The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-12-21
The 1assie visited Dick AGAIN

christmas means?" she asked. Sort
d. SAID Dick. 1T means that tho
grocer down at the corner tries tn se,I
greens that amt no good for co,:-:n'
1ho mat the cOves down at the Five
rin's mas bang-uD dinner for onct in
awhile And I've heerd," he added re-
uectiveiy, from Bill Jenkins wot has
ne"s-stand!' (Dick spoke the words
Will great respect) that other coves
"ot hVes on the avenue has big game
'ndl Gay IN the way Oh presents,"
DICK looked wistfully out Of the win
COW as he spoke at the bit of smoke
blurred sky that lightened dimly above
the clothes-ines on the roof of the
mouse opposite. Dick always supposed
tnat II ne ever went to heaven his soul
would somehow have to pass by those
ciothes-lines and run the gauntlet of
the shirts and socks Of the day laborers
whose washing Mrs. O'Grady did for
a consideration" but probably. if the
truth were known, without much con-
sideration
oh, Dick" replied the lassie
christmas is more than that. The first
came to earth and lay as a little child
In rough stable yard in Bethlehem, as
the great Gift whicn cannot be told out
In all its preciousness. And ever since
people have been giving their little
gifts one to another as tiny copies of
MS great sacrifice. He came to bring
light to those who git in darkness"
Like mel" interpolated Dick.
Yes" said the lassie, like you. But,
Dick, we wero all In the dark till the
Christ came. He is the light of the
world. And ever since his coming the
Christmas lights have been burning
the lights OF faith, love, joy and hope"
This and more the lassie said, while
Dick listened as an exile might eagerly
give ear to the tidings from distant
shore and sphere. And then Dicks Wis
itor. handing him toy bank, said:
THE money in this II for you, dear boy,
| to get yourself something nice for
| Christmas. It's little present from
the Christ. / hope you will enjoy it,"
Dick awkwardly murmured his
thanks, half-dazed by such kindness.
He had never been called dear" except
by the deaf aunt who took care Of him,
| who had several times intimated that
| he was a charge rather dear to keep.
| The money in the bank happened to
| amount of $1.89, the nucleus of sum
that the lassie had been saving toward
a new bonnet, since the one she had
was decidedly weather-worn. But she
did not tell Dick that.
Dick made a mental note Of all the
things he would like to get. But then
he thought of that great gift. Strange
dreams Of Judean hills and Of the out
reaching in blessing of Christly hands
afterwards pierced on the cross came to
| him. The result was that Dick formed
| some very definite plans. He commits
stoned Bill Jenkins to make some pur-
chase5 for him.
| Christina eve came. A little COM
pany assembled on invitation in Dick 8
humble lodgings. Mrs. O'Grady was
there, and Bill, and little ToWZie-head
from the floor below. and day laborer
who sometimes waved his hand to
| Dick from the sidewalk, and Dick S
deaf aunt. A wee tree which had cost
nine cents at the grOcer's stood In the
window, with a number of candles at
tached thereto. Near by were mysterl-
Gus packages. There was mop Tor
Mrs. O'Grady Dick meant it for
hint, and a cap for the day laborer.
and a rocker for the old aunt, and a
pair Of gloves Dick had made Bill get
for himself, and some toys for "Tow-
zie"
But where is your Christmas?" they
all exclaimed to Dick.
Mine is the Christmas lights!" cried
Dick gleefully, feasting his eyes on the
tallow dips.
Some one had long ago said, 1t IS
more blessed to give than to receive
Had Dick heard this? At any rate, he
felt the truth Of it in his heart that
night In the height of the festtvity
Bill slipped quietly off. He wanted te
buy something for Dick. At the dool
below he ran across some Salvationists
who were passing. One Of them was
the lassie. She recognized Bill, ane
looking up to the third-stOry window
asked:
What are those candles in the win
dow?"
"Oh, those are Dicks Christina!
; lights" answered Bill. And then h
told her how Dick had spent his money
Oh said the lassie, Il wish l coult
get him something for his generous lit
tie self Perhaps l can in the morn
ing. Good night"
l Goodnight" answered Bill. as b
ran off.
By the next morning the lassie ha
made up wonderful package for Dick
AS the Christmas chimes rang out o.
l the frosty air. she went to Plug Alley
full of the pleasurable excitement @
, surprising Dick But something ha
happened in the night. Dick was nc
there. He had gone beyond the pate
of sky which lightened over the house
top yonder Only his still and cripple
1 form was left. He had smiled as b
went, so the heavenly beacons mus
r have blazed for him in welcome Don
/ cry" exclaimed the lassie to the OIL
d aunt. But as she said this, the tear
: ran down her own cheeks. Yet
n wasn't time for tears, but for hallell
jahs. Dick had gone from the dar
II world where the Christmas lights al
r sometimes lit to one where the Chris
u mas lights are always burning.