Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-12-27
Th, Choir boys Christmas
"A STORY. By MRS. w. l., BERRY,

Christmas had come upon Sunday,
and the gray of the Winter evening
was settling upon the city. In a dark,
cold room OF an old tenement, In "a
miserable alley, Tom, the little bunch
backed cboir-boy, waited for his
fatheY TO come. The day had been
long aud lonely for him. 1t was the
first Christmas since the death OF his
mother, and his father had not cared
that Christmas was a time OF rejoic-
ing for all children. Since bis own
heavy grief he had taken to drink in
his sel6shne ss, and left the heart OF
poor little Tom doubly sad. The
child had spread" the few things to
eat upon the table and listened eager
~ TO catch the first sound of foot
fail. Growing impatient at last lie
decided to sing over his solo for the
evening service.
must make father proud OF me
tonight" he said to himself; "then
maybe he won't DO SO cross about the
choir and my music. I'm glad he
has promised to 20 with me- Mr.
Avery said my song went splendidly
when ! sang it for him yesterday.
GLORY to God in the Highest
Glory to Godl Glory to Godr'
The words rang out In o clear, boy
jsh soprano, and the whole house re-
sounded with their beautiful melody.
1t was the one JOY that the boy pos
sessed--his splendid voice and his
power to sing. No one thought OF
the punched back and feeble form
when listening to him. Even now
the squalid poverty in which he sat,
and the dreariness of his life, were
eemplstsly forgotten as he rshearscd
his solo.
shut up that noise, will you !?
What are you eternally bawling and
hallooing for, any way2 Making
joyful unto the Lord, are you? Well,
II he had put the kind of a back upon
me that he has upon you he could do
his own singing. I'm sick and tired
Of hearing you; now just desist."
The man had taken Just enough
whisky to make him cross and un-
reasonable. and he glowered savags-
ly at the boy as he began to eat what
had been prepared for him.
" Father, you are going with me
tonight - it's Christmas and you
promised me you would. Please
let me sing this through. I want to
try it before we 60" The boy wait
ed for an answer, but, receiving none,
be began again,
"Glory to God in the Highestv'
~ told yor to stop that poiser
shouted the man, angrily. "Take
that-and that f" And blow followed
blow with cruel strength, the last
one falling upon the breast OF the
boy. 81
Father, father don't strike me;
please don't. ] won't sing any more
wont annoy you again." pleaded
the boy.
But the heartless blows had fallen,
and the child was lying upon the
floor with injuries more severe than
the sullen father realized. The noise
was hushed, however, and he ate his
scanty meal in peace, while Tom
-''"nt ant Of the room unnoticea and
r the church.
e I'd by pain at every STEP
z IL it would be pos sible to
h that dreadful pain in his
ytsss., -ie walked along the street.
Many Of the houses which he passed
were brilliant with lighted Christmas
trees, and the light streamed through
the hoHy berry wreathes in the win
iows. He forgot the cold and chill
Of the evening as he looked at these
happy places. Thinking of his own
merry times when his, mother was
with him, he soon found himself one
OF the people who were shivering and
hurrying into the great church, which
was ablaze with light aud welcome;
and the odor OF the Christmas greens
greeted him as be entered the room
20 make ready for the professional
How he loved his choirl The days
were nothing to him until Sunday
came Then giadness came, into his
pale face and JOY lifted UP his spirit
until he lived 10 another world. He
loved his choir; he loved his church
- ,l.,I a;