Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-19
DAILY SHORT STORY
CHRISTMAS IN MEMoRiAM.

dying Around the bed were physi-
clans, nurses and servants. They had
been trying TO save q life. but now that
they were awaiting the end. The
father and mother were kneeling by
the couch watching till the spark Of
life had gone out.
| Suddenly the child awoke from I'M
Consciousness and felt itself rising An
from the body. Then when the little
spirit was free both hovere over those
grouped about the body that had been
left behind as a locust leaves its shell.
Angel said the child, why have
/ no voice to speak to my dear papa
and mammal
Because ii is not in the nature Of
possibilities. The dead cannot speak to
the living. They may only influence
them. Come
They passed out OF the house as light
shines through solid glass window
or as radium pierces iron. Floating
over the houses, they saw with their
immortal vision countless people pre-
pairing for the morrow. Children were
hanging stockings from mantels: par
ents were gathering toys. ready to fill
them. while wagons We're delivering
gifts that had lately been purchased.
This is where the wealthy people
live-those of your own class said
the angel Before we ascend to
heaven 1 will show you the homes OF
the poor"
Without change sOr motion they were
in the poor district. Here the Christ
mas preparations were meager. Toys
were few; good things to eat were
scant Many who had been hoping for
gifts of clothing and food from charita-
BILE societies or individuals had been
disappointed for there were not enough
10 20 round.
The angel led the newborn spirit to
the home OF sick child. No doctors.
no nurses, no servants stood about the
bed. only woman with pinched fe
lures. clad in rags. A good doctor had
left "A prescription. but there was no
money to pay for It,
Mamma said the sick child. Il
want an orange"
The mother bent her cheek down
against that OF her little one, but did
not reply.
why doesn't she give her child an
orange:" asked the spirit child Of the
angel
Because she has not even common
food. and oranges are luXuries."
But why don't those who have all
these things divide with those who do
not have them:'
Ibid you. when alive, give your good
things to poor cbildren:"
Il didn't know that there were any
poor children"
You were too young TO learn these
things for yourself. and you We're not
taught them. Know. child. that among
the millions of people on the earth the
good things are distributed by natural |
laws. Those with the most advan-
tages must inevitably possess the most
comforts and luxuries. This is a law
OF selfishness. Eighteen centuries ago
child was born upon the earth who
established that whereby the natural
law might he softened, not by counter
acting law. but by something far
nobler- self sacrifice
81 have learned OF the Christ child"
replied the newborn spirit, lin my Sun
day school, but 1 never realized that he
wished me to give my comforts and
luxuries to poor children"
Then you have never known the
true meaning. the highest enjoyment,
of Christmas
While they were talking they were
watching the mortal child beneath
them and it's agoniZed mother. The
spirit child shuddered Mt the contrast
between the inability of the poor wo- |
man TO do what was necessary to save
her child and all that had been lavished |
in its own case. AS they gaZed young |
girl entered the sickrOOm and taking |
from a bag a number of good things |
laid them on the table. Among them |
was an orange.
From the Helping Hand" said the |
girl and went away.
The mother seized the orange and |
gave il TO her child, who ate it all, then
fell into a slumber.
THAT gift has saved it," said the an
gel. 1T will recover Now we wifi go
on our Journey
Angel" said the child, take me
back to mamma and papa. 81 want to
influence them -
In twinkling they were in the
chamber they had left. The parents
were still lingering over the body of
their child. Then that child spoke to
them not by sound. but by spirit infu-
eDce.
Il feel" said the weeping mother.
that there is something we have not
done 10 our dear baby that we should
have done. We did not teach her SYM
patty. And 1 realize that we have been
selfish. We have thought only of our
selves. We have not remembered the
poor
Some such thought has just fitted
through my own BRAIN" said the IA
ther. Let us send out tomorrow In
the name OF our dear child a gift to
fhOSo w m in peod 4