Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-24
preaching. but they brought no cheer to the

0duut-NlSdReO WdHD WdS IutlI Qdiy
and how to exist longer without asking charity
of the township seemed impossible but, IRON
this last resort both Mrs. Ogden and her
daughter shrank with unspeakabe horror.
Ever before the children doomed the spectre u,
of the "home" of which poor Winch and lit
tie Tommy especially had conceived posi-
tive terror, and the sight of Jane Virgins or
Squire Neff would send them tearing INTO
the home in frenzy of fear, as if pursued by
some dreadful ogre.
This twenty-third day of December seemed
to have brought with it the climax OF their
distress. Mother and daughter sat alone IN
the dimy frelghted room that served the
double purpose Of dining and sitting room, ana
was the best the home afforded. The chill
dren were in bed, forgetful, for time at
least. of their hunger and the dismal prospects
oil the morrow.
81 must let them CO." said Mrs. Dana, de-
sparlngly. % cannot see them starye treat
tears filed her eyes and fell on the flaxen
curls OF the baby asleep in her arms. How
fair and rosy she was. How unconscious of
all their misery and helplessness.
Let us hope little while longer" replied
Mrs. Ogden "Have we. not the promise that
He will not forsake the widow and the or
phans?" She wiped away her own tears as
she spoke, with a trembling, toil-roughened
hand. Neither heard the light sound OF bare
feet on the cold, narrow stairs until the
chamber door softly opened and there stood
Trux in his out-grown nightgown, very short
as to wrists and ankles, but above it were the
brave, beautiful eyes and broad. white brow
of little Trux.
% Don't cry grandma, @ .,,J he said said ina in com
we are used to being hungry, but you-oh,
can't bear TO see you ery-you and mother!
Don't. please DON'T" And he tenderly kissed
the tears from her care-worn cheeks, patting
and smoothing her soft. gray hair with.
gentle, wondering touch meant to be, in his
boylsh way, both encouraging and protecting.
II know something good will come our way
soon." he continued brightly. II may earn
little tomorrow. I'll go. see. Uncle Sias.
is not like the others. He doesn't make you
feel as if you were an undeserving pauper
when he does kind act. Oh, I'm sure we'll
pull through somehow, all right
Dear child" whispered grandma, holding
close to her the thinly clad, poorly -nourished
little form, when you are so brave and hope
full how can we despair? Run back to bed,
dear. We will hope for better fortune yet a
little while" She kissed him in lingering,
prayerful sort Of way, and Trux vanished up
hearts Of mother and grandmother warmth
and brightness that no winters cold could
chill and no adverse fate vanquish.
The next morning Trux. was early at the
The way train was nearly due as Judge Thorn
ley in his smart turnout-the housekeeping
bays buff and black sleigh, bells and bear
robes, were in fact the pride and admiration
OF Dayton.
Seeing Trux, he motioned the boy to take
his suitcase while he went to purchase his
ticket.
Elated at such good fortune, Trrx seized
the heavy suitcase with an energy and prompt
ness that told how glad he was to be of use.
The stout-hearted little. fellows wan face
mutely spoke of scant fare for many days
and maybe the great man Of the village no
ticed it. At any rate the judge. as he re-
covered his suit case said. reflectively::..
'Iet me see, this is Christmas timer
He twisted bank bill from the change
and carelessly tossed it to the boy. Trux
could hardly believe his eyes.
''Why, sir. it is five dollars! You did not
intend"
"Yes, that is all right" interrupted the
Judge, and with a wave Of, his hand and "a
as it drew up to the platform, and the next
moment was on his way to Albany.
Trux fairly flew home All a-tremble from
his hard run and the good news he had to
tell, he burst in on the ;i startled family like
grandma" he cried. "that we. would not
starve vet awhile Judge Thornley, gave me
five dollars-not for what | did but because it
is Christmas time. Here it is. A whole five
dollars Oh, wasn't it kind of Judge Thorn
ssKind, indeed" warmly replied his mother,
who was almost as much excited as Trux him
self. u;u h.uo .r,ou ,,no,,
this once anyway" said Gale. "The Judge. is
a brick. and if he is alive when / am twenty
one, and wants to be President of these Unit
ed States of North America, he can have my
%And mine, too" chimed in Winch, not
knowing in the least what it was Gale so
generously promised In the distant future, but
Il sounded fine and must be the right thing
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