The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-17

then. one by one. the people rose from
their places to 20 up 20 the rail 20 re-
ceive the Christmas kiss from the lips OF
the "NinitO Dios." With this quaint old
Spanish ceremony, brought by her ances-
tors from the mother country and still
observed wherever its sons are 20 be
found. were associated for Pepita many
pleasant rccollections. As a child she had
always imagined that when she had been
good the baby features OF the infant had
smiled down upon her. as she stood on
tip-toe TO kiss II. but that when she had
been naughty they wore n frown and a
look OF reproach meant solely for her.
She had always taken advantage OF the
former occasions TO whisper 10 him what
she wanted him 20 bring her. while on
the latter she would not even have the
courage 10 promise 20 be better. although
she truly meant 10 be. To the Ninito also
she had cOnfded her grief az her mothers
death. That Christmas eve. standing on
the tips OF her small feet. so as 10 quite
reach his ear. she had whispered. BE
very good 10 mamma in heaven. little
Jesus"
Now. as Padre Antonio stood al the altar
rail. his white hair looking whittier than
ever. his head bent over the image in his
arms just as he had stood for so many
years. Pepita laid her head upon the back
OF the pew In front Of her. and had not
all been so intent waiting for their turn
or returning to their places. they might
have heard something which sounded like
a sob issuing from that dark angle near
the door. Old men and young. matrons
and maidens and children. all went up
al h.w oil. LII
from the Christ child this holy night No.
she might come 10 church. but never.
never would she be hypocrite enough %
touch the lips Of the "Ninito Dios." ana
from her heart at that moment rose a
prayer for help and strength and guild
ance-a prayer Of anguish. such as the
soul utters only In the hour Of its darkest
agony; a cry that Is never sent forth In
vain. but which. traversing the infinite.
reaches the supreme center OF all love
and strength and consolation.
The infant had been replaced In the
manger and there remained only the few
words OF greeting which Padre Antonio
always spoke TO his children before they
returned TO their homes after midnight
mass. He had been with them 90 long
and they loved him 50 we'll. this kindly
old Franciscan. that Christmas would not
havs seemed Christmas without his
wishes.
II was Sunday az we'll that day. 50 the
parish announcements came first. Pepita
scarcely realized that the padre had be-
gun 20 speak.
There is a promise Of marriage be-
tween Ferdinand Boynton. first lieutenant
OF Company d. Of the -- Regiment.
lately quartered In this town. and Maria
Teresa Francisco Perez Of the city %
Mexico. Any one knowing any impedi-
ments 20 this marriage. Of which this is
the first and last announcement. shouts
make II known now or forever more bs
silent"
The choir was hushed. the last note OF
the organ had died away into silence. ono
by one the lights had been extinEuisheG.
all except the sanctuary lamp and a fee
bic glimmer before the crib. and only tho
grayish purple incense curling and rising
toward the ceiling. then breaking and
floating away in great clouds. told %
what had been.
Ali had left the church and were max
ing their way homeward lighted by tbs
shining Of the Christmas stars. Tbs
great key had TUNED In the lock. a re-
treating foo;step was heard on the gravel
outside and the all-seeinG presence alone
kept watch IN the house that was his
But no, in the pickering. uncertain
CLEAN. a figure might have been seen 20
detach itself from the deep shadows
around tia slim. slight figure. so stu
and motionless was the posture. so white
and calm the face beneath the black
scarf. so ixed the look In the great dark
eyes. that for all the resemblance 10 bors
To life the whole might have been chiseled
IN marble.
The light 1ickered and rose and grew
dim: me waXen figure I'm the crib
stretched out its tiny arms 90 the world
as II TO invite it TO Itself
In the early gray dawn 81 Christmas
morning Padre Antonio came into the
church, and after kneclinE q moment be-
fore the high altar. crossed over 90 whers
the single feeble flicker 81 taper burned
before the manger.
Suddenly ne started back for kneelirE
before the crib bending down over %. her
arms encircling tho infant and her lips
pressed against his. was young girl
Astonished At her presence and her atti-
tude. the priest touched her gently on the
shoulder. once. twice. then laid his hand
upon hers. but withdrew 20 with a shud-
der. for the slim hand was cod with an
iceness which he knew too we'll
Pepita had after all received the Christ
mas kiss Of the "NinitO Dios"
Teacher--John. illustrate the differences
between sit and set
on mi fQs hrtr-