The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-01-15

it to the box. That she had as Jack
would have expressed it, started
something" was soon evident.
You're not going to put in all those
good wristlets, mother?" Jacks tone
was full of CONSERVATION.
Certainly, you children all have
long sleeves and long gloves. You
don't need them. always liked that
khaki pair with the orange strip.
Some cold little boy will like them,
too"
"But there isn't even rip in one OF
Them" insisted Jack.
"All the better for warming the cold
little wrists! I'm surprised, Jack
Rosamund and Nettie and Lulu,
haven't you found some things toe
good to give away?"
Eyes, ma'am," cried the three little
girls, not discerning the sarcasm in
their elders query. ''This apron is
too pretty" Nettie held up blue
dotted coverall "And this cap" said
Rosamund, Jack needs for skating
II think these leather 1eggings are
good enough for Betty" Lulu meas.
ured one against that plump child's
sturdy leg.
ooh! oh! OH" cried Mrs. Huntley,
and she buried her face in the pillows
and laughed until the tears came. The
children looked amazed and then feel
ing there must be joke somewhere,
added feeble little giggles.
Come over here, all of you" Bet
TVS mother picked up the few remain
ing articles still upon the couch and
carried them over to the bed. tits
getting too dark to sort any more and
don't want the light yet. Jack, close
that window, I don't want any wood.
peckers flying out of my room"
"Woodpeckers echoed the chill
dren Somehow they had managed to
arrange themselves, all five of them,
beside her on the couch.
Eyes, woodpeckers. Listen, once,
more years ago than the Oldest man
or woman who ever lived in this world
can remember on a sharp November
day. very much like today, when the
wind nips your nose and makes you
so, hungry. that you'd rather have; a
cookie than a doll or pair of skates,
a thin old man knocked at a tiny
brown cottage that nestled among the
pine trees in the edge of a dark
forest.
1T was warm in the cottage, for the
little old woman who lived alone there
had been baking all the afternoon.
She had no oven, but rolled her dough
and patted it into cakes and then laid
these upon fiat stone which rested
on the blazing logs in her fireplace.
When she heard the knock she called
Come in,' and went on with her work.
The thin, old man shifted the good
smelling cakes as he came in, and he
rubbed his poor, cold hands. He said
to the old woman You are happy
woman, who has a fire so bright this
bitter day. May rest awhile and
warm my poor bones?'
eff | have a bright fire it is be-
cause I have toiled in the forest cut
ting wood to feed it, replied the old
woman, in rather disagreeable tone.
The next moment she was sorry, be-
cause she had taken a good look at
the old stranger and realized how
cold he must be. Come nearer to the
hearth, there is room enough; draw
UP the settle, you are welcome to stay
as long as it pleases YOU
"The settle was shaped like this
couch, with nice high back which, be-
ing turned toward the door, kept all
the wind that stole beneath it, away
from the old man. He faced the bright
fire and his head nodded, but he did
not fall asleep. Meanwhile the old
woman continued baking her cakes.
Perhaps an hour had passed when
the thin, little old man stood up,
rubbed his stiff but now well warmed
knees, turned up his worn coat collar
and thanked the little old woman for
giving him rest and warmth. I must
be off now, because have many miles
to travel between this and moonrise,'
said he.
It's bitter night to be on the
road. Wait, will give you something
to keep your hands warm upon the
way, and when you are hungry it will
give you strength to go on She
turned to her shelves where the warm
cakes or loaves, as we'd call them,
were laid. She put her hand on one,
shook her head, touched another,
shook her head, lifted a third and
shook her head again."
What was the matter with them?"
asked Jack. ~ t 4
Continued on page ~ anHa't