The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-24

beautiful. and n stray sunbeam fiickered
over Ether's fair face and poked its tiny
fingers into joys dark eyes and In min
ute they were both wide awake.
The bright eyes opened wider sim when
they saw two well-niled stockings hang
Ing either side the mantel and. regardless
of the cold, they both sprang from the
warm bed.
Just then the door opened and Auntie
Mamie came in. She looked unusually
bright the children thought. and her eyes
seemed rather misty as she babe them
merry Christmas and then said Come In
the parlor, children, and see what we have
in there" and she picked up little JOY
and the two pairs of bulglng stockings,
and called to Esther TO follow.
What a sight met their eyes when the
door was opened bright warm IRE
glowing in the CRATE, and over In one cor
ner beautiful Christmas tree. reaching
clear to the ceiling, and fairly loaded with
beautiful toys and sparkling, glstenins
ropes Of gold and silver.
They looked around for mamma, but she
was not there, vet in her room, just Off
the parlor glowed another warm fire, and
there beside the bed, sat papa talking very
softly to mamma. They wondered why
both did not come TO see that lovely tree,
but were far too busy exploring Its de-
lights to go and see.
InefG was Il new ubliN Abl Joy WIN q
funny muff and collar Of fur; n beautiful
box Of "cockut" candy and chew, gum.
and TO Esther's great delight tiny doll
carriage, with all the accompanying robes
and afghans that the most exacting doll
heart could wish.
After they had looked and eaten and ex-
plored TO their hearts delight, SOFT
voice called from mammals room, Come
here children, and see what "Chrrus'
brought me.
Two pairs of little pink feet hustled over
the soft warm carpet, and In moment
they were by the side Of mammals bed
Mamma lay there, looking weak and
white, but very lovely in her pink jacket
with two bright spots glowing ON her
cheeks, and after kissing the children and
wishing them a Merry Christmas, she
turned back the covers and there lay
snuggled up close to her warm breast
what do you think2 The very loveliest,
tiny baby in oil the world, and both chill
dren gasped with delight.
"Oh, mamma. when did It come, and
why did God send It In the night2'' from
Estheri and, There, Estah, win one
pudgy finger held up to emphasize her
words Il told you maybe bod would an
swer las night, an / know He, sent It
by that lovely angel, Tor / saw II IN my
geams. Didyou see It, too, EstahY' And
then the shining vision they had seen
came back 10 the minds of both, and they
remembered their prayers and with the
faith known only to childhood they felt
that God had heard and answered.
Their delight in the baby was unbounded
and they wanted to kiss and cuddle ana
play with her at once, but mamma put
them off till some other time, and all at
once Joy thought to herself that the new
baby mad her nice place In bed, and she
somehow missed the pettng and cuddling
I,af hrrefQfora had hpau all priVqn To her
and she turned sorrowfully away from
the bed with her pretty brown eyes full
of tears.
But some one had seen the look OF half
pain that crossed the baby face. and the,
tears that stood in her eyes, and mamma
called softly, Come here, Doychin." With
big lump in her throat the baby for she
was only a baby, after ALL went back 20
the bed 10 find that nurse had carried off
the new arrival for bath, and there was
her own warm place waiting for her, and
in the tender kisses showered on her face
and the clasp of the arms that would
never be closed 20 her, JOY found that
come veal or woe, though friends may
fail and things go wrong, TO a mothers
heart no baby's nose is ever out Of joint
Just then there was sound of bells
on the frosty air, and the great hall door
opened. and big, bluff voice called out
Merry Christmas, Children" and the ba-
knew that voice, and knew too that "Un-
Gle Davy would be sure to have some
thing for them, for when did he ever come
empty handed, on Christmas or any other
day.
Where's mamma, Esther? said Aunt
Alice from the depths OF her big fur coat,
but Esther was far too busy exploring
the depths Of Uncle Davys big pockets
TO reply. So Aunt Alice left her big.
good-naturod husband TO the tender mer-
cy OF the children, and went TO look for
her sisters Auntie Mamie met her at
the door ond by the look on her face
Aunt Alice knew something had happen
ed and her first words were Where's
EmmleY'
Through the warm bright parlor, with
les shining tree. she was lead into that
quiet room With its curtained bed ana
pale but happy occupant. and there with
q delight as great as the ehildrens she
beheld the tiny Christmas gift that had
brought 80 much JOY ana thankfulneHs
with her coming.
Hours aftcward, when The pretty lrec