come. she
said
They folded the clothing and put il
back m the box there was much TO
spare, they planned; and the check
the minister had received it was for
only hall his quarters salary. for the
Board was in debt would pay their
debt and leave enough, with careful
planning. TO buy food for six weeks
Beyond that they would not let them.
selves look.
The winter settled down ON thom.
hard and cold and pitilegs The chill
dren were warmly dressed thanks TO
the box; hut they needed better food.
and their white, patient faces con
stontly appealed ~ tho mother for
what she could not give. Her hus
bands cough began 20 trouble him,
too. The woman met it oil with a will
sternly keyed 90 silence She could
not bear to touch the dress that had
come for her in the box; i. seemed TO
her rs u 1t was so much life stolen
from her husband and children; che
could have done 80 much with tho
money that that cost
One day the minister came in and
began fumbling in the box.
Wasn't there r. pair Of warm gloves
Ia heref" he asked
Yes" answered his wife. LAYING