The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1900-12-21

her bread and milk Even baby eyes
could see the pain Ia grandma's eyes,
and her little heart was grieyed.
One evening, as Elsie sat on the
broad sill Of the high window, watch
ing the night come on and the
twinkling stars as they twinkled al
her one by one, the thought Of the
wonderful home in Heaven which the
teacher had told about, and how
Jesus was looking down on her She
saw the silver moon come out and
SHINE So brightly on the tops Of the
high houses, and dreamily winked her
self asleep. She dreamed the stars
were bran-new nickels, aud God was
pouring them out through the moon
TO all the poor people AS the shining
pieces came down pell nell, showering
over everything, she awoke with a
start The gran lmother had knocked
down a tin pan IN looking FOR their
last piece OF candle. By the feeble
light little Elsie could see the weary
look fasten itself deeper upon the
tired face.
'Grandma, dear, let me pray tor
nightsH and as the old woman busted
herself with preparations for bed the
child-voice made its first prayer to
God.
s4please. good Jesus, send grandma,
for Christmas, three new nickels and
me n new set Of dishes Good night,
dear grandma And, as the little
hands smoothed down the wrinkles:
See, grandma dear, God can look
right down upon US through the win
dow. He will give US what we want,
COS / have axed him."
Her faith was perfect. Had not
the teacher made her repeat over and
over again the verse: ASK and il
shall be given YOU So every night
she prayed again, and all through the
day she would repeat as she sang and
danced:
please, God, send grandma three
new nickels and me little set Of
dishes.
This was her idea OF riches. The
nickels, she knew, took the care from
grandma's face, and a set Of dishes for
herself. Oh, what bliss! She tried
10 keep the secret from the grand
mother. She 'wanted 10 sprise herr
but she confded all 70 Jim" She
spoke with such certainty Of getting
these things that Jim supposed some
one had promised them 70 her. So as
the little one prattled on gaycr than
ever. be sympathized with her and to-
gether they built plans Of the tea
parties they would have on the new
dishes Christmas was coming nearer,
Jim was more away than ever. hay-
ing found a friend who had some
money 70 spend, and the child was
much alone. but singing. and merry
always. "Oh, grandma, Christmas
Will soon be here and we Will be so
happy" Christmas eve came. Grand
ma, me win hang up our stockings TO-
night Tomorrow Is almost here, p
and the little hands clapped with de-
light She laid long awake that
night thinking Of Gods beautiful city
and trying TO count His nickels shin
Ing Ia the sky Christmas morning
came aud went Jim and his new
friend had beeen out all night having
q glorious time, but now when the
day was nearly gone and the money
more than gone, they were coming
home Slowly. as was his won't. came
Jim up the sQueaky, rickety stairs,
and away up there, standing IN the
glare of the setting sun, he saw the
sheen Of the tangled golden hair
But what a wOeful, pitiful face peered
from within IT, And when he
reached her The little arms clutched
him conyulsiYely as she sobbedi
"Oh. Jim, darling, nobody loves
me but YOU
Jim carried her quietly 70 his
room, the friend following. He
placed her on his knee. Gently
smoDthcd the silky hair until the
violent sobbing ceased
"Why, Elsie. what's the natter
Where are all the beautiful dlshessr
The drooplng eyes raised to his as
with O little mournful shake Of the
head She slowly said;
"NOt-a-nickel. not-a-dish.r
"Why, Elsie. h0w's thatgf
God didn't love me- Jim. He
didn't hear, J 'spose when l axed
him. But ! axed him so many times
maybe be got tired OF me- And
great tears rolled down her pale
checks. Jim got up ard walked the
floor.
~ can't stand this. Will Have
you amy moneygH
The stranger boy, whose handsome
eyes were glistenIng with slight
moisture he tried in vain to hide, re-
peated the child's words: Not a
nickel. Not-a-dish.
'Do you think the ianitor would
put up few more for fellows"
I'VE could rot ind him this after
noon. Come TO me. Elsie.
The little detected one dragged
herself over 70 the boy VIII, at
tracted by the kindly good nature in
his face. his fine clothes and his
grandiose manner, she placed her lit
tie hand IN his
~ like YOU; you've got so many
pretty things / guess God loves you
too. I'm So little and so poor lie
couldn't love me- =