Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-12-18

beIOEe ueI OWu WUOucu bpOOu huu
made two journeys from bowl to lip
she heard timid knock at the door.
She ran quickly to answer 1t. A tall,
pale lad stood outside. In his arms be
carried small mite Of boy, about
whose shoulders was wrapped worn
and soiled womans shawl.
The tall, pale lad looked into the fire
lighted room with longing eyes. His
teeth chartered with the cold as be
asked: Good mother, may we ask
shelter for the night? The cold bites
bitter hard, and my little brother Pc.
trusha is but sickly cripple"
Then Baboushka opened wide her
door with an eager hand and fast beat
ing heart. Perhaps, at last, this was
the child. What she said aloud was:
"That indeed thou mayest. But why
lrt thou abroad on such a bitter night
with the little one?"
She took the crippled boy in her
strong. loving arms and carried him
straight to the great chair In the chin.
ney corner, She raped her own
best shawl about him and chafed bis
small, withered feet until they glowed
with warmth. The tall, pale lad
looked on gratefully.
II am seeking an asylum for the lit
tie one," he said. II have to work hard
| to keep him and myself from want. A
rich merchant has promised me work,
/ but he says l must not bring Petrusha.
That he would take too much Of my
tine"
"And where seek you an asylum for
him."
Baboushka looked pltifully at the
small, sad face Of the cripple. The tall
brother answered sadly:
,"Alas. that l know not yet. was
seeking the nearest town to ask coun.
sel of the priest"
Bakoushka laid a kind hand on the
boy'Sarm.
"Put care away from thy young
neart. Thou hast found an asylum
for thy crippled brother. He shall
travel no farther on the frozen roads.
He shall be my own little Petrusha. |
have a tiny truckle bed into which he
will fit to nicely. Such as | have,
dear child, make thee welcome to in
the Christ Child's name"
The night was but very little older
when the three children. Ossip. Vasa-
iissa and Petrusha, fed. warmed and
comforted, were sleeping the care free
sleep of innocent childhood.
Only the tall lad and Baboushka sat
hy the fireside, because there was no
bed left for them.
"Tell me, good mother" the boy said,
looking straight into her kind eyes,
"why are you so good to all children?
Your fame has gone abroad"
Baboushka did not answer him at
once. When she did, her voice sounded
as sweet and solemn as church chimes
at vesper time.
Eyes, l will tell you, my son, for you
are nearing your own years Of respon-
| ID, - / Il xrtn11 20 ryny m
learn In good time the solemn iessOn
that an opportunity once lost Is lost
forever.
MANY years ago I was setting my
house In order when three men stopped
at my door with great piece Of news
ave have seen radiant star in the
east they said, and we know that thu
Christ Child must be come. Leave thy
labor. Come with us to find him ant
to do him honor
"But | sent them away with words
Of foolish impatience. 'Seest thou no
that l am setting my house In order
Go thou to where the star beckon'
thee, and | will follow at some NOR
convenient time. can see Its ligh
without thy help
$50 they went their way and left mi
, to 20 mine. But when the time cant
| that | found 1t convenient to follow
} the star clouds obscured the heavens
and there was no star to be seen, ant
J so | knew not how to seek the Chris
! Child.
II have been seeking him ever since
! up and down In the land. Whenever
wherever | see little child | TIM
D perhaps have found the One | seek
e and my heart yearns over him. Blu
not yet have found the Christ Child
whose face must shine with the rad
e ance Of the star lost"
With tears Of sorrow wetting he
eyeIashes Baboushka rerrasTeep If he
+ chair. She had filled all Of her bed
with cold and friendless children.
And as she slept tender ham
seemed to dry her tears and lovin
r voice to whisper in her ears:
d "Inasmuch as ye have done 1t unit
l the least of these little ones ye hav
done 1t unto me. They were homeless
: and ye took them in. They were hur
l..
t cry. and you have fed them. The
were cold, and you have warmed then
e The Christ Child Is in thy own heart.
s And on that glad Christmas mornin
a Baboushka awoke with a great peac
e in her soul, for she knew that she ba
b found him she had been seeking IA
e and wide.