Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-03

were coming from church,, and Mr.. krist
he heard the sweet notes Of a violin and
child's clear voice singing:
'..f oh, happy blessed thristmastide.
,l BRINGING 10y 70 all mankind. ga 70. ?
" Joy. letaan Christian nations fnd't -,
Tears fell from Mr.. Krists kind brown
eyes. Thirty years had passed Since a
childs Gear voice had last sung that
Christmas hymn to him. and soon after
the Lord has taken his dear little son
Curt. Now another little Curt stood sing
ing the beautiful old Christmas song. At
the last notes Mr. Krist opened the door of
the ante-room and there stood little Curt,
with his violin under his left arm, gazing
at the white-haired old gentleman, who
now came forward and kissed him. 49,
The singing has given me great deal
of pleasure sa Mr.. Krist to Curtis
father. who was just putting his violin back
into its case. 7;.t
"Oh, sir, we have so much to thank you
for replied the poor musician, greatly
moved. We'll, Curt. what are you going
to say?"
Curt laid his little hand in the old gen.
tleman's and blushed deeply. Oh, he was
SO much ashamed of his letter, and espe-
cially the big blot. He could not say
word, and uttered a sigh Of relief when
the kind old gentleman drew him into the
room and put him into big armchair.
John wanted to take his violin and lay it
| saying, mo, no; the Christ Child gave it to
me-"
John grinned, but Mr.. Krist said. kindly,
That's right, my son." The old gentleman
clan. Meanwhile the time grew long for
| our little friend and he began to gaze
| around the room. His big blue eyes wan
dered about the chamber and he slipped a
| little farther forward in his plush chair.
At last he was on the floor, and his father,
| with horror. saw him move toward the sofa.
| Let him CO." said Mr.. Krist, watching
him pleasantly as he went from one picture
| to another. At last he stopped in front of
| the writing desk and gazed up at the two
oil paintings. which hung, there: The little
boys portrait strongly attracted him. Sud-
denly, without turning he said aloud, "Who
Is the little boy? He looks like the angel
| in my picture book"
His father was startled, But Mr.. Krist
| rose and laid his hand gently ON the fair,
| curly head. my dear boy, that's my little
J Curt. Thirty years ago today he sang the
took him home to heaven. So now I am all
alone. Ny dear little boy, the Christ Child
has sent you to me. You must come very
often and sing ,t to me and play something
Curt raised his honest eyes, and when he
saw tears glittering in the kind old gentle
mans his tongue was suddenly loosed
over for the beautiful Yfeliif,t and I'll be
glad to do whatever You tell me."
Mr.. Krist drew the boy toward him and
then turned to his father II
$50 it is settled, Mr.. Kreuzer; hencefor-
ward / will provide for 9thes boy and you
will send him to me at noon on Sundays
and Wednesdays. that he may bring lit
tie sunshine into my quiet life:"
-fS-s OF
vT9Eef b
WHAT LITTLE CURT BECAME.
Fifteen years have passed. Mr.. Krist
is again sitting at the breakfast table in
his comfortable room. lAgain the snow
fakes are whirling past This window. But
today Mr. Krist has no eyes for them. He
seems to be expecting home, one. for he
often puts down the paneE; and looks anx-
iously toward the door. He Is not so strong
as he was fifteen years ago. He is seventy
five years old now. and age has bowed his
form and made his hand tremble, but under
the bushy white eyebrows his brown eyes
still sparkled with q kindly light How
great this kindness was the Kreuzer fam
lily had discovered. for when the poor must
clan died. when Curt was just ten years
old, Mr.. Krist took the widow and her i've
children into his house. Barbara kept strict
watch over the little ones in the upper
story. while her mother was downstairs at
tending to Mr.. Krist's comfort. He often
sent for the merry little nock. and SO his
home was no longer silent and lonely. Curt
continued to be the old gentleman's favor
though the boy was not the most talented
scholar in the school. Mr.. Krist retOiced
over his industry and progress. But his
violin playing afforded him the greatest
pleasure.
The little violin had been laid aside two
years ago. but his mother had kept 1t care
fully as precious treasure. For long