Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-12-30
mother had put over him 50 much Of

Frank knew that the child he saw
his other self-was sick. because he
was white and thin and he rolled his
head from side 10 side as II 10 pain.
The invalid opened his eyes and said:
Mamma. want some grapes"
The mother moaned that she had no
grapes TO give her boy and no money
to buy them with. Frank asked the
angel why some OF the grapes and 9th.
er fruits he had seen 10 the houses OF
the rich could not be brought to the
child. and the angel said:
These persons cannot look through
each others walls rs We can. Rich
people cannot give what they have
to the poor or they would be poor
and the poor rich And | fear that
those who had been benefited would
be ungrateful and. keeping what they
had gained. would turn away from
their benefactors Nevertheless more
than 1900 years ago on Christmas
morning a child was born who when
he grew up set an example TO all peo-
pie. telling them that the giver is
really more happy In giving than the
receiver. Tomorrow is the bi. thday
Of this child"
But this troubles me-" said Frank
81 don't wish to see any more OF H.
You showed me the homes OF the chill
dren of the rich on Christmas eve. and
they were so loaded with comforts.
sxvf& In 10 A1r
that It wearied me. These homes OF
the poor ! can't bear to look upon.
Take me away"
Then It seemed TO Frank that the an
gel rose with him into an atmosphere
that was like summer. Birds were
singing. flowers blossoming. and he
heard the strains Of music.
II am going to heaven" the boy said.
where there are neither poor nor rich
I don't like to be one OF either"
At 4 o'clock In the morning Franks
nurse called his mother and told her
she thought there was a change for
the better He was sleeping quietly
The mother went into the sickroom
and. looking down ut the face of her
boy. delighted. said:
THE doctor told me the crisis would
pass tonight. and believe It has. How
sweetly he is sieeping There is al
most smile on his face as IL he were
dreaming of heaven"
Then she went back and told the IN
Their to come and see. He did so and.
heaving a great sigh OF relief. said:
You are right. Our boy will live
When the children awaken we will
tell them what has happened that ihey
may make merry as usual on Christ
mas morning."
Before breakfast the doctor. who
was anxious about his patient. believ.
ing that during the night a change
would come. appeared at the house and
went Immediately to the sickroom
Merry Christmas. DOCTOR" said the
patient II want whole lot of things
TO eat. Can have 'em?"
"what do you want frstf"
Grapes"
THE very thing" said the doctor
What next?''
"Beefsteak and creamed potatoes.
Good You're all right
Then turning to Franks mother. he
told her to bring the grapes and whis
pered to her to follow them With some
broth.
Doctor" called Frank as the former
was about to leave the room. "can
get up?"
Not just yet. my boy You don't
want to get up You're comfortable in
bed"
Eyes. but want to go out with
whole lot OF things TO the poor chill
dren."
1.-THE poor children! What do you
know about themT'
II know n lot. | died last night. and
an angel In white who looked Just like
| nurse took me all over | didn't like
1t Mt all: 1t tired me-"
That was happy Christmas day TO
this family. Frank having been spared
10 them. Daring the morning one by
one his brothers and sisters were nd.
mitted TO see him for few moments
only. But when Alice came Frank
begged hard that she be permitted 10
stay longer. and It was finally decided
that she might remain half an hour.
When they were alone together he told
her all about his strange vision or
dream. or whatever II was. and she
listened TO every word. and when he
had finished she said:
You and ! can't do much ourselves
this year at taking presents to the poor
children. though ! will tell papa and
mamma about II and ! think they viii
let some OF us children go In the auto
mobile and take some things to the Nc
Cams. who used 10 work for us. ana
some others But next Christmas
promise you. frankie dear. well spend
most OF our Christmas money In that
way. taking our gifts TO the poor chill.
dren. and how nice II will be To see
them made happy"
s,eFst.. a MI