The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-01-10

the t.at.
"G;tc- .. jrc,y comment
ed } ng at once wha.
those @, might mean.
And I, the Saviour come to-
to-Eeth. ehem every Christmas, man.
ma" he asked. still gazing upon that
twinkling star.
-Yes," she answered. abstractedly.
9TH the manger very. very far2"
lisped May.
mot very" sadly said the mother,
feeling herself at that moment very
near the Divine presence. mot very.
dear" ..
Thoughtful Johnny went to bed and
before he slept he whispered to the
little sister beside him what those
"other things" were which the wise
men brought a. Christmas gifts to
the babe in the stable. for what else
could they be but toys and candies
and all manner Of good thingsP
"And q turkey" added May. "A
dreat, dreat big turkey. Oh. my.
1 do wish papa was one Of them wise
men. don't you, johnny" But re-
ceiving no answer from Johnny,
whose brain was busy w1rn new
thought, the child was soon asleep.
At q late hour the father came
home; his voice thick, his steps un-
steady, ugly in temper; the noise OF
whose coming awoke the sleeping
children.
II have been waiting up for you"
gently said the patient mother; for
you know tomorrow is Christmas,
and there is nothing much in the
house to eat. And. oh, I had hoped
you would think OF our dear little
ones and bring home your wages to-
night that I might buy some little
trife to make them happy"
Don't bother me about the children
and Christmas, and such nonsense" he
grumbled, crawling into bed just as he
was. "Ive only got dime or so left,
and I'll want that tomorrow myself"
And muttering imprecations upon his
wife and children and everything In
general, the man fell asleep.
"Santy 'Taus won't never come while
papa ith so bad," "lispS the drowsy May,
with sigh, which went to the very core
Of the listening Johnny's heart.
Late into the morning the miserable
father Numbered. and when he at last
did awake he lay there wondering at
the deep stiffness which reigned in the
house. Again he fell into a gentle doze.
his brain freed from the vapors OF
liquor by his long sleep.
It was high noon when he again
opened his eyes. and still that oppres-
sive quiet below stairs made him won
der.
THAT was strange dream" he NUT
tered, uneasily, wiping the dew of fear
from his brow. "How glad was to see
the faces of Johnny and May peering
into that deep, black pit into which ]
had fallen. can't remember how
ever got out, but can feel their dear
little hands in mine now and with
a new love in his heart. and new light
upon his face, the man descended 70
the kitchen.
Btu no wife. ns children, were any.
where to be seen. ..
"Gone to some neighbors," he
thought, filed with disappointment
most keen a. he gazed from the win
dows into the noisy street.
merry 'Trismas," cried several
happy faced urohins, as they caught
sight Of him, MERRY 'Trismas, Mr..
Wallace; where's johnny"
The father shook his head, moodily,
and sat down BY the hreless stove.
where's Johnny"
How the letters seemed to start oui
before him. no matter where he looked.
How they danced upon the walls, over
the floor, among the shadows, in the
sunlight. Every tin horn. blown by
boyish lips. repeated the cry: Where's
johnny" and the man, filed with a
namelexs oreboding, recalled the man.
ly little fellows reproachful looks, his
loving care Of the wee sister, and upon
his big, brawny hand dropped tear
OF which he was not ashamed.
II wish tomorrow were Christmas"
he said. aloud. with . sudden pang, as
he thought Of other mems children to
whom had come lavish gifts, whose
shouts Of Joy reached him in that soli-
tary, comfortless room; men who
earned no more than he, nor capable
of earning 10 much. "I wish to.mor.