Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-12-08
Mrs. Christmas

1t was in the afternoon. High up in
the mountains on the line OF the Black
Forest railway. is one of those small
cabins which at regular intervals line
the side of all European railroads,
housing those poorly paid men whose
duty it is to inspect from time to time
the roadbed for a certain distance and
warn passing trains Of eventual danger
A door opened and woman's head APP
peared, breaking the monotony of the
snowy landscape. The head was quick
ly Withdrawn. Inside in the overheated
room her husband, the flagman, lay on
his bed in fever. 1t had attacked
him suddenly, he knew not how, and
now he wanted neither to hear nor see
anything; only to sleep.
His wife had brewed hot tea for
him and made him drink it. She was
in hopes TO rouse him by it, for little
Jakob, their only,son, had been at her
all day, saying: Mother, dear, won't
you go down to the village and get me
something for Christmas? See, the tree
is already stuck In the pot, and all I
need are apples and nuts and big, big
herzlebkuchen, Ia large frosted cake
in the shape of heart.
But whenever she put a warm wrap
around herself and allowed the boy to
drag her to the door, sudden fear for
the loud breathing husband would
seize her, and she would return to his
bedside.
Little Jakob finally broke out into
bitter crying, that on this holy eve he
was to have nothing but bare tree,
which seemed to him the greatest sor-
row that this world could hold. The
mother, with sudden impulse, said to
her husband: "In two hours | am back
again. 1t is Christmas eve, and no child
ought to be allowed to go empty handed.
Don't you think could get something
for our little boy?"
Eyes, yes" he nodded in assent. IL
am feeling little dumpish yet. When
I've had sleep, l shall feel better"
Listen, Jakob." The mother then
turned to the boy. Watch closely.
When the hand of the clock shows 5
minutes OF 5, you must wake up your
father, get his flag for him, and not
stop until he is out there when the train
comes. Do you hear me? You must not
let up until he does it. / charge you
with it"
Jakob promised. 81 will not rest,
mother but don't forget need apples
and nuts plenty, and great big
herzlebkuchen."
The woman was already battling out
side with the wind and snow, when the
child's clear voice rang out after her:
There must be almonds In it. Goodby,
mother, and give my best regards 70
the Christ Kindl, If you meet him on
the way!'
Then Jakob went to his tree, gazed
on it rapturously, and from time ia
time cIapped his hands, for in anticipa.
ton he already saw all the branches
and twigs hung with apples and nuts
Though the mother could not return
before o'clock, and the clock was now
striking only 4, Jakob nevertheless
every little while went out doors to see
whether she was not coming, returning
every time with his head full of snow
flakes. Then he would plant hmsel
with great conscientiousness in front
of the old clock, watching the swinging
of the pendulum.
At last. There was no mistake, the
hands pointed to where the mother had
shown him. Jakob went to the bedside
OF his sleeping father, shook him by the
shoulders and cried into his ears. ia
Their, the trainl'
The man lay in deep sleep. After
drinking the tea a sweat had broken
out, and heavy dream seemed to op-
press him, for when the child bent over
him he struck at him. But Jakob could
not be deferred. He knew what was al
stake IL his father missed his duty. h.
got the flag and put il in his fathers
hand. He dragged the heavy overcoat
to the bedside. He yelled, he tuggel
and pulled at the sleeping an-but II
vain. The train signal could now b,
heard outside.
Quick" the boy cried 1.-THE trail.