The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1900-12-13


order that the little one might have I
her bread and milk Even baby eyes /
could see the pain in grandmafs 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 |
twinkIing stars as they twinkIed at |
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 winf1ed her
self asleep She dreamed the stars
were bran-new nickelS, and God was
pouring them out through the moon
to all the poor people As the shining
pieces came down pen NELL, showering
over everything, she awoke with a
start The gran 1mother had knocked
down 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.
'sGrandma. dear, let me pray to-
night?" and as the old woman busted
herself with preparations for bed the
child-voice made its first prayer to
God
ssPlease, good Jesus, send grandma,
for Christmas, three new nickeIs and
me a new set of dishes Good night,
j.
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 it
! 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 nickeIs and me q 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 On, what blissl She tried
to keep the secret from the grand
| mother. She wanted to s'prise herr
but she confided all to Jim She
| spoke with such certainty of getting
these things that Jim supposed some
| one had promised them to her SO as
! the little one praJtIed on gayer than
ever, he 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, hav-
ing found friend who had some
| money to spend, and the child was
| much alone, but singing, and merry
always ''Oh, grandma, Christmas
!
! happy" Christmas eve came Grand
| ma. me will hang up our stockings to-
night. Tomorrow is almost here, "
and the little hands clapDed with de-
light. She laid long awake that
| night thinking of Gods beautiful city
and trying to count His nickels shin
ing in the sky. Christmas morning
| came and went. Jim and his new
friend had beeen out all night having
Il glorious time, but now when the
n RI Fn
more than gone, they were coming
home Slowly, as was his wont, 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 woeful, pitiful face pecred
from within it! And when he
reached her the little arms clutched
him convulsiveIy as she sobbed:
..Oh, Jim, darling, nobody loves
me but you -
JIM carried her quietly to his
room, the friend following. He
placed her on his knee. Gently
smoothed the silky hair until the
violent sobbing ceased
''Why, Elsie, what's the matter?
Where are all the beautiful dIshes?''
The dropping eyes raised to his as
with Il little mournful shake of the
head she slowly said:
t'NOt-a-nickel. nOt-a-dish-"
ssWhy, Elsie. how's that"
s'God didn't love me, jim He
didn't hear 1 'sposc, when / axed
him. But I axed him so many times
maybe he got tired of me- And
great tears rolled down her pale
checks Jim got up and walked the
floor.
II can't stand this, win. Have
you any noney2''
The stranger boy, whose handsome
eyes were glistening with slight
moisture he Uried in vain to hide, re
peated the chnd's words: Not q
: nickel Not-a-dish-'
do you think the janitor would
/ put up few more for a fellow?''
I'VE could rot find him this after
noon. Come to me, EIsie.''
The little detected one dragged
tracted by the kindly good nature il
his face, his fine clothes and his
grandiose manner, she placed her lit
tie hand in his.