The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-27
Father Martin
A Christmas story.

Not long ago there lived in the city
OF Marselies an old shoemaker, loved
and honored by all his neighbors. who
called him Father Martin" One
Christmas Eve Father Martin. who haA
oeen reading the story Of the three
WISE men who brought their gifts to
the infant Jesus said to himself:
II only tomorrow were the first
christmas day and the Savior were
coming to this world tonight how I
would serve and adore Him! know
very well what 1 would give Him"
He rose and took from a shelf two
httie SHOES. Here is what 1 would
give Him, my finest work How pleas
ed his mother would be. But what
am thinking Off" he continued. smil-
ing. Does the Savior need my poor
shop and shoes7"
But that night Father Martin had
dream. He thought that the voice of
Jesus himself said to him: Martin,
you have wished to see me- Watch
the street tomorrow from morning un-
til evening, for ! shall pass your win
dow. But you must try your best to
recognise me. for ] shall not make my
self known to you"
When he awoke the next morning
Father Martin. convinced that what
ne had dreamed would surely take
place. fastened to put his shop in or
der. lighted his fire. drank his coffee
and then seated himself at the window
to watch the passerby. He had often
seen the picture of Jesus In the
churches, so he felt sure he would
know him when he went by.
The first person he saw was a poor
street sweeper who was trying to
<0~ ~
Poor man" said Martin to himself.
He must be very cold. Suppose I
offer him a cup Of coffee"
He tapped on the window and called
to the man, who did not have to be
urged to accept the steaming coffee.
After watching in vain for an hour
Martin saw a young woman miserably
clothed, carrying a baby. She was SO
pale and thin that the heart OF the
poor cobbler was touched, and he call
ed to her. you don't look very we'll"
he said.
Il am going to the hospital" replied
the woman. II hope they will take
me In with my child. My husband is
at sea, and I've been expecting him
home for three months. ] am sick and
haven't a cent"
Poor thing" said the old man.
You must eat some bread while you
are getting warm No? Well, take 4
cup OF milk for the little one. Come.
warm yourself and let me take the
baby. Why you haven't put his
shoes on"
He hasn't any," sighed the woman.
Wait minute. have a pair"
And the old man brought the shoes
which he had looked at the evening
before and put them on the child's
feet. They fitted perfectly. The
young woman went away full OF graf
itude and Father Martin went back to
his post.
Hour after hour went by, and al
though many people passed the win
dow the Master aid not come. When
ii grew dark the old man sadly began
to prepare his humble supper 1T
was dream" he murmured. We'll,
After supper he fell asleep in his
chair. Suddenly the room seemed full
of the people whom he had aided dur
ing the day, and each one asked him
In turn. Have you not seen met
But who are you?" cried the shoe
maker to all these visions
Then the little child pointed to the
Bible on the table, and his rosy finger
showed the old man this passa se:
whatsoever shall receive one of
these little ones receiveth me-" Il
was an hungered. and we gave me
meat; I was thirsty and We gave me
drink: was a stranger and ye took
me in Verify I say unto you.
! inasmuch as ye have done 1t unto one
OF the least of these my brethren ye
! have done 1t unto me. Prom the
! French of De Coppet