Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-07

The merry babel OF voices uddenly
ceased. and the children turnA to look
at their mother in a kind of dfestrucll
wonder as. taking from her work
basket a pair of pretty scarIet stock
ings-baby's favorite pair-she rreful-
~ fastened them in the accuBomed
place with the low voiced ek)lana-
ton:
1--WE have no money to build brand
memorial windows or to endow hos
pitfalls in the name of our lost dafing.
but we can keep her memory alit. in
our own hearts at least In a humber
way. Now / am going 10 hang upAer
stockings just as she did on her tast
Christmas on earth. and we viii each
contribute something out of our owl
stores that will make some poor CHI
dren more comfortable and happy on
this the worlds great gift day."
MolIie slipped her hand into Der
mothers and laid her cheek tenderly
against her mothers shoulder while
she whispered, with half suppressed
sob:
"Oh. mother. dear. that's beautiful
thought. and we'll all be so glad to
give something toward dear little
Beth's memorial stocking"
The morning saw this promise faith
fully fulfilled, and it was wonderful
when each one set his or her brains to
work what a number Of poor. neglect
ed children were remembered and pro-
vided for out OF little Beth's gift stock
ing.
Charlie found that with a new pair
of skates he could spare his old ones
for a poor little lad round the corner
who never had so much as a top or
ball that he could call his own. Kitty
was glad to give a paint box almost
as good as new to the crippled girl
who always sat In her invalid's chair
by the window and watched longingly
the gay groups of children as they
trooped past to school. Outgrown pic
ture books. caps and boots. pair Of
warm mittens and a knitted scarf for
the ragged little fellow who shoveled
snow for the neighborhOod and several
lace bags filed with candy and nuts
contributed from the private store that
each had found in his own stocking
1t was wonderful how much and what
q variety Of things that pair Of stock
ings held. for whatever was given in
their name was supposed to have come
from their diminutiye depths.
Every one gave freely. and no one
felt poorer for the lack of what went
to comfort those who were needy. In
Mollie's pretty new portmonnaie was a
two dollar bill with a slip attached on
which was written. For the new
gloves that Mollie thinks will make
her perfectly happy"
The little lass laughed good natured
~ at this merry reminder Of her own
words and for q few minutes was full
of happiness over her mothers gift.
but suddenly a thoughtful expression
came over her bright face. and she
went silently to her room. Half an
hour later she came TO her mother
with a grave face and the question:
"Can l do as please with the money
you gave me?'
Certainly" was tie ready reply, and
Mollie's grave face was lightened by
a bright and sunny smile.
~ can buy a cheaper pair of gloves
she said confidentially. land so save
out enough TO buy some grapes for the
little sick boy in the hospital who was
run over and whose legs were broken
that you told me about"
AS the mother gladly gave her con-
sent to this generous plan Joy too
deep for words filed her heart. her
determination was strengthened to
make little Beth's memorial stocking
lasting institution In her household
and thus to keep alive the name of the
dear little lost sister in many a crate
full heart for years after that loved
form had returned to dust.