Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-12-20

u %0PtAk6At Wy 6tA<FfEau E-ft34 49, Il
- citation. 1911. \
I ! sss-s-ss /
Christmas in the Ripley family was
coming on. but there were none Of
those delightful anticipafions that usu-
ally attend the approach of the day
which marks the birth OF the Christ
Child Little Frank. the youngest. a
boy of seven. was Tying Ill, and the
doctors gave slight hope OF his recov-
cry.
On Christmas eve Frank lay in a
Stupor His brothers and sisters were
sitting in an adjoining room talking
In low voices. but he couid occasionally
hear word or part of a sentence The
word most used was Christmas Frank
had passed through four or i've OF
these joyful anniversaries after he was
old enough to appreciate them. and a
faint interest. notwithstanding his con
dition. was awakened
Then he heard the word death spoken
almost in whisper. and the children
wondered whether the dead can enjoy
Christmas. One said that the dead
were everywhere at Christmas. but
their enjoyment consisted in giving
presents to the living. Another de
clared that these spirits visited only
the poor. Then Frank heard his old
est sister say.
1T may be that Santa Claus Is one
Of these persons who lived. but have
become spirits This would account
for his being everywhere at once
II never thought of that" said Joe.
when was a little kid soon ceased
to believe in Santa. but II l had
thought Of him as spirit might have
believed In him till today
Frank was approaching the crisis of
his disease and was very sick child
The doctor had told his parents that
during the night he would either die or
In the morning be much better
Among other things the children talked
. about was this crisis. some speaking
Of Frank dying. others wondering. II
be passed the crisis. whether he would
be well enough the next day for them
to celebrate Christmas. And Alice. the
girl next older than the sick boy and
his inseparabie playmate. said that she
shouldn't enjoy the day ANYWAY unless
Frank were able to enjoy II with her
It must not be supposed that Frank
listened to all this as another would
listen to IT. He was In 4 high fever.
and II seemed TO him that he was In
the midst of a turmoil What the
children said seemed to pass by him
Ike bits of mist scudding before a
driving wind. Then all was still for
awhile. Possibly the Door boy fen int,
A slumber He saw something white
bending over him. rreat wings extend.
ing from its shoulders. The frure
took him mn in ira arms and rnse sIow.
IL with him. The ceiling opened and
Frank found himself passinx ont nm
der the starr.
u have died. he mia 70 himself
.and an angel Il CARVING me avay
Now that am 4 spir1t. I wonder n !
shall be permitted TO visit i've neopIe
ON Christmas eveY
Nav FRANK h.d no. a,.s - m q.
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