Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-25
Bly,.
JEANETTE II.
WALWORTH


S'V'S'V'SsC'S'S
one go astrny in the cold and the dark
he might find his way to my poor
cottage. And now let us SEQ if the bean
broth has kept warm all this time. |
made il before left home in the early
morning hours 50 that if any wander
ers found their way hither they might
not leave my roof huugcrcd."
The bonn broth lad kept warm. She
badc OsS!p throw a few more fagots
under the pot and set Nasalissa on II
stool in the warmCSt nook. Then she
brought three bowls. filled them with
the bean broth and put them on the
table. over them she asked blessing.
Before her own wooden spoon had
made two journeys from bowl to lip
she heard Il timid knock at the door.
She ran quickly to answer it, A tail,
pale lad stood outside. In his arms he
carried a small mite of n boy, about
whose shoulders was wrapped a worn
and soilcd womans shawl.
The tall pale lad looked into the fire
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 Il 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
art thou abroad on such a bitter night
with the lttlc onot"
She took the crippled boy in her
strong. loving arms and carried Kim
straight to the great chair in the chin.
ney corner She raped her own
best shawl about him and chafcd his
small. Withcrcd feet until they giOWed
with warmth The tall. pale lad
looked on gratefully
II am seeking an asylum for the lit
tie one" he said. Il have to work hard
to keep him and myself from want. a
rich merchant has promised ame work
but he says | must not bringfetrusha.
That he would take too much of my
time"
And where seek you an asylum for
him.
Baboushka locked pitifully at the
small, sad face of he cripple. The tail
brother answered sadly:
Alas, that know not yet. I 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 |
have u tiny truckle bed into which he
will fit to Il niccty. Such as l 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. Nasa-
lissa and PetrushG, fed, warmed and
comforted, were sleeping the care free
sleep of innocent childhood.
Only the tall lad and Baboushka sat
by the fireside. because there was TO
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"
Baboushku did not answer him at
} once. When she did her voice sounded
rs sweet and solemn as church chimes
} at vcsper time
Yes. | will tell YOU. my son, for you
are nearing your own years of respon-
! sibiity, and it will be well for you to
learn in good time the solemn lesson
that an opportunity once lost is lost
forever.
Many years ago | was setting my
house in order when three men stopped
ut my door with 4 great piece Of news
eve have seen a radiant star in the
j east they said, and we know that the
Christ Chi,& Cust be come. Leave thy
1 labor. Com. with us to find him anC
i to do him honor.'
"Rut | sent them away with words
+ OF foolish imraticncc. 'Socst thou moi
that am setting my house in order
: Go thou TO where the star beckon'
u thee. and | VIII follow at some more
- convenient time. | can see its ligh
:. without thy help
/, 80 they went their way and left mt
= to 20 mine. But when the time came
y that | found it convenient to follow
y, the star clouds obscured the heavens
- and there wns no star to be seen, ant
0 so knew not how to seek the Chris
@ Child.
y Il have been seeking him ever since
n up and down in the land. Whenever
S wherever | see a little child I thinl
perhaps | have found the One ( seek
: and my heart ycarns over him. Blu
not vet have found the Christ Child