Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-06-28

mether had put over MIN 80 much or
her own clothing to keep him warm
that she was shivering with the cold.
Frank knew that the child he saw
his other self-was sick. because be
was white and thin and be rolled his
head from side to side as II In 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 be had seen in the houses of
the rich could not be brought to the
child. and the angel said:
"These persons cannot look through
each others walls as 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 birthday
of this child"
"But this troubles me-" said Frank.
tT 49, ;rh n
You showed me the homes OF the chill
dren of the rich on Christmas eve. and
they were so loaded with comforts,
with good things to eat and with toys
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 We.
singing. flowers blossoming, ard -
heard the strains Of music.
II am going to heaven" the hoy sail.
where there are neither poor nor r.. h.
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 change for
| the better. He was sleeping quietly.
The mother went into the sickroom
and. looking down at the face of her
| boy, delighted. said:
1.-THE doctor told me the crisis would
pass tonight. and believe it has. How
sweetly he is sleeping! There IS al
most smile on his face as if he were
drea ming of heaven
Then she went back and told the IA.
ther to come and see. He did so and,
heaving d great sigh of relief. said:
You are right. Our boy will live.
When the children awaken we will
tell them what has happened that they
may make merry as usual on Christ.
mas morning"
Before breakfast the doctor. who
was anxious about his patient. beliey-
ing that during the night change
would come. appeared at the house and
went Immediately to the sickroom.
Merry Christmas. DOCTOR" said the
patient II want q whole lot cf things
to eat Can have emp
what do you want drst?'
Grapes"
"The very thing" said the doctor.
What next?"
"Beefsteak and creamcd potatoes
"Good! You're all right"
Then turning to Franks mother. lie
told her to bring the grapes and whis-
pered to her to follow them with some
broth.
. Doctor" called Frank MS the former
was about to leave the room, "can l
get up:'
Not just yet. my boy. You don't
want to get up. You're comfortable In
bed"
"Yes, but want to go out with
whole lot of things to the poor chill
dren."
"The poor children! What do you
know about them?"
"I know Il lot died last night, and
an angel in white who looked just like
nurse took me all over. | didn't like
it at all: 1t tired me-"
That WAS happy Christmas day to
this family. Frank having been spared
to them. During the morning one by
one his brothers and sisters were ad-
mitted to see him for few moments
only. Rnt when Alice came Frank
begged hard that she be permitted to
stay longer, and it WIS finally decided
that she might remain half an hour.
When they were alone together he told
her all about his strange vision OF
| dream, or whatever ii WIS. and she
| listened to every word. and when he
had finished she said
You and | cant do much ourselves
this year at taking presents to Tile poor
children. though | will tell papa and
mamma about il and think they will
let some Of us children 90 IN tie auto
mobile and take some things IN The Me-
Cams. who used TO work t"r Us. and
some others But next Christmas |
promise you. frankie. dear. W. II spend
most of our Christmas money IN that
way, taking our gifts to The poor chill
dren. and hnw nice II will he to see
them made happy
"That's what the angel said. Frank
nut in lie SAID thai the giver was
more blessed than the receiver"
Alice didn't stay quite through the
half hour. for while she was talking to
the invalid she saw that il eyelidS