Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1901-12-27
The Great, Glad Gift of Giving.

She was a little widow, with pale
face and large, brown eyes. For two
years she had supported herself and
children. She was bright woman
and had succeeded fairly well, but 1t
was hard work. 1t was Christmas and
she had managed to get up simple
feast for the day-a roasted fowl, with
a few nuts and oranges for the chill
dren. She had filled their stockings
with cheap toys and homemade good
les but. as the day waned, she kept
thinking of the bright and happy past,
when Love, hand in hand with Pros
peritv. showered their best gifts upon
her. She looked about the little room
her very soul loathing its cheap com
forts. There is no such thing as
Christmas, " she thought, bitterly; 1t
is a fairy tale for fortunate children :
a holiday for prosperity, that Is all.
1t means nothing to humanity.
BY and by she reused herself: she
would 90 across the way to nelghbor
awhile ana try to forget the past.
She found a cheerless, untidy house,
a white faced, red-eyed woman and
neglected children. One child lay on
a cot. its face flushed with fever. The
mother told her story hopelessly. II
had saved little of my earnings to
get bit of meat for our Christmas
dinner. But this morning jamie took
sick and | sent her father with the
money for medicine didn't want to
leave her.
II thought he'd keep straight. see
ing she was so sick and needed the
medicine: but he didn't come back.
She has had no medicine and we have
had no dinner | wish We might die to-
gether. the children and |, and end it
all. -
The little widow turned hastily back
TO her own home, gathered up the rem
nants of her Christmas dinner, took
them over to her ueighbor : and set the
hungry children down to eat. Then
she went to woman for whom she had
worked and whose kind heart she
knew. and told her of the sick child 5
need. The woman sent an order TO
her physician to attend the child at
her expense. THE little girl will be
all right in a few days, " he said she
has hard cold Just keep her warm
and give the medicine As directed.
The poor mother took the little Wld-
ow's hand in both hers. You have
been so good, ' she battered. anu y gu
have trouble enough of your own.
The little widow did not reply. but
only looked at the other with bright,
wet eyes.
She went back to her own home. Her
children, tired with the days pleas
ures, had fallen asleep upon the rug,
each clasping a fayorite toy. The fire
glowed, warm. How cosy and home,
like it looked, a haven of rest and
peace to return to after the struggles
Of the day. Forgive my ingratitude. -
she prayed in her heart, to the Great
Love she felt so near her; land |
thank Thee for this day which means
so much-so much to humanity. >
She had learned that there are other
GOOD gifts besides those her past had
known. and that Christmas is day of
gifts for every one. Sometimes We
have Jewels. books. pictures and other
mxuries that money buys: sometimes
health and a true friend: sometimes a
heart content in whatsoever state
and sometimes simply the privilege of
helping another. The day always brings
us something no one is forgotten,
The little widows gift was great and
a clad one: it may be yours or mine
this year.
adelaide Davis Reynolds.