Year: 1859

ugly ice-corners. He was far out now, and
made a third dive; then there was faint
hurrah, and, breasting the ice, he swan up
with one arm embracing poor Harry.


My child-my boy. Thank God = cried
the happy parent, folding him in his arms
They bore him to the roaring fire in the sit
ung-room, and rubbed him until he opened
his eyes, and smiled. Pretty soon he was
able to sit up and laugh and talk naturally.


And where was Joseph all this time Sit
ting on the kitchen floor, squeezing his wet
clothes and rubbing the great painful gashes
in his arms, from which the blood was still
streaming.


Joseph lie listened; it was farmer
Mays voice, unusually soft and tender. The
bound boy shook like leaf. Before he was
aware, strong arm came around behind him,
lifting him from the floor. lie found himself
as If by magic. sitting beside Harry, and Har-
rvs bright head resting on his bosom, with
great tears rolling down the grateful boys
checks


If there's anything you could wish for now,
Joseph, said the farmer, huskily, anything
you'd like to have, just name it, my boy
You've saved US many year of sorrow, and
given us cause to remember this Christmas
before all others. Come, speak out, my boy J


How could he speak and be so happy +:
Twice he essayed to gulp down the sobs ris-
ing in his throat sobs Of Joy they wore.
Only be kind to me, sir ! be gasped out az
last only drop kind word, now and then,
for han't any mother like the rest'


How was it now with farmer May '-he
was conscious Of a great lack in his otherwise
kindly heart. Itquite broke him down-that
appeal to his better nature; so he leaned on
mother Mays shoulder, and sobbed aloud.
Joseph sat in dream; his beautiful Christ
mas had come at last No more hunger and
thirsting Of spirit now How the joyous red
spikes Of freight ran up the white wall, the
whole room shining Harry squeezing him
tightly, with one arm, and Tiny, her checks
flushed with crying, thrusting her pretty doll
into his lap, Whispering


There there keep it. Joseph; don't
want it indeed and double-deed don't"


And then, running away in the corner. her
face turned to the wall, lest by looking back
she might repent the immense sacrifice. Well,
we'll. children, tears cannot always last; and
the May family were soon bright and smiling
again, Joseph the happiest Of all. Why.
don't believe Kriss Kringle, even, with his
merry. frosty old face, looked more SHINING
than the bound boy.


There was great Christmas dinner, you
must know. with all sorts of good things.
Mother May couldn't heap Josephs plate high
enough with sweetmeats, and every one at the
table drank his health in a brmming goblet
Of egg-nog. Oh 1t was all fairy-land, and
his cheeks kept tinglng with proud bashiul-
ness all the time.


Farmer May gave Joseph his freedom, and
sent him to school with Harry. He had good
reason to be proud of him, too, for there new
er was a better OF more studious boy.


So yon see, little children, that God never
neglects even the humblest. He held little
Joseph in the hollow of his hand, and put him
on the road to happiness.


Many blessed Christmas has farmer May
had since then, and, may be, if you could look
in upon them now, you might see them al
seated around one of mother Mays plum pud
dings, farmer May in the middle, rosy ant
smiling handsome Harry on one side, grow
1 ing up to noble manhood and Joseph Crail
on the other, with the promise Of great gooC
in his sunny blue eyes. All these thanking
God for this happy, happy Christmas.