Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-12-23
Jefferson County, Thursday December o. 1915
Old BiII's Gift.

| Old Bili's Gift.
Bill, more Familiarity "Old Bill''-he
had never been known to mention family
name-looked around his "haven of hol-
iday comfort" as he termed il, with a
chuckle Of supreme satisfaction.
"Ifs great p he gloated, with only
one thing missing-a Christmas tree"
Bill was character. The townspeople
designated him tramp. Somehow, how
ever, the appellation did not seem to fit.
He did not drink or swear. He did not
beg. His willing ways had made him
popular, and when Bill was "down on
his luck" and passed doorway hungry
looking, his wants were generally pro-
vided for unsolicited.
1t was the day before Christmas. Be
hind the patient gleam in "Oh Bills"
eyes lurked some sentiment OF memory
that impelled him 10 celebrate. This es-
pecial year he had been preparing for the
event with the eager ardor Of school
boy. Bill had made no confidants.
Quietly and enjoyably he had laid his
plans.
These were now perfected. A week
back Bill had "gone to housekeeping"
He had discovered an old abandoned
barn just beyond the town limits. The
lower part had lost doors and windows
and was bleak and cherries indeed. A
rickety stairs, however, led to room in
one corner OF the loft. II was cozy and
warm and at one time had been harness
room. Here Bill had "camped." He
had fished out an old oil stove, cot, a
table and chair from the town dumping
heap.
A particular housewife had presented
him with roasted chicken because one
side was slightly charred. On the rude
table beside it were half dozen home
made doughnuts and real mince pie.
Bill took a last look at the goodly ar
ray OF comfort, then went out TO seek
branch of arbor vitae which would serve
as Christmas tree.
AS he neared the barn on his return he
came to speedy halt.
A light glowed over at one corner OF
the place. 1t proceeded from lantern
set in the feed box of manger. In the
manger itself across the stale hay il con-
tanned blanket was spread, and, Swathed
in covering upon this, as revealed by the
lantern rays, lay little sleeping babe.
Near by serious faced man was shak-
ing the snow from his shoulders. Beside
him, seated on an old suitcase, was a
comely but care-worn woman.
The man began TO speak. Bill, agape,
drew into the shadow and listened. 1t
was to heat enough TO learn that bad luck
was driving these homeless ones from
their former home, penniesS, on loot, to
the father OF the wife, ten miles further
on. The storm had driven them to tenn
porary shelter.
The husband and father had taken
we'll -thumbed volume from his pocket.
He began reading aloud. 1t was OF "an
upper room," OF master and his beloved
disciples, of supper never to be forgot
ten in the memory OF mankind.
Bill stood like one transfixed. What
tender chord had been struck that he
closed his eyes He was back forty
years in memory, at his mothers knee.
How vivid, how appealing-a picture
she had shown him OF the Christ-child in
a manger, of the devoted father and moth
er, as here before him, prototype OF
that holy eve so real, so touching-the
First Christmas
A mighty thought moved him as he
quietly spoke
"Friend, upstairs you will find comfort
till the storm is over. Call ita Christmas
greeting-see ?" and was gone.
"Ill strike out for Farmer Dale's hay
mow," shivered Bill, after half an hours
desultory wandering, and he turned
about-to start, 10 shout out, and then to
run.
For there in the distance the familiar
farmhouse showed no illumination within,
but beyond it glare shot up-a haystack
on fire
Bill reached the farmyard. The wind
had blown the flames against one gable
OF the house and it was burning. He ran
to the stable for a pitchfork. Then be-
gan fierce battle Bucket after bucket
of water he carried. The last spark was
dashed out, and Bill sank exhausted TO
the ground as the farmer and his family,
visiting at neighbor's and attracted by
the blaze, came rushing upon the scene.
"Yes," declared Farmer Dale, two
hours later, as he showed Bill up the
stairs and into a comfortable chamber,
'this is your room, and you will sleep
here, and you're free boarder long as
you like, understand Why, there'd be
no house TO sleep in if il wasn't for your
Old Bill was long time getting into
bed. Like to child he sank into a
peaceful sIumber, his softened spirit in
radiant dreams wandering through that
upper room" filled with the souls of
those, however humble, who had helped
to make true "Peace on earth, good will
to men,"