The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-12-25
HOW BABOUSHKA
FOUND THE
CHRIST CHILD.
Bly,.
JEANETTE H.
WALWORTH.
Copyright, 1902, by
Jeanette H. Walworth.

way back to the camp, and how she
feared the wolves would devour her
before anyone should come to look
for her. Then she told Baboushka
that her name was Vasalissa.
Baboushka clasped the little wan
derer to her great motherly heart.
THAT, indeed, the wolves shall not,
my dear little Vasalissa. / cannot give
thee back to thy aunt, for 1 know no
better than thou dost where this great
company of men and women may be
camping for the night. But thou shalt
go home with Ossip and me. Thou
shalt share our fire and our porridge,
and all that is mine thou thalt share
with Ossip. | can keep the wolves of
hungerand cold away, and if thy aunt
comes to claim thee she shall find thee
rosy and happy"
Then Vassalissa quickly Tried her
tears, and with her hand clasped in
Baboushka's she trudged cheerfully
forward until they came to tiny
little cottage set back from the road a
short distance. In its one window
lamp was burning brightly.
The window and the lamp belonged
to Baboushka's cottage. She pushed
its unlocked door open, and the chill
dren entered with her into clean
swept, well warmed room.
A large chair was drawn close up to
the hearth. AS Baboushka entered
she glanced eagerly at this chair, and
again she muttered under her breath:
Il had hoped he might have come
while l was out"
Good mother" Ossip asked, why
do you leave a lighted lamp in the
window when you go away?'
$50 that" she answered, should
anyone go astray in the cold and the
dark he might find his way to my
poor cottage. And now let us see if
the bean broth has kept warm all this
time. l made it before left home in
the early morning hours so that if any
wanderers found their way hither they
might not leave my roof hungered.n
The bean broth had kept warm
She babe Ossip throw few more ia
gots under the pot and set Vasalissa
on Il stool in the warme est nook. Then
she brought three bowls, filled them
with the bean broth and put them
on the ia ole. Over them she asked a
blessing.
Before her own wooden spoon had
made two journeys from bowl to lip
she heard a timid knock at the door.
She ran quickly to answer it. A tall,
pale lad stood outside. In his arms he
carried a small mite of boy, about
!, whose shoulders was wrapped a worn
, and soiled woman's shawl.
The tall, pale lad looked into the
lire lighted room with longing eyes.
His teeth chartered with the cold as
he 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
. beating heart. Perhaps, at last, this
was the child. What she said aloud
was:
THAT indeed thou mayest. But
why art thou aboard on such a bit
ter 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
chimney corner. She wrapped her
own best shawl about him and chafed
his small, withered feet until they
glowed with warmth. The tall, pale
lad looked on gratefully.
Il am seeking an asylum for the
little one," he said. II have to work
J hard to keep him and myself from
want. A rich merchant has prom
ised me work, but he says must not
bring Petrusha. That he would take
too much of my time
And where seek you an asylum for
him.
Baboushka looked pitifully at the
small, sad face of the cripple The
tall brother answered sadly:
Alas, that l know not yet. l was
seeking the nearest town to ask coun-
, sci of the priest"
Baboushka laid kind hand on the
, boys arm.
/ Put care away from thy young
| heart. 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. l
have tiny truckle bed into which he
: will fit to nicely. Such as 1 have,
dear child, make thee welcome to in
: the Christ Child's name.n
> The night was but very little older