Evening journal., 1901-12-24
CHRISTMAS In The
LIFE OF ONE AEWSBOY


street was miniature forest Of cedars,
frs and balsams. Market street
tcemed with holiday shoppers among
wnOm moved the small boy who now and
then stopped in front Of store window
to view and delight in the many pretty
things from toyland there shown.
In the crowd was one boy who mani
Tested greater interest in the display OF
those things which make the heart of the
young glad at all times, but more partic-
ularly at the holiday season. Woody was
about y years OF age. His cloth
ing was little more than rags. His eyes
were blue, his hair brown and dishevecd.
His pinched. wan face told of physical
suffering. Under his arm he carried
copies of the daily papers, the sale Of
which he had suspended temporarily in
his delight to see the bright array Of
those material things Of life which go to
make the world more pleasant and to
ponder, perhaps, what Christmas meant
TO him.
"Artie asked me to sell enough papers
to buy him a train Of cars. They cost
lots of money, | know, but as he has been
sick for ever so long | know they will
make him happy, and maybe make him
forget his pain, so l will try hard TO sell
all my papers TO get enough money
TO buy them. Nom won't care if don't
give her so cents tonight Artie shall
have that train. Gee! amt it a dandy. /
wish he could see il runnin' on that
track"
Away from the window and through
the crowds of well dressed people to the
fayoritc corner for newspaper sell
fnt h. l.r htta f.I Il.
time Of the happy Christmastide.
Paper, mister, please won't you buy
Onef ! want to sell them so / can get
home before my sick brother goes to bed.
We are going to have a Christmas down
to our house. We won't have one of
them trees all trimmed with fairies. gol-
den balls and Goddess Of Liberty, but
my Nom told me we would get candy and
have chicken for dinner, and | am going
TO puy my brother train Of cars. We
will have lots of fun. The afternoon pa
pers won't be printed tomorrow so / can
stay at home all day with Nom and Bub
and nave plenty of fun"
And where is your home?" inquired
the man to whom the boy had addressed
hs pathetic appeal
"Oh, down on Spruce street. You know
where that is. Some of them charity peo-
PIE found us last year and gave me this
coat. It's ragged | know but it was
good and warm last winter. | wish
they'll come TO see MS again tomorrow
op used to say something about the wolf
being nc the door at Christmas. | don't
know what he meant, but do know that
we didn't have any fun when he was
home. Every Christmas he's been away.
Nom has told us what the holiday means,
has given MS candy and told us always
TO tell the truth and lots other religious
stun. She says ! will understand after
a while But that's not what's worrying
me now. | want TO sell these papers so
that | can get enough chink to buy that
train. III | lived in England ! guess /
would not have to buy any train for this
paper says the king is going to give two
tons Of toys to the poor children Of that
country. Wont them kids have good
timef Gee. wished we lived there"
The man bought the youths supply OF
papers and soon was lost in the crowd Of
happy Christmas shoppers.
The thoughts of the boy again were di-
rected to the shop window which contain
ed the train of ears. That spot was the
oasis Of his soul His eyes glistened with
happiness at the thought of his prospec-
tive purchase and the joy which he knew
II would bring to the heart of the sick
brother at home. The happiness of the
situation caused him TO forget all thought
Of himself cold and hungry as he was.
He had reached the shop and as his
eyes fell upon the coveted toy again an
expression almost radiant passed over his
pinchcd face.
ITS Artie's," he exclaimed in his de-
lirium of joy, "how glad he will be-"
He pushed his way out of the store 10
join the merry street throng again. 1t
was nearly midnight Tiny white spat-
terings Of snow seemed to cut his face.
tie was cold. But these were only incl
uents of the night. The merry army,
with noisy horns and bells. surged about
him like a sea. lie was lost in the excite
ment of Christmas eve
Il must go home,' ne reflected "Bub
is asleep, but Nom is not and she will
scold me for staying out this late. My.
amt il slippery. ! hope | won't fall and
break Artic's train"
Leaving the busy street at Tenth he
hurried eastward with mind full of the
spirit Of the night. He saw the church
ahead and as he drew near he caught the
strains of the choir:
While shepherds watched their nocks
10y night
All seated ON the ground.
The angel Of the Lord came down.
Aud glory shone around"
shall | go iny" he thought. MON
might ask me what know about Christ
mas and If ! heard that preacher talk
about II | could tell her what he said.
No. ! won't go. Them church people
might say ! ought to be at home And
maybe Artie will be hcarin' about the
birthday of the Good Man as Nom heard
It. She knows all about it,"
He hurried ON, bewildered in thoughts
a. the season and presently reached the
door of the humble home. A light was
burning dimly i'm the upstairs front room.
It's rays fell ON the now thickly snow Gov
cred street. weird in their effect. Inside
the home, he heard the sohs of mother.
lie walked i'm. hut did mot ask for an eN.
PLANTATION of the cause of the sorrow.
MON. Santa Claus will surely come
To Artic tonight. There is lots of snow
on the ground. Artie said If ther,
wouldn't be-, Kriss would not get to So,
MS. know he will. SO won't Bub b,