The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-24
A CHRISTMAS STORY

Not long ago. there lived In the city
OF Marseilles an old shoemaker loved
and honored by all his neighbors. who
called him Father Martin" Ons
Christmas eve Father Martin. who had
been reading the story of the thres
wise men who brought gifts to the In
fant Jesus. said to himself:
IF only tomorrow were the first
Christmas day and the Saviour were
coming to this world tonight how /
would serve and adore Him: ] know
very we'll what l would give Him"
He rose and took from a shelf two
little shoes. Here Is what l would
give Him, my finest work How
pleased His mother would be. But
what am thinking off," he continued
smiling, Does the Saviour need my
poor shop and my shoes?"
But that night Father Martin had a
dream. He thought that the voice
or Jesus Himself said to him: Mar.
/ tin, you have wished to see me. Watch
the street tomorrow from morning
until evening. for | shall pass your
window. But you must try your best
TO recognize me. for l shall not make
myself known to you"
When he awoke the next morning
Father Martin. convinced that what
/
place, fastened to put his shop in or
der. lighted his fire drank his coffee
+ then seated himself at the window
to watch the passersby. 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 TIC
warm himself for 1t was bitter cold
\
| He must be very cold. Suppose I
offer him 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,
Father 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 ne called to her. You don't look
! very We'll" / said.
Il am going to the hospital" re-
piled the woman. Il hope they will
take me in with my child My hus-
band 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
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 gratitude.
ana Father Martin went back to his
post.
Hour after hour went by. and all
though many people passed the win
dow the Master did not come When
1t grew dark. the old man sadly began
to prepare his humble supper TT
was dream" he murmured We'll.
l did hope. But He has not come"
After supper he fell asleep in his chair.
suddenly the room seemed full of tho
people who he had aided during the
| day, and each one asked of him In
| turn. Have you not seen me?"
But who are you?" cried the shoe
, maker to all these visionA
Then the little child pointed to tho
Bible on the table. and his rosy finger
! showed the old man these passages:
whatsoever shall receive one OF
these little ones receiveth me-. II
! was hungered and We gave ma
| meat: / was thirsty and ye gave mo
drink; I was a stranger and ye took
me in. Verify I say unto you.
inasmuch as ye have done it unto one
Of the least of these my brethren W
| have done it unto me-"