Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-27
RAGS.

curiosity led him to take a peep at its contents. It was a nice new crim- l son sweater. How warm 1t felt to his touch! Didn't he wish it was his? With all his diversity Rags had thus | far kept his honesty in tact and now he seemed to hear his mothers voice saying, Be prince. my little son. Be l a prince"
 l He rushed forward to overtale the man who had dropped the bundle, and gave 1t up to the owner. Why, had not missed it'' cried the man ,T have so many parcels Suppose you 1 go with me, and carry a few of them | Tor me. If you are clean enough" he l added doubtful1y Rags took the bum | dles offered him, and trotted ahead of 1 his employer. as directed, till told to i halt.
 They were in front of brightly lighted house, where with curfairts drawn aside, the children were eager " watching for their fathers arrival. A Christmas tree stood in the middle or the floor all ready to light when Pa pa should come, while beyond it could pc seen table loaded with good thingS for a feast soon to be enioved
 Screams of delight hailed the arriv- al of their father. who dropped his bundles with sigh of relief and turn ed to dismiss his helper. But the children had caught sight of Rags as ae stoou lHefe III The bright glow of fre and candles. One of the boys about Rags's age called out" Where did you get that ragamuffin ?' at ryhicl, Rags flushed, and turned hastily tow ard the street. but was stopped by the Kind faced lady who reproved the boy ana begged Rags to wait a little. and she would see that he was given some food.
 The parcels were now opened, and put in place, while one of the little girls begged her mother to find some thing for Rags to wear. For he must be cold" she said. Give him that sweater said the boy who had rfdi- culed him. Aunt Mary has sent me one much like it. and it will keep him warm And he hasn't and shirt or stockings on" he whispered to his mother I'll find some for him" re- DIied she. Just think of being so poor ly clothed on Christmas Eve He looks hungry, too. Run down and ask the cook to get some food ready for him. and I'll take him upstairs and find some clothes for him. Rags was talk en in charge by a maid, who made him decent1y clean, and dressed him in the warm sweater in addition to the oth- CT whole clothes furnished him.
 On his return to the group, he look ed like a different boy. What is yol1r name, my boy?" inquired the gentle man of the house. They call me Tags, TSpneu the DON. That won do now" smiled his benefactor Haven't you any other name ?''
 My real name is Princelv Page 5 responded the boy, and told the story of his life.
 Well. you can't go back to sleep in the hay any more, that Is certain We'll keep YOU here over night and tomorrow I'll find a better place for you. Now go down to the kitchen and get something to eat"
 Rags, or Prince, as we must now call him, did as directed, and slept in com fort that night The next day saw him placed in charge of those who made him comfortable and put hi into school. Prince responded to their kind treat ment with his best efforts for i'm prevement. and became Prince instead of Rags to his own advantage, and to the satisfaction of those who had be- friended him.
 AN TDLER,