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diff --git a/43008-0.txt b/43008-0.txt index 5b3c5bf..bdce7df 100644 --- a/43008-0.txt +++ b/43008-0.txt @@ -1,36 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Around the Yule Log, by Willis Boyd Allen - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Around the Yule Log - -Author: Willis Boyd Allen - -Release Date: June 22, 2013 [EBook #43008] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AROUND THE YULE LOG *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Bergquist, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43008 *** [Illustration: AROUND THE YULE LOG] @@ -4792,361 +4760,4 @@ in his voice, “Come, Florence; we have reached home!” End of Project Gutenberg's Around the Yule Log, by Willis Boyd Allen -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AROUND THE YULE LOG *** - -***** This file should be named 43008-0.txt or 43008-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/0/0/43008/ - -Produced by Greg Bergquist, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Around the Yule Log - -Author: Willis Boyd Allen - -Release Date: June 22, 2013 [EBook #43008] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AROUND THE YULE LOG *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Bergquist, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - -[Illustration: AROUND THE YULE LOG] - -[Illustration: "'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE"] - - - - - AROUND THE YULE LOG - - BY - - WILLIS BOYD ALLEN - - _Author of "The Boyhood of John Kent," "Snowed In," "Christmas - at Surf Point," "The Pine Cone Series," "Navy Blue," etc._ - - - BOSTON - - The Pilgrim Press - - CHICAGO - - - Copyright, 1898, by J. W. TEWKSBURY - - - - - CONTENTS - - - PAGE - I. Around the Yule Log 7 - II. The Shadow of Christmas Present 9 - III. 'Lijah 36 - IV. A Christmas Reverie 49 - V. The Cracked Bell 57 - VI. Christmas Folk-Lore 70 - VII. Mrs. Brownlow's Christmas Party 83 - VIII. Christmas on Wheels 98 - IX. Treasure Trove; a Christmas Story 109 - X. Charity and Evergreen 119 - XI. Through the Storm 141 - - - - -I - -AROUND THE YULE LOG - - -It is the waning of the year. As the twilight, often hastened by the -soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief -day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, -are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth -century life, to tales of olden time. More than ever are we drawn -together at the season of our Saviour's birth, when the yule log glows -amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and -gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth. - -Christmas day! Does it not grow dearer to us every year? The summers -come and go; we rush to and fro on our little errands of business and -pleasure; great joys dawn in our lives, dark shadows of bitter -disappointment creep over them; we are glad, sorrowful, eager, weary, -well, ill; Life's heart beats strongly, and Death is busy in its -midst; we strive for the Beautiful, the True, and the Good; we hide -our faces in helpless agony of shame and remorse; yet again comes the -dear Day of days, with its blessed associations, memories, hopes. - -CHRISTMAS! Do you remember what that word meant to you when you were a -child? What a mysterious halo of light surrounded the day! How the -very sound of its name suggested the fragrance of the fir-tree and -wax-candles and marvelous toys, and the far-off tinkle of sleigh -bells, or beat of tiny reindeer hoofs upon the snowy roof! Has the -approach of Christmas but an indifferent charm in this grown-up -work-a-day world of ours? If so, let us strive and pray for those -delicate sensibilities of childhood that caught and reveled in the -fragrant atmosphere of the day; that could hear, knowing naught beyond -the bliss it brought, the voice of the Founder of Christmas blessing -little children as it blessed them in distant Palestine eighteen -centuries ago. Let us forgive our debtors this day as we would be -forgiven; let no child's cry fall unheeded on our ears; let our hearts -be open to the tenderest, purest, most sacred thoughts, and to every -ennobling influence; let us be alert and watchful, on this bright -morning-day of the year; let the sun shine into and through us, -shedding its warmth and brightness upon all about us; let us be once -more as little children, and put out our hands trustingly, to be led. - -_Hope--Joy--Bethlehem--Christmas--Christ!_ How softly the words chime -together, like Christmas bells! With their sweet music comforting and -gladdening our hearts, may we gather by the fireside to-night, to -listen to these simple tales - AROUND THE YULE LOG. - - - - -II - -THE SHADOW OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT - - -I - -It was at precisely eight o'clock, on the evening of the twenty-fourth -of December, that Mr. Broadstreet yawned, glanced at the time-piece, -closed the book he had been reading, and stretched himself out -comfortably in his smoking-chair before the cannel fire which snapped -and rustled cosily in the broad grate. The book was "A Christmas -Carol," and the reader, familiar as he was with its pages, had been -considerably affected by that portion relating to Tiny Tim, as well as -cheered by the joyful notes with which the Carol ends. - -For some minutes he sat silently surveying the pattern on his -slippers, and apparently working it out again on his own brow. Now, -Mr. Broadstreet was not a man to act upon impulse. A lawyer in large -and profitable practice, and a shrewd man of business as well, he was -never known to do, say, or decide anything without deliberation. - -"Hold on a bit," he would say to an eager client, "softly, softly, my -friend, you're too fast for me. Now, what did you say was done with -the property?" and so on to the end of the story. If there was any -money in the case, Mr. Broadstreet was pretty sure to draw it out, for -the benefit of his clients, and, remotely of course, himself. - -"When I put my hand _down_," he was fond of remarking, with -significant gesture upon the office desk, "I never take it up again -without something in it." - -In the course of his long practice, aided by a series of fortunate -speculations, he had amassed such a goodly sum that his name stood -near the head of the list of "Our Prominent Taxpayers;" he drove a -fine span of horses, and was free enough with his money, in a general -way. That is, when some large philanthropic movement was on foot, -Alonzo M. Broadstreet, Esq., was pretty sure to be down for a round -sum. He paid his share in church and politics, and annually sent a -check to the Board of Foreign Missions. He made it a rule, however, -never to encourage pauperism by promiscuous almsgiving, and never -tried a case or gave legal advice, for love. Poor people who called at -his office for assistance always found him unaccountably busy, and -street beggars had long since learned to skip his door on their -morning basket-visits. - -To-night Mr. Broadstreet had picked up the "Carol" in a specially -complacent mood. He had spent liberally in Christmas gifts for his -wife and children, letting himself almost defy his better judgment by -purchasing for the former an expensive pin she had seen and fancied in -a show window the week before. Just as he had completed the bargain a -rescript had come down from the Supreme Court affirming judgment in -his favor in a case which meant at least a five-thousand-dollar fee. - -Notwithstanding the memory of his recent good luck, he continued, on -this particular evening, of all evenings in the year, to knit his -brows and give unmistakable evidence that some emotion or reflection, -not altogether pleasant, was stirring him powerfully. - -"Nonsense!" said Mr. Broadstreet presently, half aloud, as if he were -addressing some one in the center of the glowing coals. "Nonsense!" he -repeated, looking hard at a grotesque, carved figure that supported -the mantel: "I'm _not_ like Scrooge. I give freely and I spend freely. -That fire don't look much like the one old Scrooge warmed his gruel -over, does it now?" - -The marble figure making no answer to this appeal, but continuing his -stony gaze, Mr. Broadstreet shifted his position again uneasily. -"Don't I give away hundreds of dollars every year to the Societies, -and haven't I left them a round ten thousand in my will? Won't -somebody mourn for _me_, eh?" - -But the carved lips replied never a word, only seeming to curl -slightly as the firelight played upon them, thereby assuming such an -unpleasantly scornful expression that Mr. Broadstreet began to feel -more uncomfortable than ever. - -Rising hastily from his chair and throwing the book down upon the -table, he walked on to the window, rubbed a little place clear upon -the frosty pane, and looked out. - -The night was gloomy enough to make the plainest of homes seem cheery -by contrast. Since morning the skies had been dully gray, so that -every one who went out wore arctics and carried umbrellas, and was -provoked because no storm came. At about the time when the sun might -be supposed to be setting, somewhere behind that dismal wall of -clouds, a few tiny, shivering flakes had come floating down or up, one -could hardly tell which, and had mingled with the dust that, driven by -the biting wind, had filled the air, and piled itself in little ridges -along the sidewalk, and blinded the eyes of men and beasts throughout -the dreary day. Before long the snow overcame the low-born friend with -whom it had at first treacherously allied itself, laid it prostrate on -the earth, and calling in all its forces rioted victoriously over the -field. The storm now took full possession of the city, whitening roofs -and pavements, muffling every footfall and wheel-rattle, filling the -streets up to their slaty brims with whirling mists of sleety snow, -and roaring furiously through the tree-tops and around corners. As Mr. -Broadstreet gazed through his frosty loophole, with mind full of the -story he had just finished, he almost fancied he could discern the -shadowy forms of old Marley and his fellow-ghosts moaning and wringing -their hands as they swept past in trailing white robes. - -He turned away with a half-shiver and once more ensconced himself in -his warm easy chair, taking up the Carol as he did so, and turning its -leaves carelessly until he came to a picture of the Ghost of Christmas -Present. It was wonderfully well-drawn, following the text with great -care, hitting off the idea of the jovial, holly-crowned Spirit to the -very life. And then the heap of good things that lay in generous piles -about the room! Mr. Broadstreet could almost catch a whiff of -fragrance from the turkeys and geese and spicy boughs. Indeed, so -strong was the illusion that he involuntarily glanced over his -shoulder at the marble-topped table near by, half expecting to see an -appetizing dish of eatables at his side. No one had entered, however, -and the table was as usual, with only its album and gilt-mounted -screen, flanked by a few books that were too choice to be hidden away -on the library shelves. When he looked back at the picture in the -book, he started and rubbed his eyes. He thought--but it could not -have been possible--that the central figure on the page moved -slightly; and he was positive that one of the Ghost's arms, in the -engraving, had been raised, while now both were at his side. - -Mr. Broadstreet turned back the leaf with some misgiving, and looked -carefully behind it. Nothing but blank white paper. - -"H'm," muttered Mr. Broadstreet to himself, "how a man's fancy does -play strange tricks with--Halloo!" - -He was once more glancing at the picture, when the jolly Ghost gave -him an unmistakable wink. - -To say that the lawyer started, was astonished, struck dumb--would be -mild. He sat staring at the page, not wholly believing his own eyes, -and yet not liking to look upon such a--to say the least--peculiar -picture. - -While he was in this bewildered state of mind a rich, jovial voice was -heard, apparently at a great distance, and at the same time proceeding -directly from the book he held in his hand; and--yes, no doubt about -it--the Ghost's bearded lips were moving. - -"Well?" said the Ghost of Christmas Present, still seeming very, very -far off. - -"Well, sir?" stammered Mr. Broadstreet, in return. - -"You see I'm not dead yet, although some of your good people on this -side of the water pay precious little attention to me." - -"Why, really," said Mr. Broadstreet, instinctively arguing the -opposite side of the question, "as to that, I'm not so sure. Take -Christmas cards, now. A few years ago they were unknown; now they're -as common as valentines." - -"Oh, yes," replied the Ghost, "I know. You see I have my room pretty -well decorated with them." - -The lawyer scrutinized the background of the picture more carefully, -and, sure enough, the walls were covered with what at first seemed a -rich sort of illuminated paper, but proved to be composed entirely of -Christmas cards, many of which he had never seen. Even in the -momentary glance he gave, he observed that those which had taken -prizes and had been most largely advertised during the past few -winters, were tucked away in obscure corners, while several which were -exceedingly simple in design and text occupied the most prominent -positions. - -"Yes," the Ghost went on, "the cards are well enough in their way, and -so are the other displays and festivities of the day. But it is the -spirit of Christmas that you need. Charity, charity in its good old -sense: open hearts and kind deeds, with less thought of self-pleasing. -While these dainty little gifts are being manufactured, purchased, -sent, and thrown away, hundreds of people are at starvation's door in -your own city; thousands of people know little or nothing of the real -meaning of the day, or of its Founder." - -As the Ghost spoke, its voice seemed to come nearer, and at the same -time the book grew so large and heavy that Mr. Broadstreet was fain to -set it down upon the carpet. He no longer feared the Ghost, nor did it -seem strange that it should converse with him in this manner. - -"Wherein are we deficient?" he asked eagerly. "Or what more can we do? -The charitable institutions of Boston are among the best in the world, -the sky is full of her church-steeples, her police and missionary -forces are vigilant and effective in their work." - -The Ghost of Christmas Present gave a toss to his long hair and -beard. - -"How much have you done to carry the spirit of Christmastide beyond -your own threshold? Who in this great city will cherish the day and -love it more dearly for your warm human friendship and kindly act, -until it symbolizes to them whatever is purest and merriest and -holiest in life?" - -The Ghost's voice, now grown very near, was rather sad than stern, and -its eyes were fixed intently upon Mr. Broadstreet's face. - -Mr. Broadstreet hesitated. With cross-examination he was familiar -enough, but he did not relish the part of witness. So confused was he -that he hardly noticed that book and picture were now so large that -they quite filled the end of the room in which he was sitting, and -seemed like another apartment opening out of his own. - -"I--I--hardly know," he stammered. "Really, I've spent a good deal of -money; my Christmas bills are always tremendous, but I suppose it's -mostly in the family." - -"Mind," interrupted the Ghost, almost sharply, "I don't say anything -against the good cheer and merriment at home. But there are many homes -within a stone's throw of your chair, where there will be no fine -dinner, no presents, no meeting of friends, no tree,--nothing but -anxiety and doubt and despair. Your dressing-gown would provide for -several of them." - -Mr. Broadstreet looked meekly at the embroidery upon his sleeves. - -"What would you have me do?" he asked. - -"Do you desire to perform your part toward making the morrow bright -for some one who otherwise would find it all clouds? Do you wish to -plant seeds of love and mercy and tenderness in some heart that has -heretofore borne only thistles? To bring a smile to some weary face, -warmth to shivering limbs, light and hope to dreary lives?" - -"I do! I do!" exclaimed the rich man, eagerly starting up from his -chair. - -"And are you ready to sacrifice your ease and comfort, this stormy -night, for such as they?" - -Mr. Broadstreet seized his fur cap and ulster from the rack in the -hall. "Try me!" he cried. "I'm ready for anything!" - -The Ghost smiled pleasantly upon him, at the same time seeming to lift -its hand involuntarily, as in blessing. Then it spoke for the last -time. - -"Hitherto you have known only the bright side of Christmas," it said -gently. "It has been full of joy to you and yours. But there are those -among your fellow creatures, nay, among your very neighbors, who dwell -in such continued misery that when Christmas comes it but reminds them -of their unhappy state, and by its excess of light upon others deepens -the gloom about themselves. This is the Shadow of Christmas Present, -and it falls heavily upon many a heart and many a household, where the -day, with its good cheer and blessed associations, should bring naught -but delight." The kind Spirit's voice wavered slightly. "I, myself, -can do but little to dispel this shadow. It grieves me sorely, year -by year, but it remains, and I fear I sometimes but make it worse, -with my bluff ways and keen winter breezes. It is for those who love -me most to carry such light and comfort to those upon whom it rests, -that it shall be banished never to return. The shadow grows less year -by year, but it is still broad, broad." - -The Ghost was silent a moment. It beckoned to the other, and motioned -to him to step behind it. "In my Shadow you shall move to-night," it -concluded, in a firmer voice. "It shall accompany you wherever you go, -and your work shall be to turn it away, with whatever kind deeds your -hand shall find to do, or cheering words you may have the power to -speak." - -It said no more. Mr. Broadstreet, who, when a child, had often longed -to peep behind a picture, found himself actually fulfilling his wish. -As he drew nearer the printed page, he heard a dull roar, like surf -beating upon a rocky coast. He advanced further, picking his way -around the pile of poultry and vegetables and glistening holly upon -which the Ghost sat enthroned. A moment more and the room vanished in -utter blackness of night, the roar grew grander and deeper, until it -throbbed in his ears like the diapason of a mighty organ, a fierce -blast of snow-laden wind struck his bewildered face, the street-lamp -upon the corner flickered feebly in a mist of flakes--he was standing -before his own door, knee-deep in a snow-drift, and buffeted above, -below, and on every side by the storm that was abroad that Christmas -Eve. - - -II - -As soon as Mr. Broadstreet recovered himself and cleared his eyes from -the blinding snow, he saw a heavy, black Shadow on the sidewalk -enveloping his own person and resting upon the figure of a man who had -evidently just sheltered himself behind the high stone steps, for his -footprints leading from the street were still quite fresh. As the man -thrashed his arms and stamped vigorously, to start the blood through -his benumbed feet, a bright button or two gleamed upon his breast -through the cape of his greatcoat. Mr. Broadstreet now recognized him -as the policeman whose beat it was, and whom he had occasionally -favored with a condescending nod, as he came home late at night from -the theater or the club. He had never addressed him by so much as a -word, but now the Shadow was full upon him, and Mr. Broadstreet felt -that here was his first opportunity. - -"Good-evening, officer!" he shouted cheerily, through the storm. "Wish -you a Merry Christmas to-morrow." - -"Thank you, sir; same to you," replied the other, with a touch of the -cap and a pleased glance at the great man. "Hard times for the boys -to-night, though." - -"It _is_ hard," said Mr. Broadstreet compassionately. "And you're -rather cold, I suppose?" he added awkwardly, after a pause. - -"Rather!" - -"Why, bless me," a bright thought striking him, "wouldn't you like a -cup of hot coffee, now?" - -The officer looked up again, surprised. "I would that, sir, -first-rate," he answered heartily. - -Mr. Broadstreet stepped to the side door and pressed the electric -knob. - -"Bring out a good cup of coffee for this man," he said to the girl who -answered the bell. "And, officer, buy the folks at home a trifle for -me; Christmas, you know." As he spoke, he put a big silver dollar into -the astonished policeman's hand, and at the same time the Shadow -vanished, leaving the light from the bright, warm hall falling fairly -upon the snow-covered cap and buttons. - -A muffled roll and jingling of bells made themselves heard above the -wind, and a street-car came laboring down the street through the heavy -drifts. Mr. Broadstreet, without a thought as to the destination of -the car, but impelled by some unseen force, clambered upon the rear -platform. The conductor was standing like a snowman, covered with -white from head to foot, collar up around his ears, and hands deep in -his pockets. And the Shadow was there again. Broad and gloomy, it -surrounded both conductor and passenger in its bleak folds. - -"Tough night, sir," remarked the former, presently. - -"Yes, yes, it is, indeed," replied Mr. Broadstreet, who was thinking -what in the world he could give this man, except money. "And Christmas -Eve, too!" - -"That's a fact," said the conductor. "Just the luck of it, I say. Now -to-morrow I get four hours lay-off in the afternoon, and my wife, she -was planning to take the children and go to the play. But they're none -of 'em over strong, and 't won't do to take 'em out in this snow. -Besides, like's not 'twill storm all day." - -"Children?" exclaimed Mr. Broadstreet, seeing a way out of his -difficulty; "how many?" - -"Two girls and a boy, all under seven." - -"Got any Christmas presents for them?--don't mind my asking." - -"Well, I'd just 's lief show you what I _have_ got. 'T ain't much, you -know, but then it's _somethin'_." - -He stepped inside the door, laid aside his snowy mittens, and taking -from the corner of the seat a small brown parcel, carefully removed -the string and wrappings. - -"There," he said, with a sort of pleading pride in his eyes, "I guess -these'll please 'em some. 'Taint much, you know," he added again, -glancing at his passenger's fur cap, as he displayed the presents on -the car-seat. - -A very red-cheeked and blue-eyed doll, with a placid countenance quite -out of keeping with her arms; these members being so constructed as to -occupy only two positions, one of which expressed unbounded -astonishment, and the other gloomy resignation; a transparent slate, -with a dim cow under the glass, and "fifteen cents," plainly marked in -lead pencil on one corner of the frame, and a rattle for the girl -baby. - -As the conductor held up these articles in his stiff, red fingers, -turning the doll about so as to show her flaxen braid to the best -advantage, and inducing the arms to take the positions alluded to, the -Shadow crept away, and had well-nigh disappeared. But it returned -again, thicker than ever, when he said, with a little choke in his -voice, "I did mean to get 'em a little tree, with candles on it, and a -picture-book or two; but our pay ain't overmuch, and we had sickness, -and--and"--he was very busy doing up the bundle, and very clumsy he -must have been, too, for it was a long time before the wide-looped, -single bow-knot was tied, and the parcel carefully put away again. - -Mr. Broadstreet winked hard, and his eyes shone. - -"How long before you pass here on the way back?" he asked. - -"About thirty-five minutes it'll take us to get round, sir, on account -of the snow. It's my last trip." - -"Very well. Now, conductor--ahem! what did you say your name was?" - -"Tryson, sir; David Tryson." - -"Then, ahem! Mr. Tryson--just ring your bell when you reach the corner -there, on the up trip; and dodge into that store where the lights -are. You'll find a bundle waiting for you. Good-night conduct--Mr. -Tryson, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours!" - -"Good-night, sir! God bless you, sir! Merry"--but his passenger was -gone. - -As he reached the sidewalk, Mr. Broadstreet turned and looked after -the car. Whether it was the light from the street lamp, or the broad -flood of radiance that poured out from the windows of the toy-shop -just beyond, he could not tell; but the rear platform was illuminated -by a pure, steady glow, in the very center of which stood the -conductor, smiling and waving his hand. No sign of a Shadow; not a bit -of it. Mr. Broadstreet looked carefully about him, but it was nowhere -to be seen. Even the snow, which all this time continued to fall -without interruption, seemed to fill the air with tiny lamps of soft -light. - -Ah, that toy-shop! Such heaps of blocks, and marbles, and sleds; such -dolls with eyes that would wink upside down, exactly like a hen's; -such troops of horses and caravans of teams; such jangling of toy -pianos, and tooting of toy horns, and shrieking of toy whistles, -(these instruments being anxiously tested by portly papas and mammas, -apparently to be sure of a good bargain, but really for the fun of the -thing); such crowds of good-natured people, carrying canes, and drums, -and hoop-sticks under their arms, taking and giving thrusts of these -articles and being constantly pushed and pulled and jammed and trodden -upon with the most delightful good humor; such rows of pretty girls -behind the counters, now climbing to the summits of Ararats where -innumerable Noah's Arks, of all sizes, had been stranded; all these -girls being completely used up with the day's work, of course, but -more cheerful and willing than ever, bless them! such scamperings to -and fro of cash-boys, and diving into the crowd, and emergings in -utterly unexpected places--were never seen before in this quiet old -city. - -Mr. Broadstreet embarked on the current, and with an unconsciously -benevolent smile on his round face was borne half-way down the store -before he could make fast to a counter. - -"What can I do for you, sir?" If the girlish voice was brisk and -businesslike it was at the same time undeniably pleasant. - -Mr. Broadstreet started. "Why, I want some presents; Christmas -presents, you know," he said, looking down into the merry brown eyes. - -"Boy or girl, sir, and how old?" - -Mr. Broadstreet was fairly taken aback by her promptness. His wife -always did the Christmas shopping. - -"Let me see," he began hurriedly; "two girls and a--no, I mean two -boys--why, bless me," he went on in great confusion, as her low laugh -rang out among the woolly sheep with which she happened to be -surrounded, "I've really forgotten. That is--Oh, I see; you needn't -laugh," and Mr. Broadstreet's own smile broadened as he spoke, -"they're not mine. I never heard of them until five minutes ago, and -I declare I don't remember which is which. At any rate there are three -of them, all under seven." - -"How would a lamb do for the oldest? Real wool and natural motion?" in -proof of which latter assertion she set all their heads nodding in the -most violent manner, until it made her customers quite dizzy to look -at them. Mr. Broadstreet picked out the biggest one. "He seems -to--ah--bow more vigorously than the rest," he said. - -The girl then proceeded to display various toys and gay-colored -picture-books, Mr. Broadstreet assenting to the choice in every -instance, until a large, compact bundle lay on the counter, plainly -marked, - - "_Mr. Tryson, Conductor. To be called for._" - -As the lawyer was leaving the store, he remembered something, and -turned back. - -"I forgot," he said, "I wanted to buy a tree"-- - -"Just round the corner," interrupted the brown-eyed girl over her -shoulder, without looking at him. She was already deep in the -confidence of the next customer, who had told her the early history of -two of her children, and was now proceeding to the third. Mr. -Broadstreet buttoned up his coat collar, and stepped out once more -into the storm. A few moments' walk brought him to a stand where the -trees were for sale. And what a spicy, fragrant, delicious, jolly -place it was, to be sure! The sidewalk was flanked right and left with -rows upon rows of spruce, pine and fir trees, all gayly decked with -tufts of snow; every doorway, too, was full of these trees, as if they -had huddled in there to get out of the storm. Here and there were -great boxes overflowing with evergreen and holly boughs, many of which -the dealers had taken out and stuck into all sorts of crannies and -corners of their stands, so that the glossy leaves and scarlet berries -glistened in the flaring light of the lamps. Wreaths of every size and -description--some made of crispy gray moss, dotted with bright -amaranths, some of holly--were threaded upon sticks like beads, and -were being constantly pulled off and sold to the muffled customers who -poured through the narrow passageway in a continuous stream. - -"All brightness," thought Mr. Broadstreet, "and no Shadow this time." - -None? What was that black ugly-looking stain on the fallen snow, -extending from his own feet to one of the rude wooden stands where -traffic was busiest? Mr. Broadstreet started, and scrutinized it -sharply. He soon discovered the outline of Christmas Present. Beyond a -doubt it was the Shadow again. - - -III - -It must be confessed that for a moment Mr. Broadstreet felt slightly -annoyed. Why should that Thing be constantly starting up and darkening -his cheerful mood? It was bad enough that the Shadow should exist, -without intruding its melancholy length upon people who were enjoying -Christmas Eve. He might have indulged in still further discontent, -when he noticed the head of the Shadow-figure droop as in sadness. He -remembered the kind Ghost's grief, and upbraided himself for his -hardness of heart. - -"Forgive me," he said, half aloud. "I was wrong. I forgot. I will, -please God, brighten this spot and turn away the Shadow!" - -Without further delay he advanced through the gloomy space until he -reached the box, upon which a large lot of holly wreaths and crosses -were displayed. He soon completed the purchase of a fine thick fir, -and sent it, together with a roll of evergreens, to the toy-shop, -directed like the parcel to the conductor. - -The owner of the stand was a jovial, bright-faced young fellow, and it -was evident that to him Christmas meant only gladness and jollity. But -the Shadow still rested upon Mr. Broadstreet and all the snowy -sidewalk about him. He was thoroughly puzzled to find its object, and -had almost begun to consider the whole affair a delusion, when his -eyes fell upon an odd little man, standing in the shelter of the -trees, and visibly shaking with the cold, although his coat was -tightly buttoned about his meager form, and his old hat pulled down -over his ears. As he saw the portly lawyer looking at him he advanced -timidly and touched his hat. - -"Can I carry a bundle for you, sir?" he asked, his teeth chattering as -he spoke. - -"Why, I'm afraid not," said Mr. Broadstreet. "I've just sent away all -my goods." - -The man's face fell. He touched his hat again and was humbly turning -away, when the other laid his hand lightly on his shoulder. - -"You seem to be really suffering with the cold, my friend," he said in -such gentle tones that his "learned brothers upon the other side" -would not have recognized it; "and that's a little too bad for -Christmas Eve." - -"Christmas! Christmas!" shivered the man with a little moan, wringing -his thin hands, "what is that to me! What is that to a man whose wife -is dying for want of tender nursing and wholesome food? whose children -are growing up to a life of misery and degradation? whose own -happiness is gone, gone, so long ago that he has forgotten the feeling -of it?" - -Mr. Broadstreet patted the shoulder gently. "Come, come," he said, -trying to speak cheerily; "it isn't so bad as that, you know. Times -are better, and there's plenty of work." - -"Work!" cried the man bitterly. "Yes, for the friends of the rich; for -the young and strong; for the hopeful, but not for me. I tell you, -sir," he continued, raising his clenched fist until the ragged sleeve -fell back and left his long, gaunt wrist bare in the biting wind, -"I've walked from end to end of Boston, day after day, answering -every advertisement, applying for any kind of honorable employment; -but not even the city will take me to shovel snow in the streets, and -I'm discouraged, discouraged." - -To Mr. Broadstreet's dismay, the poor fellow suddenly hid his face in -his hands, and broke down in a tempest of sobs. - -Ah, how dark the Shadow was then! The storm had ceased, but the keen -northwest wind still swept the streets, filling the air with fine, icy -particles of snow, and driving to their warm homes those who had -remained down town to make their last purchases. - -The man shivered and sobbed by turns, and was quite the sport of the -wind, which was buffeting him with its soft, cruel paws; when suddenly -the world seemed to grow warmer. He felt something heavy and soft upon -his back and around his neck. Mechanically thrusting his arms through -the sleeves which opened to meet them, and looking up in amazement, he -beheld his new friend standing upon the sidewalk in his dressing-gown, -a genial smile upon his beaming face, and his hand outstretched. The -lawyer laughed gleefully at his consternation. - -"It's all right," he said, as the Discouraged Man tried to pull off -the ulster and return it to its owner. "I'm warmer than ever. Come on, -let's go home and see your wife and children. Don't stop to talk!" and -seizing the other by the hand, or rather the cuff of his sleeve, which -was much too long for him, he hurried him off, snatching a couple of -wreaths from the stand as he went by, and dropping a half-dollar in -their place. - -It was a strange experience for the proud lawyer, that walk through -the dark streets, floundering among snow-drifts, slipping, tumbling, -scrambling along over icy sidewalks and buried crossings, the -long-skirted gown flapping about his heels in the most ridiculous way. -He kept his eyes steadily fixed on the Shadow, which was always before -him, now turning down a side street, now doubling on itself, ever -growing more and more distinct, and drawing its two followers farther -and farther into the lowest quarter of the city. The stars were out -now, and seemed to flicker in the fierce wind like the gas lights upon -the street corners. Mr. Broadstreet felt curiously warm without his -ulster and as light-hearted as a boy. - -As they passed through the most brilliantly-lighted streets, however, -he saw much that filled him for the moment with sadness. For the -Shadow now grew enormously large, and rested upon many places. It -brooded darkly over the brilliant saloons that lined the way, and that -clothed themselves in the very garments of Christmas to attract the -innocent and foolish, so that, drawn by the sheen of holly and -evergreen, and the show of festivities and good cheer, they might -enter and find their own destruction. Oftentimes, too, the Shadow -flitted along the street in company with some man or woman who to all -outward appearance was calm and content with life; perhaps even -happy, one would have said. In the black folds of the Shadow, -brutal-faced ruffians hid their bleared eyes; houses were draped as in -some time of national mourning; once, the slight, pretty figure of a -young girl came up, wearing the Shadow flauntingly about her neck, -like a scarf; she stopped, and seemed about to address Mr. Broadstreet -with bold words. As she met his kind, pitying glance, however, her own -eyes fell, her lips quivered, she drew the Shadow about her face and -fled. Alas! he could do nothing for such as her, unless that gentle, -fatherly face should come before her again, in her solitude, and, by -its silent eloquence, lead her to better things. - -While Mr. Broadstreet was peering about for the Shadow, and taking -into his heart the lessons it taught, he had not been idle, giving a -kind word or a bit of money or a pleasant glance wherever the chance -offered. - -The Shadow now paused before a narrow doorway in a crooked little -street, and the two, or rather the three, for the Shadow went before -them, entered and mounted the stairway. Mr. Broadstreet stumbled -several times, but the Discouraged Man went up like one who was well -used to the premises. As they reached the third landing, a voice -somewhere near them commenced to sing feebly, and they stopped to -listen. - -"It's Annette," whispered the Discouraged Man; "she's singing for me. -It was a way she had when we were first married, and I used to like -it, coming home from a hard day's work; so she's tried to keep it up -ever since. Do you hear her, sir?" - -Yes, Mr. Broadstreet heard her. Poor, poor little thin voice, -trembling weakly on the high notes and avoiding the low ones -altogether. It was more like a child's than a woman's, and so -tired--so tired! He fumbled in his dressing-gown pocket and turned his -head away; quite needlessly, for it was very dark. - -The two men remained silent for a moment, listening to the echo of the -gay young voice with which the little bride used to greet her husband; -she, so tender, and loving, and true; he, so strong, and brave, and -hopeful for the future! And as they listened, they caught the words: - - "Christ was born on Christmas Day, - Wreathe the holly, twine the bay, - Carol Christmas joyfully, - The Babe, the Son, the Holy One of Mary." - -"That's a new one," whispered the Discouraged Man again, delightedly. -"She never sang it before. She must have learned it on purpose for -to-night!" - -There was a weary little pause within the room; she wondering, -perhaps, why he didn't come in. Presently she began again, and her -voice had grown strangely weak, so that they could hardly hear it, in -the rush of the wind outside the building: - - "Let the bright red berries glow, - Everywhere--in goodly show"-- - -It died away into a mere whisper, and then ceased entirely. - -Mr. Broadstreet hesitated no longer, but touched his companion's arm, -and they both entered. - -She was lying on a rude bed in the corner of the room, her eyes -closed, and her hands folded upon her breast. A look of agony swept -across the face of her husband as he knelt beside her, taking her cold -hands--ah, so thin! in his own, chafing and kissing them by turns. - -Above his head on the whitewashed wall was the word "_John_," in -large, bright letters. It was his name; she had crept from her bed and -traced it with her finger-tip upon the frosty window-pane, so that the -light from a far-off street lamp shone through the clear lines, and -thus reproduced them upon the opposite wall. Just beneath was "_Merry -Christmas_." She thought it would please him, and seem like a sort of -decoration, hung there above her bed. And now he was kneeling by her -side, and holding her thin hands. Perhaps he was more discouraged than -ever, just then. O Shadow, Shadow, could you not have spared him this? - -Mr. Broadstreet hung the wreaths he had brought upon the bed-post, and -waited helplessly. A mist gathered in his eyes, so that he could not -see; the walls of the little dismal chamber wavered to and fro, the -Shadow grew more and more dense until it seemed to assume definite -shape, the shape of Christmas Present, sitting as before, enthroned -amidst plenty and good cheer; the deep-toned bells in a neighboring -church-tower slowly and solemnly tolled twelve strokes, answered by -the silver chime of a clock; the flames of the open fire rose and -fell fitfully, in mute answer to the blasts of wind that roared about -the chimney top. The Ghost dwindled rapidly, the Discouraged Man -assumed the proportions and appearance of a marble figure under the -mantel, and Mr. Broadstreet, starting up in affright, found himself -standing in his own warm room, the Christmas Carol still open at the -wonderful picture in his hand. The air still vibrated with the last -echoes of the midnight-bell. It was Christmas morning. - -Not many hours later, the glad sun was shining brightly over the -white-robed city, sprinkling the streets and housetops with -diamond-dust, gleaming upon the golden spires of churches, seeking out -every dark and unwholesome corner with its noiseless step, and -dispensing with open hand its bounty of purity and warmth. Yet the -shadow was there, even on that fairest of Christmas Days,--and Mr. -Broadstreet knew it. - -Throughout the day he was thoughtful and abstracted, and during the -following weeks he was observed to act in the most unaccountable -manner. On snowy evenings he would dodge out of the house without the -slightest warning, and return shortly after with damp boots and a -defeated air. - -Upon the street-cars Mr. Broadstreet became famous that winter for his -obliging manner and pleasant ways with the employees. Indeed, he more -than once persisted in remaining on the platform with the conductor at -the imminent risk of freezing his ears and nose, until he was fairly -driven within doors. - -Down town he behaved still more queerly, leaving the office long -before dark, and being discovered in the oddest places imaginable; now -diving into narrow courts, and up steep staircases, now plunging into -alleyways and no thoroughfares; and returning home late to dinner, -greatly exhausted, with little or no money in his pockets. In these -days, too, he began to talk about the sufferings of the poor, the -abuses of the liquor law, the need of strong, pure women to go among -the outcasts of our great, troubled city and perform Christlike deeds. - -One bitter cold night he was much later than usual. It had been -snowing heavily, and his wife had begun to worry a little over the -absence of her husband, when she heard the click of his key in the -front door. When Mr. Broadstreet entered, sprinkled with snow from -head to foot, what was her amazement to see him standing there with -fur cap and gloves, and a glowing face, but no ulster! - -"Alonzo, Alonzo," she cried, from the head of the stairs, "what will -you forget next? Where have you left it?" - -"Why," said he simply, "I've found the Discouraged Man. And the doctor -at the hospital says she'll get well, after all." - - - - -III - -'LIJAH - - -Twilight, December twilight in a great city, cold gray and dismal. Up -town the dust collected in little ridges at the street corners, and -whirled alike into the faces of rich and poor, on their way home from -work. Down town the clerks in the big stores had gone out to their -suppers, leaving the boys to light up and rearrange the disheveled -counters for the final rush of evening customers. Around the markets -and in the toy-shops, however, there was little rest. Crowds of tired, -good-natured people staggered against each other and entangled -themselves in all sorts of projecting bundles which they carried under -their arms. Now and then a messenger or expressman would call out, -"Clear the way there!" in rich, jovial tones, while he bore his armful -of glistening, scarlet-dotted holly through the thickest of the crowd. -Even the night wind, which came scurrying down from the northwest -evidently bent on mischief, stopped a moment to rest among the boughs -of the mimic evergreen forest of fir and spruce along the sidewalks, -refreshed itself with their spicy fragrance, and stole away again, -gentler than before. And when, of all the year, should eyes be -brighter, hopes higher, voices merrier, even wind and winter air more -mild than on this blessed night?--for it was Christmas Eve. - -"B-r-r-r-r," shivered 'Lijah, trying to pull down the ragged ends of -his sleeves over his black wrist; "dis yere's what I call right cold. -Gwine to snow 'fore mo'nin', for sho.'" - -Plunging a small shovel into the tin pail he was carrying, the old man -proceeded to scatter its contents, a sort of earthy gravel, along the -slippery rails of the horse-car track. - -"Hullo, 'Lijah!" called a passing driver, with one hand on his brake -and the other holding a tight rein, "where you goin' to-morrow?" - -"Dunno; Merry Chris'mus!" returned the other, straightening his old -back and waving a salute with his shovel. - -One after another greeted him in much the same way, receiving the -invariable "Merry Chris'mus," given with a broad smile and a momentary -gleam of white from eyes and teeth. - -The pail was empty, and 'Lijah was about to leave the scene of his -day's work, when a strong, young voice called to him. - -"Evening, 'Lijah. Wish you a Merry Christmas!" - -"Thank ye, thank ye, mars' George," cried the negro, answering -involuntarily in the old plantation dialect, and turning delightedly -to the newcomer. "Wh-whar you been, Mars,' an' how's Miss Rosy?" - -"She's well, 'Lijah," said the young man, with a sparkle in his eye. -"I've been away from the city for a month. To-night I was going up -there, but"-- - -"But what, but what, Mars' George?" queried the old man eagerly. "Ef a -po' ole nig kin do anything fer ye, he'll do it sho'. _Anything_, -Mars'!" - -George Farley looked at him kindly. "I know you would, 'Lijah. And -yet, I hardly know--if I hadn't been away so long"-- - -He was a generous young fellow, and he wanted to do right both by his -employers and his humble companion. The fact was, he had been charged -to remain in the store that night, the regular watchman being at home -sick. He had been looking forward during his long absence on the road -to that very Christmas Eve, which he was to spend with the owner of a -certain pair of merry brown eyes, at the other end of the city. The -temptation was too great. "It won't come again for a year," he argued -to himself; "it won't ever be just the same as to-night. One hour or -two would do no harm, and 'Lijah is as faithful as a watch-dog--better -than I would be, if anything." - -The result was, as may easily be imagined, that 'Lijah agreed to take -up his post at the store at just half-past seven, and remain until -Farley came, which would be before ten. - -The old man made his way home through the darkening streets with many -a delighted chuckle at his good luck. A chance to serve Mars' George -didn't come every day. "He's a-gwine ter trus' me!" he said to himself -over and over again. - -The strong attachment between these two men, so far removed from each -other in social position, but closely knit together by that -brotherliness of humanity which reaches to a depth--or height--where -there is neither rich nor poor, bond nor free,--this powerful -attachment had begun at a summer hotel a year before. Farley had been -walking idly about the reading-rooms and office, when he heard a -cracked voice crooning softly to itself. Something in the tones -attracted him, and he was interested enough to listen for the words of -the song, for the tune told him nothing. - - "Wash me an' I shall be - Whiter dan snow." - -Stepping into the next room he found the singer to be an old negro, -employed about the place to black boots, scrub floors, and perform -whatever menial duties were considered below the dignity of his -fellow-servants. His hair was powdered with white, and his face -wrinkled like a prune, but there was a light in his eye which told -that he was mindful of the words he sang. Farley was touched by their -association with both his race and the tasks to which he was put, and -entered into conversation with him. He found that 'Lijah, for so he -was called, was receiving a mere pittance from the hotel, and even -that would cease in a few weeks. Interesting himself thoroughly in the -old man, he obtained for him a comfortable boarding-place in the city -and a situation which befitted his years and sluggish movements, and, -while affording but small pay, gave steady work from one year's end to -another. - -So 'Lijah plodded humbly up and down the tracks, scattering his -shovelfuls of sand, dodging passing vehicles as he best might, and -living at peace with all men. Oftentimes Mars' George, to whom, as his -only tie in the world, he was as devoted as a Newfoundland dog, would -spend the long winter evenings with him in his little room; or would -even take him to a fairy play, whose fascinations affected him so -powerfully that for days afterward he would occasionally be seen to -stop at his work, gazing steadfastly at the pavements, from which, -perhaps, he momentarily expected to see emerge a gnome or gauze-winged -naiad. - -Meanwhile he was full of interest in all that most nearly concerned -the happiness of his friend and patron. Accordingly it was not long -after Miss Rosy Burnham appeared on the scene, that old 'Lijah took -occasion to slyly allude to the personal charms of the young lady, and -to offer his services as a message-bearer, whenever occasion might -arise. - -Once 'Lijah had the supreme delight of nursing Farley through a short -but severe illness. Then it was that his musical accomplishments, -which had at first attracted his benefactor, again came into play. His -repertoire, it is true, was scant, including only "Whiter than Snow," -which he had heard at one of Mr. Moody's revival meetings, and "Swing -Low, Sweet Chariot," doubtless a relic of the old days when the slaves -sang at their work in the cotton fields, or among the huts at night. -Of tune he knew absolutely nothing, and the different airs which he -improvised for the words, according to the mood he was in, gave the -effect of a much greater variety than the two hymns would otherwise -have afforded. - -To-night he was as happy as a child, and went to and fro about the -house humming, to a tune which seemed a combination of "Dixie" and -"Coronation" - - "Swing low,--swing low-- - Comin' fer ter carry me ho-o-ome." - -All the way down to the store after supper he murmured by turns "Sweet -Chariot," and "Mars' George done trus' me sho'ly!" People noticed his -lightsome looks, and some one must have given him a sprig of holly, -which he wore proudly, after all the berries had dropped off, in his -buttonhole. - -Arriving at the store he found Farley waiting impatiently for him, and -was at once instructed in the duties of his two-hours' watch. He was -to sit in the main office, which was in the third story and looked out -upon a large street. Every fifteen minutes he must take a lantern and -patrol the entire building above the first floor, which was occupied -by another firm, furniture dealers and manufacturers. - -"Here, 'Lijah," said Farley, hurriedly drawing a bunch of keys from -his pocket and thrusting them into the other's hands; "take these. -That flat key will open the safe, and in it--look--is this box, -containing the most valuable papers in the store. If anything happens -be sure to look after them. Now good-bye, old fellow. Don't go to -sleep, and look out for me inside of two hours." And he was gone. - -'Lijah listened to his retreating footsteps with intense satisfaction. - -"Hi! Ain't dis a Chris'mus Eve fer ole 'Lijah!" he said, softly, -taking a survey of his surroundings, and proceeding to settle himself -in one of the most uncomfortable chairs in the room. - -Pretty soon he looked at the clock. The hand indicated exactly -half-past seven. - -"Reck'n I'll begin dis yere business on time," he soliloquized, -picking up the lantern Farley had left for him. - -It would have been laughable, and pathetic at the same time, had any -one been there to see how anxiously he peered into every corner for -signs of danger; scrutinizing the door mats, gravely pausing before -tables and desks, giving a comprehensive glance now and then at the -ceiling, stepping on tiptoe, and, with eyes as round as saucers, -listening as he approached each door. This entire performance he -repeated regularly on the quarter-hours, as Farley had told him; his -features relaxing into his gleeful chuckle each time, as he found -himself in the cosy office, with all well behind him. - -Meanwhile the hands of the clock upon the wall crept round in -leisurely fashion to nine, half-past, ten; and 'Lijah's broad, white -smile expanded further and further as no Farley appeared. - -"He's done trus' me lots dis yere night, sho'ly," he repeated again. -"Guess you's a tol'able good watchman, po' ole 'Lijah, you is. Hi! -dat's some o' Miss Rosy's work, sho' 'nuff!" - -He had finished his quarter-past-ten round, and had been sitting for -some time in his straight-backed chair, singing softly to himself, and -ruminating on Mars' George's manifold virtues and the fair face of his -lady, and was watching the clock for the signal of his next survey of -the premises, when he noticed a peculiar effect in the upper portion -of the room. The ceiling seemed to be going farther and farther away, -lifting higher and higher. Was he falling asleep then, after all, like -an unfaithful sentinel? He sat bolt upright, rubbed his smarting eyes, -and looked up again. The ceiling was almost out of sight. At the same -moment the old negro was seized with a violent fit of coughing. He -sprang to his feet, trembling in every limb. There was no longer any -mystery about it; the room was rapidly filling with smoke, which -poured in steadily through the transom over the office door. - -'Lijah stood a moment and tried to think. Then he ran, lantern in -hand, into the entry and down the stairs, uttering incoherent cries of -"O Lor'! O Mars' George! Look yere, look yere! O 'Lijah, you wuf'less -ole--O Lor', O Lor'!" Scrambling, tumbling, sliding, he found his way -down through the stifling smoke, which boiled up in an ever -increasing volume from the basement. Reaching the street, 'Lijah ran -plump into a policeman, and, his teeth chattering with terror, tried -to tell him what was the matter. - -But his haste was needless, for even while he spoke, deep voices were -repeating 'Lijah's message in solemn, measured tones, above the roofs -all over the city; a low roar, growing louder each instant, arose far -down the street. Louder and louder, mingled with a jangling of gongs -and dismal blowing of horns, as the mighty foes of the fire gathered -to their work. Suddenly the crowd, which seemed to have sprung up out -of the ground, fled to right and left. A magnificent pair of black -horses dashed fiercely up before the store, leaving behind them a long -trail of floating sparks from the beautiful, glistening creature of -brass and steel at their backs. Then came one piece of apparatus after -another, engines, ladders and hose. In the confusion and uproar of -their arrival, the policeman had quite forgotten the trembling old -black man and his lantern. Now he looked around and saw him crowding -his way toward the store, from which tongues of flame began to dart -viciously. - -"Come back there!" shouted the officer sternly, rushing upon 'Lijah -and jerking him backward so that he nearly fell. "Don't you see the -stairway's all on fire?" - -"B-b-but Mars' George done trus'"-- - -"I don't know anything about that," interrupted the policeman, pushing -back the crowd to right and left. "You can't go in there again, and -that's all there is about it." - -A determined look came into 'Lijah's dark face. He stopped shaking and -watched his chance. It came soon, and with a movement wonderfully -quick for such an old man, he darted through the line and toward the -burning building. - -"Stop him! Stop the nigger!" shouted half a dozen voices. "He's -crazy!" - -Two or three firemen sprang forward, but it was too late. An -involuntary and audible shudder went through the crowd as he plunged -into the black stairway, stooping to avoid the flames which curled -around the posts above his head. - -In another minute some one cried out, "Look, look! there he is, way up -in the third story!" - -How he had made his way through that terrible barrier, no one ever -knew. There he was, gesticulating wildly at the window, shouting to -the firemen, and presently holding up what appeared to be a small box. -With a warning cry to those below, he dropped it, watched it as it -fell and was borne safely out of danger by a uniformed officer,--and -sank back upon the window sill. Those in the opposite building -afterward said they could see then that he was terribly burned, but -seemed in all his pain to be laughing to himself. They thought, as did -the crowd below, that he was insane. - -All this time the firemen were attacking the fire upon every side, but -with no visible effect. The varnish and oils stored by the furniture -dealers in various portions of their establishment made rallying -points for the flames, which almost at the very outset had found their -way through the central staircase, and so up and out of the roof. -Every front window in the two lower stories poured forth its volume of -fire and smoke, so that no ladders could be successfully planted. Nor -could entrance be effected through the skylight, the enemy having, as -I have described, taken possession of that important point. Meanwhile -old 'Lijah seemed quite content to sit just inside his window and wait -for what was coming fast. His grizzled head drooped gradually, and -those nearest could see his lips moving. If they had been very near -indeed, they would have heard him talking and singing to himself: - - "'Swing low, sweet chari-o-t, - Comin' fer to carry me home!' - -I'se done it, Mars' George, jes' 's you tole me. You done trus' -'Lijah, an' he warn't a-gwine to give up. - - 'Whiter dan sno-o-ow! Swing low!'" - -Yes, old 'Lijah, your chariot is swinging low for you, very low. - - "Comin' fer to carry me"-- - -The thick smoke rolls out heavily through the window overhead. The -firemen keep a steady stream playing through the broken panes, and -fight fiercely with their axes to reach him. It grows so hot that the -people in the opposite windows hold their hands before their faces, -while they watch. - -Still nearer swings the great roaring chariot of fire. Lower and lower -droops the faithful head upon the black, scorched hands. - -His lips were still moving faintly, and he was still whispering, -"Swing low, swing low, swing low," when CRASH! came a burly figure, -his face blackened with smoke and his rubber coat dripping with water, -straight in through the window. Without a word he seized 'Lijah firmly -around the waist and raised himself upright on the window-sill; then -looking upward he shouted, hoarsely, "Haul away!" - -The crowd held their breath as the two figures swung out into the air -at that fearful height, and spun round once or twice before they were -drawn up--up--inch by inch, and landed safe and sound on the roof. -Then up went such a shout as has rarely been heard in this good city; -a great, beautiful, manly cry of triumph and joy, such as the angels -might utter over him who was lost. - -It was a long time before 'Lijah could realize that he had not been -borne away in his chariot, that had swung so low. I believe he felt a -pang of disappointment when he first looked at his wrinkled, scarred -hands, and found they were not "whiter than snow." But Rosy, dear, -repentant little Rosy, soon found ways to comfort him; for she would -not hear of his staying in the hospital, because she knew it was all -her fault, she said, keeping George so long. So 'Lijah is quite as -content to stay on the earth a little while longer as he was to go. -For does not Mars' George come every evening and sit by him, and tell -him they must live together always? and doesn't 'Lijah know, too, that -the crowning glory of his life is to be on next Christmas Eve, just a -year from the great fire, when Miss Rosy will be Miss Rosy no longer, -and he is to enter upon permanent duties in her new home? - - - - -IV - -A CHRISTMAS REVERIE - - -It was growing late, on a certain December evening, when I put on my -dressing-gown and slippers, turned off the gas, drew my easy chair up -in front of the blazing wood fire, and settled back with a long breath -of comfort, thanking my lucky stars that work was over, for that day -at any rate. Not that any stars were in sight, lucky or otherwise. In -the first place, the windows were covered with a heavy, fuzzy layer of -frost, except up in one corner where I couldn't possibly look out -without climbing into a chair; and in the next place, even if I had -raised the sash, which I was by no means inclined to do, I should have -seen nothing but a great, white, howling blur of snow, tossing and -foaming between the brick walls which confined it, like the rapids of -Niagara. - -In fact the wind was with difficulty kept outside at all, and at -intervals would knock savagely at the frosted pane, or shout down the -chimney, to the great amusement of the good-humored fire. - -Now if there is anything I particularly like, it is the sound of a -furious northeaster in the chimney on such a night as this. So I sat -there, watching the dancing flames, feeling the grateful warmth -beginning to creep through the soles of my slippers, and listening to -my boisterous friend outside, when I became conscious of a curious -optical effect in one of the black marble pillars which supported my -mantel. As the shadows flitted to and fro about its Ionic scrolls, it -looked exactly as if it were nodding its head, and the fringe of the -lambrequin hung out over its forehead like a mass of disheveled hair. -Yielding myself wholly to the queer fancy, I was not at all surprised -to have the pillar straighten itself up until it was nearly six feet -tall, and ask me in rather a severe voice what I meant by translating -_notus_, "northeast wind?" - -"I didn't mean to, sir," I stammered, feeling all at once greatly in -awe of the projecting tuft of hair that loomed up threateningly over -me. "I suppose it was because it was snowing, and the northeast wind -is really"--Here I paused, for I happened to glance at the window as I -spoke, and behold, there was no sign of frost or snow on the dusty -pane. I looked foolish and--I had scrambled to my feet when the -question was asked--sat down hastily. - -"Next!" said the tall figure, bending its dark brows on a boy who had -glided in unobserved and taken his seat beside me. While he was -translating in a hesitating and monotonous voice what seemed to be a -passage from Virgil, I had time to look about me, at the same time -experiencing an odd sensation of waking up after a long sleep. It had -been a wild, strange dream, then,--my college life, my adventures -abroad, my business and its cares. Yes, even the few gray hairs that -had begun to peep around my ears were but fancied symptoms of maturity -and age. For here I was, where of course I ought to be, sitting on a -hard bench, Virgil in hand, following the recitation and reading ahead -hurriedly about where I thought my turn would come. Every moment the -scene became more natural, and the dream-life of my manhood more and -more indistinct. The old head master, Francis Gardner, whom I now -recognized beyond all doubt, soon reached my end of the class once -more, but before he could call on me to translate, the hands of the -clock touched eleven, and we were dismissed for recess. - -Down we poured over the long, worn staircase, which trembled under our -tread, one flight after another, until we reached the yard. Here we -played our old games, running to and fro between the high brick walls, -and dodging around their sharp angles. At length the bell--I can hear -its exact tones now--called to us from a window overhead, and we -scrambled up again, taking our places at our desks with just as much -bustle and interchange of sly thrusts as we dared. One boy was late, -and the Doctor met him at the threshold. - -"Now, sir," said he sternly, looking down at the culprit, and fixing -upon him a glance which I never knew to fail of inspiring awe, "Now, -sir, do you want a rasping?" The boy shuffled his feet back and forth -on the floor, twisted his hat in his hands, and began to mumble an -excuse. - -"Look here," said the tall figure, "you can take either of the two -horns of the dilemma," holding up two fingers. "Either you went so far -away that you couldn't hear the bell, or you didn't start when you did -hear it. Which horn will you take?" - -How that boy trembled as he surveyed those long, gaunt fingers on -which hung his fate! Foolish fellow, not to know the warm heart that -was beating behind all the kind old Doctor's frowns! For do I not -remember his many gentle deeds, often done in secret and found out by -accident? It seems only yesterday, when, having sent one of his -scholars away in disgrace, and learned a few days later that the boy -was at home and sick, he had misgivings that he had been unjust, and -appeared at that boy's door after school hours with a bouquet at least -a foot in diameter, and the injunction--awkwardly enough given--that -the boy should not be worried about what had occurred, nor about the -lessons he was losing. Feeble as he was, with age and disease fast -laying hold upon him, the head master had traversed the entire breadth -of the city in the dead of winter to leave this message for the pupil -he feared he had wronged. - -While I was reflecting upon these things the Doctor had finished his -rebuke to the tardy boy and left the room. Others came and went. The -boys' faces were all familiar, and my heart brimmed over with delight -as I recognized those whom, in my dream of college and business, I had -thought of as sober, work-a-day men. Here was the round-eyed, -mischievous fellow whom I had fancied to be a learned physician; -another, a librarian; a third, a student and teacher of German, but -now, bereft of whiskers and bass voice, once more a boy, and the -scapegrace of the class. Then there were the teachers. One, whose -fair, scholarly face I had never expected to see again on this earth, -was busily explaining a Latin exercise to the class, with the aid of -several old vellum-bound books he had brought from his own private -library. Another bustled in with a carpetbag and a hearty, cheery air; -compared the school clock with his watch (of whose almost superhuman -accuracy we boys always stood in awe), and heard us recite in French. -This lesson passed off with a briskness and good will that waked us -all up as if we had been out in the fresh air, and left us keen for -the next study. Meanwhile I caught glimpses of other teachers, all -more or less associated with the dearest and best days of my life. -There was he who once invited us all out to skate on his pond, in the -country; who knew how to be stern with wrong-doers, but who was known -to stay late in the afternoon, day after day, to hear a sick boy -recite lessons in his home, that the little fellow might not fall -behind his class, and so lose a possible chance for a prize. In my -after-dream, his hair had been threaded with gray; but now it was -brown, as I remembered it of old. Still another was a young man whose -even-handed justice--"squareness," we used to call it--was proverbial -among my schoolmates. I had heard that his own son had since grown old -enough to pass through college most honorably, and that he himself had -taken the place of the grim Doctor in some strange air-castle of a new -schoolhouse, far from its former site. Now I realized that I was back -in the old days, and laughed to myself so loud that nothing but a -disingenuous cough, into which I dexterously turned my mirth, saved me -a mark for misconduct. - -But now the room was hushed, as the master addressed us in quiet, -earnest tones. He was bidding us good-bye for a few days, and ended by -wishing us all a Merry Christmas. - -Bless me, how we did throng around the desk on our way out, and return -his hearty greeting! In spite of my sense of the reality of the whole -scene, I could not dispel a strange foreboding that I was saying -farewell to school and master forever. The twilight shadows of the -short winter afternoon--it was storming furiously now, and had grown -quite dark within doors--gathered about the old man's form as he sat -there shaking hands with one after the other, his eyes twinkling in -their deep sockets, and meeting with kindly glance the fresh young boy -faces around him. In a moment more this was all forgotten, for we had -reached the street, and were rioting about in the snow as only boys -let out from school for a week's vacation can do. How we did assail -policemen and wagon-drivers and pretty girls, to be sure! These last -were on their way home from school, too, and many were the laughing -glances and shy smiles that were flung us in return for our harmless -pats of snow. - -Full of the merriment of the day, although not yet aware that it was -really Christmas Eve, I made my way up to Boylston Market, which was -completely transfigured from a rather jail-like and dreary receptacle -for unpleasantly red shoulders of mutton and beef, to a wonderland of -evergreen and holly; it had not yet given place to a great dry-goods -emporium. Here I saw my former teachers--God bless them, every -one!--approach in a group, very much like boys themselves, for the -time, and select various wreaths and bunches of green for home. I -touched my "B. L. S." cap respectfully as they passed, but a flurry of -snow came between and they did not see me. I stretched out my hand to -them, but they were gone. Again the aching sense of loss, the dread of -finding that I was in the midst of unrealities came over me, and I -shivered from head to foot. Pulling my cap low over my ears, I hurried -back to Bedford Street. Alas! my worst fears were realized. The old -schoolhouse was gone. Strange faces stared at me through the darkening -storm. I leaned against the black iron fence, which still remained, -and hid my face in my hands. As I did so, the wind moaned drearily -overhead, and I heard the snow and sleet drifting against--what? My -own window-panes! - -Yes, the dream was truth, and the truth was a dream. I shivered again, -in my easy chair, felt of my beard, stretched myself and rose stiffly -to my feet. The fire had burned low, had fallen in entirely between -the andirons, and the room was growing more chilly. I took some good -birch sticks from the wood-box, encouraged them with a handful of dry -cones, and, as they threw out their cheerful warmth, I became more and -more content to remain a man, and leave my boyish days tied up, like -old letters, in an out-of-the-way corner where I could take them out -and live them over again at will. - - - - -V - -THE CRACKED BELL - - -There was no doubt whatever of its melancholy condition. Cracked it -was, and cracked it had been for the last two years. Just how the -crack came there, nobody knew. It was, indeed, a tiny flaw, long ago -covered by green rust, and apparently as harmless as the veriest -thread or a wisp of straw, lodging for a moment on the old bell's -brazen sides. But when the clapper began to swing, and gave one timid -touch to the smooth inner surface of its small cell, the flaw made -itself known, and as the strokes grew louder and angrier, the -dissonance so clattered and battered against the ears of the parish, -that after two years' patient endurance of this infliction (which they -considered a direct discipline, to humble their pride over a new coat -of white paint on the little church), one small, black-bonneted sister -rose in prayer-meeting and begged that the bell be left quiet, or at -least muffled for one day, as it disturbed her daughter, whom all the -village knew to be suffering from nervous prostration. - -Emboldened by this declaration of war, a deacon declared that it was -an insult to religion and its Founder, to ring such a bell. It was the -laughing-stock of the village, he added, and its flat discords were -but a signal for derision on the part of every scoffer and backslider -in the parish. - -Other evidence of convincing character was given by various members of -the congregation; the bell was tried, convicted and sentenced; and -more than one face showed its relief as good old Dr. Manson, the -pastor, instructed the sexton publicly to omit the customary call to -services on the following Sabbath. - -"I hope," he further said, looking around gravely on his people, "that -you will all make more than usual effort to be in your pews promptly -at half-past ten." - -For a time the members of the First Congregational Society of North -Penfield were noticeably and commendably prompt in their attendance -upon all services. They were so afraid that they should be late that -they arrived at the meeting-house a good while before the opening -hymn. Dr. Manson was gratified, the village wits were put down, and -the old bell hung peacefully in the belfry over the attentive -worshipers, as silent as they. Snow and rain painted its surface with -vivid tints, and the swallows learned that they could perch upon it -without danger of its being jerked away from their slender feet. - -There was no other meeting-house in the town, and as the nearest -railroad was miles away, the sound of a clear-toned bell floating down -from the summer sky, or sending its sweet echoes vibrating through a -wintry twilight in an oft-repeated mellow call to prayers, was almost -forgotten. - -Gradually the congregation fell into the habit of dropping in of a -Sunday morning while the choir were singing the voluntary, or -remaining in the vestibule where, behind the closed doors, they had a -bit of gossip while they waited for the rustle within which announced -the completion of the pastor's long opening prayer. It became a rare -occurrence for all to be actually settled in their pews when the text -was given out. The same tardiness was noticeable in the Friday evening -meetings; and, odd to say, a certain spirit of indolence seemed to -creep over the services themselves. - -Whereas in former days the farmers and their wives were wont to come -bustling briskly into the vestry while the bell was ringing, and the -cheerful hum of voices arose in the informal handshaking "before -meeting," soon quieting and then blending joyously in the stirring -strains of "How Firm a Foundation," or "Onward, Christian Soldiers," -followed by one brief, earnest prayer or exhortation after another, in -quick succession, in these later days it was quite different. It was -difficult to carry the first hymn through, as there were rarely enough -good singers present to sustain the air. Now it was the pianist who -was late, now the broad-shouldered mill-owner, whose rich bass was -indeed a "firm foundation" for all timid sopranos and altos; now the -young man who could sing any part with perfect confidence, and often -did wander over all four in the course of a single verse, lending a -helping hand, so to speak, wherever it was needed. - -The halting and dispirited hymn made the members self-distrustful and -melancholy at the outset. There were long pauses during which all the -sluggish or tired-out brothers and sisters nodded in the heated room, -and the sensitive and nervous clutched shawl fringes and coat buttons -in agonized fidgets. The meetings became so dull and heavy that slight -excuses were sufficient to detain easy-going members at home, -especially the young people. It was a rare sight now to see bright -eyes and rosy cheeks in the room. The members discussed the dismal -state of affairs, which was only too plain, and laid the blame on the -poor old minister. - -"His sermons haven't the power they had once, Brother Stimpson," -remarked Deacon Fairweather, shaking his head sadly, as they trudged -home from afternoon service one hot Sunday in August. "There's -somethin' wantin'. I don't jestly know what." - -"He ain't pussonal enough. You want to be pussonal to do any good in a -parish. There's Squire Radbourne, now. Everybody knows he sets up -Sunday evenin's and works on his law papers. I say there ought to be a -reg'lar downright discourse on Sabbath breakin'." - -"Thet's so, thet's so," assented the deacon. "And Brother Langworth -hasn't been nigh evenin' meetin' for mor'n six weeks." - -From one faulty member to another they wandered, forgetting, as they -jogged along the familiar path side by side, the banks of goldenrod -beside them, the blue sky and fleecy clouds above, the blue hills in -the distance, and all the glory and brightness of the blessed summer -day. - -The next morning, North Penfield experienced a shock. The white-haired -pastor, overcome by extra labor, increasing cares, the feebleness of -age, or a combination of all these causes, had sunk down upon his bed -helplessly, on his return from the little white meeting-house the -afternoon before, never to rise again until he should leave behind him -the weary earth-garments that now but hindered his slow and painful -steps. - -The townspeople were greatly concerned, for the old man was dearly -loved by young and old. Those who of late had criticised now -remembered Dr. Manson's palmy days, when teams came driving in from -Penfield Center, "The Hollow," and two or three other adjoining -settlements, to listen to the impassioned discourses of the young -clergyman. - -A meeting of the committee was called at once, to consider the affairs -of the bereft church--for bereft they felt it to be--and take steps -for an immediate supply during the vacancy of the pulpit. Two months -later Dr. Manson passed peacefully away, and there was one more mound -in the little churchyard. - -The snows of early December already lay deep on road and field before -the North Penfield Parish, in a regularly-called and organized -meeting, was given to understand that a new minister was settled. Half -a dozen candidates had preached to the people but only one had met -with favor. - -Harold Olsen was a Norwegian by parentage, though born in America. -Tall and straight as the pines of the Norseland, with clear, flashing -blue eyes and honest, winning smile, the congregation began to love -him before he was half through his first sermon. His sweet-faced -little wife made friends with a dozen people between services; by -nightfall the question was practically settled, and so was the Rev. -Harold Olsen, "the new minister," as he was called for years -afterward. - -At the beginning of the second week in December, Harold ascended the -pulpit stairs of the North Penfield meeting-house, feeling very humble -and very thankful in the face of his new duties. He loved his work, -his people, his wife and his God; and here he was, with them all four -at once. - -Sleigh-bells jingled merrily outside the door; one family after -another came trooping in, muffled to the ears, and moved demurely up -the central or side aisles to their high-backed pews. - -The sunlight found its way in under the old-fashioned fan-shaped -blinds at the tops of the high windows, and rested upon gray hair and -brown, on figures bowed with grief and age, on restless, eager -children, on the pulpit itself, and finally upon the golden-edged -leaves of the old Bible. - -Still the people came in. A hymn was given out and sung. While Harold -was lifting his soul to heaven on the wings of his prayer, he could -not help hearing the noise of heavy boots in the meeting-house entry, -stamping off the snow. His fervent "Amen" was the signal for a draft -of cold air from the doors, followed by a dozen late comers. - -After the sermon, which was so simple and straightforward that it went -directly to the hearts of the people, he hastened to confer with his -deacons. - -"The bell didn't ring this morning, Brother Fairweather. What was the -matter?" he asked, after a warm hand-grasp all round. - -"Why, the fact is, sir, there ain't no bell." - -"That is, none to speak of," put in Deacon Stimpson apologetically. -"There's a bell up there, but it got so cracked an' out o' tune that -nobody could stan' it, sick or well." - -The Rev. Harold Olsen's eyes twinkled. "How long have you gone without -this unfortunate bell?" - -"Oh! a matter o' two or three years, I guess." - -"Weddings, funerals, and all?" - -"Well, yes," reluctantly, "I b'lieve so. I did feel bad when we -follered the minister to his grave without any tollin'--he was master -fond o' hearing that bell, fust along--but there, it couldn't be -helped! Public opinion was against that 'ere particular bell, and we -jes' got laughed at, ringin' it. So we stopped, and here we be, -without it." - -Mr. Olsen's blue eyes sparkled again as he caught his little wife's -glance, half amused, half pained. He changed the subject, and went -among his parishioners, inquiring kindly for the absent ones, and -making new friends. - -At a quarter before three (the hour for afternoon service) he entered -the meeting-house again. The sexton was asleep in one of the pews. He -was roused by a summons so startling that a repetition was necessary -before he could comprehend its import. - -"R-ring the bell!" he gasped incredulously. "W-why, sir, it hasn't -been rung for"-- - -"Never mind, Mr. Bedlow," interrupted Harold, with his pleasant smile. -"Let's try it to-day, just for a change." - -Harold had attended one or two prayer-meetings, as well as Sunday -services, and--had an idea. - -On reaching the entry, the sexton shivered in the cold air, and -pointed helplessly to a hole in the ceiling, through which the bell -rope was intended to play. - -"I put it up inside out of the way, so's the boys couldn't get it," he -chattered. "D-don't you think, sir, we'd better wait till"-- - -But it was no use to talk to empty air. The new minister had gone, and -presently returned with a long heavy bench, which he handled as easily -as if it were a lady's work-basket. - -"Just steady it a bit," he asked; and Mr. Bedlow, with conscientious -misgivings as to the propriety of his assisting at a gymnastic -performance on Sunday, did as he was bid. - -Up went the minister like a cat; and presently down came the knotted -end of the rope. "Now, let's have a good, hearty pull, Mr. Bedlow." - -The sexton grasped the rope and pulled. There was one frightened, -discordant outcry from the astonished bell; and there stood poor Mr. -Bedlow with about three yards of detached rope in his hands. It had -broken just above the point where it passed through the flooring over -his head. - -"Now, sir," expostulated the sexton. - -"Here, Dick!" called Mr. Olsen, to a bright-faced little fellow who -had put his head in at the door and was regarding these unwonted -proceedings with round-eyed astonishment; "won't you run over to my -house and ask my wife for that long piece of clothes-line that hangs -up in the kitchen closet?" - -Dick was gone like a flash, his curiosity excited to the highest -pitch. - -"What does he want it for?" asked pretty Olga Olsen, hurrying to -produce the required article. - -"Don't know," panted Dick. "He's got Mr. Bedlow--in the entry--an' he -sent for a rope, double quick!" - -With which bewildering statement he tore out of the house and back to -the church. - -Five minutes later the population of North Penfield were astounded by -hearing a long-silent, but only too familiar voice. - -"It's that old cracked bell!" exclaimed half a hundred voices at once, -in as many families. "Do let's go to meetin' an' see what's the -matter." - -The afternoon's congregation was, in fact, even larger than the -morning's. Harold noted it with quiet satisfaction, and gave out as -his text the first verse of the sixty-sixth Psalm. - -At the close of his brief sermon he paused a moment, then referred to -the subject in all their thoughts, speaking in no flippant or jesting -tone, but in a manner that showed how sacredly important he considered -the matter. - -"I have been pained to notice," he said gravely, "the tardiness with -which we begin our meetings. It is perfectly natural that we should be -late, when there is no general call, such as we have been accustomed -to hear from childhood. I do not blame anybody in the least. I do -believe that we have all grown into a certain sluggishness, both -physical and spiritual, in our assembling together, as a direct -consequence of the omission of those tones which to us and our fathers -have always spoken but one blessed word--'_Come!_' I believe," he -continued, looking about over the kindly faces before him, "I believe -you agree with me that something should be done. Don't think me too -hasty or presuming in my new pastorate, if I add that it seems to me -vitally important to take action at once. Our bell is not musical, it -is true, but its tones, cracked and unmelodious as they are, will -serve to remind us of our church home, its duties and its pleasures. -On Tuesday evening we will hold a special meeting in this house to -consider the question of purchasing a new bell, to take the place of -the old. The Prudential Committee, and all who are interested in the -subject are urged to be present. Let us pray." - -It was a wonderful "season," that Tuesday evening conference. The -cracked bell did its quavering best for a full twenty minutes before -the hour appointed, to call the people together; and no appeal could -have been more irresistible. - -Two-thirds of the sum required was raised that night. For ten days -more the old bell rang on every possible occasion, until it became an -accusing voice of conscience to the parish. Prayer-meetings once more -began sharp on the hour, and proceeded with old-time vigor. The -interest spread until a real revival was in progress before the North -Penfield Society were fairly aware of the change. Still the "bell -fund" lacked fifty dollars of completion. - -On the evening of the twentieth of December, in the midst of a furious -storm, a knock was heard at the parsonage, and lo, at the hastily -opened door stood Squire Radbourne, powdered with snowflakes, and -beaming like a veritable Santa Claus. - -"I couldn't feel easy," he announced, after he had been relieved of -coat and furs, and seated before the blazing fire, "to have next -Sunday go by without a new bell on the meeting-house. We must have -some good hearty ringing on that morning, sure; it's the twenty-fifth, -you know. So here's a little Christmas present to the parish--or the -Lord, either way you want to put it." - -The crisp fifty-dollar note he laid down before the delighted couple -was all that was needed. - -Harold made a quick calculation--he had already selected a bell at a -foundry a hundred miles away--and sitting down at his desk wrote -rapidly. - -"I'll mail your letter," said the squire. "It's right on my way--or -near enough. Let's get it off to-night, to save time." - -And away he trudged again, through the deepening drifts and the blur -of the white storm. - -On Saturday evening, after all the village people were supposed to be -abed and asleep, two dark figures might have been seen moving to and -fro in the old meeting-house, with a lantern. After some irregular -movements in the entry, the light appeared in the belfry, and a little -later, one queer, flat, brassy note, uncommonly like the voice of the -cracked bell, rang out on the night air. Then there was absolute -silence; and before long the meeting-house was locked up and left to -itself again on Christmas Eve--alone, with the wonder-secret of a new -song in its faithful heart, waiting to break forth in praise of God at -dawn of day. - -How the people started that fair Christmas morning, as the sweet, -silvery notes fell on their ears! They hastened to the church; they -pointed to the belfry where the bell swung to and fro in a joyous call -of "_Come! Come! Come! Come!_" - -They listened in rapt silence, and some could not restrain their sobs, -while others with grateful tears in their eyes looked upon the old, -rusty, cracked bell that rested, silent, on the church floor; and as -they looked, and even passed their hands lovingly over its worn sides, -they thanked God for its faithful service and the good work it had -wrought--and for the glad hopes that filled that blessed Christmas -Day. - - - - -VI - -CHRISTMAS FOLK-LORE - - "At Christmas play, and make good cheer, - For Christmas comes but once a year." - - -So said good Thomas Tusser, many generations ago, and his words have -echoed in the hearts of old and young, rich and poor, from his day up -to this blessed Year of Our Lord, 1898. Let us thank God and take -courage when we remember that the Power of Evil has no one Book to set -off against the Bible, and no one day to match Christmas. It is one of -the gladdest and fairest signs of the times that this merry holiday, -so full of good-will to men, is drawing closer and closer to the heart -of the nation. For this one season in the year, everybody is thinking -of everybody else, instead of himself, and we join the wise men in -their march across the desert, following the Star, until we, too, find -ourselves upon our knees before the manger in which the young Child -was. - -It is among the nations of the North, the Germans, the Swedes, the -Norwegians and the English, that the finest and deepest significance -has been attached to this holy day. Among the German peasantry, -especially, are found numerous home legends, beliefs and superstitions -which even the nineteenth century, with its growth of science and -liberal thought, has been unable to reach. Many of these customs and -beliefs have never been told in any language save that of the country -in which they took their rise; the folk-lore of the Teutonic nations -is still a rich storehouse of treasures for the antiquarian, and for -those who love Christmas for its own truest meaning, the day when -Christ was born. - -The concurrence of the winter solstice with Christmas gave rise in the -earliest times to many of the tales of Norse mythology. In the summer -the good gods, Woden and Freia, with thousands of friendly elves, -brought flowers and fruits to cheer the heart of man. But as winter -came on, and the days grew ever shorter and the dark nights longer, -the evil spirits held the good gods, enchanted by their power, far up -among the snowy mountains, and prevented the passage of pious souls to -their rest. Then came storms, and awful things upon the earth. A -many-headed monster roamed the village, seizing the children, throwing -them into a sack, and devouring them at its leisure. Giants descended -from the hills and robbed the lonely traveler. In Denmark a frightful -creature covered with a hairy robe was wont to creep into houses after -dark to steal the products of the harvest, and, if it found nothing, -would utter maledictions and threats, showing at the same time from -beneath its covering a black face and mouth full of fire. - -As Christmas time draws near, and the sun turns northward once more, -Woden issues forth upon a white horse, and, followed by howling packs -of dogs, drives the evil spirits to their hiding-places in the -mountains. Sometimes in his wild hunt he sweeps through a house and -leaves behind him a dog, who crouches upon the hearth and stays there -for one year, whining, moaning, feeding on ashes, and snapping at all -who approach. On the next Christmas, Woden comes for him again, and -the dog leaps through the chimney to rejoin the howling pack in the -tree-tops. - -To this day the Germans associate the coming of Christ with the return -of the sun, and the approach of spring. One of their poets sings: - - "The sun in winter is God in grief, - Is Christ who cometh to bring relief. - Beneath its blessed radiance, man - Forgets that his life is but a span. - - "The sun in winter is Christmastide, - Which scatters its blessings far and wide, - And sheds, through faith, o'er time's dark sea, - The morning rays of eternity." - -"That Christmas is a holiday of light and victory," begins Cassel, in -his account of the day,[1] "every one who has lived within its -influence knows full well. This victory is more sure than the return -of spring, to which we look forward in December with such cheerful -hope. The Spirit of Truth dwells upon loftier heights than does the -creature, and its brightness chases away the shadows of many a gloomy -hour, darker than the longest night of midwinter." - - [1] _Weihnachten: Ursprunge, Brauche und Aberglauben._--Cassel, - Leipzig. - -And now the wonderful hour draws nigh. It is Christmas Eve. All nature -is hushed. As the shepherds once sat around their fire upon the plains -of Bethlehem, discussing, perchance, the strange portents attending -the birth of the son of Zacharias, so to-night the peasants in their -huts along the shores of the Baltic, or in the shadows of the Black -Forest, sit before the Yule log, and talk of the birth of the Son of -man. Suddenly the village bells toll for midnight. The sun appears -upon the horizon and leaps three times for joy; the birds throughout -the forest break forth into singing; every fir-tree blossoms into -fairest flower and fruitage, and is clothed once more in soft leaves, -in place of the sharp, spearpointed needles into which they were -condemned to shrink when a fir-tree was used for the Saviour's cross. -All the good people of the village are praying; and hark! the cattle, -upon their knees in the stable, are talking together in low tones. "_A -child is bo-or-rn!_" lows the cow. "_True-e-e_," returns the ass. -"_Where, where, where?_" calls the shrill voice of the cock--and the -lambs answer, "_In Be-e-t-t-'lem!_" The horses alone have nothing to -say, and are upright on their feet; for when Christ was born, so the -story goes, the horses who happened to be near the manger stamped and -were rude, while the great, sweet-breathed oxen gazed upon the wee -Baby with their mild eyes, and, with the asses and lambs, knelt in -worship. For this hardness of heart horses are condemned to never have -their fill of grass, and to this day they feed eagerly in the fields, -but are never satisfied. - -While these strange things are happening in the stables of the little -German village, the gnomes are busy in the mountains, throwing out -gold and precious treasures of the earth where men shall find them the -coming year. - -When Christmas morning dawns, which in the northern countries is not -before nine or ten in the forenoon, the first loaves that come smoking -from the housewife's oven are given to the cattle. In Sweden it is the -custom to tie a sheaf of grain to a pole and set it up where the birds -may alight and take part in the joy and good cheer of the day. Before -long the village beggars are knocking at the door, and the humblest -peasant, remembering that it is the day on which God gave his -only-begotten Son to the world, dispenses with a free hand his gifts -to all that come. - -Evergreen, and, in particular, the fir-tree, has been from the -earliest times associated with Christmas, and countless tales and -legends are perfumed with its spicy odors. Many are the German songs -that are full of its praises. - - "O northern fir, O northern fir, - In thee my heart delighteth, - How oft thy boughs at Christmastide - Have shed their blessings far and wide;-- - In thee my heart delighteth." - -Hans Christian Andersen, whose happiest hours were those spent in -writing pure and sweet fairytales for children, has told the story of -the fir-tree in his own gentle way. Here is one more child-song, -freely translated from Cassel's notes: - - Within the wood a fir-tree stands, - So stately to be seen; - In summer, spring and winter, too, - Its cloak is ever green. - - Its tiny needles, fine and sharp-- - Some pointing up, some down-- - The thistle-finch doth take, to sew - Her pretty yellow gown. - - Through snow and ice the Christ-child sends - The good old Santa Klaus, - Who straightway hews the fir-tree down - And bears it to the house. - - With loving hand, the Christ-child hangs - The nuts and apples there; - A taper small upon each twig, - And cakes and dainties rare. - - Then comes the blessed Christmas night, - The bell is rung--and lo! - There stands the fir-tree, green and still, - Its branches all aglow. - - Thou fir-tree in the forest dark, - Soon shalt thou hence be borne. - Rejoice! for then thy branches, too, - The Christ-child shall adorn. - -In Scandinavia two fir boughs are nailed crosswise before the door on -Christmas day. Children go about the village, knocking at the windows -with fir twigs, and receiving gifts of sugar plums. The Alsatian -peasantry relate that the apostle to the people on the Rhine and -Moselle was the son of the widow of Nain. Long after his miraculous -resurrection he was sent westward by Saint Peter. One day he came to -the steep banks of the Rhine, and, stopping to rest, fell asleep from -weariness, in the shade of a fir-tree. On awaking, he found that his -pilgrim's staff had grown into the trunk of the fir, and thus plainly -indicated that he had reached the appointed end of his journey. - -In England, the same veneration seems to have been bestowed, time out -of mind, upon the holly. Its glossy, pointed leaves symbolize the -crown of thorns, and the berries the crimson blood-drops that gathered -upon the Saviour's brow. Like the fir, it is ever green and full of -life--as the love of Christ to mankind. Indeed this almost instinctive -association of green boughs and all bright, growing things with the -joy and beauty of religious life, extends throughout written history. -The Israelites in the desert were taught (if they had not already -adopted a custom which was thus merely confirmed and sanctified) to -"take the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the -boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice -before the Lord your God seven days" (Leviticus 23: 40). - -So, too, the wreaths of green leaves attributed to the Greek and Roman -deities, and awarded to those who seemed most godlike, in peace or -war. When Christ entered Jerusalem, the fittest expressions of the -joy, the thanksgiving and the reverent worship of the multitude were -the palm branches, strewn in the path of him who was victorious over -Evil, and who--not conquered death, but showed him to be only the -angel of Life, with the shadowy side of his face turned towards us, as -he comes between us and the Everlasting Light. - -In the early days of England the Druids were accustomed to go forth at -Christmas and gather the sacred mistletoe; while even the poor and -humbler folk brought evergreen and hung it up in their cottages, that -the gentle spirits of the forest might dwell there in safety till the -sun should shine again. In these modern days it has become the fashion -to use evergreens more and more generously. The two largest of the -Boston markets are surrounded, for a week preceding Christmas day, -with a spicy forest of spruce and fir-trees, while the sidewalks are -half hidden beneath great fragrant heaps of "princess pine" and -"creeping Jenny," in the form of wreaths, crosses and trimming. Holly, -too, is used in larger quantities every year, and altogether the times -seem to be returning, which dear old Sir Walter longed for when he -sung: - - Heap on more wood!--the wind is chill - But let it whistle as it will, - We'll keep our Christmas merry still. - Each age has deemed the new-born year - The fittest time for festal cheer. - And well our Christian sires of old - Loved when the year its course had rolled, - And brought blithe Christmas back again, - With all its hospitable train. - Domestic and religious rite - Gave honor to the holy night; - On Christmas eve the bells were rung; - On Christmas eve the mass was sung; - That only night in all the year, - Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear. - - The damsel donned her kirtle sheen; - The hall was dressed with holly green; - Forth to the wood did merry men go, - To gather in the mistletoe. - Then opened wide the baron's hall - To vassal, tenant, serf, and all; - Power laid his rod of rule aside, - And ceremony doffed his pride; - All hailed with uncontrolled delight - And general voice the happy night - That to the cottage, as the crown, - Brought tidings of salvation down. - - England was merry England, when - Old Christmas brought his sports again. - 'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale; - 'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale; - A Christmas gambol oft could cheer - The poor man's heart through half the year. - -Of all the supernatural visitors who roused old Scrooge from his -slumbers in Dickens' immortal "Carol," by far the most interesting was -the Ghost of Christmas Present. The Past is a memory; the Future a -dream; the Present is ours. With its ghost--or its spirit, to free -ourselves from uncanny associations with the name--we are intimately -associated: it is the key-note, or rather the theme, which determines -the harmony or discord of the year. - -What, then, is the spirit of our own Christmas Present? what the -underlying motive and thought, the impulse that turns our population -out of their comfortable homes in the snowy streets during the most -inclement month of our New England year, and then as universally -gathers each family circle within doors on that one supreme Day of -days? which decks counter, wall, window, and altar with evergreen, -type of Eternal Life; which loosens the purse-strings of rich and -poor; which brings the name of Christ tenderly to the lips of young -and old? With all this we have much to do. Here it is, the spirit of -Christmas, analyzable or not, for good or for evil. - -There is much outcry nowadays against the extravagant mysticism which -pervades the observance of the day. Christmas cards have run wild with -grotesque fancies. Christmas games, legends, stories, plays,--even the -columns of the daily press are full of them. At this season, the -compositor may keep standing the words "Christmas," "Bethlehem," -"Christ," so often are they called into service. - -There is the mysticism, the revival of the ancient myth and -folk-belief; and there is the rush of "the trade" for the pecuniary -advantages of the public tender-heartedness. One man gazes at the Star -until he stumbles in the highway: his neighbor stands at the gates of -Bethlehem on Christmas morning and takes toll. These are the extremes, -never more marked, more obtrusive, than in this year of our Lord 1898. - -But between the two, hurrying over the fields toward the city by the -light of the Star, and thronging through the gates toward the little -manger throne, are the vast numbers of honest, earnest, sincere men -and women who find at Christmastide their perplexed lives made clear, -their hopes brightened, their burdens lightened, their strength -renewed for the twelvemonth to come. - -To the mysticism, the love for glorified myth and legend, that -characterizes the Spirit of Christmas Present, they find an answering -chord in their own hearts, which will not be satisfied with shallow -interpretations of the day; which demands something deeper, and cannot -rest content with the broken clause, "On earth peace, good will toward -men," but must echo the wonderful song that rang out over the dark -hill-slopes of Juda, "Glory to God in the highest." - -As we gather about the cradle of every wee human child, born by such -wondrous miracle, so on each Christmas Eve the world gathers at the -rude manger where its Baby is laid, gazing into the gentle, radiant -face, and whispering, "There is born this day a Saviour, which is -Christ the Lord!" - -"Mysticism,"--life is clothed in mystery! The birth of the poorest, -meanest child, in the shabbiest attic of your street of ill repute, is -a mystery far too sacred for man to divine. How shall we smile at -those who find in Christmas the consummate Mystery, the holiest -miracle that the weary, wondering earth has known? - -The holiest, the deepest, and yet the simplest! For Christmas Day is -pre-eminently a day for entering the kingdom as a child. The door of -the stable is low; and we must stoop as we enter hand in hand with -little folk,--so sweet, so humble, so dear to everyday, plain -home-living is this Christian season of merrymaking. - -The august features of the wise astrologers of the East relax, as they -turn from the Star to the face of the Child. The tax-gatherer forgets -his calling, and at last joins the throng of Christmas joy-makers and -joy-receivers, who find kindly impersonation in "Santa Claus." - -Let the card-dealers, then, and the writers of pretty fancies--the -students of folk-lore, the devotees of mystic rite--have their way; -let the tradesman prosper in the time of gift-giving; and every toiler -in the wide business field reap his golden harvest or glean his few -sheaves, as he may. We will not cast out from the Spirit of Christmas -Present its solemnity, its prosperity, its simple and innocent gayety. -There is no danger at present that Christmas shall be too much -observed in America: there is only the danger that its good cheer and -deeper thought, its impulse of benevolence and good will toward men, -shall be confined to a few days or weeks of the year. - -Extremes of enthusiasm will ripen into earnest living. It is -narrowness and coldness, the mere humanitarian spirit of good morals, -the sneer at Christmas sentiment, that are to be dreaded. It is the -spirit of "Christmas all the year round" that is to be prayed for. - - - - -VII - -MRS. BROWNLOW'S CHRISTMAS PARTY - - -It was fine Christmas weather. Several light snow-storms in the early -part of December had left the earth fair and white, and the sparkling, -cold days that followed were enough to make the most crabbed and -morose of mankind cheerful, as with a foretaste of the joyous season -at hand. Down town the sidewalks were crowded with mothers and -sisters, buying gifts for their sons, brothers, and husbands, who -found it impossible to get anywhere by taking the ordinary course of -foot-travel, and were obliged to stalk along the snowy streets beside -the curbstone, in a sober but not ill-humored row. - -Among those who were looking forward to the holidays with keen -anticipations of pleasure, were Mr. and Mrs. Brownlow, of Elm Street, -Boston. They had quietly talked the matter over together, and decided -that, as there were three children in the family (not counting -themselves, as they might well have done), it would be a delightful -and not too expensive luxury to give a little Christmas party. - -"You see, John," said Mrs. Brownlow, "we've been asked, ourselves, to -half a dozen candy-pulls and parties since we've lived here, and it -seems nothin' but fair that we should do it once ourselves." - -"That's so, Clarissy," replied her husband slowly; "but then--there's -so many of us, and my salary's--well, it would cost considerable, -little woman, wouldn't it?" - -"I'll tell you what!" she exclaimed. "We needn't have a regular -grown-up party, but just one for children. We can get a small tree, -and a bit of a present for each of the boys and girls, with ice-cream -and cake, and let it go at that. The whole thing sha'n't cost ten -dollars." - -"Good!" said Mr. Brownlow heartily. "I knew you'd get some way out of -it. Let's tell Bob and Sue and Polly, so they can have the fun of -looking forward to it." - -So it was settled and all hands entered into the plan with such a -degree of earnestness that one would have thought these people were -going to have some grand gift themselves, instead of giving to others, -and pinching for a month afterwards, in their own comforts, as they -knew they would have to do. - -The first real difficulty they met was in deciding whom to invite. -John was for asking only the children of their immediate neighbors; -but Mrs. Brownlow said it would be a kindness, as well as polite, to -include those who were better off than themselves. - -"I allus think, John," she explained, laying her hand on his shoulder, -"that it's just's much despisin' to look down on your rich -neighbors--as if all they'd got was money--as on your poor ones. Let's -ask 'em all: Deacon Holsum's, the Brights, and the Nortons." The -Brights were Mr. Brownlow's employers. - -"Anybody else?" queried her husband, with his funny twinkle. "P'raps -you'd like to have me ask the governor's family, or Jordan & Marsh!" - -"Now, John, don't you be saucy," she laughed, relieved at having -carried her point. "Let's put our heads together, and see who to set -down. Susie will write the notes in her nice hand, and Bob can deliver -them, to save postage." - -"Well, you've said three," counted Mr. Brownlow on his fingers. "Then -there's Mrs. Sampson's little girl, and the four Williamses, and"--he -enumerated one family after another, till nearly thirty names were on -the list. - -Once Susie broke in, "O Pa, _don't_ invite that Mary Spenfield; she's -awfully stuck-up and cross!" - -"Good!" said her father again. "This will be just the thing for her. -Let her be coffee and you be sugar, and see how much you can sweeten -her that evening." - -In the few days that intervened before the twenty-fifth, the whole -family were busy enough, Mrs. Brownlow shopping, Susie writing the -notes, and the others helping wherever they got a chance. Every -evening they spread out upon the sitting-room floor such presents as -had been bought during the day. These were not costly, but they were -chosen lovingly, and seemed very nice indeed to Mr. Brownlow and the -children, who united in praising the discriminating taste of Mrs. B., -as with justifiable pride she sat in the center of the room, bringing -forth her purchases from the depths of a capacious carpetbag. - -The grand final expenditure was left until the day before Christmas. -Mr. Brownlow got off from his work early, with his month's salary in -his pocket, and a few kind words from his employers tucked away even -more securely in his warm heart. He had taken special pains to include -their children for his party, and he was quietly enjoying the thought -of making them happy on the morrow. - -By a preconcerted plan he met Mrs. Brownlow under the great golden -eagle at the corner of Summer and Washington streets; and, having thus -joined forces, the two proceeded in company toward a certain wholesale -toy-shop where Mr. Brownlow was acquainted, and where they expected to -secure such small articles as they desired, at dozen rates. - -And now Mr. Brownlow realized what must have been his wife's exertions -during the last fortnight. For having gallantly relieved her of her -carpetbag, and offered his unoccupied arm for her support, he was -constantly engaged in a struggle to maintain his hold upon either one -or the other of his charges, and rescuing them with extreme difficulty -from the crowd. At one time he was simultaneously attacked at both -vulnerable points, a very stout woman persisting in thrusting herself -between him and his already bulging carpetbag, on the one hand, and an -equally persistent old gentleman engaged in separating Mrs. Brownlow -from him, on the other. With flushed but determined face he held on to -both with all his might, when a sudden stampede, to avoid a passing -team, brought such a violent pressure upon him that he found both -Clarissa and bag dragged from him, while he himself was borne at least -a rod away before he could stem the tide. Fortunately, the stout woman -immediately fell over the bag, and Mr. Brownlow, having by this means -identified the spot where it lay, hewed his way, figuratively -speaking, to his wife and bore her off triumphantly. At last, to the -relief of both, they reached the entrance of the toy-dealer's huge -store. Mr. Brownlow at once hunted up his friend, and all three set -about a tour of the premises. - -It was beyond doubt a wonderful place. A little retail shop, in the -Christmas holidays, is of itself a marvel; but this immense -establishment, at the back doors of which stood wagons constantly -receiving cases on cases of goods directed to all parts of the -country, was quite another thing. Such long passageways there were, -walled in from floor to ceiling with boxes of picture-blocks, labeled -in German; such mysterious, gloomy alcoves, by the sides of which -lurked innumerable wild animals with glaring eyes and rigid tails; -such fleets of Noah's arks, wherein were bestowed the patriarch's -whole family (in tight-fitting garments of yellow and red) and -specimens of all creation, so promiscuously packed together that it -must have been extremely depressing to all concerned; such a delicious -smell of sawdust and paint and wax; in short such presentation of Toy -in the abstract, and Toy in particular, and Toy overhead, and -underfoot, and in the very air,--could never have existed outside of -Cottlow & Co.'s, Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers of Toys. - -Mrs. Brownlow was fairly at her wits' end to choose. When she meekly -inquired for tin soldiers, solid regiments of them sprang up, like -Jason's armed men, at her bidding. At the suggestion of a doll, the -world seemed suddenly and solely peopled with these little creatures, -and winking, crying, walking and talking dolls crowded about the -bewildered customers,--dolls with flaxen hair, and dolls with no hair -at all; dolls of imposing proportions when viewed in front, but of no -thickness to speak of, when held sideways; dolls as rigid as mummies, -and dolls who exhibited an alarming tendency to double their arms and -legs up backward. To add to the confusion, the air was filled with the -noise of trumpets, drums, musical boxes and other instruments, which -were being tested in various parts of the building, until poor Mrs. -Brownlow declared she should go distracted. At length, however, she -and her husband, with the assistance of their polite friend, -succeeded in selecting two or three dozen small gifts, and, when the -last purchase was concluded, started for home. - -After a walk of ten minutes, they reached Boylston Market, where they -were at once beset by venders of evergreen and holly wreaths, crosses -and stars of every description. Mr. Brownlow bought half a dozen of -the cheaper sort of wreaths, which the owner kindly threaded upon his -arm, as if they were a sort of huge, fragrant beads. Then he selected -a tree, and, after a short consultation with Mrs. Brownlow, decided to -carry it home himself, to save a quarter. A horse-car opportunely -passing, they boarded it, Mrs. Brownlow and her bag being with some -difficulty squeezed in through the rear door, and Mr. Brownlow taking -his stand upon the front platform, from which the tree, which had been -tightly tied up, projected like a bowsprit, until they reached home. - -Great was the bustle at 17 Elm Street that night. Parcels were -unwrapped; the whole house was pleasantly redolent of boiling -molasses; and from the kitchen there came at the same time a scratchy -and poppy sound, denoting the preparation of mounds of feathery corn. -Bob and his father took upon themselves the uprearing of the tree. On -being carried to the parlor it was found to be at least three feet too -long, and Mr. Brownlow, in his shirt-sleeves, accomplished wonders -with a saw, smearing himself in the process with pitch, from head to -foot. - -The tree seemed at first inclined to be sulky, perhaps at having been -decapitated and curtailed; for it obstinately leaned backward, kicked -over the soapbox in which it was set, bumped against Mr. Brownlow, -tumbled forward, and in short, behaved itself like a tree which was -determined to lie on its precious back all the next day, or perish in -the attempt. At length, just as they were beginning to despair of ever -getting it firm and straight, it gave a little quiver of its limbs, -yielded gracefully to a final push by Bob, and stood upright, as fair -and comely a Christmas tree as one would wish to see. Mr. Brownlow -crept out backward from under the lower branches, (thereby throwing -his hair into the wildest confusion and adding more pitch to himself), -and regarded it with a sigh of content. Such presents as were to be -disposed of in this way were now hung upon the branches; then strings -of pop-corn, bits of wool, and glistening paper, a few red apples, and -lastly the candles. When all was finished, which was not before -midnight, the family withdrew to their beds, with weary limbs and -brains, but with light-hearted anticipation of to-morrow. - -"Do you s'pose Mrs. Bright will come with her children, John?" asked -Mrs. Brownlow, as she turned out the gas. - -"Shouldn't--wonder"--sleepily from the four-poster. - -"Did Mr. Bright say anything about the invitation we sent, when he -paid you off?" - -Silence. More silence. Good Mr. Brownlow was asleep, and Clarissa soon -followed him. - -Meanwhile the snow, which had been falling fast during the early part -of the evening, had ceased, leaving the earth as fair to look upon as -the fleece-drifted sky above it. Slowly the heavy banks of cloud -rolled away, disclosing star after star, until the moon itself looked -down, and sent a soft "Merry Christmas" to mankind. At last came the -dawn, with a glorious burst of sunlight and church-bells and glad -voices, ushering in the gladdest and dearest day of all the year. - -The Brownlows were early astir, full of the joyous spirit of the day. -There was a clamor of Christmas greetings, and a delighted medley of -shouts from the children over the few simple gifts that had been -secretly laid aside for them. But the ruling thought in every heart -was the party. It was to come off at five o'clock in the afternoon, -when it would be just dark enough to light the candles on the tree. - -In spite of all the hard work of the preceding days, there was not a -moment to spare that forenoon. The house, as the head of the family -facetiously remarked, was a perfect hive of B's. - -As the appointed hour drew near, their nervousness increased. The -children had been scrubbed from top to toe, and dressed in their very -best clothes; Mrs. Brownlow wore a cap with lavender ribbons, which -she had a misgiving were too gaudy for a person of her sedate years. -Nor was the excitement confined to the interior of the house. The -tree was placed in the front parlor, close to the window, and by -half-past four a dozen ragged children were gathered about the iron -fence of the little front yard, gazing open-mouthed and open-eyed at -the spectacular wonders within. At a quarter before five Mrs. -Brownlow's heart beat hard every time she heard a strange footstep in -their quiet street. It was a little odd that none of the guests had -arrived; but then, it was fashionable to be late! - -Ten minutes more passed. Still no arrivals. It was evident that each -was planning not to be the first to get there, and that they would all -descend on the house and assault the door-bell at once. Mrs. Brownlow -repeatedly smoothed the wrinkles out of her tidy apron, and Mr. -Brownlow began to perspire with responsibility. - -Meanwhile the crowd outside, recognizing no rigid bonds of etiquette, -rapidly increased in numbers. Mr. Brownlow, to pass the time and -please the poor little homeless creatures, lighted two of the candles. - -The response from the front-yard fence was immediate. A low murmur of -delight ran along the line, and several dull-eyed babies were hoisted, -in the arms of babies scarcely older than themselves, to behold the -rare vision of candles in a tree, just illumining the further -splendors glistening here and there among the branches. - -The kind man's heart warmed towards them, and he lighted two more -candles. The delight of the audience could now hardly be restrained, -and the babies, having been temporarily lowered by the aching little -arms of their respective nurses, were shot up once more to view the -redoubled grandeur. - -The whole family had become so much interested in these small outcasts -that they had not noticed the flight of time. Now some one glanced -suddenly at the clock, and exclaimed, "It's nearly half-past five!" - -The Brownlows looked at one another blankly. Poor Mrs. Brownlow's -smart ribbons drooped in conscious abasement, while mortification and -pride struggled in their wearer's kindly face, over which, after a -moment's silence, one large tear slowly rolled, and dropped off. - -Mr. Brownlow gave himself a little shake and sat down, as was his wont -upon critical occasions. As his absent gaze wandered about the room, -so prettily decked for the guests who didn't come, it fell upon a -little worn, gilt-edged volume on the table. At that sight, a new -thought occurred to him. "Clarissy," he said softly, going over to his -wife and putting his arm around her, "Clarissy, seein's the well-off -folks haven't accepted, don't you think we'd better invite some of the -others in?" And he pointed significantly toward the window. - -Mrs. Brownlow, despatching another tear after the first, nodded. She -was not quite equal to words yet. Being a woman, the neglect of her -little party cut her even more deeply than it did her husband. - -Mr. Brownlow stepped to the front door. Nay more, he walked down the -short flight of steps, took one little girl by the hand, and said in -his pleasant, fatherly way, - -"Wouldn't you like to go in and look at the tree? Come, Puss" (to the -waif at his side), "we'll start first." - -With these words he led the way back through the open door, and into -the warm, lighted room. The children hung back a little, but seeing -that no harm came to the first guest, soon flocked in, each trying to -keep behind all the rest, but at the same time shouldering the babies -up into view as before. - -In the delightful confusion that followed, the good hosts forgot all -about the miscarriage of their plans. They completely outdid -themselves, in efforts to please their hastily acquired company. Bob -spoke a piece, the girls sang duets. Mrs. Brownlow had held every -individual baby in her motherly arms before half an hour was over. And -as for Mr. Brownlow, it was simply marvelous to see him go among those -children, giving them the presents, and initiating their owners into -the mysterious impelling forces of monkeys with yellow legs and -gymnastic tendencies; filling the boys' pockets with pop-corn, blowing -horns and tin whistles; now assaulting the tree (it had been lighted -throughout, and--bless it--how firm it stood now!) for fresh -novelties, now diving into the kitchen and returning in an unspeakably -cohesive state of breathlessness and molasses candy,--all the while -laughing, talking, patting heads, joking, until the kindly Spirit of -Christmas Present would have wept and smiled at once, for the -pleasure of the sight. - -"And now, my young friends," said Mr. Brownlow, raising his voice, -"we'll have a little ice-cream in the back room. Ladies first, -gentlemen afterward!" So saying, he gallantly stood on one side, with -a sweep of his hand, to allow Mrs. Brownlow to precede him. But just -as the words left his mouth there came a sharp ring at the door-bell. - -"It's a carriage!" gasped Mrs. Brownlow, flying to the front window, -and backing precipitately. "Susie, go to that door an' see who 'tis. -Land sakes, _what_ a mess this parlor's in!" And she gazed with a true -housekeeper's dismay at the littered carpet and dripping candles. - -"Deacon Holsum and Mrs. Hartwell, Pa!" announced Susie, throwing open -the parlor door. - -The lady thus mentioned came forward with outstretched hand. Catching -a glimpse of Mrs. Brownlow's embarrassed face she exclaimed quickly-- - -"Isn't this splendid! Father and I were just driving past, and we saw -your tree through the window, and couldn't resist dropping in upon -you. You won't mind us, will you?" - -"Mind--you!" repeated Mrs. Brownlow, in astonishment. "Why of course -not--only you are so late--we didn't expect"-- - -Mrs. Hartwell looked puzzled. - -"Pardon me,--I don't think I quite understand"-- - -"The invitation was for five, you know, ma'am." - -"But we received no invitation!" - -Mr. Brownlow, who had greeted the deacon heartily and then listened -with amazement to this conversation, now turned upon Bob, with a -signally futile attempt at a withering glance. - -Bob looked as puzzled as the rest, for a moment. Then his face fell, -and he flushed to the roots of his hair. - -"I--I--must have--forgot"--he stammered. - -"Forgotten what?" - -"The invitations--they're in my desk now!" - -Thus Bob, with utterly despairing tone and self-abasement. - -Mrs. Hartwell's silvery little laugh rang out--it was as near -moonlight playing on the upper keys of an organ as anything you can -imagine--and grasped Mrs. Brownlow's hand. - -"You poor dear!" she cried, kissing her hostess, who stood speechless, -not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "so that's why nobody came! But -who has cluttered--who has been having such a good time here, then?" - -Mr. Brownlow silently led the last two arrivals to the door of the -next room, and pointed in. It was now the kind deacon's turn to be -touched. - -"'Into the highways'!" he murmured, as he looked upon the unwashed, -hungry little circle about the table. - -"I s'pose," said Mr. Brownlow doubtfully, "they'd like to have you sit -down with 'em, just 's if they were folks--if you didn't mind?" - -Mind! I wish you could have seen the rich furs and overcoat come off -and go down on the floor in a heap, before Polly could catch them! - -When they were all seated, Mr. Brownlow looked over to the deacon, and -he asked a blessing on the little ones gathered there. "Thy servants, -the masters of this house, have suffered them to come unto thee," he -said in his prayer. "Wilt thou take them into thine arms, O Father of -lights, and bless them!" - -A momentary hush followed, and then the fun began again. Sweetly and -swiftly kind words flew back and forth across the table, each one -carrying its own golden thread and weaving the hearts of poor and rich -into the one fine fabric of brotherhood and humanity they were meant -to form. - -Outside, the snow began to fall once more, each crystaled flake -whispering softly as it touched the earth that Christmas night, -"_Peace--peace_!" - - - - -VIII - -CHRISTMAS ON WHEELS - - -I - -A railroad station in a large city is hardly an inviting spot, at its -best; but at the close of a cold, cheerless, blustering December day, -when biting draughts of wind come scurrying in at every open door, -filling the air with a gray compound of dust and fine snow; when -passengers tramp up and down the long platform, waiting impatiently -for their trains; when newsboys wander about with disconsolate, red -faces, hands in pockets and bundles of unsold papers under their -ragged and shivering arms; when, in general, humankind presents itself -as altogether a frozen, forlorn, discouraged and hopeless race, -condemned to be swept about on the nipping, dusty wind, like Francesca -and her lover, at the rate of thirty miles an hour--then the station -becomes positively unendurable. - -So thought Bob Estabrook, as he paced to and fro in the Boston and -Albany depot, traveling-bag in hand, on just such a night as I have -described. Beside him locomotives puffed and plunged and backed on the -shining rails, as if they, too, felt compelled to trot up and down to -keep themselves warm, and in even tolerably good humor. - -"Just my luck!" growled Bob, with a misanthropic glare at a -loud-voiced family who were passing; "Christmas coming, two jolly -Brighton parties and an oratorio thrown up, and here am I, fired off -to San Francisco. So much for being junior member of a law firm. -Wonder what"-- - -Here the ruffled current of his meditations ran plump against a rock, -and as suddenly diverged from their former course. The rock was no -less than a young person who at that moment approached, with a -gray-haired man, and inquired the way to the ticket-office. - -Bob politely gave them the desired information, and watched them with -growing interest as they followed his directions, and stood before the -lighted window. The two silhouettes were decidedly out of the common. -The voice, whose delicate tones still lingered pleasantly about Mr. -Robert Estabrook's fastidious ears, was an individual voice, as -distinguishable from any other he remembered as was the owner's bright -face, the little fur collar beneath it, the daintily-gloved hands, and -the pretty brown traveling suit. - -"Dignified old fellow!" mused Bob, irrelevantly as the couple moved -toward the train-gates. "Probably her father. Perhaps--hallo, by -George, they're going on my car!" - -With which breath of summer in his winter of discontent the young man -proceeded to finish his cigar, consult his watch, and, as the last -warning bell rang, step upon the platform of the already moving -Pullman. It must be admitted that as he entered he gave an expectant -glance down the aisle of the car; but the somber curtains hanging from -ceiling to floor told no tales. Too sleepy to speculate, and too -learned in the marvelous acoustic properties of a sleeping-car to -engage the porter in conversation on the subject, he found his berth, -arranged himself for the night with the nonchalance of an old -traveler, and, laying his head upon his vibrating atom of a pillow, -was soon plunged into a dream at least fifty miles long. - - -II - -It was snowing, and snowing hard. Moreover, it had been snowing all -night, and all the afternoon before. The wind rioted furiously over -the broad Missouri plains, alternately building up huge castles of -snow and throwing them down again like a fretful child; overtaking the -belated teamster on his homeward journey, clutching him with its icy -hand, and leaving him buried in a tomb more spotless than the fairest -marble; howling, shrieking, racing madly to and fro, never out of -breath, always the same tireless, pitiless, awful power. Rocks, -fields, sometimes even forests were blotted out of the landscape. A -mere hyphen upon the broad, white page, lay the Western-bound train. -The fires in the locomotives (there were two of them), had been -suffered to go out, and the great creatures waited silently together, -left alone in the storm, while the snow drifted higher and higher upon -their patient backs. - -When Bob had waked that morning to find the tempest more furious than -ever and the train stuck fast in a huge snow-bank, his first thought -was of dismay at the possible detention in the narrow limits of the -Pullman, which seemed much colder than it had before; his next was to -wonder how the change of fortune would affect Gertrude Raymond. Of -course he had long ago become acquainted with the brown traveling suit -and fur collar. Of course there had been numberless little services -for him to perform for her and the old gentleman, who had indeed -proved to be her father. Bob had already begun to dread the end of the -journey. He had gone to his berth the night before, wishing that San -Francisco were ten days from Boston, instead of six. Providence having -taken him at his word, and indicated that the journey would be of at -least that duration, if not more, he was disposed, like no few of his -fellow-mortals, to grumble. - -Once more he became misanthropic. "There's Miss Raymond, now," he -growled to himself, knocking his head savagely against the upper berth -in his attempt to look out through the frosty pane, "sitting over -across the aisle day after day with her kid gloves, and all that. Nice -enough, of course," recalling one or two spirited conversations where -hours had slipped by like minutes, "but confoundedly useless, like the -rest of 'em. If she were like mother, now, there'd be no trouble. -She'd take care of herself. But as it is, the whole car will be turned -upside down for her to-day, for fear she'll freeze, or starve, or -spoil her complexion, or something." - -Here Bob turned an extremely cold shoulder on the window, and having -performed a sort of horizontal toilet, emerged from his berth, his -hair on end, and his face expressive of utter defiance to the world in -general, and contempt of fashionable young ladies in particular. - -At that moment Miss Raymond appeared in the aisle, sweet and rosy as a -June morning, her cheeks glowing, and her eyes sparkling with fun. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Estabrook," she said demurely, settling the fur -collar about her neck. - -Bob endeavored to look dignified, and was conscious of failure. - -"Good-mo-morning," he replied with some stiffness, and a shiver which -took him by surprise. It _was_ cold, jumping out of that warm berth. - -"I understand we must stay--but don't let me detain you," she added -with a sly glance at his hair. - -Bob turned and marched off solemnly to the masculine end of the car, -washed in ice-water, completed his toilet, and came back refreshed. -Breakfast was formally served as usual, and then a council of war was -held. Conductor, engineers and brakemen being consulted, and -inventories taken, it was found that while food was abundant, the -stock of wood in the bins would not last till noon. There were twelve -railroad men and thirty-five passengers on board, some twenty of the -latter being immigrants in a second-class behind the two Pullmans. - -The little company gathered in the snow-bound car looked blankly at -each other, some of them instinctively drawing their wraps more -tightly about their shoulders, as if they already felt the approaching -chill. - -It was miles to the nearest station in either direction. Above, below, -on all sides, was the white blur of tumultuous, wind-lashed snow. - -The silence was broken pleasantly. Once more Bob felt the power of -those clear, sweet tones. - -"The men must make up a party to hunt for wood," she said. "While -you're gone, we women will do what we can for those who are left." - -The necessity for immediate action was evident, and without further -words the council broke up, to obey her suggestion. - -A dozen men, looking like amateur Esquimaux, and floundering up to -their armpits at the first step, started off through the drifts. One -of the train-men, who knew the line of the road thoroughly, was sure -they must be near a certain clump of trees where plenty of wood could -be obtained. Taking the precaution to move in single line, one of the -engineers, a broad-shouldered six-footer, leading the way, and -steering by compass, they were soon out of sight. As they struck off -at right angles to the track, Bob thought he recognized a face pressed -close to the pane and watching them anxiously; but he could not be -sure. - -Two hours later the men appeared once more, some staggering under huge -logs, some with axes, some with bundles of lighter boughs for -kindling. In another five minutes smoke was going up cheerily from the -whole line of cars; for the trees had proved to be less than a quarter -of a mile distant, and the supply would be plentiful before night. - -When Bob Estabrook stamped into his own car, hugging up a big armful -of wood, he was a different looking fellow from the trim young lawyer -who was wont to stand before the jury seats in the Boston Court House. -He had on a pair of immense blue yarn mittens, loaned by a kindly -brakeman, his face was scratched with refractory twigs, his eyebrows -were frosted, his mustache an icy caret, two fingertips frozen, and -with all this, he looked and felt more manly than ever before in his -life. - -His eye roved through the length of the car as it had that first night -in the depot. She was not there. He was as anxious as a boy for her -praise. - -"Guess I'll take it into the next car," he said apologetically to the -nearest passenger; "there's more coming, just behind." - -She was not in the second Pullman. Of course she wasn't in the -baggage-car. Was it possible--? He entered the third and last car, -recoiling just a bit at the odor of crowded and unclean poverty which -met him at the door. - -Sure enough, there she sat--his idle, fashionable type of -inutility--with one frowsy child upon the seat beside her, two very -rumpled-looking boys in front, and in her arms a baby with terra-cotta -hair. Somehow, the baby's hair against the fur collar didn't look so -badly as you would expect, either. She seemed to be singing it to -sleep, and kept on with her soft crooning as she glanced up over its -tangled red locks at snowy Bob and his armful of wood, with a look in -her eyes that would have sent him cheerfully to Alaska for more, had -there been need. - - -III - -With the comfortable heat of the fires, the kind offices of nearly all -the well-dressed people to the poorer ones--for they were not slow, -these kid-gloved Pullman passengers, to follow Miss Raymond's -example--the day wore on quietly and not unpleasantly toward its -close. Then some one suddenly remembered that it was Christmas Eve. - -"Dear me!" cried Miss Raymond, delightedly, reaching round the baby to -clap her hands; "let's have a Christmas party!" - -A few sighed and shook their heads, as they thought of their own home -firesides; one or two smiled indulgently on the small enthusiast; -several chimed in at once. Conductor and baggage-master were -consulted, and the spacious baggage-car "specially engaged for the -occasion," the originator of the scheme triumphantly announced. -Preparations commenced without delay. All the young people put their -heads together in one corner, and many were the explosions of laughter -as the programme grew. Trunks were visited by their owners and small -articles abstracted therefrom to serve as gifts for the immigrants and -train-men, to whose particular entertainment the evening was by common -consent to be devoted. - -Just as the lamps were lighted in the train, our hero, who had -disappeared early in the afternoon, returned dragging after him a -small, stunted pine tree, which seemed to have strayed away from its -native forests on purpose for the celebration. On being admitted to -the grand hall, Bob further added to the decorations a few strings of -a queer, mossy sort of evergreen. Hereupon a very young man with light -eyebrows, who had hitherto been inconspicuous, suddenly appeared from -the depths of a battered trunk, over the edge of which he had for some -time been bent like a siphon, and with a beaming face produced a box -of veritable, tiny wax candles! He was "on the road," he explained, -for a large wholesale toy-shop, and these were samples. He guessed he -could make it all right with the firm. - -Of course the affair was a great success. I have no space to tell of -the sheltered walk that Bob constructed of rugs, from car to car; of -the beautified interior of the old baggage-car, draped with shawls and -brightened with bits of ribbon; of the mute wonder of the poor -immigrants, a number of whom had just arrived from Germany, and could -not speak a word of English; of their unbounded delight when the -glistening tree was disclosed, and the cries of "_Weihnachtsbaum! -Weihnachtsbaum!_" from their rumpled children, whose faces waked into -a glow of blissful recollection at the sight. Ah! if you could have -seen the pretty gifts; the brave little pine (which all the managers -agreed couldn't possibly have been used had it been an inch taller); -the improvised tableaux, wherein Bob successively personated an -organ-grinder, a pug dog, and Hamlet, amid thunders of applause from -the brakemen and engineers! Then the passengers sang a simple -Christmas carol, Miss Raymond leading with her pure soprano, and Bob -chiming in like the diapason of an organ. - -Just as the last words died away a sudden hush came over the audience. -Could it be an illusion, or did they hear the muffled but sweet notes -of a church bell faintly sounding without? Tears came into the eyes of -some of the roughest of the immigrants as they listened, and thought -of a wee belfry somewhere in the Fatherland, where the Christmas bells -were calling to prayers that night. The sound of the bells ceased, and -the merriment went on, while the young man with eyebrows lighter than -ever, but with radiant face, let himself quietly into the car -unnoticed. It had been his own thought to creep out into the storm, -clear away the snow from the nearest locomotive bell, and ring it -while the gayety was at its height. - -All this indeed there was, and more; but to Bob, the joy and sweetness -of the evening centered in one bright face. What mattered it if the -wind roared and moaned about the lonely, snow-drifted train, while he -could look into those brown eyes and listen to that voice for whose -every tone he was fast learning to watch? Truly, it was a wonderful -evening altogether. - -Well, the blockade was raised, and the long railroad trip finished at -last. But two of its passengers, at least, have agreed to enter upon a -still longer journey. - -She says it all began when he came staggering in with his armful of -wood and his blue mittens; and he? he doesn't care at all when it -began. He only realizes the joy that has come to him, and believes -that after a certain day next May it will be Christmas for him all the -year round. - - - - -IX - -TREASURE TROVE; A CHRISTMAS STORY - - -Everybody in that part of the city knew Old Claus; that is, they knew -him by sight; very few had ever spoken to him or heard his voice. The -grocer and the provision man, and one or two others said he was civil -enough to them, that his name was Jonathan R. Claus, spelt with a _u_, -not a _w_, and that he paid his bills promptly. That was about all -anybody knew of him. - -What a surly, grim old man he was, as you met him on a cold winter's -afternoon on his way home from his marketing; his long white hair and -beard blowing about his head, his forehead puckered into a frown, his -stout cane striking the pavements as if he hated the very earth he -walked on! - -Grown people gave him the width of the sidewalk; children shouted -after him, - - "Old Claus, - Show your claws!" - -and then dodged around the corner in terror, although he had never -been known to punish or even chide one of them, save by a dark look -from beneath his shaggy eyebrows. Ah, a gloomy, silent, mysterious -fellow he was, to be sure; and many a mother in that neighborhood -frightened her child into good behavior by threatening to call in Old -Claus. - -One cold December evening, when the twilight had fallen early, -hastened by leaden skies and a few shivering flakes of snow, he sat in -his own room, solitary as usual, and even more than usually grim, for -he was thinking over his past. - -Now, thinking over one's past may be a very cheerful occupation or a -very gloomy one. Old Claus undoubtedly found his full of shadows. - -He remembered how he was left an orphan, when still a small boy; how -he had suffered from cold and want, and had been buffeted and scolded -and ill-used, until he ran away from the people who had taken charge -of him (he had no home nor friends); how he had worked hard, had saved -his money, and had become a very rich man. - -Still he had longed to be richer, and, retiring from regular business, -he had gone far away to search for a sunken treasure in tropical seas. -He had failed to find it, but more eager than ever, he mined for gold, -without success. Again, it was the buried hoard of a pirate which -attracted him; but months of fruitless labor had been thrown away in a -vain attempt to discover exactly where it lay. So he had spent his -years, always in search of a Treasure, which had become the ruling -idea of his life; always disappointed; until, embittered, discouraged -and alone in the world, though still rich, he had given up the -pursuit. - -The home he had chosen was as strange as the life he had lived; a -huge, old-fashioned house, which had once been occupied by a wealthy -family, but had long lain empty, save for the rats that scampered -through its wide halls and gloomy chambers, and the spiders that spun -their webs unhindered across the blurred window-panes. - -The city had grown up about the house, and it was now part of a brick -block. Indeed, one wing of the ancient building formed a portion of -the tenement house next door, where it seemed as if men wrangled and -staggered, and ragged women scolded and wept, and children cried from -hunger and cold, all night long. But the walls were very thick, and -the occupant of the lonely chamber heard them not. - -"Christmas Eve," muttered Old Claus to himself. "I heard them say it -in the streets. Merry Christmas! merry, merry Christmas!" he repeated -bitterly. "Right merry for me. What a wretched, useless failure of a -wreck I am!" - -As he spoke he stamped his foot angrily upon the floor. There was a -crash in the room behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he found that -a large picture, an old portrait, the frame of which had been built -into the wall and alone remained of the former splendor of the -mansion, lay face downward upon the floor. Jarred by his heavy -footfall, the decaying woodwork had at last given way, and let the -canvas drop. - -Claus' glance wandered to the wall where it had been fastened. Then he -started to his feet, the old fire returning to his eyes. In place of -the picture was an opening, with a deep space beyond. He raised -himself on tiptoe, and saw what appeared to be the top of a flight of -steps, built into the thickness of the wall, and leading downward. - -"Treasure at last!" he stammered, gazing greedily at the dusty steps, -down which a huge rat scrambled, squeaking. "Treasure at last! I knew -luck would turn! After all these years! It is mine, it is mine!" - -Hastening to the mantel, he took down a small lamp, lighted it with -trembling fingers, and dragging a chair to the wall beneath the -aperture, climbed up to and into it. Yes, it was plainly a stone -flight of steps. What bags of gold must lie at the bottom of that -long-hidden passage? - -He tested the stairway cautiously with his foot, and, finding it -apparently secure, slowly descended, the space being barely wide -enough for him to squeeze through. - -Eight, nine, ten steps down. Then a sharp turn to the right! two more -steps, and he emerged from the narrow passage into what once must have -been a huge fireplace, having a hidden door in one side, some freak of -the ancient builders, to allow a person to pass from one portion of -the old house to the other without detection. - -As Claus glanced about him his heart sank. There was no sign of a -treasure. The chimney overhead had been stopped with stone slabs, and -the original opening of the fireplace was closed by a wooden -partition, one panel of which was hinged and bolted so as to form a -small door. Doubtless the people in the next house were ignorant of -this, and, probably, of the existence of the fireplace itself. - -It was very cold, and the disappointed man shivered as he prepared to -retrace his steps to his own quarters. Suddenly he heard a noise in -the room beyond the fireboard. It was the sound of a child sobbing -quietly to itself. In another moment a heavy, drunken step sounded on -the bare floor. - -"Are ye goin' to stop cryin', Moll, or will I give ye the stick agin?" -demanded a woman's harsh voice. "What's the matter now?" - -"I won't--any--more," he could hear the child answer. "I don't--mean -to. Only I was thinkin' it was Christmas to-morrow, and I -wouldn't--get anything,--mother used to"-- - -"Stop that!" warningly. - -It was evidently hard work to control the sobs, now. Old Claus -clenched his fist, and resolved that if he heard the sound of a blow, -that fireboard would go down. - -There was silence for a minute. Then the woman staggered off, -muttering: "Don't let me hear any more from ye the night. Go to sleep, -d' ye hear? You must be off with yer basket agin in the mornin'." - -Five minutes later a singular sight might have been seen in front of -the big house. It was nothing less than Old Claus himself, clad in his -shaggy fur coat, setting forth through the darkness and snow, which -was now falling fast. - -Past liquor saloons ablaze with light and hung, alas! with holly and -mistletoe; past the little Mission Church at the corner, where he -lingered an instant to catch the notes of a glad Christmas carol; away -from the wretched and squalid quarter of the city he marched, halting -only when he reached a toy-shop, where there were multitudes of -talking dolls and barking dogs and mewing cats and bleating sheep; -where people tumbled over each other in their eagerness to buy, and -blew into all the toy horns and jingled all the toy pianos and laughed -from the pure joy of Christmastide, like God's own little children. - -It was a good half hour again before Old Claus dismissed at his own -door the boy who had helped him bring home his bundles from that -blessed toy-shop. The boy went off whistling, too, with a bright new -silver dollar in his pocket. - -It took the old man three trips to get his purchases down that secret -stairway. I don't know how he ever got the sled through anyway; nor -the big doll with eyes that winked upside down, nor the sheep, nearly -life-size, which _baa_-ed loudly in the passage; and the tricycle was -the worst of all; but he did it and landed them safely in the old -fireplace, which surely never contained such precious fuel before. -Why, the very smell of the toys, a delicious painty, gluey, varnishy, -woolly, sawdusty smell, was enough to set you wild with delight. It -brought to Old Claus some dim remembrance of his childhood, and made -him pause to wipe away a tear with his shaggy sleeve. For all this -time he was in fur coat and cap, with snow lying thick upon them. - -Now came the trying moment. Could he open that long-disused door -without waking the child, who now was evidently sleeping soundly? - -Dear old door--I believe it knew, as well as you do, what was wanted -of it. Never a squeak it gave, as Claus, with infinite pains, drew -back the rusty bolt and softly opened it. - -He stepped inside the room, shading the lamp with his hand. It was a -very small room indeed, with great holes in the bare plastering, and a -broken pane of glass through which the keen wind was blowing. The room -was even colder than the fireplace. - -In one corner was a small bed, and in it lay a little girl of perhaps -six years, her tangled hair scattered over the bundle of ragged -clothes--evidently her own poor little gown--that served for a pillow; -the dingy counterpane drawn tightly up around her neck to keep out the -bitter cold. There was a broken chair and wooden table in the room -besides; nothing else. - -From the back of the chair, which was propped against the wall close -by the bed, hung one small stocking; so small that it seemed better -fitted for a doll than a living human child; only no self-respecting -doll would have worn a stocking so ragged. - -The old man set down his lamp and tiptoed back to the fireplace. He -took out the toys one by one, and placed them on the floor. He filled -the poor little stocking with candy; the first package of which came -near betraying him by falling directly through a large hole in the -heel. Luckily he caught it before it reached the floor, and squeezed -in a good-sized rubber ball to replace it. - -Last of all he took up the sheep, with a sigh of relief at his success -in depositing all his gifts in the room without disturbing the small -sleeper. - -But alas for human calculations! In his excitement he gave that -dreadful sheep an unlucky squeeze, and without the slightest warning -it gave utterance to another prolonged _baa-a-a!_ even louder than -before. - -The child opened her eyes wide and sat up in bed. There stood, in -front of a new and cavernous fireplace in the wall, an old man with -shaggy coat and cap, and flowing white beard, his stooping back -sprinkled with snow, with a lamb in his arms, and surrounded with such -a glory of toys as she had never dreamed of in her little starved -life. - -One moment only she gazed; then leaped from her bed and sprang into -his arms, crying: "O Santa Claus! Santa Claus! Have you come! Oh, take -me away with you, do, do!" - -At the child's first cry of "Santa Claus!" the old man stood -stupefied, shaking his head and muttering "Jonathan R."; but when she -came flying to him, he caught her up in his arms, wrapping his great -fur coat about her and holding them close to his heart--God's little -lamb and the woolly one--without a word. - -Before he could fairly collect his wits, he heard that heavy, -irregular footfall coming up the stairs. - -He had only one thought--to save the child. Backing hastily into the -fireplace he closed and bolted the door behind him, groped his way up -the stone steps, and sat down in front of his own fire, breathless, -with his new-found treasure still in his arms. The faint sound of a -cry came up from the room below, but whether it was of terror, or -delight at finding such extraordinary personal property miraculously -substituted for the late occupant, he could not tell. - -The light of the fire, on which Claus had thrown fresh fuel, shone -upon the child face upraised to his. - -"What is your name, little one?" he asked in tones he hardly -recognized as his own. - -They called her Moll, she said, but that was not her real name, which -she had forgotten. - -"How would you like to be called 'Agnes'?" said Claus, his old eyes -growing misty over some long-buried memory. - -"Oh, that's a nice name, Santa Claus! And I'm _so_ sleepy!" - -The old housekeeper was thereupon roused from her slumbers in a -distant corner of the house, and the child put to bed in her own room -in a couch hastily improvised from chairs and blankets. - -Next morning Old Claus, feeling very much more like Young Claus than -he had for years, put an end to the wonderful stories flying about the -neighborhood by acknowledging his own agency in little Agnes' -disappearance. An arrangement was easily made with the dissipated -woman who, it seemed, had taken charge of the child and ill-used her -cruelly since her mother's death. The proper papers having been drawn, -Mr. Jonathan Claus became the legal guardian of the little waif, with -whom he shortly afterward removed to a more cheerful quarter of the -city. - -Agnes lost all her Christmas presents, to be sure, for not one of them -ever could be found--except the sheep which had brought her good -fortune, and who was allowed to _baa_ to his heart's content that -Christmas day; but Santa Claus (as she persisted in calling her -deliverer) replaced them, with interest. - -That is the way Old Claus found his treasure; not only little Agnes, -though she soon became dearer to him than all his wealth, but that -most precious of treasures, Love. - - - - -X - -CHARITY AND EVERGREEN - - -I - -"Well, for my part, I could never, never forgive a man who did such a -thing!" - -It was late in the afternoon of a clear, cold day in December when -Charity Holmes, sitting in the midst of a spicy mound of evergreen on -Farmer Ralston's kitchen floor, and looking up from her work with a -bright flush on her pretty cheeks, made this severe remark. Of the -three other women in the room, two, the farmer's daughters, young -girls like herself, were quite of her opinion; but the fourth, a -white-haired old lady with lavender bows on her cap and sunshine in -her motherly face, patted the nearest indignant girl's shoulder -reprovingly, and remarked: - -"There, there, dears; don't be so hard. We're all of us human, and -drink's a terrible thing. Sometimes it don't seem any more a man's -fault than tumbling into a hole in the road." - -"But if he has dug the hole himself, grandmother"-- - -Any further argument was interrupted at this point by the appearance -of an immense bundle of evergreen at one of the windows, entirely -blocking up its small, frosty panes. Presently an honest and merry -face showed itself down at one corner. - -"It's Tom, with more green!" cried the two Ralston girls, jumping up -and running to the porch door to let in the big brother. - -Charity stayed behind with grandmother, but Tom's eyes found her in a -twinkling. How demurely she sat there, tying away with all her might, -while the awkward fellow made a great to-do piling up his load beside -her, and managed to get hold of somebody's hand down among the -princess-pines, and--then something happened behind grandmother's back -that made somebody's fresh young cheeks pinker than ever. - -"Tom, Tom!" cried Charity, shaking her head as soberly as if she -hadn't been the cause of his mischief. - -"Yes, ma'am," answered innocent Tom. "Want some more?" - -"Now, Tom, if you're really going to stay you must work in good -earnest. Just pick out some good long strings of 'creeping Jenny' and -lay them right beside me--so!" - -Thereupon Tom, great, breezy, good-natured Tom, doubled himself up on -the floor, boots and all, and pretended to immerse himself, body and -mind, in the complicated task assigned him, meanwhile blundering in -the most absurd manner, and continually mistaking that bewildering -little hand for the delicate vines, and at the same time winking at -grandmother, thereby confusing her and making her feel that she was an -accomplice; and in fact conducting himself altogether so outrageously -that the girls ended by pelting him with evergreens until he escaped -to the woodshed, where the ringing blows of his axe soon gave notice -that he was making ready for the blaze in the great fireplace that was -to brighten the long winter evening before them. - -Charity was the daughter of a neighbor. She and Tom Ralston had played -together since they were babies; then, leaving the district school, -and entering upon the heavier duties of life, they had grown bashful, -and kept away from each other just long enough to find out that they -could not possibly do so any longer. So they were engaged, to the -quiet satisfaction of both families. The marriage was to be on New -Year's and the young folks were working hard on their evergreen -trimming, which Tom had promised to take up to the city, a dozen miles -away, and sell for them, the day before Christmas. Charity was to go -with him, as she had a few little purchases to make; and besides, she -had never seen the city at this "holiday season," when it is at its -merriest. - -Swiftly the full, busy days flew by. The evening before they were to -start, Tom was walking home with Charity. As they reached the little -plot of ground before her house they looked up into the starlit, -moonlit sky. At least Charity did. I am afraid Tom was finding moon -and stars and no end of things more precious to him in the grave brown -eyes so near his own. - -"No, Tom," said she, answering his look, "I'm just thinking about--up -there! and all we can be to each other and the rest of the world." - -"My darling! I wish I were a good man, I wish I were stronger! If it -were not for you!"-- - -He checked himself, and she could feel the brace of his muscles under -the coatsleeve where her hand rested, as if he were even then fighting -with some invisible foe. A light cloud came over the moon's face, and -the road and fields, covered with new-fallen snow, looked colder than -before. She shivered, and drew more closely to his side. He was quick -to read her thoughts, this big, clumsy fellow, and he spoke instantly. - -"I know, Rita," he said, softly, stroking her hand and using the pet -name that he had made for her when they were children; "I know you'll -stand by me through everything. And, whatever evil things I have in -me, with you at my side, I'll try to put down. Heaven help me!" - -He took off his cap, and Charity thought she never saw him look so -noble and humble and manly as he did then. The moon, too, was out -again, and its light rested like a benediction on his broad forehead, -whose veins stood out strangely to-night. - -A moment later and he was gone. Charity watched him striding away -across the field until he was out of sight. As she turned to her own -home she noticed his tracks and the dark blotches they made on the -pure, white surface of the snow before her door. Somehow they troubled -her, and, without thinking, she made a little futile brush at the -nearest footprint with the corner of her shawl, thus only enlarging -and making it more unsightly than before. Then, with a nervous laugh -at her own foolish fancies, she entered the house. - - -II - -The next morning, long before the rest of the family were astir, -Charity was sitting at her window, hooded and wrapped for the long -ride. How she had looked forward to this day! With refreshing sleep -and the sweet hopefulness of morning, all her doubts of the preceding -night had flapped away like bats into the darkness where they -belonged; and she was as fair and rosy and bright-eyed as the dawn -itself when she appeared at the door a few minutes later, in answer to -a merry jingle of sleighbells. Tom's mood was as happy as her own, and -the sturdy little horse jogged along only too fast over the icy road -when they had turned his head toward the city. - -There was much to talk about. Tom had not been idle these last few -days, and had a great deal to tell her about her room in the old -Ralston house, where he was to take her on New Year's day. She -listened shyly, glancing up at him now and then with a happy face and -starry eyes, as he described the improvements he hoped to make on the -farm, and the hay he should take from the new meadow he had just -bought, and the hammock he should put up for her under the elms for -the long, quiet summer days. - -"Only," she broke in eagerly, "you know I must work, too, while you -are in the field"-- - -Then she grew rosy again, and subsided into the great buffalo robes, -while Tom wandered inconsequently from the subject, and the horse -started ahead suddenly when he wasn't by any means expected to, and -the dark trees beside the road rustled as if they were singing softly, -and--oh, dear! it was a wonderful ride altogether. - -"See!" whispered Tom, pointing to the horizon just before them. - -A very grave and sweet look came into the girlish face, as she -followed his glance and saw the star in the east shining brightly -through the swaying pine boughs. - -"Christmas, Christmas," he whispered. "Oh, my darling, what a gift He -is giving me on his birthday--how much more precious than the gold and -frankincense He received eighteen hundred years ago!" - -So they glide along as blessed as if the poor old sleigh, with its -odorous load of evergreen and holly, were a heavenly chariot bearing -them away from everything low and bad and wretched in the world, -until they draw near the city. The houses stand more and more closely -together. A milkman passes at full trot, and, seeing the country team -and its errand gives them the first jovial greeting of the day. -Shutters come down, blinds fly open, boys emerge from side streets, -blowing on their fingers and crying the morning papers. - -"Mister, gimme some green?" one calls out now and then. And -good-natured Tom turns round in his seat, pulls out a bunch of his -merchandise and hands it to Charity, that she may have the pleasure of -giving it away. Now they are fairly within the long, brick-walled -streets, and the city is awake. Tom leaves Charity at the house of a -friend and makes an engagement to call for her as soon as his load is -sold (half of it has been ordered and engaged already), which will -probably be at about four. He will come at five, anyway; if he should -miss the hour--here he looks at her slyly and they both have a good -laugh at the absurdity of the idea--she can come to the market and -find him. Then they will have before them the beautiful Christmas-eve -ride home: "When," says Tom solemnly, "the little horse will probably -be so tired that we will have to let him walk most of the way!" - - -III - -Swiftly the hours of the happy day flew by. Charity completed her -humble purchases, which, after all, were hardly more than an excuse -for accompanying Tom to the city, and drank her fill of the joyous -sights and sounds on every side. Early in the afternoon it occurred to -her to surprise Tom at his post before the hour they had named. -Accordingly she dressed herself for the walk, putting into her pocket -a little purse she had bought as a Christmas gift for him, and -planning to give it to him then and there, so that he might bring home -in it the results of the day's sales. With a little inquiry she found -her way through the crowded streets to the market, which was like a -huge beehive--except that the bees had no stings. For on everybody's -face was the starlight of Christmas, and good-will toward men reigned -supreme. The sidewalks outside the market were simple avenues of -evergreen. It hung in festoons from the sides of the buildings and -overhead; it bubbled over from innumerable boxes and barrels, and ran -along the snowy curbstone in a fragrant stream. Rows of trees leaned -complacently against the posts and each other, meditating on glories -to come; holly glistened and twinkled in the red winter sunlight at -every window, and a few stout, jolly-looking marketmen had even -procured sprays of real English mistletoe, which they hung proudly -over their shop doors; but the full advantage of which, judging from -the freedom with which they allowed no end of pretty girls to pass to -and fro under it without molestation, they by no means appreciated. -Charity was delighted with everything, and half expected to see the -jovial "Ghost of Christmas Present" himself seated amidst the heaps -of plenty, scattering good things right and left. Failing of him, the -next best would certainly be Tom; whom, however, she sought in vain. -It was just three o'clock when she started again, a little wearily, -for the house. - -"I must have just missed him," she thought, "and he'll be there -waiting for me." - -No, Tom was not there, and had not been seen. Charity fingered the -purse in her pocket a little nervously, and waited. How brightly the -sun shone in the quiet street where her friends lived! The snow had -begun to melt here and there, and children, finding it properly moist -for their play, were tumbling about in it and making forts, men, and -snowballs. One keen-eyed little fellow moulded a lot of large -oblong-shaped balls, and came with an armful before the window where -Charity sat, making a mocking bow to her, and calling out: - -"Who wants to buy my nice melons! Here's your fine fresh fruit; all -ripe; all ripe!" - -Still no Tom. Charity tried to talk with her hosts, but it was hard -work, and she was glad when they left her to wait silently with her -eyes on the distant street corner where she had last seen him and his -evergreen. People came and went along the brick sidewalk. There were -little icy spots just in front of her window, where the gutter had -discharged the drip from the roof, and it had frozen in ridges the -night before. She became dully interested in watching the passers-by -get over this place. Some approached it cautiously and crept with -timid steps across the treacherous surface; some did not see it at -all until they were fairly upon it, and escaped with a slide and a -bound; some avoided it altogether by making a wide circuit into the -street; children slid fearlessly upon it, making sport of what was so -dangerous to their elders. One strong, well-built man--a clergyman he -appeared from his dress--started across it boldly but carefully, -slipped midway, and fell with such a crash that the girl uttered an -involuntary cry and started up from her chair; but the man regained -his feet and limped away, with an ugly stain across his shoulder and a -bit of red on his white hands. - -While Charity gazed pityingly after him, a twinkling light appeared -far down the street; then another, and another. It could not be that -the lamps were being lighted! Yes, the short December day was over--it -was Christmas Eve. - -Charity turned to look at the clock, but was obliged to move across -the room before she could see through the gathering dusk, that it -was--six o'clock! - -She resolutely but hurriedly drew on her cloak, as she had done a few -hours before, in her own country home; and bidding good-bye to her -friends with lips which she could not keep from quivering, declined -all offer of escort and once more turned her face toward that busy -center of the holiday, the market. To and fro she went among the -kind-hearted dealers, with her one question repeated over and over -until she was sick at heart. No one had seen Tom since morning, one -or two looked at her a little curiously, and once a great burly fellow -engaged her very closely in conversation as a tall man in helmet and -brass buttons passed them, half carrying, half dragging a poor, -battered creature over the slippery sidewalk. It was an old, -white-haired man of whose wretched, drunken, despairing face she -caught a glimpse, as the throng of idle spectators swept by. Something -in the manner of her kind friend made her look up quickly at him. He -grew redder than ever, and quickly turned away his head; but it was -too late; she knew the truth at last. Tom was like--_that_! - -After what seemed days of anguish she found herself in the stifling -atmosphere of the railroad station, where she would have to wait two -hours for a homeward-bound train. She shrank into a corner and tried -to forget herself in sleep, but every faculty was on the alert with an -unnatural tension. Women with tired faces and illy dressed babies sank -upon the seats about her and silently waited for their trains, or in -jarring, monotonous voices, and the minor keys always used by late -passengers, discussed the ailments of their neighbors and the high -price of goods. A crowd of rough fellows sauntered by outside the -windows and filled the air with coarse jokes and snatches of ribald -song. Charity clenched her little hands that Tom had kissed under the -princess-pine and endured it all, with her eyes on the grimy face of -the clock, until the train backed into the station and bore her away. - -At a little before midnight she reached her own home. While she stood -on the worn door-stone, her whole frame trembling from exhaustion and -the long agony of that evening, her eyes fell on Tom's footprints of -the night before. For one moment a hard look came into her face; then -she suddenly stooped, kissed the light snow as if it had been a cold, -dead face, and moaning, "O Tom, Tom, how could you!" with a sob like -that of a hurt child, turned and went in out of the night. And this -was her Christmas Eve. - - -IV - -When Charity awoke next morning the sun was shining cheerfully in upon -the smooth yellow floor of her little room and its mats of braided -rags. The sky was of the bluest and the earth of the whitest; a flock -of sparrows were wishing each other Merry Christmas in the boughs of -an old appletree near by; the cattle in the barn, contentedly -ruminating over their morning allowance of hay, seemed rehearsing to -each other the old story of the manger and the wonderful night in -Palestine. As these pleasant sights and sounds stole in upon the -girl's senses, a happy smile broke upon her lips and she felt at peace -with the whole world. Then came, like a flash of red lightning out of -the sparkling blue sky, the memory of the preceding day. Her brain -reeled under the shock of returning recollection, as, one by one, -every kindly evasive word of her informants came back to her. But -Charity was a girl of quick impulses and decided action. In five -minutes she had made up her mind what to do. Half an hour later she -was standing behind grandmother's chair at Farmer Ralston's with white -face and set lips. The family, she found, were somewhat concerned -about Tom's absence, but they had not been in any real alarm, as he -might have changed his plans and remained in the city, leaving Charity -with her friends for the night. Now they crowded about her, all asking -questions at once, and growing momently more frightened at her -silence. She managed to tell them that Tom had not kept his -appointment--that she could learn nothing definite about him--that she -had guessed from what little information she had been able to obtain, -that he had been taken sick and carried to the hospital--or somewhere; -it was nothing serious, she was sure, and at any rate she was going up -to the city that morning on the train to find out all about it. Tom's -father was too old and feeble to undertake the trip, and his sister -had better not leave home that day--Christmas. She could do better -alone, as she knew the streets pretty well (here her voice failed her -a little), and besides, it would only worry Tom to see them all -coming. So she went as she wished to, alone. - -Arriving in the city, she examined a directory in the nearest drug -store and copied off the numbers and localities of all the police -stations in the city proper. Then she found her way without much -trouble to the market and asked the tall, broad-shouldered policeman -on duty there for directions to the nearest station. He looked down -pityingly on the young girl, appealing to him with her white face and -eyes that betrayed her suffering on that glad Christmas morning. - -"Nothing serious, is it, miss? A fight, maybe, or something o' that -sort?" - -"Oh, no, sir! I only want to see if--if--somebody"-- - -The kind-hearted officer guessed her trouble immediately. - -"I see, I see," said he, softening his voice still more. "He didn't -get home last night after he was paid off. Well, I guess you'll find -it all right; anyway, I hope you will. Take your first turn to the -left, and two blocks further you'll come to my station. Tell the -sergeant you saw Brown, and that I sent you to him for information." - -Charity thanked him with a grateful look that was better than words, -and moved with rapid steps along the icy sidewalk in the direction -indicated. She was courteously received at the station, but no one -knew anything about Tom. Nor did they in the next station she visited, -nor in the third or fourth. It was now nearly noon, and people were -beginning to sit down to their Christmas dinners. The table at Farmer -Ralston's was always a jolly place, and at Christmas time the fun was -uproarious. Charity had been invited every year since she could -remember, and she gave a little gulp as she thought of the row of -bright, laughing faces that would have been gathered in the old -kitchen, still sweet with the resinous odors of the evergreen that had -lain there in piles in those last happy days that now seemed ages ago. -Wearily she mounted the granite steps of Station Five and repeated her -question. The lieutenant, a brisk, wiry man, with a heavy gray -moustache and little, piercing eyes, cast a quick glance at her and -consulted his book. Presently he gave a little nod, and raising his -voice, called out, "Norcross, here a minute!" - -A uniformed officer in an adjoining room opened himself like a kind of -long jack-knife, rose from the bench where he had been reclining and -stood at the walnut rail in front of his superior, awaiting orders. -The lieutenant took a key from the rack at his side and handed it to -Norcross. - -"This lady wants to see No. 3. Show her down." - -The officer bowed respectfully and led the way down a flight of stone -steps into what at first appeared to be a sort of cellar, with grated -windows near the ceiling on one side and a row of iron-barred doors on -the other. - -"There," said the officer, pointing. - -Charity paused a moment and pressed her hand against her heart; for a -moment she could not have spoken, it beat so fiercely. Then she -advanced across the brick floor, and standing by the door of Cell No. -3, looked in through the bars. - -At first she could see nothing, but, as her eyes became accustomed to -the dim light, she could distinguish at one side a narrow iron bed, -and lying motionless upon it, his head buried in his arms, a crumpled, -stained, wretched figure--yes, Tom! - -The rustle of the girl's dress fell upon his ear. He raised his head -slightly, recognized the sound, turned away again without looking her -in the face, and shook with such a tempest of sobs that Charity -trembled and could not speak the grave, deliberate words she had -prepared on the way. - - "Landlord, fill the flowing bowl!" - -sang some poor creature shrilly, two or three doors away. How Charity -remembered all these things afterward! While the officer stepped aside -to quiet the noisy prisoner she forced herself at last to speak. - -"Mr. Ralston"--Tom started, and she saw his grasp tighten on the iron -rail of the bed, "I have come to take you away from this place. I -shall send for the bail commissioner at once" (she had learned her -lesson well, poor child!), "so that you can catch the two o'clock -train. No!" she went on quickly, checking him with a gesture as he was -about to speak, "you mustn't stay here another night, nor another -hour. It would kill your father if he knew it, and we couldn't answer -his questions to-night." - -The strong man bowed his head again, without a word. She hesitated an -instant, then left him, and walked across the floor and up the stone -stairway with a firm step. Tom looked after her wistfully, but she did -not even glance toward his cell. Within half an hour he was sent for, -and found Charity, with the commissioner and the sergeant, sitting -behind the rail, in the room above. The bail was quickly arranged, the -officer handed over a jack-knife and a few coppers he had taken from -Tom's pockets the night before, and told him he could go where he -pleased until nine o'clock the next morning, when the court opened. - -There was a constrained silence for a moment in the little office. At -last Tom raised his eyes, with a look in them half questioning, half -appealing, to the girl's white face, at the same time involuntarily -extending his hand toward her. For the first time in his life he found -no response in the brown eyes, staring stonily out of the barred -windows. - -His hand slowly dropped to his side. With a dazed look he turned first -to the officers, then to Charity, as if he did not understand. Still -there was no response in the brown eyes, staring stonily out of the -barred windows. Still Tom stood there helplessly, not quite -understanding it all. Glancing at his stained and rumpled clothes he -brushed them a little, mechanically, passed his hand over his forehead -once or twice, then turned humbly toward the door, passed out -bareheaded and was gone. - -How Charity found her way home she never knew. When she entered her -own little chamber at dusk and buried her aching head in her pillow, -she had a vague recollection of wandering about the gay city streets -for hours, of finally seeking the railroad station, of cooling her hot -forehead against the frosty pane of the car, and watching the -snowflakes that came faster and faster from the darkening sky. Tom had -come home, the station-master had told her carelessly, and that was -all she cared to know. - -How he endured the ignominy of appearing and paying his fine in the -municipal court the next day, she did not ask; nor did she even see -him for a week. After the excitement of that gloomy Christmas came, -with the reaction, a complete nervous exhaustion, which mercifully -spared her the torture of questioning eyes and tongues until beyond -New Year's--that should have been her wedding-day. - -Meanwhile she wavered irresolutely between one and another course of -action. Now she felt she must cry out to him to forgive her own cruel -hardness in his time of trouble; now the Puritan blood she had -inherited asserted itself, and her face grew hard again as she thought -of his weakness. - -The meeting could be put off no longer. It came, and in the same dear -old kitchen where they had worked together. The man looked straight -into her eyes and said, quietly: - -"Charity, I have done you and myself a great wrong. I shall try to do -better. God knows how hard I shall try--am trying! Will you forgive -me? Will you help me?" - -After all, she was hardly prepared for this, and though she began -bravely enough with, "Mr. Ralston," she soon broke down altogether. -"Of course," she told him, "the wedding must be postponed -indefinitely. Further than that--I can't tell what--O Tom! how -could"--she began afresh, but stopped at his look, and slowly walked -out of the room and house. - - -V - -Slowly the long weeks of late winter succeeded each other, alike -monotonous, gray and dreary. Tom Ralston worked, at first manfully, -then doggedly, on the farm, fighting with a strong will against public -opinion and private temptation. Everybody had heard of his fall. Young -girls eyed him curiously from the opposite side of the road, and the -frequenters of the village store gathered at night to sit around the -stove, heels in air, and bring out stories of old Major Ralston, two -or three generations back, whose dissipations had been town talk; and -the gossips gravely wagged their heads and said: "'Twas bound to crop -out sooner or later." - -So passed the icy months, and song-sparrows and bluebirds began to -flit among the naked boughs like dreams of spring. Following them came -the robins, plump and cheery embodiments of summer. One morning in -April the maples and oaks stretched out their arms, full of rosy and -restless baby leaves born in the night. The heats of July parched the -land; September laid her gentle hand upon its brow until it was -refreshed and slept. - -Still Tom Ralston worked on, through sun and shower, seed-time and -harvest, beginning at last to win approving nods and kindly smiles -and words from his self-appointed critics. Still Charity, with heavy -heart, went about her routine of household duties, from which all the -sweetness, the vague looking forward, the pretty, girlish longing -which had of late clothed them were gone. When she met Tom, as she was -often obliged to, she spoke not coldly indeed, but as to a mere -acquaintance. Right or wrong, she had conscientiously chosen her -course, and she would keep it to the end. She would never marry a man -who might become a drunkard, and perhaps leave his curse to be -inherited by his innocent children. - -It was five days before Christmas when Charity, having finished her -daily tasks, stole away to spend the last hour or two of the short -winter afternoon in her favorite walk, an old logging-path through the -pine woods. The air was deliciously clear and sweet. Overhead, a flock -of chickadees called to her merrily, and hung upside down among the -tasseled boughs in search of insects and other small bird food. Not an -anxious search, by any means; rather a contented one, on the whole, as -if they were quite sure their daily bread had been given them, and -they were only to see that it was not wasted. Charity half -unconsciously took note of their happy little movements to and fro, -as, for the hundredth time, she went over and over the arguments -against forgiving Tom. She had just reached the triumphant "lastly," -in her course of reasoning, when, suddenly startled by the breaking of -a twig, she glanced up, to see the subject of her syllogisms not -twenty feet away, gathering evergreen. Like the rushing waters of a -great tide, sweeping away her artificial landmarks and barriers, came -the overwhelming conviction that it was she, and not the man before -her, who needed forgiveness. - -At the sound of her dress, Tom, too, had started up, as he did in the -cell a year ago; but presently went on with his task, stooping low -over a refractory vine of princess pine. - -"It was the least I could do," he said humbly, and with evident -effort. "I shall take it up to the city myself and sell it for the -girls." - -Something in her very silence, or perhaps a slight exclamation that -escaped her lips, made him look up. She stood there, alternately -paling and flushing, with a look in her eyes he had not seen for many -a long day. He sprang to his feet, but she put out her hand to check -him. - -"Tom," she began, with quivering lip, "dear Tom, can you forgive"-- - -What was the use of her hand then! If she had been surrounded by -Napoleon's Old Guard I believe Tom would have got at her somehow. -Forgive her! Bless you, if you had seen him for the next five minutes, -or had heard them talk as they walked home together beneath the pines, -you would have been puzzled to know which forgave or which was -forgiven, or which had done right or wrong, or whether either had ever -doubted the other for an instant of their lives. - -"'Suffereth long and is kind,'" whispered grandmother that night, -stroking the girl's brown hair. - -Of course Tom went home with her afterward, in the old way, and made -footprints again before her door, while the moon smiled to itself and -poured down its silvery blessing upon them. - -So they had a merry Christmas after all, and a New Year's wedding, on -which occasion grandmother was resplendent in fresh ribbons, and the -girls laughed and cried by turns. - -The hard, dreary year of Tom's struggle is long since past, but as -Christmastide draws nigh and the wreaths are hung at the windows, -Charity Ralston, the dearest and brightest little woman in all the -country, looks fondly into her husband's strong, manly face, and lays -her cheek upon his shoulder in a way that tells him she remembers. He, -too, has never forgotten, and, standing there in the twilight, with -the sweet Christmas incense of the evergreen about them, he tells her -again how he endured, and hoped, and loved, and ends by holding her -close in his arms, while she whispers, "Merry Christmas, Tom!" - - - - -XI - -THROUGH THE STORM - - -I - -"'Lisbeth, 'Lisbeth, what ye doin' out there?" - -It was a sharp, high-strung voice, yet not loud nor ill-natured. The -speaker stood at an open door between the kitchen and an outer porch, -the latter built of rough boards and showing little wet streaks on the -floor, where the storm had thrust in its snowy fingers the night -before. The silence of the place was broken at intervals by a regular -series of dull blows, lasting two or three minutes and interspersed -with muffled splashings. - -"'Lisbeth, can't ye leave off churnin' a minute? I want my specs." - -"All right, father, I'll find 'em for ye: 's--almost--come!" The last -words were emphasized by such an energetic pounding that the -window-sashes, with their small, old-fashioned panes, rattled like -cymbals. - -"There! there! ye needn't knock the bottom out'n the churn," said the -first speaker, with a movement among the wrinkles of his face that -betokened a smile. "I c'n hold on a spell longer, I guess. Jest bring -me in a mug o' the buttermilk when ye've got threw." The keen air -swept through the porch and lifted the leaves of a yellow-covered -almanac that hung against the wall. The old man took it down from its -nail, and closed the door with a shiver. "Wind's shiftin' back," he -mused. "Soon's ever I git my glasses I'll see what the almanac says. -'T ain't much use fer Wesley to break out the road, even 'f the -Hill-folks _is_ comin'. 'Twill be over the walls 'fore the train's -in." He walked slowly to a pile of wood that lay near the fireplace, -paused before it a moment, with a shrewd look, whistling in a sort of -whisper, then picked out a stout birch stick with the bark hanging in -strips and laid it with great deliberation on the fire, which was -already crackling and roaring up the chimney in a broad blaze and -sending its generous glow to the farthest corner of the room. - -A few moments later the door opened and showed a quiet little figure -and a cheery face that irresistibly suggested Thanksgiving, Christmas, -comfort, and reliableness, all in one. It was evident that if her -forty years or so had brought her many sorrows they had given a -wonderful inward peace and strength that is not afraid of evil -tidings. She was dressed plainly, with her sleeves rolled up to the -elbows. "Here's your milk, father; and there's your glasses now, right -on top of your head," she said, stooping forward a little and speaking -in loud, clear tones. - -"Lor' sakes! so they be. I declare, I'm gittin' so forgitful, 'n' I -can't hear no one 'bout the house but you, 'Lisbeth. Strange how my -hearin' 's failed me this year! If't wa'n't for you"--Here his voice -quavered a little, but he was happily interrupted by the entrance of a -broad-shouldered, clear-eyed young fellow, who advanced to the fire, -and, holding out his hands to its genial warmth, stamped off upon the -brick hearth a few bits of snow that had clung to his stout boots. - -"Well, grandfather, we've got a 'spell o' weather' this time," he -shouted. "Old Bonny Beag has her nightcap on, and I saw two or three -flakes as I came in. 'Lisbeth," he continued, "the visitors up at the -Hill won't any _more_ than get there to-day, I guess. Sam Fifield, -down at the depot, says he has orders to have a pung ready for a lot -of boxes and a sleigh for the women and children that are coming down -to Christmas. I've broken out as far as the Corner; beyond that it's -good roading for quite a piece. The steers are as near being tired out -as ever I saw them. Breakfast 'most ready?" - -In a few minutes more the table was pulled out from the wall, and a -chip thrust under one of its feet to offset the unevenness of the -floor. Upon the spotless cloth were set three blue china plates, with -pictures of stately castles rising from lambent seas and numerous -swans disporting themselves therein; then came brown-jacketed -potatoes, a big pot of coffee, a pile of yesterday's doughnuts, an -apple pie with one piece cut out, a plate of smoking hot biscuit, and -a dish of golden butter. A small platter, containing two or three -slices of "frizzled" pork, was placed by the old man's plate. - -Meanwhile, the starry flakes came faster and faster. Some of the more -adventurous alighted on the kitchen window and gazed in until they -were finally melted at the sight. A few ventured down into the well, -and, drifting against the mossy stones, gave to the slender ferns that -peeped from the chinks the food they had gathered in the skies; others -found their way through a broad crack into the barn and fell -noiselessly upon the floor with its hayseed carpet, thereupon causing -much wonderment and grave discussion among the fowls, who were -exchanging views in low tones on the topics of the morning. If you had -been in the woods, you would have heard the tick-ticking of the tiny -crystals, like the dancing of myriads of fairy feet, upon the dry -leaves which still clung to the oak and beech. - -So fell the snowflakes over meadow and fallow, wood and hill, bringing -the materials that should be built up into corn and wheat during the -coming year and thus provide food for thousands who would then be -reciting their prayers for daily bread, without a thought that the -answers had begun so many months before. - -Now, either by a preconcerted plan or by an impulse of the moment, one -of the most daring of the advance guard of the storm resolved to have -a wild ride before he gave up his substance to winds and earth; and so -it came about that a chubby nose, which had previously been flattened -against one of the plate-glass windows of a Pullman car on a -northbound train, suddenly withdrew itself, and a childish voice -exclaimed, "Oh, Miss Amory, it's snowing! it's snowing! Here's a -little mite of a flake on the window. Oh, mamma, won't it be nice -sleighing for Santa Claus! He can come right on the tops of the trees: -I saw a lot that looked just like frosted cake." - -"Yes, dear; yes, dear," said the quiet lady in the next chair, -glancing up from her "Seaside" pamphlet. "Only don't speak so loud, -Maurice. You will disturb the other people in the car." - -"Miss Amory," persisted the boy, but in lower tones, "won't you go out -and coast with me, and take a great, long, long sleigh-ride -to-morrow?" - -"Yes, Maurice, if mamma would like me to," replied the one addressed, -a little wearily. She had not yet quite schooled herself to her -position, this young governess, and the constant reference of even -such trifles as the boy's request to a higher authority still jarred -on her spirits. She had not, indeed, like most paper heroines, been -accustomed to the luxuries of wealth, with phalanxes of servants -devoting themselves exclusively to her service and amusement, but she -had enjoyed the comforts of a well-to-do New England home, the -independence of American girlhood, and the priceless blessing of a -mother who understood her thoroughly and was always ready to -sympathize with her daughter's pleasures and troubles alike, to -counsel or remain silent, as the case might be, and to help her out -of all her girlish perplexities, from the choice of a ribbon to the -treatment of an importunate suitor. It was a brave thing, this setting -her face resolutely to the world, and she had accordingly made up her -mind at the start to look for and meet every unpleasant concomitant to -her new position without a murmur. - -At first she had been uncertain at what door she should knock of all -those opening into the tower named Self-Support, but, as she -approached, one of them flew open before her hand was raised. A lady -who was spending the summer near by gave out word that she wished for -a governess to take charge of her two children and accompany them to -the city in the autumn. Miss Amory's bright face and gentle ways won -the children at first sight. She was retained on trial, and had proved -too great a treasure to be relinquished. - -Mrs. Walton had been more than kind and considerate, but her very -effort to offer attentions and induce the new governess to forget her -position only made it more marked, like an erasure upon white paper. - -Miss Amory scolded herself twenty times a day, and devoted herself -more and more to her duties, but still she could not help looking -forward to next summer, when--when--well, beyond that it was all -vague. At any rate, there might be some change for the better. Perhaps -she could give music-lessons, or could teach school; something she -would do where she was her own mistress. - -The train rumbled on, and the storm increased. Twice they had to stop -and back before they could push their way through a narrow cut where -the huge drifts were wedged in solidly from brim to brim. At last, -just as the December light was fading from the sky, hurried by the -whirling snow-mist, the cars came to a standstill beside a long, low -building, and the conductor shouted, "Haybrook! Haybrook!" - -Ten minutes later, two sleighs, one in advance loaded with boxes and -parcels, the other with the ladies and the two children, crept slowly -up the hill that led from the little brown station to the main road. -For a while the houses on each side and a few half-obliterated tracks -made navigation comparatively easy; but once out of the village it -became a matter of nice calculation. The sleet stung the faces of the -drivers and formed little icy crusts over the eyes of the patient -horses, who struggled on, setting their hoofs down firmly into the -smooth, unbroken sheet of snow and sending it out on either side like -foam. Suddenly there was a creak, a lurch, and then a dead stop. The -drivers consulted in muffled tones as they examined the harness. - -"Broken jest above the buckle; nothing to hitch to." - -"Better call up the old man, 'n' get Wesley to help. 'S only a step -further 'n the Corner." - -In the sleigh, Mrs. Walton and her governess, covered with heavy -buffalo-robes, waited patiently. The children fidgeted. - -"I want to get out and wade." - -"No, Morrie, you just keep still, and perhaps Santa Claus will come -along and help us. He must have started by this time." - -"H'm! guess reindeers wouldn't do much good. I wish I had my pony -here. Why, Miss Amory, how cold your hand is! Why, you've been keeping -that robe over me, and you're right out in the cold. See the snow on -her sleeve, mamma." - -"Oh, I don't mind," interposed the little governess; but her teeth -chattered, and it was an intense relief when she heard a new, strong -voice just outside: "Where are they, Marston? In that heap of -buffaloes?" After a moment's pause, the robes were lifted, and before -she could say a word the girl felt herself raised from the sleigh and -borne along through the storm in a pair of stout arms, while the same -cheery voice said: "Beg your pardon, miss, it's the only way. The -house is but a few rods from here." - -"Thank you," she answered smiling, in spite of the cold, at her -situation: "but I'm afraid I shall tire you!" - -The young man said nothing, but gravely picked his way between drifts -and treacherous hollows. Once he staggered, and nearly fell with his -burden. She instinctively threw her arm round his neck like a child, -to save herself, withdrawing it quietly a moment after. He plodded on -in silence. - -"He's a gentleman," she thought, "or he would have laughed or joked -about it." - -Close behind them the men were following with those left in the -sleigh, and the whole company were soon gathered around 'Lisbeth's -fire, exchanging comments, throwing aside their snowy wraps, and -refreshing themselves with hot tea. - -"Just like a desert island," whispered Maurice. - -"Only savages don't have doughnuts and milk," returned Edie, helping -herself liberally. - -The fire leaped higher and glowed more and more ardently in its -efforts to warm the castaways, until they were glad to draw back their -chairs from the hearth,--all except the little governess, who was -still chilled through and through, although she meekly drank three -cups of hot tea in succession, and crouched as near the friendly fire -as she could without scorching the pretty dark-blue traveling dress. -Little ripples of shiver seemed to run over her from head to foot, -like a cold breeze. - -"I think, if you please, I'll go to my room," she said at last, with a -grateful look at 'Lisbeth, who was watching her anxiously, and who -doubtless supposed her to be a relative, probably the children's aunt. -"Governess" was an idea that had not struck Haybrook, except through -the medium of an old English novel or two. - -"Well, just step right in here," she said, sympathetically; "and don't -you get up till ye're called in the mornin'." - -As she spoke she opened one of the little, gray, uneven doors behind -her guests, and lighting a tallow candle in a knobby brass -candlestick, placed it upon some article of furniture within. - -"Good-night," she said again, kindly. "Don't let me disturb ye by my -travelin' round the kitchen gettin' breakfast. You can leave the door -open a crack for company, if you're lonesome." - - -II - -When Florence Amory opened her eyes the next morning, she was at a -loss for some minutes to determine her own position in the great white -world that lay around her. Then the events of the preceding night -marshaled themselves into line one by one, and at the same time came -the consciousness that she possessed a head,--a most unmanageable one, -too. It danced and whirled in such an uncomfortable way that she was -glad to shut her eyes once more. - -Presently the sound of an old-fashioned coffee-mill, with its -unwilling halts and sudden compliances, fell upon her ear in such -close proximity that there was no mistaking the character of the -adjoining room. A moment or two later the crushed berries sent through -the keyhole a delicious whiff of aroma that spread itself through the -room. Encouraged by this appeal to two of her senses, the girl once -more took a survey of her quarters. A narrow bedroom, with just space -enough beside the high-posted bed on which she lay to permit one -person to pass; a chest of drawers, with shining brass handles that -tinkled faintly in response to footsteps in another part of the -house; one or two straight-backed chairs: these completed the -furniture of the room, with the exception of a small looking-glass -(one corner gone), a frame washstand, and a tiny yellow table. The -windows were hung with green paper curtains. Just as she finished this -journey around her room, her head took another flight, and was hardly -down again when the door opened softly and the cheery face of 'Lisbeth -peeped in. Seeing that the stranger was awake, she advanced to the -bedside and bent over the flushed face upon the pillow. - -"How'd ye sleep?" she inquired, softly brushing aside a stray lock or -two of brown hair, as a mother might have done, from the tired young -forehead. - -"Not very much, I'm afraid. I'm not much rested: my head doesn't feel -quite right;" and she tried to smile. - -"Well,"--this woman had a strong, comfortable way of beginning her -sentences with that monosyllable, which seemed to put quite out of -sight all doubts and difficulties in the way, and carried with it a -conviction that everything was coming out just right,--"well, there's -nothing in the world to do but to stay just where you be. Your folks -ain't up yet, and won't be this two hours. I'm goin' to brown ye a -piece of bread, and the tea'll be ready by the time that's done: it's -drawin' now, front of the fire." - -"Oh, indeed I must get up. The children"-- - -"Land, the children can dress themselves, or their mother'll help 'em -if they need anything. Do'n't you say another word, dear, but just -shut your eyes and think about something easy,--dandelions in a -cloverfield, say, or birds singin' 'long towards night." - -The firm steps turned away and again began their journeyings up and -down the floor of the adjoining room. Florence closed her eyes -willingly enough, and lay perfectly quiet, with a sense of being cared -for, such as she had not felt since she left her own home. - -The morning light showed dimly through the frosty little panes behind -the green curtain. Upon the old-fashioned bureau she could just see, -as she glanced up wearily now and then, the shape of her tall brass -candlestick, with its long stalactites of tallow hanging from the -upper rim. The footsteps plodded to and fro. Pots and pans -occasionally interjected a staccato note above the soft purring of the -fire and the hum of the teakettle. Then another pair of boots joined -the first,--evidently a man's, but managed with wonderful care so as -not to disturb the visitors. - -Pretty soon the door opened once more, and 'Lisbeth entered, bearing a -small japanned tray, upon which were set a plate of toast in tiny -slices, a steaming cup of tea, and a sugar-bowl with its pair of -silver tongs, slim but solid. - -"Now, dear, a bit of this will do you good." - -"But I'm not hungry." - -"No, poor child, I didn't suppose you would be. Well" (comfortably -again), "suppose I butter a piece of toast,--the littlest piece,--just -for you to taste. Maybe 't will make ye sleepy." There was no -resisting that, and the feverish girl did manage to take a very wee -lunch from the motherly fingers. Then she fell back among the pillows, -exhausted. - -"If ye can jest ketch a nap now," said 'Lisbeth in a whisper, as if -her charge were already in danger of being waked, "it'll do ye lots of -good." - -The toast and the hot tea and Lisbeth's whispers must have had a -soothing effect, for Florence soon dropped into an uneasy slumber, -throughout which, however, she had a continual sense of heat and -discomfort. When she awoke, it was broad day. The world was as silent -as a dream. To ears accustomed to the roar of a city and the cries and -laughter of children at play, the stillness was not a mere negative -quality of the air,--an absence of sound,--it was an almost tangible -thing, and Florence felt smothered beneath its folds. She pressed her -hand to her head, and found it burning hot. Her pulse was throbbing -fiercely through her slender wrists. - -"Mrs. Eldridge!" she called faintly. She had heard 'Lisbeth so -addressed by the driver the night before. - -The soft rustle of a woolen dress, and the firm, now familiar -footfall, were heard at once. In a moment more the elder woman was -holding the hand of the younger. - -"I believe--I am afraid--I am going to be ill." - -"Well, Miss Amory, 'f you be, you shall be well taken care of. I'll -tend ye myself, nights; and if there's anything you want that can be -got, why, Elsie'll get it for ye." - -"And is there a physician?" - -"Oh, yes'm; Elsie's gone for one now. They'll be here in an hour or -two." - -"In all this snow?" - -"Oh, we don't mind that, ma'am. Get used to it, you know. The road's -been broke out clean up t' the village, they say, so 's 't the pung'll -go well enough." - -"Where are Mrs. Walton and the children? And--please don't call me -ma'am." - -'Lisbeth smiled good-humoredly: "I won't, if you won't call me 'Mis' -Eldridge.' 'T always makes me feel 's if I must talk just so straight -when anybody calls me that. My name's 'Lisbeth; and if you'll call me -so, why, I'll call you Florence,--the boy told me your name,--and so -we'll feel better acquainted. Oh, the others? Why, they went along up -t' the Hill, to spend Christmas with their folks, about noon to-day. -She said you was to stay here till you felt better, if we could keep -you. And we can." - -That night Florence was worse, and the succeeding days and weeks were -but so many chapters of feverish fancies and hot, throbbing pain. The -sun climbed higher and the snowbanks sank lower day by day, but she -knew nothing of them. Her world was square, her sky a dingy white, her -surroundings the changing forms of a disordered dream. The -gray-haired country doctor had peered at her through his spectacles -and made the motions of "Typhoid" with his lips to 'Lisbeth. Florence -had seen it under her half-closed eyelids, but was too weary to care -much. So January came and went, and after it February, before she -found herself inclined to take the slightest interest in anything -outside of those four walls, with their faded, large-figured paper. - -It was a warm, delicious day in early March,--one of those foretastes -of spring which in New England match the Indian summer of late autumn. -The green curtain swayed slightly back and forth as the sweet south -wind crept in through the crannies of the old, warped window-frame. A -song-sparrow, perching on the fence just outside, sang his contented -little Easter hymn over and over, until the sick girl felt herself -being drawn back to life once more, and life seemed beautiful. -'Lisbeth was sitting in the kitchen, with the door half open between, -and Florence could hear the soothing creak of her chair as she rocked -gently to and fro at her knitting. Presently she called, "Mrs. -Eldridge!" - -The creaking stopped instantly, and health and life, embodied in -'Lisbeth, entered the room. - -"Well, dearie, feelin' a little better, ain't you?" - -"Yes, ma'am,"--gratefully. "I want to know, if you please, about -things that have happened since I have been ill." - -"Oh, that's a short story. Mrs. Walton 'n' the children went back t' -the city six weeks ago, and left you in my charge. An' it's precious -little trouble you've been. For my part I'd rather take care o' ten -women, all sick with the typhus, than one man with a headache." - -Florence smiled faintly. Then she said, "I haven't heard so many -footsteps in the kitchen lately. Have any of your family gone?" - -"Bless you, no. That's only because Elsie's made a pair o' slippers to -wear about the house, so 's not to wake you when you'd caught a -sleep." - -"How very kind! Can I see Elsie soon? I should so like to be read to a -little bit." - -"Why, yes, I s'pose so," said 'Lisbeth rather doubtfully. "I d' know -'s there'd be any objection. Oh, that reminds me. Elsie was over t' -the Corner early this morning, and brought these flowers. There's a -greenhouse there, where they keep 'em growing right through the -winter. Seems 's if they might have been a little brighter, now, don't -it?" - -While she was talking, she stepped into the next room, raising her -voice as she went, and returned with a china vase painted gaudily on -one side and containing a loose cluster of cut flowers. Florence -noticed at the first glance that they were so arranged as to bring the -unpainted side of the vase in front; at the second, that they had been -chosen thoughtfully. One or two dark heliotropes, white pinks, and a -creamy, half-opened rose, with slender ferns for a background: that -was all. - -"I was going to tie the stems up with a piece of string, but Elsie -would have it they'd wilt quicker, and would look kind o' sot -besides. You was to take out one of the pinks to hold in your hand, if -you liked. They last longer 'n the rest." - -So the dainty blossom, with its folds within folds of whiteness, was -held between the slight girl-fingers, in no way less dainty and -delicate than itself. By a sudden impulse Florence pressed it to her -lips like a child. "You are all so good to me!" she said, with -quivering lips. "I'm not used to being taken care of. Please thank -Elsie for me, and ask her to come in when she can spare the time." - -Mrs. Eldridge had been stooping to pick up a shred from the neat -carpet, and but half caught the words. "Who d' you say? O, Elsie! -Well, I'll give your message just 's you put it." - -But Elsie did not come the next day, nor the next. She began to seem -to Florence like some beneficent brownie, doing all her good deeds -before the household was awake, and then disappearing until her -services were again needed. - -At last came the eventful day when the invalid was to be allowed to -sit up for half an hour. She had looked forward to the time with -eagerness. The old doctor, who had a vein of grim humor under his -white beard, gruffly called her his little im-patient. But, to tell -the truth, the stiff-backed chairs which she had thus far seen were -hardly suggestive of luxurious rest; they were built for well people. -Men and women in that part of the country make but little reckoning -upon sickness. When it comes, it is met with a stern and -uncompromising resistance; but the thought of humoring it by such -compliances as reclining-chairs never for a moment enters their heads. -It was, therefore, a genuine surprise when, after an extraordinary -amount of whispering and hurrying in the kitchen, the door opened, -and, assisted by 'Lisbeth, in walked a chair of such inviting -proportions and soft, padded curves that they plainly expressed -themselves to the effect that they would be extremely miserable unless -reclined upon, and that speedily. - -"Why, where did you find that lovely chair?" cried Florence -delightedly. "I thought I should have to sit up just as straight!" - -"Oh, we jest made it up out of one of the old armchairs in the best -room," said the other, surveying the luxurious piece of upholstery -with pardonable pride. "You see, Elsie thought it all out, and put us -to work, when you said you wanted to set up: so we jest stuffed the -back an' arms, and Elsie sawed off the hind legs an' fixed that place -for your feet in front, and there you be!" - -Five minutes later, Florence sat, weak and trembling after her long -inactivity, in the comfortable chintz-covered chair, with a great -sense of achievement and a new hold on the realities of life. - -"Now, if I could only see Elsie, and thank her." - -"And--_what_?" - -"Why, tell her how much I thank her for all the trouble she has taken -for me." - -A queer look came into 'Lisbeth's face, and her eyes twinkled. "Guess -ye'd better wait till to-morrow," she said. "You'll feel stronger -then, and--she--can come in while you're settin' up." - -"But why not to-day?" persisted the other, with a convalescent's -freedom. - -"Well, to tell the truth, Elsie's busy to-day outdoors, and won't be -in till you're abed again; and then you ought to rest." - -"Out of doors?" - -"Oh, she'll tell you all about it to-morrow," said 'Lisbeth, pursing -up her mouth in the same funny way as before. - -Florence was too weak to pursue the subject further, and presently was -glad enough to lay her tired head upon the pillow once more. - -The next morning the first object that caught her eye was a bunch of -slender willow-wands, with their soft, clinging "pussies," such as she -had not seen since she was a child running about under the elms in the -old, quiet town by the sea. The fresh, sweet sunlight peeped through -the window and rested on their gray fur, creeping down from one to -another and dancing in and out in the merriest manner possible. As -Florence lay there beneath the old patchwork quilt, watching this -pretty play of sunshine and kittens, and listening to the soft bustle -of the morning's work in the next room, a sense of great comfort and -rest stole over her, and in her weakness her eyes filled with happy -tears. Whatever was troublesome in the past she forgot: the future -seemed as bright and yet as intangible as the sunbeams. She only -realized the watchful care and devotion that were hovering about her -day and night, and, in the clear, wholesome atmosphere, her mother's -religion seemed nearer to her than ever before. Her favorite verse, -"Return unto thy rest, O my soul," was written in sunny characters -upon the faded wall before her. - -Then she began to wonder how it would seem to meet the other members -of the family. The shrill voice of the old man she had often heard, -but she had listened in vain for some snatch of song or girlish -footfall which might belong to the gentle "Elsie" whose unseen -ministrations were always attending to her comfort. As for the sturdy -young fellow who had borne her so lightly through the snow, she had -heard him once or twice only, speaking to 'Lisbeth in low tones, or -calling cheerily somewhere outside to a passing neighbor. - -"He must at least live near here," she thought, "but has probably -forgotten all about me. Breakdowns are common enough in the country, -and the 'women-folks' always have to be carried through the drifts." - -Still, she could not help wondering a little who he was, and where he -learned that slow, quiet speech, with its correctly-placed adverbs and -adjectives, She at last concluded that he must be a neighbor in rather -better circumstances than her hostess,--perhaps one of the proud -"Hill-folks" whom Mrs. Walton was to visit. How they must have laughed -over the adventure as they sat about their loaded tables on Christmas -day! Could he not have just called at the door and inquired for her -during all these long weeks of suffering? Then the color came faintly -to her cheeks. She was a dependant, a servant: how could she expect -such attentions? The old rebellious uprising of her whole nature was -beginning to assert itself once more, when 'Lisbeth's soft knock was -heard at the door, and 'Lisbeth herself immediately appeared, while -the sunbeams, which had somehow hidden behind a cloud just before, -danced in through the window again to meet her. - -"Now, dear, for breakfast. The pullets have just begun to lay, an' -Elsie's been out and found a nest in the haymow where that little -Plymouth-Rock was a-cacklin' yesterday. Look!" She held up the warm, -coffee-colored egg as she spoke. "How'll you have it cooked? Boiled? -Well, I'll do it just right, and show ye how to take off the lid with -a knife and eat it out of the shell. Father always has his that way." - -Florence smiled in spite of herself at being treated so like a child. - -"That's right," continued Lisbeth briskly: "don't ye go to feelin' -solemn, for it's goin' to be a grand day. And as for time to come, -why, all I say is, don't worry. You're as welcome as the flowers of -May, and I love to have ye round. You remind me of a little sister I -had once, and--and--Yes, I'm comin'!" And 'Lisbeth, guilty, for the -only time in her life, of a downright deception, hurried out of the -room, pausing, however, to shut the door gently behind her. - -Breakfast over, and the ceremony of enthronement in the easy chair -performed, Florence, with spirits quite recovered, again recurred to -Elsie. "Now, 'Lisbeth," she said gayly, "please hand me the longest -pussy-willow stem for a scepter, and I will give audience to my -subjects. Where is Elsie?" - - -III - -'Lisbeth stepped to the door and called through it: "Come in: she's -ready to see ye now." - -Florence waited, with a bright smile dawning on her face for the -kindly little spirit who handled pussy-willows and armchairs so -deftly. The next minute she heard a light, firm step upon the kitchen -floor. It hesitated at the door, and a gentle knock followed. - -"Come right in, Elsie," cried Florence, pleased again by her delicacy. -"I shall be so glad--" - -She paused abruptly. The door had swung open, and there stood a tall, -well-built young man, an amused twinkle in his clear gray eyes, and -the corners of his mouth just failing of that demureness they aimed to -achieve. Without, however, appearing to notice any element of -embarrassment in the situation, he stepped forward quietly and laid in -her lap a glorious bunch of roses, saying, as he did so, "I happened -to be at the Corner this morning, and was fortunate in securing the -first cutting at the greenhouse. It is like the cream on Aunt -'Lisbeth's pans," he went on, evidently to give her time. "I always -was troublesome just before churning days: wasn't I, aunt?" - -"Indeed, you were," returned 'Lisbeth, with a beaming face that flatly -contradicted her words. "What with you and the two blue kittens, it's -a wonder we ever got anything but skim-milk for our butter. Them roses -do look something like cream too." - -By this time Florence had recovered her self-possession: "Is it -possible that this is the kind fairy who has done so much for me?" She -held out her hand with a frank smile as she spoke. - -He stooped, not ungracefully, and took the offered hand, then laid it, -almost reverently, upon the heap of roses. "Hardly a fairy," he -remarked gravely; "a gnome or a goblin, perhaps. It was very pleasant -service. Are you really better, Miss Amory?" - -"Thank you; I feel almost too well to be treated as an invalid. Will -you not be seated? And then please tell me how--how--I could -have--thought"-- - -"Oh, I'll tell you all about it," broke in 'Lisbeth, with a -mischievous look at her tall nephew, who had obediently seated himself -on one corner of the bed, that being the only unoccupied portion of -the room. "You see, when Wesley"-- - -Florence flushed slightly; she had thought she recognized the voice, -though she had heard it but for a moment that wintry night. The name -she remembered. - -"--Wesley, he used to call himself 'Elsie' when he was a little trudge -an' couldn't speak plain. So we got into the way of callin' him that -ourselves an' it's stuck to him ever since. I'd no notion ye didn't -know who I meant, till you said 'she' yesterday. Then, thinks I, I'll -have a little surprise for her, and a good laugh won't do the child no -harm, bless her!" - -Harm! Why, the most cynical, crabbed, disappointed old soul in the -world must have brightened up at the merry little ripple of laughter -that followed. The responsibilities and struggles of the last two or -three years had left their trace in the gravity of Florence's young -face when in repose. It had begun to have the American tired look, and -it needed excitement or a quick emotion to show to best advantage the -intelligent deep-brown eyes, the wavy hair across the strong forehead, -and a complexion, naturally fine and clear, rendered even more -delicate by her long illness. As she looked up now, with the quick -pleasure of a child, and the light of careless merriment in her eyes, -her face was very sweet and winning. - -Wesley was regarding her intently, his features relaxing pleasantly at -her happy laugh. "No doubt you consider us all as arch-conspirators, -Miss Amory," he said; "but I assure you I knew nothing of this until -half an hour ago. Aunt 'Lisbeth is the Guy Fawkes." - -"And I had no idea she could be so deceitful," replied Florence -solemnly. "Have you any gunpowder in your apron pockets, ma'am?" - -"Land sakes! no," said 'Lisbeth, with a puzzled look. "What d' you -s'pose I want with powder? I guess likely Elsie's got some up 'n his -closet; though what on airth"-- - -Then they all laughed again: they were so simply happy that it did not -take much to amuse them. - -But Florence soon began to feel her strength failing in the unusual -excitement, and was glad to be left alone with her patchwork quilt and -her pussy-willows. - -She did not see Wesley again until several days later. He was busy -mending fences, 'Lisbeth said, "and in the evenin' he had to do his -writin'." - -Florence secretly wondered what his writing could be; but, as 'Lisbeth -did not seem disposed to explain, she said nothing. She had noticed -the carefulness of the sturdy young farmer's speech, the final g's on -his present participles, and the even, firm pronunciation of -his vowels and consonants, so different from the drawling, -carelessly-clipped words of the country-people about. He must have -studied hard at some village "academy," she thought. - -People now began to drop in, after the neighborly St. John fashion so -out of use in cities. They would settle themselves comfortably in the -kitchen rocker, which was usually brought into the front room for -company, and, taking a roll of knitting from bag or apron pocket, -would keep the needles flying while they talked, though but for five -minutes. - -Florence learned that her mother, who was herself in feeble health, -had been from time to time informed of her condition, and, as the -sickness had never been considered dangerous, had contented herself -with writing, at first to 'Lisbeth, afterward to Florence, who was now -well enough to answer. In the pure country air she gained rapidly, and -before long was enabled to take her seat with the rest at table, on -which occasion, be it said, her only anxiety was lest the family -should go to bed supperless, with such eagerness did they devote -themselves to superintending her own plate. By this time, too, she had -learned to say "'Lisbeth" and "grandfather" without hesitation. As to -the third member of the family, she compromised with her sense of -propriety by addressing him as "Mr. Wesley." His last name she had not -heard. - -She was sitting by her window one bright, warm afternoon in April, -watching the portly robins, now hopping about after their -extraordinary food, now pausing to glance up wisely at the sky or at -her window with an air half suspicious, half friendly. Their neat -orange-colored waistcoats showed prettily against the fresh-tinted -grass, just beginning to spring in velvety patches through the brown, -unmown aftermath of the preceding fall. - -On the shady side of the old stone wall that ran along the road toward -the railway-station, a narrow, irregular snowbank, its surface -fantastically carved and honeycombed by the sun, still reminded her -of her winter night's ride. How dreary it had all seemed! How she had -dreaded even the Christmas festivities, with the inevitable being -"left out"--the awkward movements when she felt that the company about -her were not quite sure whether to treat her as an equal or a -servant,--worst of all, the well-meant efforts of Mrs. Walton to -smooth matters over in private! Ah! how it was all changed now! She -would never, never go back to her old position; indeed,--and a shadow -crossed her forehead as she thought of it,--Mrs. Walton had never -signified her wish to have her return. She would soon be able to help -her kind friends in the housework, in sewing, and in other little -ways, until she could obtain something to do for herself. She would -pay them sometime. How good they had all been to her! She thought once -more of that bitter, hopeless ride through the snow. How cold she had -been!--her right arm benumbed with holding the robe over the children, -whom, with all her troubles, she had learned to love very dearly. She -recalled the sudden halt, the moaning of the wind through the trees -overhead, the sifting of the sleety snow against the sides of the -sleigh. Then she thought of the firm voice, assuming control so -quietly, with no needless words, but, what was better, two stout arms. -How they had seemed to lift her out of all her troubles, even while -she was borne straight into the whirl and might of the storm! She had -felt that the arms were stronger than the wind, and so had trusted -them. The girl was resting her cheek upon her hand as she lived that -long night over again, and she hardly knew what a glow was in her -face, or how dewy bright her eyes were, as with a start she turned to -answer a knock she had learned to recognize. - -Wesley looked straight into the brown eyes a moment in his grave, -silent way, then reached out his hand, filled to overflowing with long -trailing vines and fragrant pink-and-white blossoms. - -"They told me they missed you in the woods," he said, "and begged me -to carry them to you." - -Florence took them in her hands and bent her face over them. She could -not speak for a moment, the flowers were such a part of what she had -been thinking. "I thank you," she said at length, tremulously. "They -are far too beautiful to claim companionship with me. It is I who -should go to them and kneel while I picked them." - -"I always think of them as in 'Miles Standish': - - Children lost in the woods and covered with leaves in their slumber. - -It is as if they were the pure in heart, who had ascended into His -holy hill." - -"Where did you find them, Mr. Wesley?" - -"Under the pines, by the brook. It is hardly time for them, but that -is a sheltered spot, where the sun shines all day. I will take you -there as soon as you can go with safety." - -"Do you know," mused Florence, "it seems odd that the first English -ship anchoring in Plymouth harbor should have been called the -Mayflower? Do they have these flowers in England?" - -"No, Miss Amory. It would perhaps sound strange to you to hear people -speak of a 'branch of mayflowers,' but by that name the English -usually mean the hawthorn, which flowers in May. And it is a -wonderfully beautiful sight, for England seems at that time to be -fairly covered with blossoms, the hawthorns are so plentiful." - -"This is 'trailing arbutus,' is it not?" - -"Yes; except--pardon me--with the accent on the first syllable. But I -am becoming pedantic," he added, with a smile. "Miss Amory, you once -told Aunt 'Lisbeth you would like to be read to, did you not?" - -Florence felt the color in her cheeks, but said simply, "Yes, I should -enjoy it very much." - -"Here is a bit that I came across a day or two ago." He took a printed -slip from his pocket and began to read: - - "Little pure-hearts, nestling shyly - On the cool, pine-shadowed slope, - Filling all the gloomy forest - With the very breath of hope, - - "Whence hath come your wondrous patience, - In the dark to wait so long,-- - Faith, to venture forth so bravely - At the first wee sparrow-song? - - "All your alabaster boxes, - With their store of ointment sweet, - You have offered to the Master, - Humbly kneeling at his feet, - - "And his gentle hands in blessing - Rest upon you day by day, - While the precious fragrance rises - Like a prayer to him alway." - -Florence sat in absolute stillness while he read, just catching her -breath slightly at one of the lines. She looked very much like a -mayflower herself as she sat there, her hands crossed in her lap, and -her face upturned to the reader. When he had finished, she was silent -for a moment. Then she asked, "Who wrote that, Mr. Wesley?" - -"Oh, the author's name wasn't mentioned," he replied carelessly. "It -was some anonymous magazine-writer who was fond of flowers and the -Gospel of St. John, and chose to tell in this way what he thought -about it all." - -"Mr. Wesley"-- - -"Miss Amory?" - -"Is there an institute--academy--of any sort at the Corner? I have -thought of teaching, you know." Florence flushed as she spoke, and -looked intently out of the window. - -"There is something of that sort there now, I believe. It was started -only a year or two ago." - -"Why, then you"--The words came before she could check them. - -"No," he answered, smiling, "I was only able to attend the district -school that you passed between here and Haybrook Station." - -"But--you have learned somewhere?" - -She was in for it now, though her face burned as she asked the -question. - -"I studied at home," he replied quietly. "Then I worked for a man at -Haybrook Center, and he helped me with my Greek and Latin until I was -able to enter Bowdoin. I graduated five years ago." - -"Thank you," she said heartily. "I'm afraid I have been unpardonably -inquisitive; but you must accord a certain indulgence to invalids, -which, I believe, they are usually not slow to claim. If you had not -criticised my pronunciation of this little flower's name, I should not -have taken such a liberty. Am I forgiven?" she concluded, looking up -brightly into his face again. - -"I have passed harder examinations in history," he said -good-humoredly; "and some day I may retaliate by examining you to even -better purpose. Will you answer all my questions then?" - -Florence laughed outright: "How solemnly you speak! To be sure I will. -My story will be even shorter than yours. I think one answer will be -enough for the whole." - -"Yes, I think it will," he said slowly, then checked himself, and, -remarking soberly that "her little forest children would be none the -worse for wetting their feet," turned, without further words, and left -the room. - - -IV - -A few days after this conversation, 'Lisbeth entered the kitchen -waving an envelope over her head. "It's accepted," she cried; "I know -by the feel of it! It's a money-order or a check,--it don't make no -difference which. Abner Slack was just comin' back from the Corner, so -he called in t' the post-office an' brought it along." - -"I'm afraid I don't understand," said Florence, who was the only other -person in the room. "Whom is it from, and to whom is it addressed, -please?" - -"Why, to Elsie, of course. Look there!" - -She pointed to the name of a well-known periodical, printed in an -upper corner of the envelope. - -"He's been trying to get something into that for these six months -past, and nothin's ever come back but those old circulars, telling how -the editor's feelin' _so_ bad, because the piece is a leetle bit too -long, or not quite suited, or better for some other magazine! Poor -boy, he'd got so discouraged and put down 'bout it that I didn't know -but he'd give up for good." - -"Then that's why he writes so much. Oh, but are you sure he wouldn't -mind your telling me?" - -"Bless you, no; he don't make no secret of it. He got into the way of -writin' for the papers while he was schoolin' at Bowdoin, and when he -came home he just made up his mind that that was his callin', and -that he would stick to farmin' for a while until he got money enough -to move to the city, where he could get at more books. About six weeks -ago he sent a great thick bunch o' paper--I'm sure I don't know what -'t was all about--to the magazine, and, as I told ye, they've sent -back this envelope instead of the bunch. So I know it's taken." - -'Lisbeth's kind face fairly beamed as she spoke, and her eyes were -moist. "If you'd known," she went on, wiping them with the corner of -her apron, "the setbacks that boy's had, and the big pack of them old -printed things he's got saved up--he's the most perseverin' -critter--There! here 'm I standin' talkin', instead of givin' the -letter to him this minute!" She ran up-stairs in her quick, nervous -way, and, as they all sat round the uneven table that night, the light -in the young man's eyes showed that 'Lisbeth had not mistaken the -contents of the mail. - -"I'm trying to do my duty on the farm," he told Florence afterward, -"and at the same time to find whether I really have a message to the -world, or a part of it, however small. I always have to remember the -reply of the old Scotch minister who was asked by an anxious young -pulpit aspirant whether he thought he had a call to preach. 'Try it, -mon,' he said; 'try it, an' dootless ye'll succeed, gin ye find oot -'at onybody has a ca' to hear ye.' I shouldn't want to be 'stickit,'" -he added, smiling. - -"But--pardon me, Mr. Wesley--what kind of writing do you mean to do? -There are so many branches, you know: poetry, fiction, history, -essays"-- - -"That is just what I must discover. The main thing is not the form, -but the substance. I want to write that which shall comfort and -strengthen people, help them when they are in trouble, give them rest -when they are tired, make life bright and cheery for them when the -world seems gray." He spoke with kindling eyes. "If I have ever -written--if I shall ever write--a line that does not, in some poor -way, however feeble, tend to this result, I pray that it may be -blotted out, destroyed with the paper on which it is printed!" - -This talk was followed by others of like nature. By degrees Wesley, -finding a sympathetic listener always ready, and a kind but firm -critic as well, fell insensibly into the habit of reading, at first -passages here and there, afterward whole articles, to the gentle, -dark-haired girl who was so quick to catch the deeper significance he -had intended in this or that turn of thought and reflect it in her -intent brown eyes. - -So the spring wore on, and then came summer, with its long, fair days, -its fragrant hay-fields, its never-ceasing chirp and whir of insect -life. Month after month passed, and still Florence lingered with her -kind friends. With the oppressive heats of August the old man had felt -his strength fail rapidly, and spent much of his time within-doors, -lying upon the lounge or in the stuffed rocking-chair, and needing -many little offices from those around. This special duty Florence -from the first assumed, and more loving care or regard to his -slightest want he could not have received from a granddaughter. She -would read or talk softly to him by the hour, would listen patiently -to his childish, halting speech, and move lightly to and fro in his -service, until he would have no one else about him, lying perfectly -still, with half-closed eyes, when she was out of the house, until the -familiar footfall or the pleasant voice told of her return. - -As the flowers in the little garden fell before the early frosts and -the maple boughs began to kindle through the mellow autumn haze, the -life of the old man, weary with its long stay upon earth, was plainly -preparing to lay aside its worn-out garments; and one bright September -morning when the first rays of the sun found their way through the -little window-panes of the low-browed east chamber, Florence knew that -the moment had come. - -She had been sitting up all night, and now stepped quickly across the -kitchen to call the other members of the household. They came, and the -final long, tired breath was drawn at last. They waited, but no more -came. Wesley turned to Florence, took her hand and held it silently -for a moment, and then, in the quiet country way, went out to give -notice of the death, have the bell tolled, and arrange for the -funeral. - -In the loneliness that fell upon the old house during the next few -weeks, Florence made no effort to go. It was plain that she was -needed, for death, no matter how long or fully expected, is an awful -visitor at the last, and leaves behind him an oppression which cannot -be soon thrown off. So it was Florence who quietly carried away the -funeral flowers after the family had returned from the little -churchyard, it was she who threw open the blinds of grandfather's room -and let in the sweet, fresh sunshine, and it was she who, without -forcing an unwelcome cheerfulness upon the rest, was nevertheless the -light of the house from the time when her bright face, full of -sympathy, greeted 'Lisbeth in the gray November mornings until the -three gathered about the cosy tea-table by the flickering light of the -fire. - -Once her mother came down for a visit of a day or two, which -lengthened into a fortnight. She had offered to pay for her daughter's -accommodations, to the intense astonishment and displeasure of -'Lisbeth. - -"She earns her board, every bit of it," said that lady with energy. "I -don't know what I should do without her workin' and singin' round the -house. You jest let her stay till she wants to go,--that is, ma'am, if -you can spare her yourself. She's gainin' in health every day of her -life, and when she's ready she'll take hold as she never did before, I -can tell you." - -So matters were left as they were, until, with a start, Florence -remembered, one bright, cold afternoon, that it was just a year since -she had been carried in through the front door that bitter night. - -Wesley had come in from his work a few moments before, glowing with -the exercise and the keen air, to ask her to take a sleigh-ride with -him that evening. The roads were fine, he said, and the colt, not -having been out for a week, was in the best of spirits. There was a -full moon, too, and they would celebrate Christmas Eve by this drive, -just by way of contrast with that of a year ago. - -In gayest mood, therefore, Florence stood upon the broad door-stone in -front of the house when, a few hours later, the colt came jingling up -from the barn with a light step, plainly considering the sleigh and -its load the most stupendous joke conceivable, really nothing at all -for a strong young fellow like him; it was difficult for him, on the -whole, to realize that he was in harness at all. That his driver, -however, was hardly inclined to allow him to forget that fact was -evident from the even, steady rein and the firm voice behind it. - -For a few moments, as Florence took her place beside Wesley, she felt -unaccountably shy; this soon wore off in the rush of sweet, cool air -past their cheeks and the wonderful beauty of the night. How the -starlight twinkled and danced from each little bright point above the -white, silent world, waiting for the far-off chords of angel music! -Christmas Eve. No sound in the air but the silvery voice of the bells -and the murmur of the pines, "Peace, peace on earth." - -Wesley stooped to arrange the heavy fur robe more warmly about his -companion. Then he turned and looked into her earnest, upturned face. -"Do you know," he said, quietly, "what I should label my picture if I -were to paint your portrait? 'A Brown Study.'" - -Florence laughed a little: "I was only thinking how very contented I -was, and how much more happiness this Christmas looks back upon than -the last." - -"Miss Amory, are you in a mood for answering questions to-night?" He -felt her start slightly under the robe. "Because, you know, you have -never passed that examination." - -There was something in his voice, an earnestness underlying his light -words, that made her turn her head quickly to meet his glance. - -At that moment they were passing through a belt of woods where the -brightness of the sky and the faint light of the rising moon made the -shadows cower thick and black beside every log and snowy mound. - -Whether the young horse had spied one of these stretching into the -road, or she had jarred the reins by her involuntary movement, -Florence never knew. It happened like a lightning-stroke,--the sudden -quiver of the colt from head to foot, and at the same instant the -sharp word of command from Wesley, then the plunge ahead. In one -terrified glance at the half-maddened animal she saw a fragment of -leather hanging from the foam-covered bit. The rein had parted under -the strain, and the remnant lay loose and worse than useless in the -driver's hand. - -The horse was bounding wildly along the icy road, with the light -sleigh swaying from side to side, half the time upon one runner, -threatening every moment to overturn. - -"Florence, will you do what I say?" - -"Yes." - -She did not mind the name. Were they not together in the shadow of -death? Oh, that awful whirl of hoof-beats! the utter helplessness of -it all; the mockery of the cushioned seats and warm wraps! - -But there was no time for thought. Wesley was taking the heavy -buffalo-robe and turning it with quick, skillful hands, as she had -seen him turn a paper at home when he was reading aloud to them all in -the quiet evenings around the old brick fireplace. His calmness gave -her strength. - -"Take this corner," he said. "Hold it with the fur up. Now let the -rest of the robe fall slowly over the dasher in front of the -whiffletree. When I give the word, lower the whole instantly, as I do, -keeping your hold of the upper corner, so that the lower part will -clog the runners. Do you understand?" - -She nodded. There was little time now to spare. They knew the road -well enough to remember the clump of oaks just ahead of them. There -was a sudden turn there, to avoid a ledge where the workmen had -blasted for the bridge last summer. - -Florence crouched in the bottom of the sleigh, set her teeth hard, -and, with both hands buried in the long fur, waited. - -The ledge came in sight, ugly and black. - -"Now!" - -For an instant it seemed as if the slender wrists would break, or that -she must be drawn over the dasher and thrown under the horse's hoofs. -She never thought of letting go her hold. All her New England heroism -came to her aid, and the robe did not gain an inch. - -Gradually the tired horse felt the heavy drag, aided by a slight -ascent in the road. His speed slackened; the wild run became a clumsy -gallop,--slower,--slower. Then came the soothing tones of his driver, -and he turned his ears back to listen. In another moment Wesley was -out of the sleigh and at his head. The danger was over. - -The full moon was now looking down from the eastern sky, and pouring -its flood of dreamy light over the cruel ledges. - -Wesley led the trembling horse, now wholly subdued, to an oak beside -the road, and fastened him securely enough this time. Then he went -back to the sleigh. He had not spoken before. - -She was still crouching in front of the seat, with her pale face -resting against the cushions. It was a very white little hand that was -held out in the moonlight to meet his. He took it, and did not let it -go. "Florence!" He felt the little hand flutter in his own, but still -he did not let it go. Half turning, he drew the torn robe about her, -his hand lingering on every fold. "Florence, may I try to keep you -from cold and darkness and death so long as I live?" Ah, how quick his -ears were to catch that wee shadow of a whisper! No one else could -have heard it. As he gathered her white face, brown hair, little hand, -fur robe, and all in his own strong arms for a moment, "That one word -is my Christmas song," he said softly. "Little princess, shall we go?" -And he took his post at the horse's head. - -It was a wonderful ride back, over the gleaming road, with that tall, -silent figure walking before. As they turned aside into the little -open space in front of the gray old house, and halted once more by the -door-stone, he came quickly to her side and held out his arms as he -had a year ago. Only this time he said simply, with a great gladness -in his voice, "Come, Florence; we have reached home!" - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Around the Yule Log, by Willis Boyd Allen - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AROUND THE YULE LOG *** - -***** This file should be named 43008-8.txt or 43008-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/0/0/43008/ - -Produced by Greg Bergquist, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Around the Yule Log - -Author: Willis Boyd Allen - -Release Date: June 22, 2013 [EBook #43008] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AROUND THE YULE LOG *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Bergquist, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43008 ***</div> <div class="figcenter"> <img class="border" src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="534" alt="" /> @@ -5988,382 +5950,6 @@ in his voice, “Come, Florence; we have reached home!”</p> <img src="images/i183.jpg" width="300" height="239" alt="" /> </div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Around the Yule Log, by Willis Boyd Allen - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AROUND THE YULE LOG *** - -***** This file should be named 43008-h.htm or 43008-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/0/0/43008/ - -Produced by Greg Bergquist, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Around the Yule Log - -Author: Willis Boyd Allen - -Release Date: June 22, 2013 [EBook #43008] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AROUND THE YULE LOG *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Bergquist, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - -[Illustration: AROUND THE YULE LOG] - -[Illustration: "'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE"] - - - - - AROUND THE YULE LOG - - BY - - WILLIS BOYD ALLEN - - _Author of "The Boyhood of John Kent," "Snowed In," "Christmas - at Surf Point," "The Pine Cone Series," "Navy Blue," etc._ - - - BOSTON - - The Pilgrim Press - - CHICAGO - - - Copyright, 1898, by J. W. TEWKSBURY - - - - - CONTENTS - - - PAGE - I. Around the Yule Log 7 - II. The Shadow of Christmas Present 9 - III. 'Lijah 36 - IV. A Christmas Reverie 49 - V. The Cracked Bell 57 - VI. Christmas Folk-Lore 70 - VII. Mrs. Brownlow's Christmas Party 83 - VIII. Christmas on Wheels 98 - IX. Treasure Trove; a Christmas Story 109 - X. Charity and Evergreen 119 - XI. Through the Storm 141 - - - - -I - -AROUND THE YULE LOG - - -It is the waning of the year. As the twilight, often hastened by the -soft blur of falling snow, encroaches more and more upon the brief -day, we gather closely about our firesides, and there, heart to heart, -are wont to listen as at no other period of this prosaic nineteenth -century life, to tales of olden time. More than ever are we drawn -together at the season of our Saviour's birth, when the yule log glows -amain and the sweet spirit of Christmas kindles within us a warmth and -gladness that responds to the cheerful blaze upon the hearth. - -Christmas day! Does it not grow dearer to us every year? The summers -come and go; we rush to and fro on our little errands of business and -pleasure; great joys dawn in our lives, dark shadows of bitter -disappointment creep over them; we are glad, sorrowful, eager, weary, -well, ill; Life's heart beats strongly, and Death is busy in its -midst; we strive for the Beautiful, the True, and the Good; we hide -our faces in helpless agony of shame and remorse; yet again comes the -dear Day of days, with its blessed associations, memories, hopes. - -CHRISTMAS! Do you remember what that word meant to you when you were a -child? What a mysterious halo of light surrounded the day! How the -very sound of its name suggested the fragrance of the fir-tree and -wax-candles and marvelous toys, and the far-off tinkle of sleigh -bells, or beat of tiny reindeer hoofs upon the snowy roof! Has the -approach of Christmas but an indifferent charm in this grown-up -work-a-day world of ours? If so, let us strive and pray for those -delicate sensibilities of childhood that caught and reveled in the -fragrant atmosphere of the day; that could hear, knowing naught beyond -the bliss it brought, the voice of the Founder of Christmas blessing -little children as it blessed them in distant Palestine eighteen -centuries ago. Let us forgive our debtors this day as we would be -forgiven; let no child's cry fall unheeded on our ears; let our hearts -be open to the tenderest, purest, most sacred thoughts, and to every -ennobling influence; let us be alert and watchful, on this bright -morning-day of the year; let the sun shine into and through us, -shedding its warmth and brightness upon all about us; let us be once -more as little children, and put out our hands trustingly, to be led. - -_Hope--Joy--Bethlehem--Christmas--Christ!_ How softly the words chime -together, like Christmas bells! With their sweet music comforting and -gladdening our hearts, may we gather by the fireside to-night, to -listen to these simple tales - AROUND THE YULE LOG. - - - - -II - -THE SHADOW OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT - - -I - -It was at precisely eight o'clock, on the evening of the twenty-fourth -of December, that Mr. Broadstreet yawned, glanced at the time-piece, -closed the book he had been reading, and stretched himself out -comfortably in his smoking-chair before the cannel fire which snapped -and rustled cosily in the broad grate. The book was "A Christmas -Carol," and the reader, familiar as he was with its pages, had been -considerably affected by that portion relating to Tiny Tim, as well as -cheered by the joyful notes with which the Carol ends. - -For some minutes he sat silently surveying the pattern on his -slippers, and apparently working it out again on his own brow. Now, -Mr. Broadstreet was not a man to act upon impulse. A lawyer in large -and profitable practice, and a shrewd man of business as well, he was -never known to do, say, or decide anything without deliberation. - -"Hold on a bit," he would say to an eager client, "softly, softly, my -friend, you're too fast for me. Now, what did you say was done with -the property?" and so on to the end of the story. If there was any -money in the case, Mr. Broadstreet was pretty sure to draw it out, for -the benefit of his clients, and, remotely of course, himself. - -"When I put my hand _down_," he was fond of remarking, with -significant gesture upon the office desk, "I never take it up again -without something in it." - -In the course of his long practice, aided by a series of fortunate -speculations, he had amassed such a goodly sum that his name stood -near the head of the list of "Our Prominent Taxpayers;" he drove a -fine span of horses, and was free enough with his money, in a general -way. That is, when some large philanthropic movement was on foot, -Alonzo M. Broadstreet, Esq., was pretty sure to be down for a round -sum. He paid his share in church and politics, and annually sent a -check to the Board of Foreign Missions. He made it a rule, however, -never to encourage pauperism by promiscuous almsgiving, and never -tried a case or gave legal advice, for love. Poor people who called at -his office for assistance always found him unaccountably busy, and -street beggars had long since learned to skip his door on their -morning basket-visits. - -To-night Mr. Broadstreet had picked up the "Carol" in a specially -complacent mood. He had spent liberally in Christmas gifts for his -wife and children, letting himself almost defy his better judgment by -purchasing for the former an expensive pin she had seen and fancied in -a show window the week before. Just as he had completed the bargain a -rescript had come down from the Supreme Court affirming judgment in -his favor in a case which meant at least a five-thousand-dollar fee. - -Notwithstanding the memory of his recent good luck, he continued, on -this particular evening, of all evenings in the year, to knit his -brows and give unmistakable evidence that some emotion or reflection, -not altogether pleasant, was stirring him powerfully. - -"Nonsense!" said Mr. Broadstreet presently, half aloud, as if he were -addressing some one in the center of the glowing coals. "Nonsense!" he -repeated, looking hard at a grotesque, carved figure that supported -the mantel: "I'm _not_ like Scrooge. I give freely and I spend freely. -That fire don't look much like the one old Scrooge warmed his gruel -over, does it now?" - -The marble figure making no answer to this appeal, but continuing his -stony gaze, Mr. Broadstreet shifted his position again uneasily. -"Don't I give away hundreds of dollars every year to the Societies, -and haven't I left them a round ten thousand in my will? Won't -somebody mourn for _me_, eh?" - -But the carved lips replied never a word, only seeming to curl -slightly as the firelight played upon them, thereby assuming such an -unpleasantly scornful expression that Mr. Broadstreet began to feel -more uncomfortable than ever. - -Rising hastily from his chair and throwing the book down upon the -table, he walked on to the window, rubbed a little place clear upon -the frosty pane, and looked out. - -The night was gloomy enough to make the plainest of homes seem cheery -by contrast. Since morning the skies had been dully gray, so that -every one who went out wore arctics and carried umbrellas, and was -provoked because no storm came. At about the time when the sun might -be supposed to be setting, somewhere behind that dismal wall of -clouds, a few tiny, shivering flakes had come floating down or up, one -could hardly tell which, and had mingled with the dust that, driven by -the biting wind, had filled the air, and piled itself in little ridges -along the sidewalk, and blinded the eyes of men and beasts throughout -the dreary day. Before long the snow overcame the low-born friend with -whom it had at first treacherously allied itself, laid it prostrate on -the earth, and calling in all its forces rioted victoriously over the -field. The storm now took full possession of the city, whitening roofs -and pavements, muffling every footfall and wheel-rattle, filling the -streets up to their slaty brims with whirling mists of sleety snow, -and roaring furiously through the tree-tops and around corners. As Mr. -Broadstreet gazed through his frosty loophole, with mind full of the -story he had just finished, he almost fancied he could discern the -shadowy forms of old Marley and his fellow-ghosts moaning and wringing -their hands as they swept past in trailing white robes. - -He turned away with a half-shiver and once more ensconced himself in -his warm easy chair, taking up the Carol as he did so, and turning its -leaves carelessly until he came to a picture of the Ghost of Christmas -Present. It was wonderfully well-drawn, following the text with great -care, hitting off the idea of the jovial, holly-crowned Spirit to the -very life. And then the heap of good things that lay in generous piles -about the room! Mr. Broadstreet could almost catch a whiff of -fragrance from the turkeys and geese and spicy boughs. Indeed, so -strong was the illusion that he involuntarily glanced over his -shoulder at the marble-topped table near by, half expecting to see an -appetizing dish of eatables at his side. No one had entered, however, -and the table was as usual, with only its album and gilt-mounted -screen, flanked by a few books that were too choice to be hidden away -on the library shelves. When he looked back at the picture in the -book, he started and rubbed his eyes. He thought--but it could not -have been possible--that the central figure on the page moved -slightly; and he was positive that one of the Ghost's arms, in the -engraving, had been raised, while now both were at his side. - -Mr. Broadstreet turned back the leaf with some misgiving, and looked -carefully behind it. Nothing but blank white paper. - -"H'm," muttered Mr. Broadstreet to himself, "how a man's fancy does -play strange tricks with--Halloo!" - -He was once more glancing at the picture, when the jolly Ghost gave -him an unmistakable wink. - -To say that the lawyer started, was astonished, struck dumb--would be -mild. He sat staring at the page, not wholly believing his own eyes, -and yet not liking to look upon such a--to say the least--peculiar -picture. - -While he was in this bewildered state of mind a rich, jovial voice was -heard, apparently at a great distance, and at the same time proceeding -directly from the book he held in his hand; and--yes, no doubt about -it--the Ghost's bearded lips were moving. - -"Well?" said the Ghost of Christmas Present, still seeming very, very -far off. - -"Well, sir?" stammered Mr. Broadstreet, in return. - -"You see I'm not dead yet, although some of your good people on this -side of the water pay precious little attention to me." - -"Why, really," said Mr. Broadstreet, instinctively arguing the -opposite side of the question, "as to that, I'm not so sure. Take -Christmas cards, now. A few years ago they were unknown; now they're -as common as valentines." - -"Oh, yes," replied the Ghost, "I know. You see I have my room pretty -well decorated with them." - -The lawyer scrutinized the background of the picture more carefully, -and, sure enough, the walls were covered with what at first seemed a -rich sort of illuminated paper, but proved to be composed entirely of -Christmas cards, many of which he had never seen. Even in the -momentary glance he gave, he observed that those which had taken -prizes and had been most largely advertised during the past few -winters, were tucked away in obscure corners, while several which were -exceedingly simple in design and text occupied the most prominent -positions. - -"Yes," the Ghost went on, "the cards are well enough in their way, and -so are the other displays and festivities of the day. But it is the -spirit of Christmas that you need. Charity, charity in its good old -sense: open hearts and kind deeds, with less thought of self-pleasing. -While these dainty little gifts are being manufactured, purchased, -sent, and thrown away, hundreds of people are at starvation's door in -your own city; thousands of people know little or nothing of the real -meaning of the day, or of its Founder." - -As the Ghost spoke, its voice seemed to come nearer, and at the same -time the book grew so large and heavy that Mr. Broadstreet was fain to -set it down upon the carpet. He no longer feared the Ghost, nor did it -seem strange that it should converse with him in this manner. - -"Wherein are we deficient?" he asked eagerly. "Or what more can we do? -The charitable institutions of Boston are among the best in the world, -the sky is full of her church-steeples, her police and missionary -forces are vigilant and effective in their work." - -The Ghost of Christmas Present gave a toss to his long hair and -beard. - -"How much have you done to carry the spirit of Christmastide beyond -your own threshold? Who in this great city will cherish the day and -love it more dearly for your warm human friendship and kindly act, -until it symbolizes to them whatever is purest and merriest and -holiest in life?" - -The Ghost's voice, now grown very near, was rather sad than stern, and -its eyes were fixed intently upon Mr. Broadstreet's face. - -Mr. Broadstreet hesitated. With cross-examination he was familiar -enough, but he did not relish the part of witness. So confused was he -that he hardly noticed that book and picture were now so large that -they quite filled the end of the room in which he was sitting, and -seemed like another apartment opening out of his own. - -"I--I--hardly know," he stammered. "Really, I've spent a good deal of -money; my Christmas bills are always tremendous, but I suppose it's -mostly in the family." - -"Mind," interrupted the Ghost, almost sharply, "I don't say anything -against the good cheer and merriment at home. But there are many homes -within a stone's throw of your chair, where there will be no fine -dinner, no presents, no meeting of friends, no tree,--nothing but -anxiety and doubt and despair. Your dressing-gown would provide for -several of them." - -Mr. Broadstreet looked meekly at the embroidery upon his sleeves. - -"What would you have me do?" he asked. - -"Do you desire to perform your part toward making the morrow bright -for some one who otherwise would find it all clouds? Do you wish to -plant seeds of love and mercy and tenderness in some heart that has -heretofore borne only thistles? To bring a smile to some weary face, -warmth to shivering limbs, light and hope to dreary lives?" - -"I do! I do!" exclaimed the rich man, eagerly starting up from his -chair. - -"And are you ready to sacrifice your ease and comfort, this stormy -night, for such as they?" - -Mr. Broadstreet seized his fur cap and ulster from the rack in the -hall. "Try me!" he cried. "I'm ready for anything!" - -The Ghost smiled pleasantly upon him, at the same time seeming to lift -its hand involuntarily, as in blessing. Then it spoke for the last -time. - -"Hitherto you have known only the bright side of Christmas," it said -gently. "It has been full of joy to you and yours. But there are those -among your fellow creatures, nay, among your very neighbors, who dwell -in such continued misery that when Christmas comes it but reminds them -of their unhappy state, and by its excess of light upon others deepens -the gloom about themselves. This is the Shadow of Christmas Present, -and it falls heavily upon many a heart and many a household, where the -day, with its good cheer and blessed associations, should bring naught -but delight." The kind Spirit's voice wavered slightly. "I, myself, -can do but little to dispel this shadow. It grieves me sorely, year -by year, but it remains, and I fear I sometimes but make it worse, -with my bluff ways and keen winter breezes. It is for those who love -me most to carry such light and comfort to those upon whom it rests, -that it shall be banished never to return. The shadow grows less year -by year, but it is still broad, broad." - -The Ghost was silent a moment. It beckoned to the other, and motioned -to him to step behind it. "In my Shadow you shall move to-night," it -concluded, in a firmer voice. "It shall accompany you wherever you go, -and your work shall be to turn it away, with whatever kind deeds your -hand shall find to do, or cheering words you may have the power to -speak." - -It said no more. Mr. Broadstreet, who, when a child, had often longed -to peep behind a picture, found himself actually fulfilling his wish. -As he drew nearer the printed page, he heard a dull roar, like surf -beating upon a rocky coast. He advanced further, picking his way -around the pile of poultry and vegetables and glistening holly upon -which the Ghost sat enthroned. A moment more and the room vanished in -utter blackness of night, the roar grew grander and deeper, until it -throbbed in his ears like the diapason of a mighty organ, a fierce -blast of snow-laden wind struck his bewildered face, the street-lamp -upon the corner flickered feebly in a mist of flakes--he was standing -before his own door, knee-deep in a snow-drift, and buffeted above, -below, and on every side by the storm that was abroad that Christmas -Eve. - - -II - -As soon as Mr. Broadstreet recovered himself and cleared his eyes from -the blinding snow, he saw a heavy, black Shadow on the sidewalk -enveloping his own person and resting upon the figure of a man who had -evidently just sheltered himself behind the high stone steps, for his -footprints leading from the street were still quite fresh. As the man -thrashed his arms and stamped vigorously, to start the blood through -his benumbed feet, a bright button or two gleamed upon his breast -through the cape of his greatcoat. Mr. Broadstreet now recognized him -as the policeman whose beat it was, and whom he had occasionally -favored with a condescending nod, as he came home late at night from -the theater or the club. He had never addressed him by so much as a -word, but now the Shadow was full upon him, and Mr. Broadstreet felt -that here was his first opportunity. - -"Good-evening, officer!" he shouted cheerily, through the storm. "Wish -you a Merry Christmas to-morrow." - -"Thank you, sir; same to you," replied the other, with a touch of the -cap and a pleased glance at the great man. "Hard times for the boys -to-night, though." - -"It _is_ hard," said Mr. Broadstreet compassionately. "And you're -rather cold, I suppose?" he added awkwardly, after a pause. - -"Rather!" - -"Why, bless me," a bright thought striking him, "wouldn't you like a -cup of hot coffee, now?" - -The officer looked up again, surprised. "I would that, sir, -first-rate," he answered heartily. - -Mr. Broadstreet stepped to the side door and pressed the electric -knob. - -"Bring out a good cup of coffee for this man," he said to the girl who -answered the bell. "And, officer, buy the folks at home a trifle for -me; Christmas, you know." As he spoke, he put a big silver dollar into -the astonished policeman's hand, and at the same time the Shadow -vanished, leaving the light from the bright, warm hall falling fairly -upon the snow-covered cap and buttons. - -A muffled roll and jingling of bells made themselves heard above the -wind, and a street-car came laboring down the street through the heavy -drifts. Mr. Broadstreet, without a thought as to the destination of -the car, but impelled by some unseen force, clambered upon the rear -platform. The conductor was standing like a snowman, covered with -white from head to foot, collar up around his ears, and hands deep in -his pockets. And the Shadow was there again. Broad and gloomy, it -surrounded both conductor and passenger in its bleak folds. - -"Tough night, sir," remarked the former, presently. - -"Yes, yes, it is, indeed," replied Mr. Broadstreet, who was thinking -what in the world he could give this man, except money. "And Christmas -Eve, too!" - -"That's a fact," said the conductor. "Just the luck of it, I say. Now -to-morrow I get four hours lay-off in the afternoon, and my wife, she -was planning to take the children and go to the play. But they're none -of 'em over strong, and 't won't do to take 'em out in this snow. -Besides, like's not 'twill storm all day." - -"Children?" exclaimed Mr. Broadstreet, seeing a way out of his -difficulty; "how many?" - -"Two girls and a boy, all under seven." - -"Got any Christmas presents for them?--don't mind my asking." - -"Well, I'd just 's lief show you what I _have_ got. 'T ain't much, you -know, but then it's _somethin'_." - -He stepped inside the door, laid aside his snowy mittens, and taking -from the corner of the seat a small brown parcel, carefully removed -the string and wrappings. - -"There," he said, with a sort of pleading pride in his eyes, "I guess -these'll please 'em some. 'Taint much, you know," he added again, -glancing at his passenger's fur cap, as he displayed the presents on -the car-seat. - -A very red-cheeked and blue-eyed doll, with a placid countenance quite -out of keeping with her arms; these members being so constructed as to -occupy only two positions, one of which expressed unbounded -astonishment, and the other gloomy resignation; a transparent slate, -with a dim cow under the glass, and "fifteen cents," plainly marked in -lead pencil on one corner of the frame, and a rattle for the girl -baby. - -As the conductor held up these articles in his stiff, red fingers, -turning the doll about so as to show her flaxen braid to the best -advantage, and inducing the arms to take the positions alluded to, the -Shadow crept away, and had well-nigh disappeared. But it returned -again, thicker than ever, when he said, with a little choke in his -voice, "I did mean to get 'em a little tree, with candles on it, and a -picture-book or two; but our pay ain't overmuch, and we had sickness, -and--and"--he was very busy doing up the bundle, and very clumsy he -must have been, too, for it was a long time before the wide-looped, -single bow-knot was tied, and the parcel carefully put away again. - -Mr. Broadstreet winked hard, and his eyes shone. - -"How long before you pass here on the way back?" he asked. - -"About thirty-five minutes it'll take us to get round, sir, on account -of the snow. It's my last trip." - -"Very well. Now, conductor--ahem! what did you say your name was?" - -"Tryson, sir; David Tryson." - -"Then, ahem! Mr. Tryson--just ring your bell when you reach the corner -there, on the up trip; and dodge into that store where the lights -are. You'll find a bundle waiting for you. Good-night conduct--Mr. -Tryson, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours!" - -"Good-night, sir! God bless you, sir! Merry"--but his passenger was -gone. - -As he reached the sidewalk, Mr. Broadstreet turned and looked after -the car. Whether it was the light from the street lamp, or the broad -flood of radiance that poured out from the windows of the toy-shop -just beyond, he could not tell; but the rear platform was illuminated -by a pure, steady glow, in the very center of which stood the -conductor, smiling and waving his hand. No sign of a Shadow; not a bit -of it. Mr. Broadstreet looked carefully about him, but it was nowhere -to be seen. Even the snow, which all this time continued to fall -without interruption, seemed to fill the air with tiny lamps of soft -light. - -Ah, that toy-shop! Such heaps of blocks, and marbles, and sleds; such -dolls with eyes that would wink upside down, exactly like a hen's; -such troops of horses and caravans of teams; such jangling of toy -pianos, and tooting of toy horns, and shrieking of toy whistles, -(these instruments being anxiously tested by portly papas and mammas, -apparently to be sure of a good bargain, but really for the fun of the -thing); such crowds of good-natured people, carrying canes, and drums, -and hoop-sticks under their arms, taking and giving thrusts of these -articles and being constantly pushed and pulled and jammed and trodden -upon with the most delightful good humor; such rows of pretty girls -behind the counters, now climbing to the summits of Ararats where -innumerable Noah's Arks, of all sizes, had been stranded; all these -girls being completely used up with the day's work, of course, but -more cheerful and willing than ever, bless them! such scamperings to -and fro of cash-boys, and diving into the crowd, and emergings in -utterly unexpected places--were never seen before in this quiet old -city. - -Mr. Broadstreet embarked on the current, and with an unconsciously -benevolent smile on his round face was borne half-way down the store -before he could make fast to a counter. - -"What can I do for you, sir?" If the girlish voice was brisk and -businesslike it was at the same time undeniably pleasant. - -Mr. Broadstreet started. "Why, I want some presents; Christmas -presents, you know," he said, looking down into the merry brown eyes. - -"Boy or girl, sir, and how old?" - -Mr. Broadstreet was fairly taken aback by her promptness. His wife -always did the Christmas shopping. - -"Let me see," he began hurriedly; "two girls and a--no, I mean two -boys--why, bless me," he went on in great confusion, as her low laugh -rang out among the woolly sheep with which she happened to be -surrounded, "I've really forgotten. That is--Oh, I see; you needn't -laugh," and Mr. Broadstreet's own smile broadened as he spoke, -"they're not mine. I never heard of them until five minutes ago, and -I declare I don't remember which is which. At any rate there are three -of them, all under seven." - -"How would a lamb do for the oldest? Real wool and natural motion?" in -proof of which latter assertion she set all their heads nodding in the -most violent manner, until it made her customers quite dizzy to look -at them. Mr. Broadstreet picked out the biggest one. "He seems -to--ah--bow more vigorously than the rest," he said. - -The girl then proceeded to display various toys and gay-colored -picture-books, Mr. Broadstreet assenting to the choice in every -instance, until a large, compact bundle lay on the counter, plainly -marked, - - "_Mr. Tryson, Conductor. To be called for._" - -As the lawyer was leaving the store, he remembered something, and -turned back. - -"I forgot," he said, "I wanted to buy a tree"-- - -"Just round the corner," interrupted the brown-eyed girl over her -shoulder, without looking at him. She was already deep in the -confidence of the next customer, who had told her the early history of -two of her children, and was now proceeding to the third. Mr. -Broadstreet buttoned up his coat collar, and stepped out once more -into the storm. A few moments' walk brought him to a stand where the -trees were for sale. And what a spicy, fragrant, delicious, jolly -place it was, to be sure! The sidewalk was flanked right and left with -rows upon rows of spruce, pine and fir trees, all gayly decked with -tufts of snow; every doorway, too, was full of these trees, as if they -had huddled in there to get out of the storm. Here and there were -great boxes overflowing with evergreen and holly boughs, many of which -the dealers had taken out and stuck into all sorts of crannies and -corners of their stands, so that the glossy leaves and scarlet berries -glistened in the flaring light of the lamps. Wreaths of every size and -description--some made of crispy gray moss, dotted with bright -amaranths, some of holly--were threaded upon sticks like beads, and -were being constantly pulled off and sold to the muffled customers who -poured through the narrow passageway in a continuous stream. - -"All brightness," thought Mr. Broadstreet, "and no Shadow this time." - -None? What was that black ugly-looking stain on the fallen snow, -extending from his own feet to one of the rude wooden stands where -traffic was busiest? Mr. Broadstreet started, and scrutinized it -sharply. He soon discovered the outline of Christmas Present. Beyond a -doubt it was the Shadow again. - - -III - -It must be confessed that for a moment Mr. Broadstreet felt slightly -annoyed. Why should that Thing be constantly starting up and darkening -his cheerful mood? It was bad enough that the Shadow should exist, -without intruding its melancholy length upon people who were enjoying -Christmas Eve. He might have indulged in still further discontent, -when he noticed the head of the Shadow-figure droop as in sadness. He -remembered the kind Ghost's grief, and upbraided himself for his -hardness of heart. - -"Forgive me," he said, half aloud. "I was wrong. I forgot. I will, -please God, brighten this spot and turn away the Shadow!" - -Without further delay he advanced through the gloomy space until he -reached the box, upon which a large lot of holly wreaths and crosses -were displayed. He soon completed the purchase of a fine thick fir, -and sent it, together with a roll of evergreens, to the toy-shop, -directed like the parcel to the conductor. - -The owner of the stand was a jovial, bright-faced young fellow, and it -was evident that to him Christmas meant only gladness and jollity. But -the Shadow still rested upon Mr. Broadstreet and all the snowy -sidewalk about him. He was thoroughly puzzled to find its object, and -had almost begun to consider the whole affair a delusion, when his -eyes fell upon an odd little man, standing in the shelter of the -trees, and visibly shaking with the cold, although his coat was -tightly buttoned about his meager form, and his old hat pulled down -over his ears. As he saw the portly lawyer looking at him he advanced -timidly and touched his hat. - -"Can I carry a bundle for you, sir?" he asked, his teeth chattering as -he spoke. - -"Why, I'm afraid not," said Mr. Broadstreet. "I've just sent away all -my goods." - -The man's face fell. He touched his hat again and was humbly turning -away, when the other laid his hand lightly on his shoulder. - -"You seem to be really suffering with the cold, my friend," he said in -such gentle tones that his "learned brothers upon the other side" -would not have recognized it; "and that's a little too bad for -Christmas Eve." - -"Christmas! Christmas!" shivered the man with a little moan, wringing -his thin hands, "what is that to me! What is that to a man whose wife -is dying for want of tender nursing and wholesome food? whose children -are growing up to a life of misery and degradation? whose own -happiness is gone, gone, so long ago that he has forgotten the feeling -of it?" - -Mr. Broadstreet patted the shoulder gently. "Come, come," he said, -trying to speak cheerily; "it isn't so bad as that, you know. Times -are better, and there's plenty of work." - -"Work!" cried the man bitterly. "Yes, for the friends of the rich; for -the young and strong; for the hopeful, but not for me. I tell you, -sir," he continued, raising his clenched fist until the ragged sleeve -fell back and left his long, gaunt wrist bare in the biting wind, -"I've walked from end to end of Boston, day after day, answering -every advertisement, applying for any kind of honorable employment; -but not even the city will take me to shovel snow in the streets, and -I'm discouraged, discouraged." - -To Mr. Broadstreet's dismay, the poor fellow suddenly hid his face in -his hands, and broke down in a tempest of sobs. - -Ah, how dark the Shadow was then! The storm had ceased, but the keen -northwest wind still swept the streets, filling the air with fine, icy -particles of snow, and driving to their warm homes those who had -remained down town to make their last purchases. - -The man shivered and sobbed by turns, and was quite the sport of the -wind, which was buffeting him with its soft, cruel paws; when suddenly -the world seemed to grow warmer. He felt something heavy and soft upon -his back and around his neck. Mechanically thrusting his arms through -the sleeves which opened to meet them, and looking up in amazement, he -beheld his new friend standing upon the sidewalk in his dressing-gown, -a genial smile upon his beaming face, and his hand outstretched. The -lawyer laughed gleefully at his consternation. - -"It's all right," he said, as the Discouraged Man tried to pull off -the ulster and return it to its owner. "I'm warmer than ever. Come on, -let's go home and see your wife and children. Don't stop to talk!" and -seizing the other by the hand, or rather the cuff of his sleeve, which -was much too long for him, he hurried him off, snatching a couple of -wreaths from the stand as he went by, and dropping a half-dollar in -their place. - -It was a strange experience for the proud lawyer, that walk through -the dark streets, floundering among snow-drifts, slipping, tumbling, -scrambling along over icy sidewalks and buried crossings, the -long-skirted gown flapping about his heels in the most ridiculous way. -He kept his eyes steadily fixed on the Shadow, which was always before -him, now turning down a side street, now doubling on itself, ever -growing more and more distinct, and drawing its two followers farther -and farther into the lowest quarter of the city. The stars were out -now, and seemed to flicker in the fierce wind like the gas lights upon -the street corners. Mr. Broadstreet felt curiously warm without his -ulster and as light-hearted as a boy. - -As they passed through the most brilliantly-lighted streets, however, -he saw much that filled him for the moment with sadness. For the -Shadow now grew enormously large, and rested upon many places. It -brooded darkly over the brilliant saloons that lined the way, and that -clothed themselves in the very garments of Christmas to attract the -innocent and foolish, so that, drawn by the sheen of holly and -evergreen, and the show of festivities and good cheer, they might -enter and find their own destruction. Oftentimes, too, the Shadow -flitted along the street in company with some man or woman who to all -outward appearance was calm and content with life; perhaps even -happy, one would have said. In the black folds of the Shadow, -brutal-faced ruffians hid their bleared eyes; houses were draped as in -some time of national mourning; once, the slight, pretty figure of a -young girl came up, wearing the Shadow flauntingly about her neck, -like a scarf; she stopped, and seemed about to address Mr. Broadstreet -with bold words. As she met his kind, pitying glance, however, her own -eyes fell, her lips quivered, she drew the Shadow about her face and -fled. Alas! he could do nothing for such as her, unless that gentle, -fatherly face should come before her again, in her solitude, and, by -its silent eloquence, lead her to better things. - -While Mr. Broadstreet was peering about for the Shadow, and taking -into his heart the lessons it taught, he had not been idle, giving a -kind word or a bit of money or a pleasant glance wherever the chance -offered. - -The Shadow now paused before a narrow doorway in a crooked little -street, and the two, or rather the three, for the Shadow went before -them, entered and mounted the stairway. Mr. Broadstreet stumbled -several times, but the Discouraged Man went up like one who was well -used to the premises. As they reached the third landing, a voice -somewhere near them commenced to sing feebly, and they stopped to -listen. - -"It's Annette," whispered the Discouraged Man; "she's singing for me. -It was a way she had when we were first married, and I used to like -it, coming home from a hard day's work; so she's tried to keep it up -ever since. Do you hear her, sir?" - -Yes, Mr. Broadstreet heard her. Poor, poor little thin voice, -trembling weakly on the high notes and avoiding the low ones -altogether. It was more like a child's than a woman's, and so -tired--so tired! He fumbled in his dressing-gown pocket and turned his -head away; quite needlessly, for it was very dark. - -The two men remained silent for a moment, listening to the echo of the -gay young voice with which the little bride used to greet her husband; -she, so tender, and loving, and true; he, so strong, and brave, and -hopeful for the future! And as they listened, they caught the words: - - "Christ was born on Christmas Day, - Wreathe the holly, twine the bay, - Carol Christmas joyfully, - The Babe, the Son, the Holy One of Mary." - -"That's a new one," whispered the Discouraged Man again, delightedly. -"She never sang it before. She must have learned it on purpose for -to-night!" - -There was a weary little pause within the room; she wondering, -perhaps, why he didn't come in. Presently she began again, and her -voice had grown strangely weak, so that they could hardly hear it, in -the rush of the wind outside the building: - - "Let the bright red berries glow, - Everywhere--in goodly show"-- - -It died away into a mere whisper, and then ceased entirely. - -Mr. Broadstreet hesitated no longer, but touched his companion's arm, -and they both entered. - -She was lying on a rude bed in the corner of the room, her eyes -closed, and her hands folded upon her breast. A look of agony swept -across the face of her husband as he knelt beside her, taking her cold -hands--ah, so thin! in his own, chafing and kissing them by turns. - -Above his head on the whitewashed wall was the word "_John_," in -large, bright letters. It was his name; she had crept from her bed and -traced it with her finger-tip upon the frosty window-pane, so that the -light from a far-off street lamp shone through the clear lines, and -thus reproduced them upon the opposite wall. Just beneath was "_Merry -Christmas_." She thought it would please him, and seem like a sort of -decoration, hung there above her bed. And now he was kneeling by her -side, and holding her thin hands. Perhaps he was more discouraged than -ever, just then. O Shadow, Shadow, could you not have spared him this? - -Mr. Broadstreet hung the wreaths he had brought upon the bed-post, and -waited helplessly. A mist gathered in his eyes, so that he could not -see; the walls of the little dismal chamber wavered to and fro, the -Shadow grew more and more dense until it seemed to assume definite -shape, the shape of Christmas Present, sitting as before, enthroned -amidst plenty and good cheer; the deep-toned bells in a neighboring -church-tower slowly and solemnly tolled twelve strokes, answered by -the silver chime of a clock; the flames of the open fire rose and -fell fitfully, in mute answer to the blasts of wind that roared about -the chimney top. The Ghost dwindled rapidly, the Discouraged Man -assumed the proportions and appearance of a marble figure under the -mantel, and Mr. Broadstreet, starting up in affright, found himself -standing in his own warm room, the Christmas Carol still open at the -wonderful picture in his hand. The air still vibrated with the last -echoes of the midnight-bell. It was Christmas morning. - -Not many hours later, the glad sun was shining brightly over the -white-robed city, sprinkling the streets and housetops with -diamond-dust, gleaming upon the golden spires of churches, seeking out -every dark and unwholesome corner with its noiseless step, and -dispensing with open hand its bounty of purity and warmth. Yet the -shadow was there, even on that fairest of Christmas Days,--and Mr. -Broadstreet knew it. - -Throughout the day he was thoughtful and abstracted, and during the -following weeks he was observed to act in the most unaccountable -manner. On snowy evenings he would dodge out of the house without the -slightest warning, and return shortly after with damp boots and a -defeated air. - -Upon the street-cars Mr. Broadstreet became famous that winter for his -obliging manner and pleasant ways with the employees. Indeed, he more -than once persisted in remaining on the platform with the conductor at -the imminent risk of freezing his ears and nose, until he was fairly -driven within doors. - -Down town he behaved still more queerly, leaving the office long -before dark, and being discovered in the oddest places imaginable; now -diving into narrow courts, and up steep staircases, now plunging into -alleyways and no thoroughfares; and returning home late to dinner, -greatly exhausted, with little or no money in his pockets. In these -days, too, he began to talk about the sufferings of the poor, the -abuses of the liquor law, the need of strong, pure women to go among -the outcasts of our great, troubled city and perform Christlike deeds. - -One bitter cold night he was much later than usual. It had been -snowing heavily, and his wife had begun to worry a little over the -absence of her husband, when she heard the click of his key in the -front door. When Mr. Broadstreet entered, sprinkled with snow from -head to foot, what was her amazement to see him standing there with -fur cap and gloves, and a glowing face, but no ulster! - -"Alonzo, Alonzo," she cried, from the head of the stairs, "what will -you forget next? Where have you left it?" - -"Why," said he simply, "I've found the Discouraged Man. And the doctor -at the hospital says she'll get well, after all." - - - - -III - -'LIJAH - - -Twilight, December twilight in a great city, cold gray and dismal. Up -town the dust collected in little ridges at the street corners, and -whirled alike into the faces of rich and poor, on their way home from -work. Down town the clerks in the big stores had gone out to their -suppers, leaving the boys to light up and rearrange the disheveled -counters for the final rush of evening customers. Around the markets -and in the toy-shops, however, there was little rest. Crowds of tired, -good-natured people staggered against each other and entangled -themselves in all sorts of projecting bundles which they carried under -their arms. Now and then a messenger or expressman would call out, -"Clear the way there!" in rich, jovial tones, while he bore his armful -of glistening, scarlet-dotted holly through the thickest of the crowd. -Even the night wind, which came scurrying down from the northwest -evidently bent on mischief, stopped a moment to rest among the boughs -of the mimic evergreen forest of fir and spruce along the sidewalks, -refreshed itself with their spicy fragrance, and stole away again, -gentler than before. And when, of all the year, should eyes be -brighter, hopes higher, voices merrier, even wind and winter air more -mild than on this blessed night?--for it was Christmas Eve. - -"B-r-r-r-r," shivered 'Lijah, trying to pull down the ragged ends of -his sleeves over his black wrist; "dis yere's what I call right cold. -Gwine to snow 'fore mo'nin', for sho.'" - -Plunging a small shovel into the tin pail he was carrying, the old man -proceeded to scatter its contents, a sort of earthy gravel, along the -slippery rails of the horse-car track. - -"Hullo, 'Lijah!" called a passing driver, with one hand on his brake -and the other holding a tight rein, "where you goin' to-morrow?" - -"Dunno; Merry Chris'mus!" returned the other, straightening his old -back and waving a salute with his shovel. - -One after another greeted him in much the same way, receiving the -invariable "Merry Chris'mus," given with a broad smile and a momentary -gleam of white from eyes and teeth. - -The pail was empty, and 'Lijah was about to leave the scene of his -day's work, when a strong, young voice called to him. - -"Evening, 'Lijah. Wish you a Merry Christmas!" - -"Thank ye, thank ye, mars' George," cried the negro, answering -involuntarily in the old plantation dialect, and turning delightedly -to the newcomer. "Wh-whar you been, Mars,' an' how's Miss Rosy?" - -"She's well, 'Lijah," said the young man, with a sparkle in his eye. -"I've been away from the city for a month. To-night I was going up -there, but"-- - -"But what, but what, Mars' George?" queried the old man eagerly. "Ef a -po' ole nig kin do anything fer ye, he'll do it sho'. _Anything_, -Mars'!" - -George Farley looked at him kindly. "I know you would, 'Lijah. And -yet, I hardly know--if I hadn't been away so long"-- - -He was a generous young fellow, and he wanted to do right both by his -employers and his humble companion. The fact was, he had been charged -to remain in the store that night, the regular watchman being at home -sick. He had been looking forward during his long absence on the road -to that very Christmas Eve, which he was to spend with the owner of a -certain pair of merry brown eyes, at the other end of the city. The -temptation was too great. "It won't come again for a year," he argued -to himself; "it won't ever be just the same as to-night. One hour or -two would do no harm, and 'Lijah is as faithful as a watch-dog--better -than I would be, if anything." - -The result was, as may easily be imagined, that 'Lijah agreed to take -up his post at the store at just half-past seven, and remain until -Farley came, which would be before ten. - -The old man made his way home through the darkening streets with many -a delighted chuckle at his good luck. A chance to serve Mars' George -didn't come every day. "He's a-gwine ter trus' me!" he said to himself -over and over again. - -The strong attachment between these two men, so far removed from each -other in social position, but closely knit together by that -brotherliness of humanity which reaches to a depth--or height--where -there is neither rich nor poor, bond nor free,--this powerful -attachment had begun at a summer hotel a year before. Farley had been -walking idly about the reading-rooms and office, when he heard a -cracked voice crooning softly to itself. Something in the tones -attracted him, and he was interested enough to listen for the words of -the song, for the tune told him nothing. - - "Wash me an' I shall be - Whiter dan snow." - -Stepping into the next room he found the singer to be an old negro, -employed about the place to black boots, scrub floors, and perform -whatever menial duties were considered below the dignity of his -fellow-servants. His hair was powdered with white, and his face -wrinkled like a prune, but there was a light in his eye which told -that he was mindful of the words he sang. Farley was touched by their -association with both his race and the tasks to which he was put, and -entered into conversation with him. He found that 'Lijah, for so he -was called, was receiving a mere pittance from the hotel, and even -that would cease in a few weeks. Interesting himself thoroughly in the -old man, he obtained for him a comfortable boarding-place in the city -and a situation which befitted his years and sluggish movements, and, -while affording but small pay, gave steady work from one year's end to -another. - -So 'Lijah plodded humbly up and down the tracks, scattering his -shovelfuls of sand, dodging passing vehicles as he best might, and -living at peace with all men. Oftentimes Mars' George, to whom, as his -only tie in the world, he was as devoted as a Newfoundland dog, would -spend the long winter evenings with him in his little room; or would -even take him to a fairy play, whose fascinations affected him so -powerfully that for days afterward he would occasionally be seen to -stop at his work, gazing steadfastly at the pavements, from which, -perhaps, he momentarily expected to see emerge a gnome or gauze-winged -naiad. - -Meanwhile he was full of interest in all that most nearly concerned -the happiness of his friend and patron. Accordingly it was not long -after Miss Rosy Burnham appeared on the scene, that old 'Lijah took -occasion to slyly allude to the personal charms of the young lady, and -to offer his services as a message-bearer, whenever occasion might -arise. - -Once 'Lijah had the supreme delight of nursing Farley through a short -but severe illness. Then it was that his musical accomplishments, -which had at first attracted his benefactor, again came into play. His -repertoire, it is true, was scant, including only "Whiter than Snow," -which he had heard at one of Mr. Moody's revival meetings, and "Swing -Low, Sweet Chariot," doubtless a relic of the old days when the slaves -sang at their work in the cotton fields, or among the huts at night. -Of tune he knew absolutely nothing, and the different airs which he -improvised for the words, according to the mood he was in, gave the -effect of a much greater variety than the two hymns would otherwise -have afforded. - -To-night he was as happy as a child, and went to and fro about the -house humming, to a tune which seemed a combination of "Dixie" and -"Coronation" - - "Swing low,--swing low-- - Comin' fer ter carry me ho-o-ome." - -All the way down to the store after supper he murmured by turns "Sweet -Chariot," and "Mars' George done trus' me sho'ly!" People noticed his -lightsome looks, and some one must have given him a sprig of holly, -which he wore proudly, after all the berries had dropped off, in his -buttonhole. - -Arriving at the store he found Farley waiting impatiently for him, and -was at once instructed in the duties of his two-hours' watch. He was -to sit in the main office, which was in the third story and looked out -upon a large street. Every fifteen minutes he must take a lantern and -patrol the entire building above the first floor, which was occupied -by another firm, furniture dealers and manufacturers. - -"Here, 'Lijah," said Farley, hurriedly drawing a bunch of keys from -his pocket and thrusting them into the other's hands; "take these. -That flat key will open the safe, and in it--look--is this box, -containing the most valuable papers in the store. If anything happens -be sure to look after them. Now good-bye, old fellow. Don't go to -sleep, and look out for me inside of two hours." And he was gone. - -'Lijah listened to his retreating footsteps with intense satisfaction. - -"Hi! Ain't dis a Chris'mus Eve fer ole 'Lijah!" he said, softly, -taking a survey of his surroundings, and proceeding to settle himself -in one of the most uncomfortable chairs in the room. - -Pretty soon he looked at the clock. The hand indicated exactly -half-past seven. - -"Reck'n I'll begin dis yere business on time," he soliloquized, -picking up the lantern Farley had left for him. - -It would have been laughable, and pathetic at the same time, had any -one been there to see how anxiously he peered into every corner for -signs of danger; scrutinizing the door mats, gravely pausing before -tables and desks, giving a comprehensive glance now and then at the -ceiling, stepping on tiptoe, and, with eyes as round as saucers, -listening as he approached each door. This entire performance he -repeated regularly on the quarter-hours, as Farley had told him; his -features relaxing into his gleeful chuckle each time, as he found -himself in the cosy office, with all well behind him. - -Meanwhile the hands of the clock upon the wall crept round in -leisurely fashion to nine, half-past, ten; and 'Lijah's broad, white -smile expanded further and further as no Farley appeared. - -"He's done trus' me lots dis yere night, sho'ly," he repeated again. -"Guess you's a tol'able good watchman, po' ole 'Lijah, you is. Hi! -dat's some o' Miss Rosy's work, sho' 'nuff!" - -He had finished his quarter-past-ten round, and had been sitting for -some time in his straight-backed chair, singing softly to himself, and -ruminating on Mars' George's manifold virtues and the fair face of his -lady, and was watching the clock for the signal of his next survey of -the premises, when he noticed a peculiar effect in the upper portion -of the room. The ceiling seemed to be going farther and farther away, -lifting higher and higher. Was he falling asleep then, after all, like -an unfaithful sentinel? He sat bolt upright, rubbed his smarting eyes, -and looked up again. The ceiling was almost out of sight. At the same -moment the old negro was seized with a violent fit of coughing. He -sprang to his feet, trembling in every limb. There was no longer any -mystery about it; the room was rapidly filling with smoke, which -poured in steadily through the transom over the office door. - -'Lijah stood a moment and tried to think. Then he ran, lantern in -hand, into the entry and down the stairs, uttering incoherent cries of -"O Lor'! O Mars' George! Look yere, look yere! O 'Lijah, you wuf'less -ole--O Lor', O Lor'!" Scrambling, tumbling, sliding, he found his way -down through the stifling smoke, which boiled up in an ever -increasing volume from the basement. Reaching the street, 'Lijah ran -plump into a policeman, and, his teeth chattering with terror, tried -to tell him what was the matter. - -But his haste was needless, for even while he spoke, deep voices were -repeating 'Lijah's message in solemn, measured tones, above the roofs -all over the city; a low roar, growing louder each instant, arose far -down the street. Louder and louder, mingled with a jangling of gongs -and dismal blowing of horns, as the mighty foes of the fire gathered -to their work. Suddenly the crowd, which seemed to have sprung up out -of the ground, fled to right and left. A magnificent pair of black -horses dashed fiercely up before the store, leaving behind them a long -trail of floating sparks from the beautiful, glistening creature of -brass and steel at their backs. Then came one piece of apparatus after -another, engines, ladders and hose. In the confusion and uproar of -their arrival, the policeman had quite forgotten the trembling old -black man and his lantern. Now he looked around and saw him crowding -his way toward the store, from which tongues of flame began to dart -viciously. - -"Come back there!" shouted the officer sternly, rushing upon 'Lijah -and jerking him backward so that he nearly fell. "Don't you see the -stairway's all on fire?" - -"B-b-but Mars' George done trus'"-- - -"I don't know anything about that," interrupted the policeman, pushing -back the crowd to right and left. "You can't go in there again, and -that's all there is about it." - -A determined look came into 'Lijah's dark face. He stopped shaking and -watched his chance. It came soon, and with a movement wonderfully -quick for such an old man, he darted through the line and toward the -burning building. - -"Stop him! Stop the nigger!" shouted half a dozen voices. "He's -crazy!" - -Two or three firemen sprang forward, but it was too late. An -involuntary and audible shudder went through the crowd as he plunged -into the black stairway, stooping to avoid the flames which curled -around the posts above his head. - -In another minute some one cried out, "Look, look! there he is, way up -in the third story!" - -How he had made his way through that terrible barrier, no one ever -knew. There he was, gesticulating wildly at the window, shouting to -the firemen, and presently holding up what appeared to be a small box. -With a warning cry to those below, he dropped it, watched it as it -fell and was borne safely out of danger by a uniformed officer,--and -sank back upon the window sill. Those in the opposite building -afterward said they could see then that he was terribly burned, but -seemed in all his pain to be laughing to himself. They thought, as did -the crowd below, that he was insane. - -All this time the firemen were attacking the fire upon every side, but -with no visible effect. The varnish and oils stored by the furniture -dealers in various portions of their establishment made rallying -points for the flames, which almost at the very outset had found their -way through the central staircase, and so up and out of the roof. -Every front window in the two lower stories poured forth its volume of -fire and smoke, so that no ladders could be successfully planted. Nor -could entrance be effected through the skylight, the enemy having, as -I have described, taken possession of that important point. Meanwhile -old 'Lijah seemed quite content to sit just inside his window and wait -for what was coming fast. His grizzled head drooped gradually, and -those nearest could see his lips moving. If they had been very near -indeed, they would have heard him talking and singing to himself: - - "'Swing low, sweet chari-o-t, - Comin' fer to carry me home!' - -I'se done it, Mars' George, jes' 's you tole me. You done trus' -'Lijah, an' he warn't a-gwine to give up. - - 'Whiter dan sno-o-ow! Swing low!'" - -Yes, old 'Lijah, your chariot is swinging low for you, very low. - - "Comin' fer to carry me"-- - -The thick smoke rolls out heavily through the window overhead. The -firemen keep a steady stream playing through the broken panes, and -fight fiercely with their axes to reach him. It grows so hot that the -people in the opposite windows hold their hands before their faces, -while they watch. - -Still nearer swings the great roaring chariot of fire. Lower and lower -droops the faithful head upon the black, scorched hands. - -His lips were still moving faintly, and he was still whispering, -"Swing low, swing low, swing low," when CRASH! came a burly figure, -his face blackened with smoke and his rubber coat dripping with water, -straight in through the window. Without a word he seized 'Lijah firmly -around the waist and raised himself upright on the window-sill; then -looking upward he shouted, hoarsely, "Haul away!" - -The crowd held their breath as the two figures swung out into the air -at that fearful height, and spun round once or twice before they were -drawn up--up--inch by inch, and landed safe and sound on the roof. -Then up went such a shout as has rarely been heard in this good city; -a great, beautiful, manly cry of triumph and joy, such as the angels -might utter over him who was lost. - -It was a long time before 'Lijah could realize that he had not been -borne away in his chariot, that had swung so low. I believe he felt a -pang of disappointment when he first looked at his wrinkled, scarred -hands, and found they were not "whiter than snow." But Rosy, dear, -repentant little Rosy, soon found ways to comfort him; for she would -not hear of his staying in the hospital, because she knew it was all -her fault, she said, keeping George so long. So 'Lijah is quite as -content to stay on the earth a little while longer as he was to go. -For does not Mars' George come every evening and sit by him, and tell -him they must live together always? and doesn't 'Lijah know, too, that -the crowning glory of his life is to be on next Christmas Eve, just a -year from the great fire, when Miss Rosy will be Miss Rosy no longer, -and he is to enter upon permanent duties in her new home? - - - - -IV - -A CHRISTMAS REVERIE - - -It was growing late, on a certain December evening, when I put on my -dressing-gown and slippers, turned off the gas, drew my easy chair up -in front of the blazing wood fire, and settled back with a long breath -of comfort, thanking my lucky stars that work was over, for that day -at any rate. Not that any stars were in sight, lucky or otherwise. In -the first place, the windows were covered with a heavy, fuzzy layer of -frost, except up in one corner where I couldn't possibly look out -without climbing into a chair; and in the next place, even if I had -raised the sash, which I was by no means inclined to do, I should have -seen nothing but a great, white, howling blur of snow, tossing and -foaming between the brick walls which confined it, like the rapids of -Niagara. - -In fact the wind was with difficulty kept outside at all, and at -intervals would knock savagely at the frosted pane, or shout down the -chimney, to the great amusement of the good-humored fire. - -Now if there is anything I particularly like, it is the sound of a -furious northeaster in the chimney on such a night as this. So I sat -there, watching the dancing flames, feeling the grateful warmth -beginning to creep through the soles of my slippers, and listening to -my boisterous friend outside, when I became conscious of a curious -optical effect in one of the black marble pillars which supported my -mantel. As the shadows flitted to and fro about its Ionic scrolls, it -looked exactly as if it were nodding its head, and the fringe of the -lambrequin hung out over its forehead like a mass of disheveled hair. -Yielding myself wholly to the queer fancy, I was not at all surprised -to have the pillar straighten itself up until it was nearly six feet -tall, and ask me in rather a severe voice what I meant by translating -_notus_, "northeast wind?" - -"I didn't mean to, sir," I stammered, feeling all at once greatly in -awe of the projecting tuft of hair that loomed up threateningly over -me. "I suppose it was because it was snowing, and the northeast wind -is really"--Here I paused, for I happened to glance at the window as I -spoke, and behold, there was no sign of frost or snow on the dusty -pane. I looked foolish and--I had scrambled to my feet when the -question was asked--sat down hastily. - -"Next!" said the tall figure, bending its dark brows on a boy who had -glided in unobserved and taken his seat beside me. While he was -translating in a hesitating and monotonous voice what seemed to be a -passage from Virgil, I had time to look about me, at the same time -experiencing an odd sensation of waking up after a long sleep. It had -been a wild, strange dream, then,--my college life, my adventures -abroad, my business and its cares. Yes, even the few gray hairs that -had begun to peep around my ears were but fancied symptoms of maturity -and age. For here I was, where of course I ought to be, sitting on a -hard bench, Virgil in hand, following the recitation and reading ahead -hurriedly about where I thought my turn would come. Every moment the -scene became more natural, and the dream-life of my manhood more and -more indistinct. The old head master, Francis Gardner, whom I now -recognized beyond all doubt, soon reached my end of the class once -more, but before he could call on me to translate, the hands of the -clock touched eleven, and we were dismissed for recess. - -Down we poured over the long, worn staircase, which trembled under our -tread, one flight after another, until we reached the yard. Here we -played our old games, running to and fro between the high brick walls, -and dodging around their sharp angles. At length the bell--I can hear -its exact tones now--called to us from a window overhead, and we -scrambled up again, taking our places at our desks with just as much -bustle and interchange of sly thrusts as we dared. One boy was late, -and the Doctor met him at the threshold. - -"Now, sir," said he sternly, looking down at the culprit, and fixing -upon him a glance which I never knew to fail of inspiring awe, "Now, -sir, do you want a rasping?" The boy shuffled his feet back and forth -on the floor, twisted his hat in his hands, and began to mumble an -excuse. - -"Look here," said the tall figure, "you can take either of the two -horns of the dilemma," holding up two fingers. "Either you went so far -away that you couldn't hear the bell, or you didn't start when you did -hear it. Which horn will you take?" - -How that boy trembled as he surveyed those long, gaunt fingers on -which hung his fate! Foolish fellow, not to know the warm heart that -was beating behind all the kind old Doctor's frowns! For do I not -remember his many gentle deeds, often done in secret and found out by -accident? It seems only yesterday, when, having sent one of his -scholars away in disgrace, and learned a few days later that the boy -was at home and sick, he had misgivings that he had been unjust, and -appeared at that boy's door after school hours with a bouquet at least -a foot in diameter, and the injunction--awkwardly enough given--that -the boy should not be worried about what had occurred, nor about the -lessons he was losing. Feeble as he was, with age and disease fast -laying hold upon him, the head master had traversed the entire breadth -of the city in the dead of winter to leave this message for the pupil -he feared he had wronged. - -While I was reflecting upon these things the Doctor had finished his -rebuke to the tardy boy and left the room. Others came and went. The -boys' faces were all familiar, and my heart brimmed over with delight -as I recognized those whom, in my dream of college and business, I had -thought of as sober, work-a-day men. Here was the round-eyed, -mischievous fellow whom I had fancied to be a learned physician; -another, a librarian; a third, a student and teacher of German, but -now, bereft of whiskers and bass voice, once more a boy, and the -scapegrace of the class. Then there were the teachers. One, whose -fair, scholarly face I had never expected to see again on this earth, -was busily explaining a Latin exercise to the class, with the aid of -several old vellum-bound books he had brought from his own private -library. Another bustled in with a carpetbag and a hearty, cheery air; -compared the school clock with his watch (of whose almost superhuman -accuracy we boys always stood in awe), and heard us recite in French. -This lesson passed off with a briskness and good will that waked us -all up as if we had been out in the fresh air, and left us keen for -the next study. Meanwhile I caught glimpses of other teachers, all -more or less associated with the dearest and best days of my life. -There was he who once invited us all out to skate on his pond, in the -country; who knew how to be stern with wrong-doers, but who was known -to stay late in the afternoon, day after day, to hear a sick boy -recite lessons in his home, that the little fellow might not fall -behind his class, and so lose a possible chance for a prize. In my -after-dream, his hair had been threaded with gray; but now it was -brown, as I remembered it of old. Still another was a young man whose -even-handed justice--"squareness," we used to call it--was proverbial -among my schoolmates. I had heard that his own son had since grown old -enough to pass through college most honorably, and that he himself had -taken the place of the grim Doctor in some strange air-castle of a new -schoolhouse, far from its former site. Now I realized that I was back -in the old days, and laughed to myself so loud that nothing but a -disingenuous cough, into which I dexterously turned my mirth, saved me -a mark for misconduct. - -But now the room was hushed, as the master addressed us in quiet, -earnest tones. He was bidding us good-bye for a few days, and ended by -wishing us all a Merry Christmas. - -Bless me, how we did throng around the desk on our way out, and return -his hearty greeting! In spite of my sense of the reality of the whole -scene, I could not dispel a strange foreboding that I was saying -farewell to school and master forever. The twilight shadows of the -short winter afternoon--it was storming furiously now, and had grown -quite dark within doors--gathered about the old man's form as he sat -there shaking hands with one after the other, his eyes twinkling in -their deep sockets, and meeting with kindly glance the fresh young boy -faces around him. In a moment more this was all forgotten, for we had -reached the street, and were rioting about in the snow as only boys -let out from school for a week's vacation can do. How we did assail -policemen and wagon-drivers and pretty girls, to be sure! These last -were on their way home from school, too, and many were the laughing -glances and shy smiles that were flung us in return for our harmless -pats of snow. - -Full of the merriment of the day, although not yet aware that it was -really Christmas Eve, I made my way up to Boylston Market, which was -completely transfigured from a rather jail-like and dreary receptacle -for unpleasantly red shoulders of mutton and beef, to a wonderland of -evergreen and holly; it had not yet given place to a great dry-goods -emporium. Here I saw my former teachers--God bless them, every -one!--approach in a group, very much like boys themselves, for the -time, and select various wreaths and bunches of green for home. I -touched my "B. L. S." cap respectfully as they passed, but a flurry of -snow came between and they did not see me. I stretched out my hand to -them, but they were gone. Again the aching sense of loss, the dread of -finding that I was in the midst of unrealities came over me, and I -shivered from head to foot. Pulling my cap low over my ears, I hurried -back to Bedford Street. Alas! my worst fears were realized. The old -schoolhouse was gone. Strange faces stared at me through the darkening -storm. I leaned against the black iron fence, which still remained, -and hid my face in my hands. As I did so, the wind moaned drearily -overhead, and I heard the snow and sleet drifting against--what? My -own window-panes! - -Yes, the dream was truth, and the truth was a dream. I shivered again, -in my easy chair, felt of my beard, stretched myself and rose stiffly -to my feet. The fire had burned low, had fallen in entirely between -the andirons, and the room was growing more chilly. I took some good -birch sticks from the wood-box, encouraged them with a handful of dry -cones, and, as they threw out their cheerful warmth, I became more and -more content to remain a man, and leave my boyish days tied up, like -old letters, in an out-of-the-way corner where I could take them out -and live them over again at will. - - - - -V - -THE CRACKED BELL - - -There was no doubt whatever of its melancholy condition. Cracked it -was, and cracked it had been for the last two years. Just how the -crack came there, nobody knew. It was, indeed, a tiny flaw, long ago -covered by green rust, and apparently as harmless as the veriest -thread or a wisp of straw, lodging for a moment on the old bell's -brazen sides. But when the clapper began to swing, and gave one timid -touch to the smooth inner surface of its small cell, the flaw made -itself known, and as the strokes grew louder and angrier, the -dissonance so clattered and battered against the ears of the parish, -that after two years' patient endurance of this infliction (which they -considered a direct discipline, to humble their pride over a new coat -of white paint on the little church), one small, black-bonneted sister -rose in prayer-meeting and begged that the bell be left quiet, or at -least muffled for one day, as it disturbed her daughter, whom all the -village knew to be suffering from nervous prostration. - -Emboldened by this declaration of war, a deacon declared that it was -an insult to religion and its Founder, to ring such a bell. It was the -laughing-stock of the village, he added, and its flat discords were -but a signal for derision on the part of every scoffer and backslider -in the parish. - -Other evidence of convincing character was given by various members of -the congregation; the bell was tried, convicted and sentenced; and -more than one face showed its relief as good old Dr. Manson, the -pastor, instructed the sexton publicly to omit the customary call to -services on the following Sabbath. - -"I hope," he further said, looking around gravely on his people, "that -you will all make more than usual effort to be in your pews promptly -at half-past ten." - -For a time the members of the First Congregational Society of North -Penfield were noticeably and commendably prompt in their attendance -upon all services. They were so afraid that they should be late that -they arrived at the meeting-house a good while before the opening -hymn. Dr. Manson was gratified, the village wits were put down, and -the old bell hung peacefully in the belfry over the attentive -worshipers, as silent as they. Snow and rain painted its surface with -vivid tints, and the swallows learned that they could perch upon it -without danger of its being jerked away from their slender feet. - -There was no other meeting-house in the town, and as the nearest -railroad was miles away, the sound of a clear-toned bell floating down -from the summer sky, or sending its sweet echoes vibrating through a -wintry twilight in an oft-repeated mellow call to prayers, was almost -forgotten. - -Gradually the congregation fell into the habit of dropping in of a -Sunday morning while the choir were singing the voluntary, or -remaining in the vestibule where, behind the closed doors, they had a -bit of gossip while they waited for the rustle within which announced -the completion of the pastor's long opening prayer. It became a rare -occurrence for all to be actually settled in their pews when the text -was given out. The same tardiness was noticeable in the Friday evening -meetings; and, odd to say, a certain spirit of indolence seemed to -creep over the services themselves. - -Whereas in former days the farmers and their wives were wont to come -bustling briskly into the vestry while the bell was ringing, and the -cheerful hum of voices arose in the informal handshaking "before -meeting," soon quieting and then blending joyously in the stirring -strains of "How Firm a Foundation," or "Onward, Christian Soldiers," -followed by one brief, earnest prayer or exhortation after another, in -quick succession, in these later days it was quite different. It was -difficult to carry the first hymn through, as there were rarely enough -good singers present to sustain the air. Now it was the pianist who -was late, now the broad-shouldered mill-owner, whose rich bass was -indeed a "firm foundation" for all timid sopranos and altos; now the -young man who could sing any part with perfect confidence, and often -did wander over all four in the course of a single verse, lending a -helping hand, so to speak, wherever it was needed. - -The halting and dispirited hymn made the members self-distrustful and -melancholy at the outset. There were long pauses during which all the -sluggish or tired-out brothers and sisters nodded in the heated room, -and the sensitive and nervous clutched shawl fringes and coat buttons -in agonized fidgets. The meetings became so dull and heavy that slight -excuses were sufficient to detain easy-going members at home, -especially the young people. It was a rare sight now to see bright -eyes and rosy cheeks in the room. The members discussed the dismal -state of affairs, which was only too plain, and laid the blame on the -poor old minister. - -"His sermons haven't the power they had once, Brother Stimpson," -remarked Deacon Fairweather, shaking his head sadly, as they trudged -home from afternoon service one hot Sunday in August. "There's -somethin' wantin'. I don't jestly know what." - -"He ain't pussonal enough. You want to be pussonal to do any good in a -parish. There's Squire Radbourne, now. Everybody knows he sets up -Sunday evenin's and works on his law papers. I say there ought to be a -reg'lar downright discourse on Sabbath breakin'." - -"Thet's so, thet's so," assented the deacon. "And Brother Langworth -hasn't been nigh evenin' meetin' for mor'n six weeks." - -From one faulty member to another they wandered, forgetting, as they -jogged along the familiar path side by side, the banks of goldenrod -beside them, the blue sky and fleecy clouds above, the blue hills in -the distance, and all the glory and brightness of the blessed summer -day. - -The next morning, North Penfield experienced a shock. The white-haired -pastor, overcome by extra labor, increasing cares, the feebleness of -age, or a combination of all these causes, had sunk down upon his bed -helplessly, on his return from the little white meeting-house the -afternoon before, never to rise again until he should leave behind him -the weary earth-garments that now but hindered his slow and painful -steps. - -The townspeople were greatly concerned, for the old man was dearly -loved by young and old. Those who of late had criticised now -remembered Dr. Manson's palmy days, when teams came driving in from -Penfield Center, "The Hollow," and two or three other adjoining -settlements, to listen to the impassioned discourses of the young -clergyman. - -A meeting of the committee was called at once, to consider the affairs -of the bereft church--for bereft they felt it to be--and take steps -for an immediate supply during the vacancy of the pulpit. Two months -later Dr. Manson passed peacefully away, and there was one more mound -in the little churchyard. - -The snows of early December already lay deep on road and field before -the North Penfield Parish, in a regularly-called and organized -meeting, was given to understand that a new minister was settled. Half -a dozen candidates had preached to the people but only one had met -with favor. - -Harold Olsen was a Norwegian by parentage, though born in America. -Tall and straight as the pines of the Norseland, with clear, flashing -blue eyes and honest, winning smile, the congregation began to love -him before he was half through his first sermon. His sweet-faced -little wife made friends with a dozen people between services; by -nightfall the question was practically settled, and so was the Rev. -Harold Olsen, "the new minister," as he was called for years -afterward. - -At the beginning of the second week in December, Harold ascended the -pulpit stairs of the North Penfield meeting-house, feeling very humble -and very thankful in the face of his new duties. He loved his work, -his people, his wife and his God; and here he was, with them all four -at once. - -Sleigh-bells jingled merrily outside the door; one family after -another came trooping in, muffled to the ears, and moved demurely up -the central or side aisles to their high-backed pews. - -The sunlight found its way in under the old-fashioned fan-shaped -blinds at the tops of the high windows, and rested upon gray hair and -brown, on figures bowed with grief and age, on restless, eager -children, on the pulpit itself, and finally upon the golden-edged -leaves of the old Bible. - -Still the people came in. A hymn was given out and sung. While Harold -was lifting his soul to heaven on the wings of his prayer, he could -not help hearing the noise of heavy boots in the meeting-house entry, -stamping off the snow. His fervent "Amen" was the signal for a draft -of cold air from the doors, followed by a dozen late comers. - -After the sermon, which was so simple and straightforward that it went -directly to the hearts of the people, he hastened to confer with his -deacons. - -"The bell didn't ring this morning, Brother Fairweather. What was the -matter?" he asked, after a warm hand-grasp all round. - -"Why, the fact is, sir, there ain't no bell." - -"That is, none to speak of," put in Deacon Stimpson apologetically. -"There's a bell up there, but it got so cracked an' out o' tune that -nobody could stan' it, sick or well." - -The Rev. Harold Olsen's eyes twinkled. "How long have you gone without -this unfortunate bell?" - -"Oh! a matter o' two or three years, I guess." - -"Weddings, funerals, and all?" - -"Well, yes," reluctantly, "I b'lieve so. I did feel bad when we -follered the minister to his grave without any tollin'--he was master -fond o' hearing that bell, fust along--but there, it couldn't be -helped! Public opinion was against that 'ere particular bell, and we -jes' got laughed at, ringin' it. So we stopped, and here we be, -without it." - -Mr. Olsen's blue eyes sparkled again as he caught his little wife's -glance, half amused, half pained. He changed the subject, and went -among his parishioners, inquiring kindly for the absent ones, and -making new friends. - -At a quarter before three (the hour for afternoon service) he entered -the meeting-house again. The sexton was asleep in one of the pews. He -was roused by a summons so startling that a repetition was necessary -before he could comprehend its import. - -"R-ring the bell!" he gasped incredulously. "W-why, sir, it hasn't -been rung for"-- - -"Never mind, Mr. Bedlow," interrupted Harold, with his pleasant smile. -"Let's try it to-day, just for a change." - -Harold had attended one or two prayer-meetings, as well as Sunday -services, and--had an idea. - -On reaching the entry, the sexton shivered in the cold air, and -pointed helplessly to a hole in the ceiling, through which the bell -rope was intended to play. - -"I put it up inside out of the way, so's the boys couldn't get it," he -chattered. "D-don't you think, sir, we'd better wait till"-- - -But it was no use to talk to empty air. The new minister had gone, and -presently returned with a long heavy bench, which he handled as easily -as if it were a lady's work-basket. - -"Just steady it a bit," he asked; and Mr. Bedlow, with conscientious -misgivings as to the propriety of his assisting at a gymnastic -performance on Sunday, did as he was bid. - -Up went the minister like a cat; and presently down came the knotted -end of the rope. "Now, let's have a good, hearty pull, Mr. Bedlow." - -The sexton grasped the rope and pulled. There was one frightened, -discordant outcry from the astonished bell; and there stood poor Mr. -Bedlow with about three yards of detached rope in his hands. It had -broken just above the point where it passed through the flooring over -his head. - -"Now, sir," expostulated the sexton. - -"Here, Dick!" called Mr. Olsen, to a bright-faced little fellow who -had put his head in at the door and was regarding these unwonted -proceedings with round-eyed astonishment; "won't you run over to my -house and ask my wife for that long piece of clothes-line that hangs -up in the kitchen closet?" - -Dick was gone like a flash, his curiosity excited to the highest -pitch. - -"What does he want it for?" asked pretty Olga Olsen, hurrying to -produce the required article. - -"Don't know," panted Dick. "He's got Mr. Bedlow--in the entry--an' he -sent for a rope, double quick!" - -With which bewildering statement he tore out of the house and back to -the church. - -Five minutes later the population of North Penfield were astounded by -hearing a long-silent, but only too familiar voice. - -"It's that old cracked bell!" exclaimed half a hundred voices at once, -in as many families. "Do let's go to meetin' an' see what's the -matter." - -The afternoon's congregation was, in fact, even larger than the -morning's. Harold noted it with quiet satisfaction, and gave out as -his text the first verse of the sixty-sixth Psalm. - -At the close of his brief sermon he paused a moment, then referred to -the subject in all their thoughts, speaking in no flippant or jesting -tone, but in a manner that showed how sacredly important he considered -the matter. - -"I have been pained to notice," he said gravely, "the tardiness with -which we begin our meetings. It is perfectly natural that we should be -late, when there is no general call, such as we have been accustomed -to hear from childhood. I do not blame anybody in the least. I do -believe that we have all grown into a certain sluggishness, both -physical and spiritual, in our assembling together, as a direct -consequence of the omission of those tones which to us and our fathers -have always spoken but one blessed word--'_Come!_' I believe," he -continued, looking about over the kindly faces before him, "I believe -you agree with me that something should be done. Don't think me too -hasty or presuming in my new pastorate, if I add that it seems to me -vitally important to take action at once. Our bell is not musical, it -is true, but its tones, cracked and unmelodious as they are, will -serve to remind us of our church home, its duties and its pleasures. -On Tuesday evening we will hold a special meeting in this house to -consider the question of purchasing a new bell, to take the place of -the old. The Prudential Committee, and all who are interested in the -subject are urged to be present. Let us pray." - -It was a wonderful "season," that Tuesday evening conference. The -cracked bell did its quavering best for a full twenty minutes before -the hour appointed, to call the people together; and no appeal could -have been more irresistible. - -Two-thirds of the sum required was raised that night. For ten days -more the old bell rang on every possible occasion, until it became an -accusing voice of conscience to the parish. Prayer-meetings once more -began sharp on the hour, and proceeded with old-time vigor. The -interest spread until a real revival was in progress before the North -Penfield Society were fairly aware of the change. Still the "bell -fund" lacked fifty dollars of completion. - -On the evening of the twentieth of December, in the midst of a furious -storm, a knock was heard at the parsonage, and lo, at the hastily -opened door stood Squire Radbourne, powdered with snowflakes, and -beaming like a veritable Santa Claus. - -"I couldn't feel easy," he announced, after he had been relieved of -coat and furs, and seated before the blazing fire, "to have next -Sunday go by without a new bell on the meeting-house. We must have -some good hearty ringing on that morning, sure; it's the twenty-fifth, -you know. So here's a little Christmas present to the parish--or the -Lord, either way you want to put it." - -The crisp fifty-dollar note he laid down before the delighted couple -was all that was needed. - -Harold made a quick calculation--he had already selected a bell at a -foundry a hundred miles away--and sitting down at his desk wrote -rapidly. - -"I'll mail your letter," said the squire. "It's right on my way--or -near enough. Let's get it off to-night, to save time." - -And away he trudged again, through the deepening drifts and the blur -of the white storm. - -On Saturday evening, after all the village people were supposed to be -abed and asleep, two dark figures might have been seen moving to and -fro in the old meeting-house, with a lantern. After some irregular -movements in the entry, the light appeared in the belfry, and a little -later, one queer, flat, brassy note, uncommonly like the voice of the -cracked bell, rang out on the night air. Then there was absolute -silence; and before long the meeting-house was locked up and left to -itself again on Christmas Eve--alone, with the wonder-secret of a new -song in its faithful heart, waiting to break forth in praise of God at -dawn of day. - -How the people started that fair Christmas morning, as the sweet, -silvery notes fell on their ears! They hastened to the church; they -pointed to the belfry where the bell swung to and fro in a joyous call -of "_Come! Come! Come! Come!_" - -They listened in rapt silence, and some could not restrain their sobs, -while others with grateful tears in their eyes looked upon the old, -rusty, cracked bell that rested, silent, on the church floor; and as -they looked, and even passed their hands lovingly over its worn sides, -they thanked God for its faithful service and the good work it had -wrought--and for the glad hopes that filled that blessed Christmas -Day. - - - - -VI - -CHRISTMAS FOLK-LORE - - "At Christmas play, and make good cheer, - For Christmas comes but once a year." - - -So said good Thomas Tusser, many generations ago, and his words have -echoed in the hearts of old and young, rich and poor, from his day up -to this blessed Year of Our Lord, 1898. Let us thank God and take -courage when we remember that the Power of Evil has no one Book to set -off against the Bible, and no one day to match Christmas. It is one of -the gladdest and fairest signs of the times that this merry holiday, -so full of good-will to men, is drawing closer and closer to the heart -of the nation. For this one season in the year, everybody is thinking -of everybody else, instead of himself, and we join the wise men in -their march across the desert, following the Star, until we, too, find -ourselves upon our knees before the manger in which the young Child -was. - -It is among the nations of the North, the Germans, the Swedes, the -Norwegians and the English, that the finest and deepest significance -has been attached to this holy day. Among the German peasantry, -especially, are found numerous home legends, beliefs and superstitions -which even the nineteenth century, with its growth of science and -liberal thought, has been unable to reach. Many of these customs and -beliefs have never been told in any language save that of the country -in which they took their rise; the folk-lore of the Teutonic nations -is still a rich storehouse of treasures for the antiquarian, and for -those who love Christmas for its own truest meaning, the day when -Christ was born. - -The concurrence of the winter solstice with Christmas gave rise in the -earliest times to many of the tales of Norse mythology. In the summer -the good gods, Woden and Freia, with thousands of friendly elves, -brought flowers and fruits to cheer the heart of man. But as winter -came on, and the days grew ever shorter and the dark nights longer, -the evil spirits held the good gods, enchanted by their power, far up -among the snowy mountains, and prevented the passage of pious souls to -their rest. Then came storms, and awful things upon the earth. A -many-headed monster roamed the village, seizing the children, throwing -them into a sack, and devouring them at its leisure. Giants descended -from the hills and robbed the lonely traveler. In Denmark a frightful -creature covered with a hairy robe was wont to creep into houses after -dark to steal the products of the harvest, and, if it found nothing, -would utter maledictions and threats, showing at the same time from -beneath its covering a black face and mouth full of fire. - -As Christmas time draws near, and the sun turns northward once more, -Woden issues forth upon a white horse, and, followed by howling packs -of dogs, drives the evil spirits to their hiding-places in the -mountains. Sometimes in his wild hunt he sweeps through a house and -leaves behind him a dog, who crouches upon the hearth and stays there -for one year, whining, moaning, feeding on ashes, and snapping at all -who approach. On the next Christmas, Woden comes for him again, and -the dog leaps through the chimney to rejoin the howling pack in the -tree-tops. - -To this day the Germans associate the coming of Christ with the return -of the sun, and the approach of spring. One of their poets sings: - - "The sun in winter is God in grief, - Is Christ who cometh to bring relief. - Beneath its blessed radiance, man - Forgets that his life is but a span. - - "The sun in winter is Christmastide, - Which scatters its blessings far and wide, - And sheds, through faith, o'er time's dark sea, - The morning rays of eternity." - -"That Christmas is a holiday of light and victory," begins Cassel, in -his account of the day,[1] "every one who has lived within its -influence knows full well. This victory is more sure than the return -of spring, to which we look forward in December with such cheerful -hope. The Spirit of Truth dwells upon loftier heights than does the -creature, and its brightness chases away the shadows of many a gloomy -hour, darker than the longest night of midwinter." - - [1] _Weihnachten: Ursprunge, Brauche und Aberglauben._--Cassel, - Leipzig. - -And now the wonderful hour draws nigh. It is Christmas Eve. All nature -is hushed. As the shepherds once sat around their fire upon the plains -of Bethlehem, discussing, perchance, the strange portents attending -the birth of the son of Zacharias, so to-night the peasants in their -huts along the shores of the Baltic, or in the shadows of the Black -Forest, sit before the Yule log, and talk of the birth of the Son of -man. Suddenly the village bells toll for midnight. The sun appears -upon the horizon and leaps three times for joy; the birds throughout -the forest break forth into singing; every fir-tree blossoms into -fairest flower and fruitage, and is clothed once more in soft leaves, -in place of the sharp, spearpointed needles into which they were -condemned to shrink when a fir-tree was used for the Saviour's cross. -All the good people of the village are praying; and hark! the cattle, -upon their knees in the stable, are talking together in low tones. "_A -child is bo-or-rn!_" lows the cow. "_True-e-e_," returns the ass. -"_Where, where, where?_" calls the shrill voice of the cock--and the -lambs answer, "_In Be-e-t-t-'lem!_" The horses alone have nothing to -say, and are upright on their feet; for when Christ was born, so the -story goes, the horses who happened to be near the manger stamped and -were rude, while the great, sweet-breathed oxen gazed upon the wee -Baby with their mild eyes, and, with the asses and lambs, knelt in -worship. For this hardness of heart horses are condemned to never have -their fill of grass, and to this day they feed eagerly in the fields, -but are never satisfied. - -While these strange things are happening in the stables of the little -German village, the gnomes are busy in the mountains, throwing out -gold and precious treasures of the earth where men shall find them the -coming year. - -When Christmas morning dawns, which in the northern countries is not -before nine or ten in the forenoon, the first loaves that come smoking -from the housewife's oven are given to the cattle. In Sweden it is the -custom to tie a sheaf of grain to a pole and set it up where the birds -may alight and take part in the joy and good cheer of the day. Before -long the village beggars are knocking at the door, and the humblest -peasant, remembering that it is the day on which God gave his -only-begotten Son to the world, dispenses with a free hand his gifts -to all that come. - -Evergreen, and, in particular, the fir-tree, has been from the -earliest times associated with Christmas, and countless tales and -legends are perfumed with its spicy odors. Many are the German songs -that are full of its praises. - - "O northern fir, O northern fir, - In thee my heart delighteth, - How oft thy boughs at Christmastide - Have shed their blessings far and wide;-- - In thee my heart delighteth." - -Hans Christian Andersen, whose happiest hours were those spent in -writing pure and sweet fairytales for children, has told the story of -the fir-tree in his own gentle way. Here is one more child-song, -freely translated from Cassel's notes: - - Within the wood a fir-tree stands, - So stately to be seen; - In summer, spring and winter, too, - Its cloak is ever green. - - Its tiny needles, fine and sharp-- - Some pointing up, some down-- - The thistle-finch doth take, to sew - Her pretty yellow gown. - - Through snow and ice the Christ-child sends - The good old Santa Klaus, - Who straightway hews the fir-tree down - And bears it to the house. - - With loving hand, the Christ-child hangs - The nuts and apples there; - A taper small upon each twig, - And cakes and dainties rare. - - Then comes the blessed Christmas night, - The bell is rung--and lo! - There stands the fir-tree, green and still, - Its branches all aglow. - - Thou fir-tree in the forest dark, - Soon shalt thou hence be borne. - Rejoice! for then thy branches, too, - The Christ-child shall adorn. - -In Scandinavia two fir boughs are nailed crosswise before the door on -Christmas day. Children go about the village, knocking at the windows -with fir twigs, and receiving gifts of sugar plums. The Alsatian -peasantry relate that the apostle to the people on the Rhine and -Moselle was the son of the widow of Nain. Long after his miraculous -resurrection he was sent westward by Saint Peter. One day he came to -the steep banks of the Rhine, and, stopping to rest, fell asleep from -weariness, in the shade of a fir-tree. On awaking, he found that his -pilgrim's staff had grown into the trunk of the fir, and thus plainly -indicated that he had reached the appointed end of his journey. - -In England, the same veneration seems to have been bestowed, time out -of mind, upon the holly. Its glossy, pointed leaves symbolize the -crown of thorns, and the berries the crimson blood-drops that gathered -upon the Saviour's brow. Like the fir, it is ever green and full of -life--as the love of Christ to mankind. Indeed this almost instinctive -association of green boughs and all bright, growing things with the -joy and beauty of religious life, extends throughout written history. -The Israelites in the desert were taught (if they had not already -adopted a custom which was thus merely confirmed and sanctified) to -"take the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the -boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice -before the Lord your God seven days" (Leviticus 23: 40). - -So, too, the wreaths of green leaves attributed to the Greek and Roman -deities, and awarded to those who seemed most godlike, in peace or -war. When Christ entered Jerusalem, the fittest expressions of the -joy, the thanksgiving and the reverent worship of the multitude were -the palm branches, strewn in the path of him who was victorious over -Evil, and who--not conquered death, but showed him to be only the -angel of Life, with the shadowy side of his face turned towards us, as -he comes between us and the Everlasting Light. - -In the early days of England the Druids were accustomed to go forth at -Christmas and gather the sacred mistletoe; while even the poor and -humbler folk brought evergreen and hung it up in their cottages, that -the gentle spirits of the forest might dwell there in safety till the -sun should shine again. In these modern days it has become the fashion -to use evergreens more and more generously. The two largest of the -Boston markets are surrounded, for a week preceding Christmas day, -with a spicy forest of spruce and fir-trees, while the sidewalks are -half hidden beneath great fragrant heaps of "princess pine" and -"creeping Jenny," in the form of wreaths, crosses and trimming. Holly, -too, is used in larger quantities every year, and altogether the times -seem to be returning, which dear old Sir Walter longed for when he -sung: - - Heap on more wood!--the wind is chill - But let it whistle as it will, - We'll keep our Christmas merry still. - Each age has deemed the new-born year - The fittest time for festal cheer. - And well our Christian sires of old - Loved when the year its course had rolled, - And brought blithe Christmas back again, - With all its hospitable train. - Domestic and religious rite - Gave honor to the holy night; - On Christmas eve the bells were rung; - On Christmas eve the mass was sung; - That only night in all the year, - Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear. - - The damsel donned her kirtle sheen; - The hall was dressed with holly green; - Forth to the wood did merry men go, - To gather in the mistletoe. - Then opened wide the baron's hall - To vassal, tenant, serf, and all; - Power laid his rod of rule aside, - And ceremony doffed his pride; - All hailed with uncontrolled delight - And general voice the happy night - That to the cottage, as the crown, - Brought tidings of salvation down. - - England was merry England, when - Old Christmas brought his sports again. - 'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale; - 'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale; - A Christmas gambol oft could cheer - The poor man's heart through half the year. - -Of all the supernatural visitors who roused old Scrooge from his -slumbers in Dickens' immortal "Carol," by far the most interesting was -the Ghost of Christmas Present. The Past is a memory; the Future a -dream; the Present is ours. With its ghost--or its spirit, to free -ourselves from uncanny associations with the name--we are intimately -associated: it is the key-note, or rather the theme, which determines -the harmony or discord of the year. - -What, then, is the spirit of our own Christmas Present? what the -underlying motive and thought, the impulse that turns our population -out of their comfortable homes in the snowy streets during the most -inclement month of our New England year, and then as universally -gathers each family circle within doors on that one supreme Day of -days? which decks counter, wall, window, and altar with evergreen, -type of Eternal Life; which loosens the purse-strings of rich and -poor; which brings the name of Christ tenderly to the lips of young -and old? With all this we have much to do. Here it is, the spirit of -Christmas, analyzable or not, for good or for evil. - -There is much outcry nowadays against the extravagant mysticism which -pervades the observance of the day. Christmas cards have run wild with -grotesque fancies. Christmas games, legends, stories, plays,--even the -columns of the daily press are full of them. At this season, the -compositor may keep standing the words "Christmas," "Bethlehem," -"Christ," so often are they called into service. - -There is the mysticism, the revival of the ancient myth and -folk-belief; and there is the rush of "the trade" for the pecuniary -advantages of the public tender-heartedness. One man gazes at the Star -until he stumbles in the highway: his neighbor stands at the gates of -Bethlehem on Christmas morning and takes toll. These are the extremes, -never more marked, more obtrusive, than in this year of our Lord 1898. - -But between the two, hurrying over the fields toward the city by the -light of the Star, and thronging through the gates toward the little -manger throne, are the vast numbers of honest, earnest, sincere men -and women who find at Christmastide their perplexed lives made clear, -their hopes brightened, their burdens lightened, their strength -renewed for the twelvemonth to come. - -To the mysticism, the love for glorified myth and legend, that -characterizes the Spirit of Christmas Present, they find an answering -chord in their own hearts, which will not be satisfied with shallow -interpretations of the day; which demands something deeper, and cannot -rest content with the broken clause, "On earth peace, good will toward -men," but must echo the wonderful song that rang out over the dark -hill-slopes of Judaea, "Glory to God in the highest." - -As we gather about the cradle of every wee human child, born by such -wondrous miracle, so on each Christmas Eve the world gathers at the -rude manger where its Baby is laid, gazing into the gentle, radiant -face, and whispering, "There is born this day a Saviour, which is -Christ the Lord!" - -"Mysticism,"--life is clothed in mystery! The birth of the poorest, -meanest child, in the shabbiest attic of your street of ill repute, is -a mystery far too sacred for man to divine. How shall we smile at -those who find in Christmas the consummate Mystery, the holiest -miracle that the weary, wondering earth has known? - -The holiest, the deepest, and yet the simplest! For Christmas Day is -pre-eminently a day for entering the kingdom as a child. The door of -the stable is low; and we must stoop as we enter hand in hand with -little folk,--so sweet, so humble, so dear to everyday, plain -home-living is this Christian season of merrymaking. - -The august features of the wise astrologers of the East relax, as they -turn from the Star to the face of the Child. The tax-gatherer forgets -his calling, and at last joins the throng of Christmas joy-makers and -joy-receivers, who find kindly impersonation in "Santa Claus." - -Let the card-dealers, then, and the writers of pretty fancies--the -students of folk-lore, the devotees of mystic rite--have their way; -let the tradesman prosper in the time of gift-giving; and every toiler -in the wide business field reap his golden harvest or glean his few -sheaves, as he may. We will not cast out from the Spirit of Christmas -Present its solemnity, its prosperity, its simple and innocent gayety. -There is no danger at present that Christmas shall be too much -observed in America: there is only the danger that its good cheer and -deeper thought, its impulse of benevolence and good will toward men, -shall be confined to a few days or weeks of the year. - -Extremes of enthusiasm will ripen into earnest living. It is -narrowness and coldness, the mere humanitarian spirit of good morals, -the sneer at Christmas sentiment, that are to be dreaded. It is the -spirit of "Christmas all the year round" that is to be prayed for. - - - - -VII - -MRS. BROWNLOW'S CHRISTMAS PARTY - - -It was fine Christmas weather. Several light snow-storms in the early -part of December had left the earth fair and white, and the sparkling, -cold days that followed were enough to make the most crabbed and -morose of mankind cheerful, as with a foretaste of the joyous season -at hand. Down town the sidewalks were crowded with mothers and -sisters, buying gifts for their sons, brothers, and husbands, who -found it impossible to get anywhere by taking the ordinary course of -foot-travel, and were obliged to stalk along the snowy streets beside -the curbstone, in a sober but not ill-humored row. - -Among those who were looking forward to the holidays with keen -anticipations of pleasure, were Mr. and Mrs. Brownlow, of Elm Street, -Boston. They had quietly talked the matter over together, and decided -that, as there were three children in the family (not counting -themselves, as they might well have done), it would be a delightful -and not too expensive luxury to give a little Christmas party. - -"You see, John," said Mrs. Brownlow, "we've been asked, ourselves, to -half a dozen candy-pulls and parties since we've lived here, and it -seems nothin' but fair that we should do it once ourselves." - -"That's so, Clarissy," replied her husband slowly; "but then--there's -so many of us, and my salary's--well, it would cost considerable, -little woman, wouldn't it?" - -"I'll tell you what!" she exclaimed. "We needn't have a regular -grown-up party, but just one for children. We can get a small tree, -and a bit of a present for each of the boys and girls, with ice-cream -and cake, and let it go at that. The whole thing sha'n't cost ten -dollars." - -"Good!" said Mr. Brownlow heartily. "I knew you'd get some way out of -it. Let's tell Bob and Sue and Polly, so they can have the fun of -looking forward to it." - -So it was settled and all hands entered into the plan with such a -degree of earnestness that one would have thought these people were -going to have some grand gift themselves, instead of giving to others, -and pinching for a month afterwards, in their own comforts, as they -knew they would have to do. - -The first real difficulty they met was in deciding whom to invite. -John was for asking only the children of their immediate neighbors; -but Mrs. Brownlow said it would be a kindness, as well as polite, to -include those who were better off than themselves. - -"I allus think, John," she explained, laying her hand on his shoulder, -"that it's just's much despisin' to look down on your rich -neighbors--as if all they'd got was money--as on your poor ones. Let's -ask 'em all: Deacon Holsum's, the Brights, and the Nortons." The -Brights were Mr. Brownlow's employers. - -"Anybody else?" queried her husband, with his funny twinkle. "P'raps -you'd like to have me ask the governor's family, or Jordan & Marsh!" - -"Now, John, don't you be saucy," she laughed, relieved at having -carried her point. "Let's put our heads together, and see who to set -down. Susie will write the notes in her nice hand, and Bob can deliver -them, to save postage." - -"Well, you've said three," counted Mr. Brownlow on his fingers. "Then -there's Mrs. Sampson's little girl, and the four Williamses, and"--he -enumerated one family after another, till nearly thirty names were on -the list. - -Once Susie broke in, "O Pa, _don't_ invite that Mary Spenfield; she's -awfully stuck-up and cross!" - -"Good!" said her father again. "This will be just the thing for her. -Let her be coffee and you be sugar, and see how much you can sweeten -her that evening." - -In the few days that intervened before the twenty-fifth, the whole -family were busy enough, Mrs. Brownlow shopping, Susie writing the -notes, and the others helping wherever they got a chance. Every -evening they spread out upon the sitting-room floor such presents as -had been bought during the day. These were not costly, but they were -chosen lovingly, and seemed very nice indeed to Mr. Brownlow and the -children, who united in praising the discriminating taste of Mrs. B., -as with justifiable pride she sat in the center of the room, bringing -forth her purchases from the depths of a capacious carpetbag. - -The grand final expenditure was left until the day before Christmas. -Mr. Brownlow got off from his work early, with his month's salary in -his pocket, and a few kind words from his employers tucked away even -more securely in his warm heart. He had taken special pains to include -their children for his party, and he was quietly enjoying the thought -of making them happy on the morrow. - -By a preconcerted plan he met Mrs. Brownlow under the great golden -eagle at the corner of Summer and Washington streets; and, having thus -joined forces, the two proceeded in company toward a certain wholesale -toy-shop where Mr. Brownlow was acquainted, and where they expected to -secure such small articles as they desired, at dozen rates. - -And now Mr. Brownlow realized what must have been his wife's exertions -during the last fortnight. For having gallantly relieved her of her -carpetbag, and offered his unoccupied arm for her support, he was -constantly engaged in a struggle to maintain his hold upon either one -or the other of his charges, and rescuing them with extreme difficulty -from the crowd. At one time he was simultaneously attacked at both -vulnerable points, a very stout woman persisting in thrusting herself -between him and his already bulging carpetbag, on the one hand, and an -equally persistent old gentleman engaged in separating Mrs. Brownlow -from him, on the other. With flushed but determined face he held on to -both with all his might, when a sudden stampede, to avoid a passing -team, brought such a violent pressure upon him that he found both -Clarissa and bag dragged from him, while he himself was borne at least -a rod away before he could stem the tide. Fortunately, the stout woman -immediately fell over the bag, and Mr. Brownlow, having by this means -identified the spot where it lay, hewed his way, figuratively -speaking, to his wife and bore her off triumphantly. At last, to the -relief of both, they reached the entrance of the toy-dealer's huge -store. Mr. Brownlow at once hunted up his friend, and all three set -about a tour of the premises. - -It was beyond doubt a wonderful place. A little retail shop, in the -Christmas holidays, is of itself a marvel; but this immense -establishment, at the back doors of which stood wagons constantly -receiving cases on cases of goods directed to all parts of the -country, was quite another thing. Such long passageways there were, -walled in from floor to ceiling with boxes of picture-blocks, labeled -in German; such mysterious, gloomy alcoves, by the sides of which -lurked innumerable wild animals with glaring eyes and rigid tails; -such fleets of Noah's arks, wherein were bestowed the patriarch's -whole family (in tight-fitting garments of yellow and red) and -specimens of all creation, so promiscuously packed together that it -must have been extremely depressing to all concerned; such a delicious -smell of sawdust and paint and wax; in short such presentation of Toy -in the abstract, and Toy in particular, and Toy overhead, and -underfoot, and in the very air,--could never have existed outside of -Cottlow & Co.'s, Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers of Toys. - -Mrs. Brownlow was fairly at her wits' end to choose. When she meekly -inquired for tin soldiers, solid regiments of them sprang up, like -Jason's armed men, at her bidding. At the suggestion of a doll, the -world seemed suddenly and solely peopled with these little creatures, -and winking, crying, walking and talking dolls crowded about the -bewildered customers,--dolls with flaxen hair, and dolls with no hair -at all; dolls of imposing proportions when viewed in front, but of no -thickness to speak of, when held sideways; dolls as rigid as mummies, -and dolls who exhibited an alarming tendency to double their arms and -legs up backward. To add to the confusion, the air was filled with the -noise of trumpets, drums, musical boxes and other instruments, which -were being tested in various parts of the building, until poor Mrs. -Brownlow declared she should go distracted. At length, however, she -and her husband, with the assistance of their polite friend, -succeeded in selecting two or three dozen small gifts, and, when the -last purchase was concluded, started for home. - -After a walk of ten minutes, they reached Boylston Market, where they -were at once beset by venders of evergreen and holly wreaths, crosses -and stars of every description. Mr. Brownlow bought half a dozen of -the cheaper sort of wreaths, which the owner kindly threaded upon his -arm, as if they were a sort of huge, fragrant beads. Then he selected -a tree, and, after a short consultation with Mrs. Brownlow, decided to -carry it home himself, to save a quarter. A horse-car opportunely -passing, they boarded it, Mrs. Brownlow and her bag being with some -difficulty squeezed in through the rear door, and Mr. Brownlow taking -his stand upon the front platform, from which the tree, which had been -tightly tied up, projected like a bowsprit, until they reached home. - -Great was the bustle at 17 Elm Street that night. Parcels were -unwrapped; the whole house was pleasantly redolent of boiling -molasses; and from the kitchen there came at the same time a scratchy -and poppy sound, denoting the preparation of mounds of feathery corn. -Bob and his father took upon themselves the uprearing of the tree. On -being carried to the parlor it was found to be at least three feet too -long, and Mr. Brownlow, in his shirt-sleeves, accomplished wonders -with a saw, smearing himself in the process with pitch, from head to -foot. - -The tree seemed at first inclined to be sulky, perhaps at having been -decapitated and curtailed; for it obstinately leaned backward, kicked -over the soapbox in which it was set, bumped against Mr. Brownlow, -tumbled forward, and in short, behaved itself like a tree which was -determined to lie on its precious back all the next day, or perish in -the attempt. At length, just as they were beginning to despair of ever -getting it firm and straight, it gave a little quiver of its limbs, -yielded gracefully to a final push by Bob, and stood upright, as fair -and comely a Christmas tree as one would wish to see. Mr. Brownlow -crept out backward from under the lower branches, (thereby throwing -his hair into the wildest confusion and adding more pitch to himself), -and regarded it with a sigh of content. Such presents as were to be -disposed of in this way were now hung upon the branches; then strings -of pop-corn, bits of wool, and glistening paper, a few red apples, and -lastly the candles. When all was finished, which was not before -midnight, the family withdrew to their beds, with weary limbs and -brains, but with light-hearted anticipation of to-morrow. - -"Do you s'pose Mrs. Bright will come with her children, John?" asked -Mrs. Brownlow, as she turned out the gas. - -"Shouldn't--wonder"--sleepily from the four-poster. - -"Did Mr. Bright say anything about the invitation we sent, when he -paid you off?" - -Silence. More silence. Good Mr. Brownlow was asleep, and Clarissa soon -followed him. - -Meanwhile the snow, which had been falling fast during the early part -of the evening, had ceased, leaving the earth as fair to look upon as -the fleece-drifted sky above it. Slowly the heavy banks of cloud -rolled away, disclosing star after star, until the moon itself looked -down, and sent a soft "Merry Christmas" to mankind. At last came the -dawn, with a glorious burst of sunlight and church-bells and glad -voices, ushering in the gladdest and dearest day of all the year. - -The Brownlows were early astir, full of the joyous spirit of the day. -There was a clamor of Christmas greetings, and a delighted medley of -shouts from the children over the few simple gifts that had been -secretly laid aside for them. But the ruling thought in every heart -was the party. It was to come off at five o'clock in the afternoon, -when it would be just dark enough to light the candles on the tree. - -In spite of all the hard work of the preceding days, there was not a -moment to spare that forenoon. The house, as the head of the family -facetiously remarked, was a perfect hive of B's. - -As the appointed hour drew near, their nervousness increased. The -children had been scrubbed from top to toe, and dressed in their very -best clothes; Mrs. Brownlow wore a cap with lavender ribbons, which -she had a misgiving were too gaudy for a person of her sedate years. -Nor was the excitement confined to the interior of the house. The -tree was placed in the front parlor, close to the window, and by -half-past four a dozen ragged children were gathered about the iron -fence of the little front yard, gazing open-mouthed and open-eyed at -the spectacular wonders within. At a quarter before five Mrs. -Brownlow's heart beat hard every time she heard a strange footstep in -their quiet street. It was a little odd that none of the guests had -arrived; but then, it was fashionable to be late! - -Ten minutes more passed. Still no arrivals. It was evident that each -was planning not to be the first to get there, and that they would all -descend on the house and assault the door-bell at once. Mrs. Brownlow -repeatedly smoothed the wrinkles out of her tidy apron, and Mr. -Brownlow began to perspire with responsibility. - -Meanwhile the crowd outside, recognizing no rigid bonds of etiquette, -rapidly increased in numbers. Mr. Brownlow, to pass the time and -please the poor little homeless creatures, lighted two of the candles. - -The response from the front-yard fence was immediate. A low murmur of -delight ran along the line, and several dull-eyed babies were hoisted, -in the arms of babies scarcely older than themselves, to behold the -rare vision of candles in a tree, just illumining the further -splendors glistening here and there among the branches. - -The kind man's heart warmed towards them, and he lighted two more -candles. The delight of the audience could now hardly be restrained, -and the babies, having been temporarily lowered by the aching little -arms of their respective nurses, were shot up once more to view the -redoubled grandeur. - -The whole family had become so much interested in these small outcasts -that they had not noticed the flight of time. Now some one glanced -suddenly at the clock, and exclaimed, "It's nearly half-past five!" - -The Brownlows looked at one another blankly. Poor Mrs. Brownlow's -smart ribbons drooped in conscious abasement, while mortification and -pride struggled in their wearer's kindly face, over which, after a -moment's silence, one large tear slowly rolled, and dropped off. - -Mr. Brownlow gave himself a little shake and sat down, as was his wont -upon critical occasions. As his absent gaze wandered about the room, -so prettily decked for the guests who didn't come, it fell upon a -little worn, gilt-edged volume on the table. At that sight, a new -thought occurred to him. "Clarissy," he said softly, going over to his -wife and putting his arm around her, "Clarissy, seein's the well-off -folks haven't accepted, don't you think we'd better invite some of the -others in?" And he pointed significantly toward the window. - -Mrs. Brownlow, despatching another tear after the first, nodded. She -was not quite equal to words yet. Being a woman, the neglect of her -little party cut her even more deeply than it did her husband. - -Mr. Brownlow stepped to the front door. Nay more, he walked down the -short flight of steps, took one little girl by the hand, and said in -his pleasant, fatherly way, - -"Wouldn't you like to go in and look at the tree? Come, Puss" (to the -waif at his side), "we'll start first." - -With these words he led the way back through the open door, and into -the warm, lighted room. The children hung back a little, but seeing -that no harm came to the first guest, soon flocked in, each trying to -keep behind all the rest, but at the same time shouldering the babies -up into view as before. - -In the delightful confusion that followed, the good hosts forgot all -about the miscarriage of their plans. They completely outdid -themselves, in efforts to please their hastily acquired company. Bob -spoke a piece, the girls sang duets. Mrs. Brownlow had held every -individual baby in her motherly arms before half an hour was over. And -as for Mr. Brownlow, it was simply marvelous to see him go among those -children, giving them the presents, and initiating their owners into -the mysterious impelling forces of monkeys with yellow legs and -gymnastic tendencies; filling the boys' pockets with pop-corn, blowing -horns and tin whistles; now assaulting the tree (it had been lighted -throughout, and--bless it--how firm it stood now!) for fresh -novelties, now diving into the kitchen and returning in an unspeakably -cohesive state of breathlessness and molasses candy,--all the while -laughing, talking, patting heads, joking, until the kindly Spirit of -Christmas Present would have wept and smiled at once, for the -pleasure of the sight. - -"And now, my young friends," said Mr. Brownlow, raising his voice, -"we'll have a little ice-cream in the back room. Ladies first, -gentlemen afterward!" So saying, he gallantly stood on one side, with -a sweep of his hand, to allow Mrs. Brownlow to precede him. But just -as the words left his mouth there came a sharp ring at the door-bell. - -"It's a carriage!" gasped Mrs. Brownlow, flying to the front window, -and backing precipitately. "Susie, go to that door an' see who 'tis. -Land sakes, _what_ a mess this parlor's in!" And she gazed with a true -housekeeper's dismay at the littered carpet and dripping candles. - -"Deacon Holsum and Mrs. Hartwell, Pa!" announced Susie, throwing open -the parlor door. - -The lady thus mentioned came forward with outstretched hand. Catching -a glimpse of Mrs. Brownlow's embarrassed face she exclaimed quickly-- - -"Isn't this splendid! Father and I were just driving past, and we saw -your tree through the window, and couldn't resist dropping in upon -you. You won't mind us, will you?" - -"Mind--you!" repeated Mrs. Brownlow, in astonishment. "Why of course -not--only you are so late--we didn't expect"-- - -Mrs. Hartwell looked puzzled. - -"Pardon me,--I don't think I quite understand"-- - -"The invitation was for five, you know, ma'am." - -"But we received no invitation!" - -Mr. Brownlow, who had greeted the deacon heartily and then listened -with amazement to this conversation, now turned upon Bob, with a -signally futile attempt at a withering glance. - -Bob looked as puzzled as the rest, for a moment. Then his face fell, -and he flushed to the roots of his hair. - -"I--I--must have--forgot"--he stammered. - -"Forgotten what?" - -"The invitations--they're in my desk now!" - -Thus Bob, with utterly despairing tone and self-abasement. - -Mrs. Hartwell's silvery little laugh rang out--it was as near -moonlight playing on the upper keys of an organ as anything you can -imagine--and grasped Mrs. Brownlow's hand. - -"You poor dear!" she cried, kissing her hostess, who stood speechless, -not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "so that's why nobody came! But -who has cluttered--who has been having such a good time here, then?" - -Mr. Brownlow silently led the last two arrivals to the door of the -next room, and pointed in. It was now the kind deacon's turn to be -touched. - -"'Into the highways'!" he murmured, as he looked upon the unwashed, -hungry little circle about the table. - -"I s'pose," said Mr. Brownlow doubtfully, "they'd like to have you sit -down with 'em, just 's if they were folks--if you didn't mind?" - -Mind! I wish you could have seen the rich furs and overcoat come off -and go down on the floor in a heap, before Polly could catch them! - -When they were all seated, Mr. Brownlow looked over to the deacon, and -he asked a blessing on the little ones gathered there. "Thy servants, -the masters of this house, have suffered them to come unto thee," he -said in his prayer. "Wilt thou take them into thine arms, O Father of -lights, and bless them!" - -A momentary hush followed, and then the fun began again. Sweetly and -swiftly kind words flew back and forth across the table, each one -carrying its own golden thread and weaving the hearts of poor and rich -into the one fine fabric of brotherhood and humanity they were meant -to form. - -Outside, the snow began to fall once more, each crystaled flake -whispering softly as it touched the earth that Christmas night, -"_Peace--peace_!" - - - - -VIII - -CHRISTMAS ON WHEELS - - -I - -A railroad station in a large city is hardly an inviting spot, at its -best; but at the close of a cold, cheerless, blustering December day, -when biting draughts of wind come scurrying in at every open door, -filling the air with a gray compound of dust and fine snow; when -passengers tramp up and down the long platform, waiting impatiently -for their trains; when newsboys wander about with disconsolate, red -faces, hands in pockets and bundles of unsold papers under their -ragged and shivering arms; when, in general, humankind presents itself -as altogether a frozen, forlorn, discouraged and hopeless race, -condemned to be swept about on the nipping, dusty wind, like Francesca -and her lover, at the rate of thirty miles an hour--then the station -becomes positively unendurable. - -So thought Bob Estabrook, as he paced to and fro in the Boston and -Albany depot, traveling-bag in hand, on just such a night as I have -described. Beside him locomotives puffed and plunged and backed on the -shining rails, as if they, too, felt compelled to trot up and down to -keep themselves warm, and in even tolerably good humor. - -"Just my luck!" growled Bob, with a misanthropic glare at a -loud-voiced family who were passing; "Christmas coming, two jolly -Brighton parties and an oratorio thrown up, and here am I, fired off -to San Francisco. So much for being junior member of a law firm. -Wonder what"-- - -Here the ruffled current of his meditations ran plump against a rock, -and as suddenly diverged from their former course. The rock was no -less than a young person who at that moment approached, with a -gray-haired man, and inquired the way to the ticket-office. - -Bob politely gave them the desired information, and watched them with -growing interest as they followed his directions, and stood before the -lighted window. The two silhouettes were decidedly out of the common. -The voice, whose delicate tones still lingered pleasantly about Mr. -Robert Estabrook's fastidious ears, was an individual voice, as -distinguishable from any other he remembered as was the owner's bright -face, the little fur collar beneath it, the daintily-gloved hands, and -the pretty brown traveling suit. - -"Dignified old fellow!" mused Bob, irrelevantly as the couple moved -toward the train-gates. "Probably her father. Perhaps--hallo, by -George, they're going on my car!" - -With which breath of summer in his winter of discontent the young man -proceeded to finish his cigar, consult his watch, and, as the last -warning bell rang, step upon the platform of the already moving -Pullman. It must be admitted that as he entered he gave an expectant -glance down the aisle of the car; but the somber curtains hanging from -ceiling to floor told no tales. Too sleepy to speculate, and too -learned in the marvelous acoustic properties of a sleeping-car to -engage the porter in conversation on the subject, he found his berth, -arranged himself for the night with the nonchalance of an old -traveler, and, laying his head upon his vibrating atom of a pillow, -was soon plunged into a dream at least fifty miles long. - - -II - -It was snowing, and snowing hard. Moreover, it had been snowing all -night, and all the afternoon before. The wind rioted furiously over -the broad Missouri plains, alternately building up huge castles of -snow and throwing them down again like a fretful child; overtaking the -belated teamster on his homeward journey, clutching him with its icy -hand, and leaving him buried in a tomb more spotless than the fairest -marble; howling, shrieking, racing madly to and fro, never out of -breath, always the same tireless, pitiless, awful power. Rocks, -fields, sometimes even forests were blotted out of the landscape. A -mere hyphen upon the broad, white page, lay the Western-bound train. -The fires in the locomotives (there were two of them), had been -suffered to go out, and the great creatures waited silently together, -left alone in the storm, while the snow drifted higher and higher upon -their patient backs. - -When Bob had waked that morning to find the tempest more furious than -ever and the train stuck fast in a huge snow-bank, his first thought -was of dismay at the possible detention in the narrow limits of the -Pullman, which seemed much colder than it had before; his next was to -wonder how the change of fortune would affect Gertrude Raymond. Of -course he had long ago become acquainted with the brown traveling suit -and fur collar. Of course there had been numberless little services -for him to perform for her and the old gentleman, who had indeed -proved to be her father. Bob had already begun to dread the end of the -journey. He had gone to his berth the night before, wishing that San -Francisco were ten days from Boston, instead of six. Providence having -taken him at his word, and indicated that the journey would be of at -least that duration, if not more, he was disposed, like no few of his -fellow-mortals, to grumble. - -Once more he became misanthropic. "There's Miss Raymond, now," he -growled to himself, knocking his head savagely against the upper berth -in his attempt to look out through the frosty pane, "sitting over -across the aisle day after day with her kid gloves, and all that. Nice -enough, of course," recalling one or two spirited conversations where -hours had slipped by like minutes, "but confoundedly useless, like the -rest of 'em. If she were like mother, now, there'd be no trouble. -She'd take care of herself. But as it is, the whole car will be turned -upside down for her to-day, for fear she'll freeze, or starve, or -spoil her complexion, or something." - -Here Bob turned an extremely cold shoulder on the window, and having -performed a sort of horizontal toilet, emerged from his berth, his -hair on end, and his face expressive of utter defiance to the world in -general, and contempt of fashionable young ladies in particular. - -At that moment Miss Raymond appeared in the aisle, sweet and rosy as a -June morning, her cheeks glowing, and her eyes sparkling with fun. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Estabrook," she said demurely, settling the fur -collar about her neck. - -Bob endeavored to look dignified, and was conscious of failure. - -"Good-mo-morning," he replied with some stiffness, and a shiver which -took him by surprise. It _was_ cold, jumping out of that warm berth. - -"I understand we must stay--but don't let me detain you," she added -with a sly glance at his hair. - -Bob turned and marched off solemnly to the masculine end of the car, -washed in ice-water, completed his toilet, and came back refreshed. -Breakfast was formally served as usual, and then a council of war was -held. Conductor, engineers and brakemen being consulted, and -inventories taken, it was found that while food was abundant, the -stock of wood in the bins would not last till noon. There were twelve -railroad men and thirty-five passengers on board, some twenty of the -latter being immigrants in a second-class behind the two Pullmans. - -The little company gathered in the snow-bound car looked blankly at -each other, some of them instinctively drawing their wraps more -tightly about their shoulders, as if they already felt the approaching -chill. - -It was miles to the nearest station in either direction. Above, below, -on all sides, was the white blur of tumultuous, wind-lashed snow. - -The silence was broken pleasantly. Once more Bob felt the power of -those clear, sweet tones. - -"The men must make up a party to hunt for wood," she said. "While -you're gone, we women will do what we can for those who are left." - -The necessity for immediate action was evident, and without further -words the council broke up, to obey her suggestion. - -A dozen men, looking like amateur Esquimaux, and floundering up to -their armpits at the first step, started off through the drifts. One -of the train-men, who knew the line of the road thoroughly, was sure -they must be near a certain clump of trees where plenty of wood could -be obtained. Taking the precaution to move in single line, one of the -engineers, a broad-shouldered six-footer, leading the way, and -steering by compass, they were soon out of sight. As they struck off -at right angles to the track, Bob thought he recognized a face pressed -close to the pane and watching them anxiously; but he could not be -sure. - -Two hours later the men appeared once more, some staggering under huge -logs, some with axes, some with bundles of lighter boughs for -kindling. In another five minutes smoke was going up cheerily from the -whole line of cars; for the trees had proved to be less than a quarter -of a mile distant, and the supply would be plentiful before night. - -When Bob Estabrook stamped into his own car, hugging up a big armful -of wood, he was a different looking fellow from the trim young lawyer -who was wont to stand before the jury seats in the Boston Court House. -He had on a pair of immense blue yarn mittens, loaned by a kindly -brakeman, his face was scratched with refractory twigs, his eyebrows -were frosted, his mustache an icy caret, two fingertips frozen, and -with all this, he looked and felt more manly than ever before in his -life. - -His eye roved through the length of the car as it had that first night -in the depot. She was not there. He was as anxious as a boy for her -praise. - -"Guess I'll take it into the next car," he said apologetically to the -nearest passenger; "there's more coming, just behind." - -She was not in the second Pullman. Of course she wasn't in the -baggage-car. Was it possible--? He entered the third and last car, -recoiling just a bit at the odor of crowded and unclean poverty which -met him at the door. - -Sure enough, there she sat--his idle, fashionable type of -inutility--with one frowsy child upon the seat beside her, two very -rumpled-looking boys in front, and in her arms a baby with terra-cotta -hair. Somehow, the baby's hair against the fur collar didn't look so -badly as you would expect, either. She seemed to be singing it to -sleep, and kept on with her soft crooning as she glanced up over its -tangled red locks at snowy Bob and his armful of wood, with a look in -her eyes that would have sent him cheerfully to Alaska for more, had -there been need. - - -III - -With the comfortable heat of the fires, the kind offices of nearly all -the well-dressed people to the poorer ones--for they were not slow, -these kid-gloved Pullman passengers, to follow Miss Raymond's -example--the day wore on quietly and not unpleasantly toward its -close. Then some one suddenly remembered that it was Christmas Eve. - -"Dear me!" cried Miss Raymond, delightedly, reaching round the baby to -clap her hands; "let's have a Christmas party!" - -A few sighed and shook their heads, as they thought of their own home -firesides; one or two smiled indulgently on the small enthusiast; -several chimed in at once. Conductor and baggage-master were -consulted, and the spacious baggage-car "specially engaged for the -occasion," the originator of the scheme triumphantly announced. -Preparations commenced without delay. All the young people put their -heads together in one corner, and many were the explosions of laughter -as the programme grew. Trunks were visited by their owners and small -articles abstracted therefrom to serve as gifts for the immigrants and -train-men, to whose particular entertainment the evening was by common -consent to be devoted. - -Just as the lamps were lighted in the train, our hero, who had -disappeared early in the afternoon, returned dragging after him a -small, stunted pine tree, which seemed to have strayed away from its -native forests on purpose for the celebration. On being admitted to -the grand hall, Bob further added to the decorations a few strings of -a queer, mossy sort of evergreen. Hereupon a very young man with light -eyebrows, who had hitherto been inconspicuous, suddenly appeared from -the depths of a battered trunk, over the edge of which he had for some -time been bent like a siphon, and with a beaming face produced a box -of veritable, tiny wax candles! He was "on the road," he explained, -for a large wholesale toy-shop, and these were samples. He guessed he -could make it all right with the firm. - -Of course the affair was a great success. I have no space to tell of -the sheltered walk that Bob constructed of rugs, from car to car; of -the beautified interior of the old baggage-car, draped with shawls and -brightened with bits of ribbon; of the mute wonder of the poor -immigrants, a number of whom had just arrived from Germany, and could -not speak a word of English; of their unbounded delight when the -glistening tree was disclosed, and the cries of "_Weihnachtsbaum! -Weihnachtsbaum!_" from their rumpled children, whose faces waked into -a glow of blissful recollection at the sight. Ah! if you could have -seen the pretty gifts; the brave little pine (which all the managers -agreed couldn't possibly have been used had it been an inch taller); -the improvised tableaux, wherein Bob successively personated an -organ-grinder, a pug dog, and Hamlet, amid thunders of applause from -the brakemen and engineers! Then the passengers sang a simple -Christmas carol, Miss Raymond leading with her pure soprano, and Bob -chiming in like the diapason of an organ. - -Just as the last words died away a sudden hush came over the audience. -Could it be an illusion, or did they hear the muffled but sweet notes -of a church bell faintly sounding without? Tears came into the eyes of -some of the roughest of the immigrants as they listened, and thought -of a wee belfry somewhere in the Fatherland, where the Christmas bells -were calling to prayers that night. The sound of the bells ceased, and -the merriment went on, while the young man with eyebrows lighter than -ever, but with radiant face, let himself quietly into the car -unnoticed. It had been his own thought to creep out into the storm, -clear away the snow from the nearest locomotive bell, and ring it -while the gayety was at its height. - -All this indeed there was, and more; but to Bob, the joy and sweetness -of the evening centered in one bright face. What mattered it if the -wind roared and moaned about the lonely, snow-drifted train, while he -could look into those brown eyes and listen to that voice for whose -every tone he was fast learning to watch? Truly, it was a wonderful -evening altogether. - -Well, the blockade was raised, and the long railroad trip finished at -last. But two of its passengers, at least, have agreed to enter upon a -still longer journey. - -She says it all began when he came staggering in with his armful of -wood and his blue mittens; and he? he doesn't care at all when it -began. He only realizes the joy that has come to him, and believes -that after a certain day next May it will be Christmas for him all the -year round. - - - - -IX - -TREASURE TROVE; A CHRISTMAS STORY - - -Everybody in that part of the city knew Old Claus; that is, they knew -him by sight; very few had ever spoken to him or heard his voice. The -grocer and the provision man, and one or two others said he was civil -enough to them, that his name was Jonathan R. Claus, spelt with a _u_, -not a _w_, and that he paid his bills promptly. That was about all -anybody knew of him. - -What a surly, grim old man he was, as you met him on a cold winter's -afternoon on his way home from his marketing; his long white hair and -beard blowing about his head, his forehead puckered into a frown, his -stout cane striking the pavements as if he hated the very earth he -walked on! - -Grown people gave him the width of the sidewalk; children shouted -after him, - - "Old Claus, - Show your claws!" - -and then dodged around the corner in terror, although he had never -been known to punish or even chide one of them, save by a dark look -from beneath his shaggy eyebrows. Ah, a gloomy, silent, mysterious -fellow he was, to be sure; and many a mother in that neighborhood -frightened her child into good behavior by threatening to call in Old -Claus. - -One cold December evening, when the twilight had fallen early, -hastened by leaden skies and a few shivering flakes of snow, he sat in -his own room, solitary as usual, and even more than usually grim, for -he was thinking over his past. - -Now, thinking over one's past may be a very cheerful occupation or a -very gloomy one. Old Claus undoubtedly found his full of shadows. - -He remembered how he was left an orphan, when still a small boy; how -he had suffered from cold and want, and had been buffeted and scolded -and ill-used, until he ran away from the people who had taken charge -of him (he had no home nor friends); how he had worked hard, had saved -his money, and had become a very rich man. - -Still he had longed to be richer, and, retiring from regular business, -he had gone far away to search for a sunken treasure in tropical seas. -He had failed to find it, but more eager than ever, he mined for gold, -without success. Again, it was the buried hoard of a pirate which -attracted him; but months of fruitless labor had been thrown away in a -vain attempt to discover exactly where it lay. So he had spent his -years, always in search of a Treasure, which had become the ruling -idea of his life; always disappointed; until, embittered, discouraged -and alone in the world, though still rich, he had given up the -pursuit. - -The home he had chosen was as strange as the life he had lived; a -huge, old-fashioned house, which had once been occupied by a wealthy -family, but had long lain empty, save for the rats that scampered -through its wide halls and gloomy chambers, and the spiders that spun -their webs unhindered across the blurred window-panes. - -The city had grown up about the house, and it was now part of a brick -block. Indeed, one wing of the ancient building formed a portion of -the tenement house next door, where it seemed as if men wrangled and -staggered, and ragged women scolded and wept, and children cried from -hunger and cold, all night long. But the walls were very thick, and -the occupant of the lonely chamber heard them not. - -"Christmas Eve," muttered Old Claus to himself. "I heard them say it -in the streets. Merry Christmas! merry, merry Christmas!" he repeated -bitterly. "Right merry for me. What a wretched, useless failure of a -wreck I am!" - -As he spoke he stamped his foot angrily upon the floor. There was a -crash in the room behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he found that -a large picture, an old portrait, the frame of which had been built -into the wall and alone remained of the former splendor of the -mansion, lay face downward upon the floor. Jarred by his heavy -footfall, the decaying woodwork had at last given way, and let the -canvas drop. - -Claus' glance wandered to the wall where it had been fastened. Then he -started to his feet, the old fire returning to his eyes. In place of -the picture was an opening, with a deep space beyond. He raised -himself on tiptoe, and saw what appeared to be the top of a flight of -steps, built into the thickness of the wall, and leading downward. - -"Treasure at last!" he stammered, gazing greedily at the dusty steps, -down which a huge rat scrambled, squeaking. "Treasure at last! I knew -luck would turn! After all these years! It is mine, it is mine!" - -Hastening to the mantel, he took down a small lamp, lighted it with -trembling fingers, and dragging a chair to the wall beneath the -aperture, climbed up to and into it. Yes, it was plainly a stone -flight of steps. What bags of gold must lie at the bottom of that -long-hidden passage? - -He tested the stairway cautiously with his foot, and, finding it -apparently secure, slowly descended, the space being barely wide -enough for him to squeeze through. - -Eight, nine, ten steps down. Then a sharp turn to the right! two more -steps, and he emerged from the narrow passage into what once must have -been a huge fireplace, having a hidden door in one side, some freak of -the ancient builders, to allow a person to pass from one portion of -the old house to the other without detection. - -As Claus glanced about him his heart sank. There was no sign of a -treasure. The chimney overhead had been stopped with stone slabs, and -the original opening of the fireplace was closed by a wooden -partition, one panel of which was hinged and bolted so as to form a -small door. Doubtless the people in the next house were ignorant of -this, and, probably, of the existence of the fireplace itself. - -It was very cold, and the disappointed man shivered as he prepared to -retrace his steps to his own quarters. Suddenly he heard a noise in -the room beyond the fireboard. It was the sound of a child sobbing -quietly to itself. In another moment a heavy, drunken step sounded on -the bare floor. - -"Are ye goin' to stop cryin', Moll, or will I give ye the stick agin?" -demanded a woman's harsh voice. "What's the matter now?" - -"I won't--any--more," he could hear the child answer. "I don't--mean -to. Only I was thinkin' it was Christmas to-morrow, and I -wouldn't--get anything,--mother used to"-- - -"Stop that!" warningly. - -It was evidently hard work to control the sobs, now. Old Claus -clenched his fist, and resolved that if he heard the sound of a blow, -that fireboard would go down. - -There was silence for a minute. Then the woman staggered off, -muttering: "Don't let me hear any more from ye the night. Go to sleep, -d' ye hear? You must be off with yer basket agin in the mornin'." - -Five minutes later a singular sight might have been seen in front of -the big house. It was nothing less than Old Claus himself, clad in his -shaggy fur coat, setting forth through the darkness and snow, which -was now falling fast. - -Past liquor saloons ablaze with light and hung, alas! with holly and -mistletoe; past the little Mission Church at the corner, where he -lingered an instant to catch the notes of a glad Christmas carol; away -from the wretched and squalid quarter of the city he marched, halting -only when he reached a toy-shop, where there were multitudes of -talking dolls and barking dogs and mewing cats and bleating sheep; -where people tumbled over each other in their eagerness to buy, and -blew into all the toy horns and jingled all the toy pianos and laughed -from the pure joy of Christmastide, like God's own little children. - -It was a good half hour again before Old Claus dismissed at his own -door the boy who had helped him bring home his bundles from that -blessed toy-shop. The boy went off whistling, too, with a bright new -silver dollar in his pocket. - -It took the old man three trips to get his purchases down that secret -stairway. I don't know how he ever got the sled through anyway; nor -the big doll with eyes that winked upside down, nor the sheep, nearly -life-size, which _baa_-ed loudly in the passage; and the tricycle was -the worst of all; but he did it and landed them safely in the old -fireplace, which surely never contained such precious fuel before. -Why, the very smell of the toys, a delicious painty, gluey, varnishy, -woolly, sawdusty smell, was enough to set you wild with delight. It -brought to Old Claus some dim remembrance of his childhood, and made -him pause to wipe away a tear with his shaggy sleeve. For all this -time he was in fur coat and cap, with snow lying thick upon them. - -Now came the trying moment. Could he open that long-disused door -without waking the child, who now was evidently sleeping soundly? - -Dear old door--I believe it knew, as well as you do, what was wanted -of it. Never a squeak it gave, as Claus, with infinite pains, drew -back the rusty bolt and softly opened it. - -He stepped inside the room, shading the lamp with his hand. It was a -very small room indeed, with great holes in the bare plastering, and a -broken pane of glass through which the keen wind was blowing. The room -was even colder than the fireplace. - -In one corner was a small bed, and in it lay a little girl of perhaps -six years, her tangled hair scattered over the bundle of ragged -clothes--evidently her own poor little gown--that served for a pillow; -the dingy counterpane drawn tightly up around her neck to keep out the -bitter cold. There was a broken chair and wooden table in the room -besides; nothing else. - -From the back of the chair, which was propped against the wall close -by the bed, hung one small stocking; so small that it seemed better -fitted for a doll than a living human child; only no self-respecting -doll would have worn a stocking so ragged. - -The old man set down his lamp and tiptoed back to the fireplace. He -took out the toys one by one, and placed them on the floor. He filled -the poor little stocking with candy; the first package of which came -near betraying him by falling directly through a large hole in the -heel. Luckily he caught it before it reached the floor, and squeezed -in a good-sized rubber ball to replace it. - -Last of all he took up the sheep, with a sigh of relief at his success -in depositing all his gifts in the room without disturbing the small -sleeper. - -But alas for human calculations! In his excitement he gave that -dreadful sheep an unlucky squeeze, and without the slightest warning -it gave utterance to another prolonged _baa-a-a!_ even louder than -before. - -The child opened her eyes wide and sat up in bed. There stood, in -front of a new and cavernous fireplace in the wall, an old man with -shaggy coat and cap, and flowing white beard, his stooping back -sprinkled with snow, with a lamb in his arms, and surrounded with such -a glory of toys as she had never dreamed of in her little starved -life. - -One moment only she gazed; then leaped from her bed and sprang into -his arms, crying: "O Santa Claus! Santa Claus! Have you come! Oh, take -me away with you, do, do!" - -At the child's first cry of "Santa Claus!" the old man stood -stupefied, shaking his head and muttering "Jonathan R."; but when she -came flying to him, he caught her up in his arms, wrapping his great -fur coat about her and holding them close to his heart--God's little -lamb and the woolly one--without a word. - -Before he could fairly collect his wits, he heard that heavy, -irregular footfall coming up the stairs. - -He had only one thought--to save the child. Backing hastily into the -fireplace he closed and bolted the door behind him, groped his way up -the stone steps, and sat down in front of his own fire, breathless, -with his new-found treasure still in his arms. The faint sound of a -cry came up from the room below, but whether it was of terror, or -delight at finding such extraordinary personal property miraculously -substituted for the late occupant, he could not tell. - -The light of the fire, on which Claus had thrown fresh fuel, shone -upon the child face upraised to his. - -"What is your name, little one?" he asked in tones he hardly -recognized as his own. - -They called her Moll, she said, but that was not her real name, which -she had forgotten. - -"How would you like to be called 'Agnes'?" said Claus, his old eyes -growing misty over some long-buried memory. - -"Oh, that's a nice name, Santa Claus! And I'm _so_ sleepy!" - -The old housekeeper was thereupon roused from her slumbers in a -distant corner of the house, and the child put to bed in her own room -in a couch hastily improvised from chairs and blankets. - -Next morning Old Claus, feeling very much more like Young Claus than -he had for years, put an end to the wonderful stories flying about the -neighborhood by acknowledging his own agency in little Agnes' -disappearance. An arrangement was easily made with the dissipated -woman who, it seemed, had taken charge of the child and ill-used her -cruelly since her mother's death. The proper papers having been drawn, -Mr. Jonathan Claus became the legal guardian of the little waif, with -whom he shortly afterward removed to a more cheerful quarter of the -city. - -Agnes lost all her Christmas presents, to be sure, for not one of them -ever could be found--except the sheep which had brought her good -fortune, and who was allowed to _baa_ to his heart's content that -Christmas day; but Santa Claus (as she persisted in calling her -deliverer) replaced them, with interest. - -That is the way Old Claus found his treasure; not only little Agnes, -though she soon became dearer to him than all his wealth, but that -most precious of treasures, Love. - - - - -X - -CHARITY AND EVERGREEN - - -I - -"Well, for my part, I could never, never forgive a man who did such a -thing!" - -It was late in the afternoon of a clear, cold day in December when -Charity Holmes, sitting in the midst of a spicy mound of evergreen on -Farmer Ralston's kitchen floor, and looking up from her work with a -bright flush on her pretty cheeks, made this severe remark. Of the -three other women in the room, two, the farmer's daughters, young -girls like herself, were quite of her opinion; but the fourth, a -white-haired old lady with lavender bows on her cap and sunshine in -her motherly face, patted the nearest indignant girl's shoulder -reprovingly, and remarked: - -"There, there, dears; don't be so hard. We're all of us human, and -drink's a terrible thing. Sometimes it don't seem any more a man's -fault than tumbling into a hole in the road." - -"But if he has dug the hole himself, grandmother"-- - -Any further argument was interrupted at this point by the appearance -of an immense bundle of evergreen at one of the windows, entirely -blocking up its small, frosty panes. Presently an honest and merry -face showed itself down at one corner. - -"It's Tom, with more green!" cried the two Ralston girls, jumping up -and running to the porch door to let in the big brother. - -Charity stayed behind with grandmother, but Tom's eyes found her in a -twinkling. How demurely she sat there, tying away with all her might, -while the awkward fellow made a great to-do piling up his load beside -her, and managed to get hold of somebody's hand down among the -princess-pines, and--then something happened behind grandmother's back -that made somebody's fresh young cheeks pinker than ever. - -"Tom, Tom!" cried Charity, shaking her head as soberly as if she -hadn't been the cause of his mischief. - -"Yes, ma'am," answered innocent Tom. "Want some more?" - -"Now, Tom, if you're really going to stay you must work in good -earnest. Just pick out some good long strings of 'creeping Jenny' and -lay them right beside me--so!" - -Thereupon Tom, great, breezy, good-natured Tom, doubled himself up on -the floor, boots and all, and pretended to immerse himself, body and -mind, in the complicated task assigned him, meanwhile blundering in -the most absurd manner, and continually mistaking that bewildering -little hand for the delicate vines, and at the same time winking at -grandmother, thereby confusing her and making her feel that she was an -accomplice; and in fact conducting himself altogether so outrageously -that the girls ended by pelting him with evergreens until he escaped -to the woodshed, where the ringing blows of his axe soon gave notice -that he was making ready for the blaze in the great fireplace that was -to brighten the long winter evening before them. - -Charity was the daughter of a neighbor. She and Tom Ralston had played -together since they were babies; then, leaving the district school, -and entering upon the heavier duties of life, they had grown bashful, -and kept away from each other just long enough to find out that they -could not possibly do so any longer. So they were engaged, to the -quiet satisfaction of both families. The marriage was to be on New -Year's and the young folks were working hard on their evergreen -trimming, which Tom had promised to take up to the city, a dozen miles -away, and sell for them, the day before Christmas. Charity was to go -with him, as she had a few little purchases to make; and besides, she -had never seen the city at this "holiday season," when it is at its -merriest. - -Swiftly the full, busy days flew by. The evening before they were to -start, Tom was walking home with Charity. As they reached the little -plot of ground before her house they looked up into the starlit, -moonlit sky. At least Charity did. I am afraid Tom was finding moon -and stars and no end of things more precious to him in the grave brown -eyes so near his own. - -"No, Tom," said she, answering his look, "I'm just thinking about--up -there! and all we can be to each other and the rest of the world." - -"My darling! I wish I were a good man, I wish I were stronger! If it -were not for you!"-- - -He checked himself, and she could feel the brace of his muscles under -the coatsleeve where her hand rested, as if he were even then fighting -with some invisible foe. A light cloud came over the moon's face, and -the road and fields, covered with new-fallen snow, looked colder than -before. She shivered, and drew more closely to his side. He was quick -to read her thoughts, this big, clumsy fellow, and he spoke instantly. - -"I know, Rita," he said, softly, stroking her hand and using the pet -name that he had made for her when they were children; "I know you'll -stand by me through everything. And, whatever evil things I have in -me, with you at my side, I'll try to put down. Heaven help me!" - -He took off his cap, and Charity thought she never saw him look so -noble and humble and manly as he did then. The moon, too, was out -again, and its light rested like a benediction on his broad forehead, -whose veins stood out strangely to-night. - -A moment later and he was gone. Charity watched him striding away -across the field until he was out of sight. As she turned to her own -home she noticed his tracks and the dark blotches they made on the -pure, white surface of the snow before her door. Somehow they troubled -her, and, without thinking, she made a little futile brush at the -nearest footprint with the corner of her shawl, thus only enlarging -and making it more unsightly than before. Then, with a nervous laugh -at her own foolish fancies, she entered the house. - - -II - -The next morning, long before the rest of the family were astir, -Charity was sitting at her window, hooded and wrapped for the long -ride. How she had looked forward to this day! With refreshing sleep -and the sweet hopefulness of morning, all her doubts of the preceding -night had flapped away like bats into the darkness where they -belonged; and she was as fair and rosy and bright-eyed as the dawn -itself when she appeared at the door a few minutes later, in answer to -a merry jingle of sleighbells. Tom's mood was as happy as her own, and -the sturdy little horse jogged along only too fast over the icy road -when they had turned his head toward the city. - -There was much to talk about. Tom had not been idle these last few -days, and had a great deal to tell her about her room in the old -Ralston house, where he was to take her on New Year's day. She -listened shyly, glancing up at him now and then with a happy face and -starry eyes, as he described the improvements he hoped to make on the -farm, and the hay he should take from the new meadow he had just -bought, and the hammock he should put up for her under the elms for -the long, quiet summer days. - -"Only," she broke in eagerly, "you know I must work, too, while you -are in the field"-- - -Then she grew rosy again, and subsided into the great buffalo robes, -while Tom wandered inconsequently from the subject, and the horse -started ahead suddenly when he wasn't by any means expected to, and -the dark trees beside the road rustled as if they were singing softly, -and--oh, dear! it was a wonderful ride altogether. - -"See!" whispered Tom, pointing to the horizon just before them. - -A very grave and sweet look came into the girlish face, as she -followed his glance and saw the star in the east shining brightly -through the swaying pine boughs. - -"Christmas, Christmas," he whispered. "Oh, my darling, what a gift He -is giving me on his birthday--how much more precious than the gold and -frankincense He received eighteen hundred years ago!" - -So they glide along as blessed as if the poor old sleigh, with its -odorous load of evergreen and holly, were a heavenly chariot bearing -them away from everything low and bad and wretched in the world, -until they draw near the city. The houses stand more and more closely -together. A milkman passes at full trot, and, seeing the country team -and its errand gives them the first jovial greeting of the day. -Shutters come down, blinds fly open, boys emerge from side streets, -blowing on their fingers and crying the morning papers. - -"Mister, gimme some green?" one calls out now and then. And -good-natured Tom turns round in his seat, pulls out a bunch of his -merchandise and hands it to Charity, that she may have the pleasure of -giving it away. Now they are fairly within the long, brick-walled -streets, and the city is awake. Tom leaves Charity at the house of a -friend and makes an engagement to call for her as soon as his load is -sold (half of it has been ordered and engaged already), which will -probably be at about four. He will come at five, anyway; if he should -miss the hour--here he looks at her slyly and they both have a good -laugh at the absurdity of the idea--she can come to the market and -find him. Then they will have before them the beautiful Christmas-eve -ride home: "When," says Tom solemnly, "the little horse will probably -be so tired that we will have to let him walk most of the way!" - - -III - -Swiftly the hours of the happy day flew by. Charity completed her -humble purchases, which, after all, were hardly more than an excuse -for accompanying Tom to the city, and drank her fill of the joyous -sights and sounds on every side. Early in the afternoon it occurred to -her to surprise Tom at his post before the hour they had named. -Accordingly she dressed herself for the walk, putting into her pocket -a little purse she had bought as a Christmas gift for him, and -planning to give it to him then and there, so that he might bring home -in it the results of the day's sales. With a little inquiry she found -her way through the crowded streets to the market, which was like a -huge beehive--except that the bees had no stings. For on everybody's -face was the starlight of Christmas, and good-will toward men reigned -supreme. The sidewalks outside the market were simple avenues of -evergreen. It hung in festoons from the sides of the buildings and -overhead; it bubbled over from innumerable boxes and barrels, and ran -along the snowy curbstone in a fragrant stream. Rows of trees leaned -complacently against the posts and each other, meditating on glories -to come; holly glistened and twinkled in the red winter sunlight at -every window, and a few stout, jolly-looking marketmen had even -procured sprays of real English mistletoe, which they hung proudly -over their shop doors; but the full advantage of which, judging from -the freedom with which they allowed no end of pretty girls to pass to -and fro under it without molestation, they by no means appreciated. -Charity was delighted with everything, and half expected to see the -jovial "Ghost of Christmas Present" himself seated amidst the heaps -of plenty, scattering good things right and left. Failing of him, the -next best would certainly be Tom; whom, however, she sought in vain. -It was just three o'clock when she started again, a little wearily, -for the house. - -"I must have just missed him," she thought, "and he'll be there -waiting for me." - -No, Tom was not there, and had not been seen. Charity fingered the -purse in her pocket a little nervously, and waited. How brightly the -sun shone in the quiet street where her friends lived! The snow had -begun to melt here and there, and children, finding it properly moist -for their play, were tumbling about in it and making forts, men, and -snowballs. One keen-eyed little fellow moulded a lot of large -oblong-shaped balls, and came with an armful before the window where -Charity sat, making a mocking bow to her, and calling out: - -"Who wants to buy my nice melons! Here's your fine fresh fruit; all -ripe; all ripe!" - -Still no Tom. Charity tried to talk with her hosts, but it was hard -work, and she was glad when they left her to wait silently with her -eyes on the distant street corner where she had last seen him and his -evergreen. People came and went along the brick sidewalk. There were -little icy spots just in front of her window, where the gutter had -discharged the drip from the roof, and it had frozen in ridges the -night before. She became dully interested in watching the passers-by -get over this place. Some approached it cautiously and crept with -timid steps across the treacherous surface; some did not see it at -all until they were fairly upon it, and escaped with a slide and a -bound; some avoided it altogether by making a wide circuit into the -street; children slid fearlessly upon it, making sport of what was so -dangerous to their elders. One strong, well-built man--a clergyman he -appeared from his dress--started across it boldly but carefully, -slipped midway, and fell with such a crash that the girl uttered an -involuntary cry and started up from her chair; but the man regained -his feet and limped away, with an ugly stain across his shoulder and a -bit of red on his white hands. - -While Charity gazed pityingly after him, a twinkling light appeared -far down the street; then another, and another. It could not be that -the lamps were being lighted! Yes, the short December day was over--it -was Christmas Eve. - -Charity turned to look at the clock, but was obliged to move across -the room before she could see through the gathering dusk, that it -was--six o'clock! - -She resolutely but hurriedly drew on her cloak, as she had done a few -hours before, in her own country home; and bidding good-bye to her -friends with lips which she could not keep from quivering, declined -all offer of escort and once more turned her face toward that busy -center of the holiday, the market. To and fro she went among the -kind-hearted dealers, with her one question repeated over and over -until she was sick at heart. No one had seen Tom since morning, one -or two looked at her a little curiously, and once a great burly fellow -engaged her very closely in conversation as a tall man in helmet and -brass buttons passed them, half carrying, half dragging a poor, -battered creature over the slippery sidewalk. It was an old, -white-haired man of whose wretched, drunken, despairing face she -caught a glimpse, as the throng of idle spectators swept by. Something -in the manner of her kind friend made her look up quickly at him. He -grew redder than ever, and quickly turned away his head; but it was -too late; she knew the truth at last. Tom was like--_that_! - -After what seemed days of anguish she found herself in the stifling -atmosphere of the railroad station, where she would have to wait two -hours for a homeward-bound train. She shrank into a corner and tried -to forget herself in sleep, but every faculty was on the alert with an -unnatural tension. Women with tired faces and illy dressed babies sank -upon the seats about her and silently waited for their trains, or in -jarring, monotonous voices, and the minor keys always used by late -passengers, discussed the ailments of their neighbors and the high -price of goods. A crowd of rough fellows sauntered by outside the -windows and filled the air with coarse jokes and snatches of ribald -song. Charity clenched her little hands that Tom had kissed under the -princess-pine and endured it all, with her eyes on the grimy face of -the clock, until the train backed into the station and bore her away. - -At a little before midnight she reached her own home. While she stood -on the worn door-stone, her whole frame trembling from exhaustion and -the long agony of that evening, her eyes fell on Tom's footprints of -the night before. For one moment a hard look came into her face; then -she suddenly stooped, kissed the light snow as if it had been a cold, -dead face, and moaning, "O Tom, Tom, how could you!" with a sob like -that of a hurt child, turned and went in out of the night. And this -was her Christmas Eve. - - -IV - -When Charity awoke next morning the sun was shining cheerfully in upon -the smooth yellow floor of her little room and its mats of braided -rags. The sky was of the bluest and the earth of the whitest; a flock -of sparrows were wishing each other Merry Christmas in the boughs of -an old appletree near by; the cattle in the barn, contentedly -ruminating over their morning allowance of hay, seemed rehearsing to -each other the old story of the manger and the wonderful night in -Palestine. As these pleasant sights and sounds stole in upon the -girl's senses, a happy smile broke upon her lips and she felt at peace -with the whole world. Then came, like a flash of red lightning out of -the sparkling blue sky, the memory of the preceding day. Her brain -reeled under the shock of returning recollection, as, one by one, -every kindly evasive word of her informants came back to her. But -Charity was a girl of quick impulses and decided action. In five -minutes she had made up her mind what to do. Half an hour later she -was standing behind grandmother's chair at Farmer Ralston's with white -face and set lips. The family, she found, were somewhat concerned -about Tom's absence, but they had not been in any real alarm, as he -might have changed his plans and remained in the city, leaving Charity -with her friends for the night. Now they crowded about her, all asking -questions at once, and growing momently more frightened at her -silence. She managed to tell them that Tom had not kept his -appointment--that she could learn nothing definite about him--that she -had guessed from what little information she had been able to obtain, -that he had been taken sick and carried to the hospital--or somewhere; -it was nothing serious, she was sure, and at any rate she was going up -to the city that morning on the train to find out all about it. Tom's -father was too old and feeble to undertake the trip, and his sister -had better not leave home that day--Christmas. She could do better -alone, as she knew the streets pretty well (here her voice failed her -a little), and besides, it would only worry Tom to see them all -coming. So she went as she wished to, alone. - -Arriving in the city, she examined a directory in the nearest drug -store and copied off the numbers and localities of all the police -stations in the city proper. Then she found her way without much -trouble to the market and asked the tall, broad-shouldered policeman -on duty there for directions to the nearest station. He looked down -pityingly on the young girl, appealing to him with her white face and -eyes that betrayed her suffering on that glad Christmas morning. - -"Nothing serious, is it, miss? A fight, maybe, or something o' that -sort?" - -"Oh, no, sir! I only want to see if--if--somebody"-- - -The kind-hearted officer guessed her trouble immediately. - -"I see, I see," said he, softening his voice still more. "He didn't -get home last night after he was paid off. Well, I guess you'll find -it all right; anyway, I hope you will. Take your first turn to the -left, and two blocks further you'll come to my station. Tell the -sergeant you saw Brown, and that I sent you to him for information." - -Charity thanked him with a grateful look that was better than words, -and moved with rapid steps along the icy sidewalk in the direction -indicated. She was courteously received at the station, but no one -knew anything about Tom. Nor did they in the next station she visited, -nor in the third or fourth. It was now nearly noon, and people were -beginning to sit down to their Christmas dinners. The table at Farmer -Ralston's was always a jolly place, and at Christmas time the fun was -uproarious. Charity had been invited every year since she could -remember, and she gave a little gulp as she thought of the row of -bright, laughing faces that would have been gathered in the old -kitchen, still sweet with the resinous odors of the evergreen that had -lain there in piles in those last happy days that now seemed ages ago. -Wearily she mounted the granite steps of Station Five and repeated her -question. The lieutenant, a brisk, wiry man, with a heavy gray -moustache and little, piercing eyes, cast a quick glance at her and -consulted his book. Presently he gave a little nod, and raising his -voice, called out, "Norcross, here a minute!" - -A uniformed officer in an adjoining room opened himself like a kind of -long jack-knife, rose from the bench where he had been reclining and -stood at the walnut rail in front of his superior, awaiting orders. -The lieutenant took a key from the rack at his side and handed it to -Norcross. - -"This lady wants to see No. 3. Show her down." - -The officer bowed respectfully and led the way down a flight of stone -steps into what at first appeared to be a sort of cellar, with grated -windows near the ceiling on one side and a row of iron-barred doors on -the other. - -"There," said the officer, pointing. - -Charity paused a moment and pressed her hand against her heart; for a -moment she could not have spoken, it beat so fiercely. Then she -advanced across the brick floor, and standing by the door of Cell No. -3, looked in through the bars. - -At first she could see nothing, but, as her eyes became accustomed to -the dim light, she could distinguish at one side a narrow iron bed, -and lying motionless upon it, his head buried in his arms, a crumpled, -stained, wretched figure--yes, Tom! - -The rustle of the girl's dress fell upon his ear. He raised his head -slightly, recognized the sound, turned away again without looking her -in the face, and shook with such a tempest of sobs that Charity -trembled and could not speak the grave, deliberate words she had -prepared on the way. - - "Landlord, fill the flowing bowl!" - -sang some poor creature shrilly, two or three doors away. How Charity -remembered all these things afterward! While the officer stepped aside -to quiet the noisy prisoner she forced herself at last to speak. - -"Mr. Ralston"--Tom started, and she saw his grasp tighten on the iron -rail of the bed, "I have come to take you away from this place. I -shall send for the bail commissioner at once" (she had learned her -lesson well, poor child!), "so that you can catch the two o'clock -train. No!" she went on quickly, checking him with a gesture as he was -about to speak, "you mustn't stay here another night, nor another -hour. It would kill your father if he knew it, and we couldn't answer -his questions to-night." - -The strong man bowed his head again, without a word. She hesitated an -instant, then left him, and walked across the floor and up the stone -stairway with a firm step. Tom looked after her wistfully, but she did -not even glance toward his cell. Within half an hour he was sent for, -and found Charity, with the commissioner and the sergeant, sitting -behind the rail, in the room above. The bail was quickly arranged, the -officer handed over a jack-knife and a few coppers he had taken from -Tom's pockets the night before, and told him he could go where he -pleased until nine o'clock the next morning, when the court opened. - -There was a constrained silence for a moment in the little office. At -last Tom raised his eyes, with a look in them half questioning, half -appealing, to the girl's white face, at the same time involuntarily -extending his hand toward her. For the first time in his life he found -no response in the brown eyes, staring stonily out of the barred -windows. - -His hand slowly dropped to his side. With a dazed look he turned first -to the officers, then to Charity, as if he did not understand. Still -there was no response in the brown eyes, staring stonily out of the -barred windows. Still Tom stood there helplessly, not quite -understanding it all. Glancing at his stained and rumpled clothes he -brushed them a little, mechanically, passed his hand over his forehead -once or twice, then turned humbly toward the door, passed out -bareheaded and was gone. - -How Charity found her way home she never knew. When she entered her -own little chamber at dusk and buried her aching head in her pillow, -she had a vague recollection of wandering about the gay city streets -for hours, of finally seeking the railroad station, of cooling her hot -forehead against the frosty pane of the car, and watching the -snowflakes that came faster and faster from the darkening sky. Tom had -come home, the station-master had told her carelessly, and that was -all she cared to know. - -How he endured the ignominy of appearing and paying his fine in the -municipal court the next day, she did not ask; nor did she even see -him for a week. After the excitement of that gloomy Christmas came, -with the reaction, a complete nervous exhaustion, which mercifully -spared her the torture of questioning eyes and tongues until beyond -New Year's--that should have been her wedding-day. - -Meanwhile she wavered irresolutely between one and another course of -action. Now she felt she must cry out to him to forgive her own cruel -hardness in his time of trouble; now the Puritan blood she had -inherited asserted itself, and her face grew hard again as she thought -of his weakness. - -The meeting could be put off no longer. It came, and in the same dear -old kitchen where they had worked together. The man looked straight -into her eyes and said, quietly: - -"Charity, I have done you and myself a great wrong. I shall try to do -better. God knows how hard I shall try--am trying! Will you forgive -me? Will you help me?" - -After all, she was hardly prepared for this, and though she began -bravely enough with, "Mr. Ralston," she soon broke down altogether. -"Of course," she told him, "the wedding must be postponed -indefinitely. Further than that--I can't tell what--O Tom! how -could"--she began afresh, but stopped at his look, and slowly walked -out of the room and house. - - -V - -Slowly the long weeks of late winter succeeded each other, alike -monotonous, gray and dreary. Tom Ralston worked, at first manfully, -then doggedly, on the farm, fighting with a strong will against public -opinion and private temptation. Everybody had heard of his fall. Young -girls eyed him curiously from the opposite side of the road, and the -frequenters of the village store gathered at night to sit around the -stove, heels in air, and bring out stories of old Major Ralston, two -or three generations back, whose dissipations had been town talk; and -the gossips gravely wagged their heads and said: "'Twas bound to crop -out sooner or later." - -So passed the icy months, and song-sparrows and bluebirds began to -flit among the naked boughs like dreams of spring. Following them came -the robins, plump and cheery embodiments of summer. One morning in -April the maples and oaks stretched out their arms, full of rosy and -restless baby leaves born in the night. The heats of July parched the -land; September laid her gentle hand upon its brow until it was -refreshed and slept. - -Still Tom Ralston worked on, through sun and shower, seed-time and -harvest, beginning at last to win approving nods and kindly smiles -and words from his self-appointed critics. Still Charity, with heavy -heart, went about her routine of household duties, from which all the -sweetness, the vague looking forward, the pretty, girlish longing -which had of late clothed them were gone. When she met Tom, as she was -often obliged to, she spoke not coldly indeed, but as to a mere -acquaintance. Right or wrong, she had conscientiously chosen her -course, and she would keep it to the end. She would never marry a man -who might become a drunkard, and perhaps leave his curse to be -inherited by his innocent children. - -It was five days before Christmas when Charity, having finished her -daily tasks, stole away to spend the last hour or two of the short -winter afternoon in her favorite walk, an old logging-path through the -pine woods. The air was deliciously clear and sweet. Overhead, a flock -of chickadees called to her merrily, and hung upside down among the -tasseled boughs in search of insects and other small bird food. Not an -anxious search, by any means; rather a contented one, on the whole, as -if they were quite sure their daily bread had been given them, and -they were only to see that it was not wasted. Charity half -unconsciously took note of their happy little movements to and fro, -as, for the hundredth time, she went over and over the arguments -against forgiving Tom. She had just reached the triumphant "lastly," -in her course of reasoning, when, suddenly startled by the breaking of -a twig, she glanced up, to see the subject of her syllogisms not -twenty feet away, gathering evergreen. Like the rushing waters of a -great tide, sweeping away her artificial landmarks and barriers, came -the overwhelming conviction that it was she, and not the man before -her, who needed forgiveness. - -At the sound of her dress, Tom, too, had started up, as he did in the -cell a year ago; but presently went on with his task, stooping low -over a refractory vine of princess pine. - -"It was the least I could do," he said humbly, and with evident -effort. "I shall take it up to the city myself and sell it for the -girls." - -Something in her very silence, or perhaps a slight exclamation that -escaped her lips, made him look up. She stood there, alternately -paling and flushing, with a look in her eyes he had not seen for many -a long day. He sprang to his feet, but she put out her hand to check -him. - -"Tom," she began, with quivering lip, "dear Tom, can you forgive"-- - -What was the use of her hand then! If she had been surrounded by -Napoleon's Old Guard I believe Tom would have got at her somehow. -Forgive her! Bless you, if you had seen him for the next five minutes, -or had heard them talk as they walked home together beneath the pines, -you would have been puzzled to know which forgave or which was -forgiven, or which had done right or wrong, or whether either had ever -doubted the other for an instant of their lives. - -"'Suffereth long and is kind,'" whispered grandmother that night, -stroking the girl's brown hair. - -Of course Tom went home with her afterward, in the old way, and made -footprints again before her door, while the moon smiled to itself and -poured down its silvery blessing upon them. - -So they had a merry Christmas after all, and a New Year's wedding, on -which occasion grandmother was resplendent in fresh ribbons, and the -girls laughed and cried by turns. - -The hard, dreary year of Tom's struggle is long since past, but as -Christmastide draws nigh and the wreaths are hung at the windows, -Charity Ralston, the dearest and brightest little woman in all the -country, looks fondly into her husband's strong, manly face, and lays -her cheek upon his shoulder in a way that tells him she remembers. He, -too, has never forgotten, and, standing there in the twilight, with -the sweet Christmas incense of the evergreen about them, he tells her -again how he endured, and hoped, and loved, and ends by holding her -close in his arms, while she whispers, "Merry Christmas, Tom!" - - - - -XI - -THROUGH THE STORM - - -I - -"'Lisbeth, 'Lisbeth, what ye doin' out there?" - -It was a sharp, high-strung voice, yet not loud nor ill-natured. The -speaker stood at an open door between the kitchen and an outer porch, -the latter built of rough boards and showing little wet streaks on the -floor, where the storm had thrust in its snowy fingers the night -before. The silence of the place was broken at intervals by a regular -series of dull blows, lasting two or three minutes and interspersed -with muffled splashings. - -"'Lisbeth, can't ye leave off churnin' a minute? I want my specs." - -"All right, father, I'll find 'em for ye: 's--almost--come!" The last -words were emphasized by such an energetic pounding that the -window-sashes, with their small, old-fashioned panes, rattled like -cymbals. - -"There! there! ye needn't knock the bottom out'n the churn," said the -first speaker, with a movement among the wrinkles of his face that -betokened a smile. "I c'n hold on a spell longer, I guess. Jest bring -me in a mug o' the buttermilk when ye've got threw." The keen air -swept through the porch and lifted the leaves of a yellow-covered -almanac that hung against the wall. The old man took it down from its -nail, and closed the door with a shiver. "Wind's shiftin' back," he -mused. "Soon's ever I git my glasses I'll see what the almanac says. -'T ain't much use fer Wesley to break out the road, even 'f the -Hill-folks _is_ comin'. 'Twill be over the walls 'fore the train's -in." He walked slowly to a pile of wood that lay near the fireplace, -paused before it a moment, with a shrewd look, whistling in a sort of -whisper, then picked out a stout birch stick with the bark hanging in -strips and laid it with great deliberation on the fire, which was -already crackling and roaring up the chimney in a broad blaze and -sending its generous glow to the farthest corner of the room. - -A few moments later the door opened and showed a quiet little figure -and a cheery face that irresistibly suggested Thanksgiving, Christmas, -comfort, and reliableness, all in one. It was evident that if her -forty years or so had brought her many sorrows they had given a -wonderful inward peace and strength that is not afraid of evil -tidings. She was dressed plainly, with her sleeves rolled up to the -elbows. "Here's your milk, father; and there's your glasses now, right -on top of your head," she said, stooping forward a little and speaking -in loud, clear tones. - -"Lor' sakes! so they be. I declare, I'm gittin' so forgitful, 'n' I -can't hear no one 'bout the house but you, 'Lisbeth. Strange how my -hearin' 's failed me this year! If't wa'n't for you"--Here his voice -quavered a little, but he was happily interrupted by the entrance of a -broad-shouldered, clear-eyed young fellow, who advanced to the fire, -and, holding out his hands to its genial warmth, stamped off upon the -brick hearth a few bits of snow that had clung to his stout boots. - -"Well, grandfather, we've got a 'spell o' weather' this time," he -shouted. "Old Bonny Beag has her nightcap on, and I saw two or three -flakes as I came in. 'Lisbeth," he continued, "the visitors up at the -Hill won't any _more_ than get there to-day, I guess. Sam Fifield, -down at the depot, says he has orders to have a pung ready for a lot -of boxes and a sleigh for the women and children that are coming down -to Christmas. I've broken out as far as the Corner; beyond that it's -good roading for quite a piece. The steers are as near being tired out -as ever I saw them. Breakfast 'most ready?" - -In a few minutes more the table was pulled out from the wall, and a -chip thrust under one of its feet to offset the unevenness of the -floor. Upon the spotless cloth were set three blue china plates, with -pictures of stately castles rising from lambent seas and numerous -swans disporting themselves therein; then came brown-jacketed -potatoes, a big pot of coffee, a pile of yesterday's doughnuts, an -apple pie with one piece cut out, a plate of smoking hot biscuit, and -a dish of golden butter. A small platter, containing two or three -slices of "frizzled" pork, was placed by the old man's plate. - -Meanwhile, the starry flakes came faster and faster. Some of the more -adventurous alighted on the kitchen window and gazed in until they -were finally melted at the sight. A few ventured down into the well, -and, drifting against the mossy stones, gave to the slender ferns that -peeped from the chinks the food they had gathered in the skies; others -found their way through a broad crack into the barn and fell -noiselessly upon the floor with its hayseed carpet, thereupon causing -much wonderment and grave discussion among the fowls, who were -exchanging views in low tones on the topics of the morning. If you had -been in the woods, you would have heard the tick-ticking of the tiny -crystals, like the dancing of myriads of fairy feet, upon the dry -leaves which still clung to the oak and beech. - -So fell the snowflakes over meadow and fallow, wood and hill, bringing -the materials that should be built up into corn and wheat during the -coming year and thus provide food for thousands who would then be -reciting their prayers for daily bread, without a thought that the -answers had begun so many months before. - -Now, either by a preconcerted plan or by an impulse of the moment, one -of the most daring of the advance guard of the storm resolved to have -a wild ride before he gave up his substance to winds and earth; and so -it came about that a chubby nose, which had previously been flattened -against one of the plate-glass windows of a Pullman car on a -northbound train, suddenly withdrew itself, and a childish voice -exclaimed, "Oh, Miss Amory, it's snowing! it's snowing! Here's a -little mite of a flake on the window. Oh, mamma, won't it be nice -sleighing for Santa Claus! He can come right on the tops of the trees: -I saw a lot that looked just like frosted cake." - -"Yes, dear; yes, dear," said the quiet lady in the next chair, -glancing up from her "Seaside" pamphlet. "Only don't speak so loud, -Maurice. You will disturb the other people in the car." - -"Miss Amory," persisted the boy, but in lower tones, "won't you go out -and coast with me, and take a great, long, long sleigh-ride -to-morrow?" - -"Yes, Maurice, if mamma would like me to," replied the one addressed, -a little wearily. She had not yet quite schooled herself to her -position, this young governess, and the constant reference of even -such trifles as the boy's request to a higher authority still jarred -on her spirits. She had not, indeed, like most paper heroines, been -accustomed to the luxuries of wealth, with phalanxes of servants -devoting themselves exclusively to her service and amusement, but she -had enjoyed the comforts of a well-to-do New England home, the -independence of American girlhood, and the priceless blessing of a -mother who understood her thoroughly and was always ready to -sympathize with her daughter's pleasures and troubles alike, to -counsel or remain silent, as the case might be, and to help her out -of all her girlish perplexities, from the choice of a ribbon to the -treatment of an importunate suitor. It was a brave thing, this setting -her face resolutely to the world, and she had accordingly made up her -mind at the start to look for and meet every unpleasant concomitant to -her new position without a murmur. - -At first she had been uncertain at what door she should knock of all -those opening into the tower named Self-Support, but, as she -approached, one of them flew open before her hand was raised. A lady -who was spending the summer near by gave out word that she wished for -a governess to take charge of her two children and accompany them to -the city in the autumn. Miss Amory's bright face and gentle ways won -the children at first sight. She was retained on trial, and had proved -too great a treasure to be relinquished. - -Mrs. Walton had been more than kind and considerate, but her very -effort to offer attentions and induce the new governess to forget her -position only made it more marked, like an erasure upon white paper. - -Miss Amory scolded herself twenty times a day, and devoted herself -more and more to her duties, but still she could not help looking -forward to next summer, when--when--well, beyond that it was all -vague. At any rate, there might be some change for the better. Perhaps -she could give music-lessons, or could teach school; something she -would do where she was her own mistress. - -The train rumbled on, and the storm increased. Twice they had to stop -and back before they could push their way through a narrow cut where -the huge drifts were wedged in solidly from brim to brim. At last, -just as the December light was fading from the sky, hurried by the -whirling snow-mist, the cars came to a standstill beside a long, low -building, and the conductor shouted, "Haybrook! Haybrook!" - -Ten minutes later, two sleighs, one in advance loaded with boxes and -parcels, the other with the ladies and the two children, crept slowly -up the hill that led from the little brown station to the main road. -For a while the houses on each side and a few half-obliterated tracks -made navigation comparatively easy; but once out of the village it -became a matter of nice calculation. The sleet stung the faces of the -drivers and formed little icy crusts over the eyes of the patient -horses, who struggled on, setting their hoofs down firmly into the -smooth, unbroken sheet of snow and sending it out on either side like -foam. Suddenly there was a creak, a lurch, and then a dead stop. The -drivers consulted in muffled tones as they examined the harness. - -"Broken jest above the buckle; nothing to hitch to." - -"Better call up the old man, 'n' get Wesley to help. 'S only a step -further 'n the Corner." - -In the sleigh, Mrs. Walton and her governess, covered with heavy -buffalo-robes, waited patiently. The children fidgeted. - -"I want to get out and wade." - -"No, Morrie, you just keep still, and perhaps Santa Claus will come -along and help us. He must have started by this time." - -"H'm! guess reindeers wouldn't do much good. I wish I had my pony -here. Why, Miss Amory, how cold your hand is! Why, you've been keeping -that robe over me, and you're right out in the cold. See the snow on -her sleeve, mamma." - -"Oh, I don't mind," interposed the little governess; but her teeth -chattered, and it was an intense relief when she heard a new, strong -voice just outside: "Where are they, Marston? In that heap of -buffaloes?" After a moment's pause, the robes were lifted, and before -she could say a word the girl felt herself raised from the sleigh and -borne along through the storm in a pair of stout arms, while the same -cheery voice said: "Beg your pardon, miss, it's the only way. The -house is but a few rods from here." - -"Thank you," she answered smiling, in spite of the cold, at her -situation: "but I'm afraid I shall tire you!" - -The young man said nothing, but gravely picked his way between drifts -and treacherous hollows. Once he staggered, and nearly fell with his -burden. She instinctively threw her arm round his neck like a child, -to save herself, withdrawing it quietly a moment after. He plodded on -in silence. - -"He's a gentleman," she thought, "or he would have laughed or joked -about it." - -Close behind them the men were following with those left in the -sleigh, and the whole company were soon gathered around 'Lisbeth's -fire, exchanging comments, throwing aside their snowy wraps, and -refreshing themselves with hot tea. - -"Just like a desert island," whispered Maurice. - -"Only savages don't have doughnuts and milk," returned Edie, helping -herself liberally. - -The fire leaped higher and glowed more and more ardently in its -efforts to warm the castaways, until they were glad to draw back their -chairs from the hearth,--all except the little governess, who was -still chilled through and through, although she meekly drank three -cups of hot tea in succession, and crouched as near the friendly fire -as she could without scorching the pretty dark-blue traveling dress. -Little ripples of shiver seemed to run over her from head to foot, -like a cold breeze. - -"I think, if you please, I'll go to my room," she said at last, with a -grateful look at 'Lisbeth, who was watching her anxiously, and who -doubtless supposed her to be a relative, probably the children's aunt. -"Governess" was an idea that had not struck Haybrook, except through -the medium of an old English novel or two. - -"Well, just step right in here," she said, sympathetically; "and don't -you get up till ye're called in the mornin'." - -As she spoke she opened one of the little, gray, uneven doors behind -her guests, and lighting a tallow candle in a knobby brass -candlestick, placed it upon some article of furniture within. - -"Good-night," she said again, kindly. "Don't let me disturb ye by my -travelin' round the kitchen gettin' breakfast. You can leave the door -open a crack for company, if you're lonesome." - - -II - -When Florence Amory opened her eyes the next morning, she was at a -loss for some minutes to determine her own position in the great white -world that lay around her. Then the events of the preceding night -marshaled themselves into line one by one, and at the same time came -the consciousness that she possessed a head,--a most unmanageable one, -too. It danced and whirled in such an uncomfortable way that she was -glad to shut her eyes once more. - -Presently the sound of an old-fashioned coffee-mill, with its -unwilling halts and sudden compliances, fell upon her ear in such -close proximity that there was no mistaking the character of the -adjoining room. A moment or two later the crushed berries sent through -the keyhole a delicious whiff of aroma that spread itself through the -room. Encouraged by this appeal to two of her senses, the girl once -more took a survey of her quarters. A narrow bedroom, with just space -enough beside the high-posted bed on which she lay to permit one -person to pass; a chest of drawers, with shining brass handles that -tinkled faintly in response to footsteps in another part of the -house; one or two straight-backed chairs: these completed the -furniture of the room, with the exception of a small looking-glass -(one corner gone), a frame washstand, and a tiny yellow table. The -windows were hung with green paper curtains. Just as she finished this -journey around her room, her head took another flight, and was hardly -down again when the door opened softly and the cheery face of 'Lisbeth -peeped in. Seeing that the stranger was awake, she advanced to the -bedside and bent over the flushed face upon the pillow. - -"How'd ye sleep?" she inquired, softly brushing aside a stray lock or -two of brown hair, as a mother might have done, from the tired young -forehead. - -"Not very much, I'm afraid. I'm not much rested: my head doesn't feel -quite right;" and she tried to smile. - -"Well,"--this woman had a strong, comfortable way of beginning her -sentences with that monosyllable, which seemed to put quite out of -sight all doubts and difficulties in the way, and carried with it a -conviction that everything was coming out just right,--"well, there's -nothing in the world to do but to stay just where you be. Your folks -ain't up yet, and won't be this two hours. I'm goin' to brown ye a -piece of bread, and the tea'll be ready by the time that's done: it's -drawin' now, front of the fire." - -"Oh, indeed I must get up. The children"-- - -"Land, the children can dress themselves, or their mother'll help 'em -if they need anything. Do'n't you say another word, dear, but just -shut your eyes and think about something easy,--dandelions in a -cloverfield, say, or birds singin' 'long towards night." - -The firm steps turned away and again began their journeyings up and -down the floor of the adjoining room. Florence closed her eyes -willingly enough, and lay perfectly quiet, with a sense of being cared -for, such as she had not felt since she left her own home. - -The morning light showed dimly through the frosty little panes behind -the green curtain. Upon the old-fashioned bureau she could just see, -as she glanced up wearily now and then, the shape of her tall brass -candlestick, with its long stalactites of tallow hanging from the -upper rim. The footsteps plodded to and fro. Pots and pans -occasionally interjected a staccato note above the soft purring of the -fire and the hum of the teakettle. Then another pair of boots joined -the first,--evidently a man's, but managed with wonderful care so as -not to disturb the visitors. - -Pretty soon the door opened once more, and 'Lisbeth entered, bearing a -small japanned tray, upon which were set a plate of toast in tiny -slices, a steaming cup of tea, and a sugar-bowl with its pair of -silver tongs, slim but solid. - -"Now, dear, a bit of this will do you good." - -"But I'm not hungry." - -"No, poor child, I didn't suppose you would be. Well" (comfortably -again), "suppose I butter a piece of toast,--the littlest piece,--just -for you to taste. Maybe 't will make ye sleepy." There was no -resisting that, and the feverish girl did manage to take a very wee -lunch from the motherly fingers. Then she fell back among the pillows, -exhausted. - -"If ye can jest ketch a nap now," said 'Lisbeth in a whisper, as if -her charge were already in danger of being waked, "it'll do ye lots of -good." - -The toast and the hot tea and Lisbeth's whispers must have had a -soothing effect, for Florence soon dropped into an uneasy slumber, -throughout which, however, she had a continual sense of heat and -discomfort. When she awoke, it was broad day. The world was as silent -as a dream. To ears accustomed to the roar of a city and the cries and -laughter of children at play, the stillness was not a mere negative -quality of the air,--an absence of sound,--it was an almost tangible -thing, and Florence felt smothered beneath its folds. She pressed her -hand to her head, and found it burning hot. Her pulse was throbbing -fiercely through her slender wrists. - -"Mrs. Eldridge!" she called faintly. She had heard 'Lisbeth so -addressed by the driver the night before. - -The soft rustle of a woolen dress, and the firm, now familiar -footfall, were heard at once. In a moment more the elder woman was -holding the hand of the younger. - -"I believe--I am afraid--I am going to be ill." - -"Well, Miss Amory, 'f you be, you shall be well taken care of. I'll -tend ye myself, nights; and if there's anything you want that can be -got, why, Elsie'll get it for ye." - -"And is there a physician?" - -"Oh, yes'm; Elsie's gone for one now. They'll be here in an hour or -two." - -"In all this snow?" - -"Oh, we don't mind that, ma'am. Get used to it, you know. The road's -been broke out clean up t' the village, they say, so 's 't the pung'll -go well enough." - -"Where are Mrs. Walton and the children? And--please don't call me -ma'am." - -'Lisbeth smiled good-humoredly: "I won't, if you won't call me 'Mis' -Eldridge.' 'T always makes me feel 's if I must talk just so straight -when anybody calls me that. My name's 'Lisbeth; and if you'll call me -so, why, I'll call you Florence,--the boy told me your name,--and so -we'll feel better acquainted. Oh, the others? Why, they went along up -t' the Hill, to spend Christmas with their folks, about noon to-day. -She said you was to stay here till you felt better, if we could keep -you. And we can." - -That night Florence was worse, and the succeeding days and weeks were -but so many chapters of feverish fancies and hot, throbbing pain. The -sun climbed higher and the snowbanks sank lower day by day, but she -knew nothing of them. Her world was square, her sky a dingy white, her -surroundings the changing forms of a disordered dream. The -gray-haired country doctor had peered at her through his spectacles -and made the motions of "Typhoid" with his lips to 'Lisbeth. Florence -had seen it under her half-closed eyelids, but was too weary to care -much. So January came and went, and after it February, before she -found herself inclined to take the slightest interest in anything -outside of those four walls, with their faded, large-figured paper. - -It was a warm, delicious day in early March,--one of those foretastes -of spring which in New England match the Indian summer of late autumn. -The green curtain swayed slightly back and forth as the sweet south -wind crept in through the crannies of the old, warped window-frame. A -song-sparrow, perching on the fence just outside, sang his contented -little Easter hymn over and over, until the sick girl felt herself -being drawn back to life once more, and life seemed beautiful. -'Lisbeth was sitting in the kitchen, with the door half open between, -and Florence could hear the soothing creak of her chair as she rocked -gently to and fro at her knitting. Presently she called, "Mrs. -Eldridge!" - -The creaking stopped instantly, and health and life, embodied in -'Lisbeth, entered the room. - -"Well, dearie, feelin' a little better, ain't you?" - -"Yes, ma'am,"--gratefully. "I want to know, if you please, about -things that have happened since I have been ill." - -"Oh, that's a short story. Mrs. Walton 'n' the children went back t' -the city six weeks ago, and left you in my charge. An' it's precious -little trouble you've been. For my part I'd rather take care o' ten -women, all sick with the typhus, than one man with a headache." - -Florence smiled faintly. Then she said, "I haven't heard so many -footsteps in the kitchen lately. Have any of your family gone?" - -"Bless you, no. That's only because Elsie's made a pair o' slippers to -wear about the house, so 's not to wake you when you'd caught a -sleep." - -"How very kind! Can I see Elsie soon? I should so like to be read to a -little bit." - -"Why, yes, I s'pose so," said 'Lisbeth rather doubtfully. "I d' know -'s there'd be any objection. Oh, that reminds me. Elsie was over t' -the Corner early this morning, and brought these flowers. There's a -greenhouse there, where they keep 'em growing right through the -winter. Seems 's if they might have been a little brighter, now, don't -it?" - -While she was talking, she stepped into the next room, raising her -voice as she went, and returned with a china vase painted gaudily on -one side and containing a loose cluster of cut flowers. Florence -noticed at the first glance that they were so arranged as to bring the -unpainted side of the vase in front; at the second, that they had been -chosen thoughtfully. One or two dark heliotropes, white pinks, and a -creamy, half-opened rose, with slender ferns for a background: that -was all. - -"I was going to tie the stems up with a piece of string, but Elsie -would have it they'd wilt quicker, and would look kind o' sot -besides. You was to take out one of the pinks to hold in your hand, if -you liked. They last longer 'n the rest." - -So the dainty blossom, with its folds within folds of whiteness, was -held between the slight girl-fingers, in no way less dainty and -delicate than itself. By a sudden impulse Florence pressed it to her -lips like a child. "You are all so good to me!" she said, with -quivering lips. "I'm not used to being taken care of. Please thank -Elsie for me, and ask her to come in when she can spare the time." - -Mrs. Eldridge had been stooping to pick up a shred from the neat -carpet, and but half caught the words. "Who d' you say? O, Elsie! -Well, I'll give your message just 's you put it." - -But Elsie did not come the next day, nor the next. She began to seem -to Florence like some beneficent brownie, doing all her good deeds -before the household was awake, and then disappearing until her -services were again needed. - -At last came the eventful day when the invalid was to be allowed to -sit up for half an hour. She had looked forward to the time with -eagerness. The old doctor, who had a vein of grim humor under his -white beard, gruffly called her his little im-patient. But, to tell -the truth, the stiff-backed chairs which she had thus far seen were -hardly suggestive of luxurious rest; they were built for well people. -Men and women in that part of the country make but little reckoning -upon sickness. When it comes, it is met with a stern and -uncompromising resistance; but the thought of humoring it by such -compliances as reclining-chairs never for a moment enters their heads. -It was, therefore, a genuine surprise when, after an extraordinary -amount of whispering and hurrying in the kitchen, the door opened, -and, assisted by 'Lisbeth, in walked a chair of such inviting -proportions and soft, padded curves that they plainly expressed -themselves to the effect that they would be extremely miserable unless -reclined upon, and that speedily. - -"Why, where did you find that lovely chair?" cried Florence -delightedly. "I thought I should have to sit up just as straight!" - -"Oh, we jest made it up out of one of the old armchairs in the best -room," said the other, surveying the luxurious piece of upholstery -with pardonable pride. "You see, Elsie thought it all out, and put us -to work, when you said you wanted to set up: so we jest stuffed the -back an' arms, and Elsie sawed off the hind legs an' fixed that place -for your feet in front, and there you be!" - -Five minutes later, Florence sat, weak and trembling after her long -inactivity, in the comfortable chintz-covered chair, with a great -sense of achievement and a new hold on the realities of life. - -"Now, if I could only see Elsie, and thank her." - -"And--_what_?" - -"Why, tell her how much I thank her for all the trouble she has taken -for me." - -A queer look came into 'Lisbeth's face, and her eyes twinkled. "Guess -ye'd better wait till to-morrow," she said. "You'll feel stronger -then, and--she--can come in while you're settin' up." - -"But why not to-day?" persisted the other, with a convalescent's -freedom. - -"Well, to tell the truth, Elsie's busy to-day outdoors, and won't be -in till you're abed again; and then you ought to rest." - -"Out of doors?" - -"Oh, she'll tell you all about it to-morrow," said 'Lisbeth, pursing -up her mouth in the same funny way as before. - -Florence was too weak to pursue the subject further, and presently was -glad enough to lay her tired head upon the pillow once more. - -The next morning the first object that caught her eye was a bunch of -slender willow-wands, with their soft, clinging "pussies," such as she -had not seen since she was a child running about under the elms in the -old, quiet town by the sea. The fresh, sweet sunlight peeped through -the window and rested on their gray fur, creeping down from one to -another and dancing in and out in the merriest manner possible. As -Florence lay there beneath the old patchwork quilt, watching this -pretty play of sunshine and kittens, and listening to the soft bustle -of the morning's work in the next room, a sense of great comfort and -rest stole over her, and in her weakness her eyes filled with happy -tears. Whatever was troublesome in the past she forgot: the future -seemed as bright and yet as intangible as the sunbeams. She only -realized the watchful care and devotion that were hovering about her -day and night, and, in the clear, wholesome atmosphere, her mother's -religion seemed nearer to her than ever before. Her favorite verse, -"Return unto thy rest, O my soul," was written in sunny characters -upon the faded wall before her. - -Then she began to wonder how it would seem to meet the other members -of the family. The shrill voice of the old man she had often heard, -but she had listened in vain for some snatch of song or girlish -footfall which might belong to the gentle "Elsie" whose unseen -ministrations were always attending to her comfort. As for the sturdy -young fellow who had borne her so lightly through the snow, she had -heard him once or twice only, speaking to 'Lisbeth in low tones, or -calling cheerily somewhere outside to a passing neighbor. - -"He must at least live near here," she thought, "but has probably -forgotten all about me. Breakdowns are common enough in the country, -and the 'women-folks' always have to be carried through the drifts." - -Still, she could not help wondering a little who he was, and where he -learned that slow, quiet speech, with its correctly-placed adverbs and -adjectives, She at last concluded that he must be a neighbor in rather -better circumstances than her hostess,--perhaps one of the proud -"Hill-folks" whom Mrs. Walton was to visit. How they must have laughed -over the adventure as they sat about their loaded tables on Christmas -day! Could he not have just called at the door and inquired for her -during all these long weeks of suffering? Then the color came faintly -to her cheeks. She was a dependant, a servant: how could she expect -such attentions? The old rebellious uprising of her whole nature was -beginning to assert itself once more, when 'Lisbeth's soft knock was -heard at the door, and 'Lisbeth herself immediately appeared, while -the sunbeams, which had somehow hidden behind a cloud just before, -danced in through the window again to meet her. - -"Now, dear, for breakfast. The pullets have just begun to lay, an' -Elsie's been out and found a nest in the haymow where that little -Plymouth-Rock was a-cacklin' yesterday. Look!" She held up the warm, -coffee-colored egg as she spoke. "How'll you have it cooked? Boiled? -Well, I'll do it just right, and show ye how to take off the lid with -a knife and eat it out of the shell. Father always has his that way." - -Florence smiled in spite of herself at being treated so like a child. - -"That's right," continued Lisbeth briskly: "don't ye go to feelin' -solemn, for it's goin' to be a grand day. And as for time to come, -why, all I say is, don't worry. You're as welcome as the flowers of -May, and I love to have ye round. You remind me of a little sister I -had once, and--and--Yes, I'm comin'!" And 'Lisbeth, guilty, for the -only time in her life, of a downright deception, hurried out of the -room, pausing, however, to shut the door gently behind her. - -Breakfast over, and the ceremony of enthronement in the easy chair -performed, Florence, with spirits quite recovered, again recurred to -Elsie. "Now, 'Lisbeth," she said gayly, "please hand me the longest -pussy-willow stem for a scepter, and I will give audience to my -subjects. Where is Elsie?" - - -III - -'Lisbeth stepped to the door and called through it: "Come in: she's -ready to see ye now." - -Florence waited, with a bright smile dawning on her face for the -kindly little spirit who handled pussy-willows and armchairs so -deftly. The next minute she heard a light, firm step upon the kitchen -floor. It hesitated at the door, and a gentle knock followed. - -"Come right in, Elsie," cried Florence, pleased again by her delicacy. -"I shall be so glad--" - -She paused abruptly. The door had swung open, and there stood a tall, -well-built young man, an amused twinkle in his clear gray eyes, and -the corners of his mouth just failing of that demureness they aimed to -achieve. Without, however, appearing to notice any element of -embarrassment in the situation, he stepped forward quietly and laid in -her lap a glorious bunch of roses, saying, as he did so, "I happened -to be at the Corner this morning, and was fortunate in securing the -first cutting at the greenhouse. It is like the cream on Aunt -'Lisbeth's pans," he went on, evidently to give her time. "I always -was troublesome just before churning days: wasn't I, aunt?" - -"Indeed, you were," returned 'Lisbeth, with a beaming face that flatly -contradicted her words. "What with you and the two blue kittens, it's -a wonder we ever got anything but skim-milk for our butter. Them roses -do look something like cream too." - -By this time Florence had recovered her self-possession: "Is it -possible that this is the kind fairy who has done so much for me?" She -held out her hand with a frank smile as she spoke. - -He stooped, not ungracefully, and took the offered hand, then laid it, -almost reverently, upon the heap of roses. "Hardly a fairy," he -remarked gravely; "a gnome or a goblin, perhaps. It was very pleasant -service. Are you really better, Miss Amory?" - -"Thank you; I feel almost too well to be treated as an invalid. Will -you not be seated? And then please tell me how--how--I could -have--thought"-- - -"Oh, I'll tell you all about it," broke in 'Lisbeth, with a -mischievous look at her tall nephew, who had obediently seated himself -on one corner of the bed, that being the only unoccupied portion of -the room. "You see, when Wesley"-- - -Florence flushed slightly; she had thought she recognized the voice, -though she had heard it but for a moment that wintry night. The name -she remembered. - -"--Wesley, he used to call himself 'Elsie' when he was a little trudge -an' couldn't speak plain. So we got into the way of callin' him that -ourselves an' it's stuck to him ever since. I'd no notion ye didn't -know who I meant, till you said 'she' yesterday. Then, thinks I, I'll -have a little surprise for her, and a good laugh won't do the child no -harm, bless her!" - -Harm! Why, the most cynical, crabbed, disappointed old soul in the -world must have brightened up at the merry little ripple of laughter -that followed. The responsibilities and struggles of the last two or -three years had left their trace in the gravity of Florence's young -face when in repose. It had begun to have the American tired look, and -it needed excitement or a quick emotion to show to best advantage the -intelligent deep-brown eyes, the wavy hair across the strong forehead, -and a complexion, naturally fine and clear, rendered even more -delicate by her long illness. As she looked up now, with the quick -pleasure of a child, and the light of careless merriment in her eyes, -her face was very sweet and winning. - -Wesley was regarding her intently, his features relaxing pleasantly at -her happy laugh. "No doubt you consider us all as arch-conspirators, -Miss Amory," he said; "but I assure you I knew nothing of this until -half an hour ago. Aunt 'Lisbeth is the Guy Fawkes." - -"And I had no idea she could be so deceitful," replied Florence -solemnly. "Have you any gunpowder in your apron pockets, ma'am?" - -"Land sakes! no," said 'Lisbeth, with a puzzled look. "What d' you -s'pose I want with powder? I guess likely Elsie's got some up 'n his -closet; though what on airth"-- - -Then they all laughed again: they were so simply happy that it did not -take much to amuse them. - -But Florence soon began to feel her strength failing in the unusual -excitement, and was glad to be left alone with her patchwork quilt and -her pussy-willows. - -She did not see Wesley again until several days later. He was busy -mending fences, 'Lisbeth said, "and in the evenin' he had to do his -writin'." - -Florence secretly wondered what his writing could be; but, as 'Lisbeth -did not seem disposed to explain, she said nothing. She had noticed -the carefulness of the sturdy young farmer's speech, the final g's on -his present participles, and the even, firm pronunciation of -his vowels and consonants, so different from the drawling, -carelessly-clipped words of the country-people about. He must have -studied hard at some village "academy," she thought. - -People now began to drop in, after the neighborly St. John fashion so -out of use in cities. They would settle themselves comfortably in the -kitchen rocker, which was usually brought into the front room for -company, and, taking a roll of knitting from bag or apron pocket, -would keep the needles flying while they talked, though but for five -minutes. - -Florence learned that her mother, who was herself in feeble health, -had been from time to time informed of her condition, and, as the -sickness had never been considered dangerous, had contented herself -with writing, at first to 'Lisbeth, afterward to Florence, who was now -well enough to answer. In the pure country air she gained rapidly, and -before long was enabled to take her seat with the rest at table, on -which occasion, be it said, her only anxiety was lest the family -should go to bed supperless, with such eagerness did they devote -themselves to superintending her own plate. By this time, too, she had -learned to say "'Lisbeth" and "grandfather" without hesitation. As to -the third member of the family, she compromised with her sense of -propriety by addressing him as "Mr. Wesley." His last name she had not -heard. - -She was sitting by her window one bright, warm afternoon in April, -watching the portly robins, now hopping about after their -extraordinary food, now pausing to glance up wisely at the sky or at -her window with an air half suspicious, half friendly. Their neat -orange-colored waistcoats showed prettily against the fresh-tinted -grass, just beginning to spring in velvety patches through the brown, -unmown aftermath of the preceding fall. - -On the shady side of the old stone wall that ran along the road toward -the railway-station, a narrow, irregular snowbank, its surface -fantastically carved and honeycombed by the sun, still reminded her -of her winter night's ride. How dreary it had all seemed! How she had -dreaded even the Christmas festivities, with the inevitable being -"left out"--the awkward movements when she felt that the company about -her were not quite sure whether to treat her as an equal or a -servant,--worst of all, the well-meant efforts of Mrs. Walton to -smooth matters over in private! Ah! how it was all changed now! She -would never, never go back to her old position; indeed,--and a shadow -crossed her forehead as she thought of it,--Mrs. Walton had never -signified her wish to have her return. She would soon be able to help -her kind friends in the housework, in sewing, and in other little -ways, until she could obtain something to do for herself. She would -pay them sometime. How good they had all been to her! She thought once -more of that bitter, hopeless ride through the snow. How cold she had -been!--her right arm benumbed with holding the robe over the children, -whom, with all her troubles, she had learned to love very dearly. She -recalled the sudden halt, the moaning of the wind through the trees -overhead, the sifting of the sleety snow against the sides of the -sleigh. Then she thought of the firm voice, assuming control so -quietly, with no needless words, but, what was better, two stout arms. -How they had seemed to lift her out of all her troubles, even while -she was borne straight into the whirl and might of the storm! She had -felt that the arms were stronger than the wind, and so had trusted -them. The girl was resting her cheek upon her hand as she lived that -long night over again, and she hardly knew what a glow was in her -face, or how dewy bright her eyes were, as with a start she turned to -answer a knock she had learned to recognize. - -Wesley looked straight into the brown eyes a moment in his grave, -silent way, then reached out his hand, filled to overflowing with long -trailing vines and fragrant pink-and-white blossoms. - -"They told me they missed you in the woods," he said, "and begged me -to carry them to you." - -Florence took them in her hands and bent her face over them. She could -not speak for a moment, the flowers were such a part of what she had -been thinking. "I thank you," she said at length, tremulously. "They -are far too beautiful to claim companionship with me. It is I who -should go to them and kneel while I picked them." - -"I always think of them as in 'Miles Standish': - - Children lost in the woods and covered with leaves in their slumber. - -It is as if they were the pure in heart, who had ascended into His -holy hill." - -"Where did you find them, Mr. Wesley?" - -"Under the pines, by the brook. It is hardly time for them, but that -is a sheltered spot, where the sun shines all day. I will take you -there as soon as you can go with safety." - -"Do you know," mused Florence, "it seems odd that the first English -ship anchoring in Plymouth harbor should have been called the -Mayflower? Do they have these flowers in England?" - -"No, Miss Amory. It would perhaps sound strange to you to hear people -speak of a 'branch of mayflowers,' but by that name the English -usually mean the hawthorn, which flowers in May. And it is a -wonderfully beautiful sight, for England seems at that time to be -fairly covered with blossoms, the hawthorns are so plentiful." - -"This is 'trailing arbutus,' is it not?" - -"Yes; except--pardon me--with the accent on the first syllable. But I -am becoming pedantic," he added, with a smile. "Miss Amory, you once -told Aunt 'Lisbeth you would like to be read to, did you not?" - -Florence felt the color in her cheeks, but said simply, "Yes, I should -enjoy it very much." - -"Here is a bit that I came across a day or two ago." He took a printed -slip from his pocket and began to read: - - "Little pure-hearts, nestling shyly - On the cool, pine-shadowed slope, - Filling all the gloomy forest - With the very breath of hope, - - "Whence hath come your wondrous patience, - In the dark to wait so long,-- - Faith, to venture forth so bravely - At the first wee sparrow-song? - - "All your alabaster boxes, - With their store of ointment sweet, - You have offered to the Master, - Humbly kneeling at his feet, - - "And his gentle hands in blessing - Rest upon you day by day, - While the precious fragrance rises - Like a prayer to him alway." - -Florence sat in absolute stillness while he read, just catching her -breath slightly at one of the lines. She looked very much like a -mayflower herself as she sat there, her hands crossed in her lap, and -her face upturned to the reader. When he had finished, she was silent -for a moment. Then she asked, "Who wrote that, Mr. Wesley?" - -"Oh, the author's name wasn't mentioned," he replied carelessly. "It -was some anonymous magazine-writer who was fond of flowers and the -Gospel of St. John, and chose to tell in this way what he thought -about it all." - -"Mr. Wesley"-- - -"Miss Amory?" - -"Is there an institute--academy--of any sort at the Corner? I have -thought of teaching, you know." Florence flushed as she spoke, and -looked intently out of the window. - -"There is something of that sort there now, I believe. It was started -only a year or two ago." - -"Why, then you"--The words came before she could check them. - -"No," he answered, smiling, "I was only able to attend the district -school that you passed between here and Haybrook Station." - -"But--you have learned somewhere?" - -She was in for it now, though her face burned as she asked the -question. - -"I studied at home," he replied quietly. "Then I worked for a man at -Haybrook Center, and he helped me with my Greek and Latin until I was -able to enter Bowdoin. I graduated five years ago." - -"Thank you," she said heartily. "I'm afraid I have been unpardonably -inquisitive; but you must accord a certain indulgence to invalids, -which, I believe, they are usually not slow to claim. If you had not -criticised my pronunciation of this little flower's name, I should not -have taken such a liberty. Am I forgiven?" she concluded, looking up -brightly into his face again. - -"I have passed harder examinations in history," he said -good-humoredly; "and some day I may retaliate by examining you to even -better purpose. Will you answer all my questions then?" - -Florence laughed outright: "How solemnly you speak! To be sure I will. -My story will be even shorter than yours. I think one answer will be -enough for the whole." - -"Yes, I think it will," he said slowly, then checked himself, and, -remarking soberly that "her little forest children would be none the -worse for wetting their feet," turned, without further words, and left -the room. - - -IV - -A few days after this conversation, 'Lisbeth entered the kitchen -waving an envelope over her head. "It's accepted," she cried; "I know -by the feel of it! It's a money-order or a check,--it don't make no -difference which. Abner Slack was just comin' back from the Corner, so -he called in t' the post-office an' brought it along." - -"I'm afraid I don't understand," said Florence, who was the only other -person in the room. "Whom is it from, and to whom is it addressed, -please?" - -"Why, to Elsie, of course. Look there!" - -She pointed to the name of a well-known periodical, printed in an -upper corner of the envelope. - -"He's been trying to get something into that for these six months -past, and nothin's ever come back but those old circulars, telling how -the editor's feelin' _so_ bad, because the piece is a leetle bit too -long, or not quite suited, or better for some other magazine! Poor -boy, he'd got so discouraged and put down 'bout it that I didn't know -but he'd give up for good." - -"Then that's why he writes so much. Oh, but are you sure he wouldn't -mind your telling me?" - -"Bless you, no; he don't make no secret of it. He got into the way of -writin' for the papers while he was schoolin' at Bowdoin, and when he -came home he just made up his mind that that was his callin', and -that he would stick to farmin' for a while until he got money enough -to move to the city, where he could get at more books. About six weeks -ago he sent a great thick bunch o' paper--I'm sure I don't know what -'t was all about--to the magazine, and, as I told ye, they've sent -back this envelope instead of the bunch. So I know it's taken." - -'Lisbeth's kind face fairly beamed as she spoke, and her eyes were -moist. "If you'd known," she went on, wiping them with the corner of -her apron, "the setbacks that boy's had, and the big pack of them old -printed things he's got saved up--he's the most perseverin' -critter--There! here 'm I standin' talkin', instead of givin' the -letter to him this minute!" She ran up-stairs in her quick, nervous -way, and, as they all sat round the uneven table that night, the light -in the young man's eyes showed that 'Lisbeth had not mistaken the -contents of the mail. - -"I'm trying to do my duty on the farm," he told Florence afterward, -"and at the same time to find whether I really have a message to the -world, or a part of it, however small. I always have to remember the -reply of the old Scotch minister who was asked by an anxious young -pulpit aspirant whether he thought he had a call to preach. 'Try it, -mon,' he said; 'try it, an' dootless ye'll succeed, gin ye find oot -'at onybody has a ca' to hear ye.' I shouldn't want to be 'stickit,'" -he added, smiling. - -"But--pardon me, Mr. Wesley--what kind of writing do you mean to do? -There are so many branches, you know: poetry, fiction, history, -essays"-- - -"That is just what I must discover. The main thing is not the form, -but the substance. I want to write that which shall comfort and -strengthen people, help them when they are in trouble, give them rest -when they are tired, make life bright and cheery for them when the -world seems gray." He spoke with kindling eyes. "If I have ever -written--if I shall ever write--a line that does not, in some poor -way, however feeble, tend to this result, I pray that it may be -blotted out, destroyed with the paper on which it is printed!" - -This talk was followed by others of like nature. By degrees Wesley, -finding a sympathetic listener always ready, and a kind but firm -critic as well, fell insensibly into the habit of reading, at first -passages here and there, afterward whole articles, to the gentle, -dark-haired girl who was so quick to catch the deeper significance he -had intended in this or that turn of thought and reflect it in her -intent brown eyes. - -So the spring wore on, and then came summer, with its long, fair days, -its fragrant hay-fields, its never-ceasing chirp and whir of insect -life. Month after month passed, and still Florence lingered with her -kind friends. With the oppressive heats of August the old man had felt -his strength fail rapidly, and spent much of his time within-doors, -lying upon the lounge or in the stuffed rocking-chair, and needing -many little offices from those around. This special duty Florence -from the first assumed, and more loving care or regard to his -slightest want he could not have received from a granddaughter. She -would read or talk softly to him by the hour, would listen patiently -to his childish, halting speech, and move lightly to and fro in his -service, until he would have no one else about him, lying perfectly -still, with half-closed eyes, when she was out of the house, until the -familiar footfall or the pleasant voice told of her return. - -As the flowers in the little garden fell before the early frosts and -the maple boughs began to kindle through the mellow autumn haze, the -life of the old man, weary with its long stay upon earth, was plainly -preparing to lay aside its worn-out garments; and one bright September -morning when the first rays of the sun found their way through the -little window-panes of the low-browed east chamber, Florence knew that -the moment had come. - -She had been sitting up all night, and now stepped quickly across the -kitchen to call the other members of the household. They came, and the -final long, tired breath was drawn at last. They waited, but no more -came. Wesley turned to Florence, took her hand and held it silently -for a moment, and then, in the quiet country way, went out to give -notice of the death, have the bell tolled, and arrange for the -funeral. - -In the loneliness that fell upon the old house during the next few -weeks, Florence made no effort to go. It was plain that she was -needed, for death, no matter how long or fully expected, is an awful -visitor at the last, and leaves behind him an oppression which cannot -be soon thrown off. So it was Florence who quietly carried away the -funeral flowers after the family had returned from the little -churchyard, it was she who threw open the blinds of grandfather's room -and let in the sweet, fresh sunshine, and it was she who, without -forcing an unwelcome cheerfulness upon the rest, was nevertheless the -light of the house from the time when her bright face, full of -sympathy, greeted 'Lisbeth in the gray November mornings until the -three gathered about the cosy tea-table by the flickering light of the -fire. - -Once her mother came down for a visit of a day or two, which -lengthened into a fortnight. She had offered to pay for her daughter's -accommodations, to the intense astonishment and displeasure of -'Lisbeth. - -"She earns her board, every bit of it," said that lady with energy. "I -don't know what I should do without her workin' and singin' round the -house. You jest let her stay till she wants to go,--that is, ma'am, if -you can spare her yourself. She's gainin' in health every day of her -life, and when she's ready she'll take hold as she never did before, I -can tell you." - -So matters were left as they were, until, with a start, Florence -remembered, one bright, cold afternoon, that it was just a year since -she had been carried in through the front door that bitter night. - -Wesley had come in from his work a few moments before, glowing with -the exercise and the keen air, to ask her to take a sleigh-ride with -him that evening. The roads were fine, he said, and the colt, not -having been out for a week, was in the best of spirits. There was a -full moon, too, and they would celebrate Christmas Eve by this drive, -just by way of contrast with that of a year ago. - -In gayest mood, therefore, Florence stood upon the broad door-stone in -front of the house when, a few hours later, the colt came jingling up -from the barn with a light step, plainly considering the sleigh and -its load the most stupendous joke conceivable, really nothing at all -for a strong young fellow like him; it was difficult for him, on the -whole, to realize that he was in harness at all. That his driver, -however, was hardly inclined to allow him to forget that fact was -evident from the even, steady rein and the firm voice behind it. - -For a few moments, as Florence took her place beside Wesley, she felt -unaccountably shy; this soon wore off in the rush of sweet, cool air -past their cheeks and the wonderful beauty of the night. How the -starlight twinkled and danced from each little bright point above the -white, silent world, waiting for the far-off chords of angel music! -Christmas Eve. No sound in the air but the silvery voice of the bells -and the murmur of the pines, "Peace, peace on earth." - -Wesley stooped to arrange the heavy fur robe more warmly about his -companion. Then he turned and looked into her earnest, upturned face. -"Do you know," he said, quietly, "what I should label my picture if I -were to paint your portrait? 'A Brown Study.'" - -Florence laughed a little: "I was only thinking how very contented I -was, and how much more happiness this Christmas looks back upon than -the last." - -"Miss Amory, are you in a mood for answering questions to-night?" He -felt her start slightly under the robe. "Because, you know, you have -never passed that examination." - -There was something in his voice, an earnestness underlying his light -words, that made her turn her head quickly to meet his glance. - -At that moment they were passing through a belt of woods where the -brightness of the sky and the faint light of the rising moon made the -shadows cower thick and black beside every log and snowy mound. - -Whether the young horse had spied one of these stretching into the -road, or she had jarred the reins by her involuntary movement, -Florence never knew. It happened like a lightning-stroke,--the sudden -quiver of the colt from head to foot, and at the same instant the -sharp word of command from Wesley, then the plunge ahead. In one -terrified glance at the half-maddened animal she saw a fragment of -leather hanging from the foam-covered bit. The rein had parted under -the strain, and the remnant lay loose and worse than useless in the -driver's hand. - -The horse was bounding wildly along the icy road, with the light -sleigh swaying from side to side, half the time upon one runner, -threatening every moment to overturn. - -"Florence, will you do what I say?" - -"Yes." - -She did not mind the name. Were they not together in the shadow of -death? Oh, that awful whirl of hoof-beats! the utter helplessness of -it all; the mockery of the cushioned seats and warm wraps! - -But there was no time for thought. Wesley was taking the heavy -buffalo-robe and turning it with quick, skillful hands, as she had -seen him turn a paper at home when he was reading aloud to them all in -the quiet evenings around the old brick fireplace. His calmness gave -her strength. - -"Take this corner," he said. "Hold it with the fur up. Now let the -rest of the robe fall slowly over the dasher in front of the -whiffletree. When I give the word, lower the whole instantly, as I do, -keeping your hold of the upper corner, so that the lower part will -clog the runners. Do you understand?" - -She nodded. There was little time now to spare. They knew the road -well enough to remember the clump of oaks just ahead of them. There -was a sudden turn there, to avoid a ledge where the workmen had -blasted for the bridge last summer. - -Florence crouched in the bottom of the sleigh, set her teeth hard, -and, with both hands buried in the long fur, waited. - -The ledge came in sight, ugly and black. - -"Now!" - -For an instant it seemed as if the slender wrists would break, or that -she must be drawn over the dasher and thrown under the horse's hoofs. -She never thought of letting go her hold. All her New England heroism -came to her aid, and the robe did not gain an inch. - -Gradually the tired horse felt the heavy drag, aided by a slight -ascent in the road. His speed slackened; the wild run became a clumsy -gallop,--slower,--slower. Then came the soothing tones of his driver, -and he turned his ears back to listen. In another moment Wesley was -out of the sleigh and at his head. The danger was over. - -The full moon was now looking down from the eastern sky, and pouring -its flood of dreamy light over the cruel ledges. - -Wesley led the trembling horse, now wholly subdued, to an oak beside -the road, and fastened him securely enough this time. Then he went -back to the sleigh. He had not spoken before. - -She was still crouching in front of the seat, with her pale face -resting against the cushions. It was a very white little hand that was -held out in the moonlight to meet his. He took it, and did not let it -go. "Florence!" He felt the little hand flutter in his own, but still -he did not let it go. Half turning, he drew the torn robe about her, -his hand lingering on every fold. "Florence, may I try to keep you -from cold and darkness and death so long as I live?" Ah, how quick his -ears were to catch that wee shadow of a whisper! No one else could -have heard it. As he gathered her white face, brown hair, little hand, -fur robe, and all in his own strong arms for a moment, "That one word -is my Christmas song," he said softly. "Little princess, shall we go?" -And he took his post at the horse's head. - -It was a wonderful ride back, over the gleaming road, with that tall, -silent figure walking before. As they turned aside into the little -open space in front of the gray old house, and halted once more by the -door-stone, he came quickly to her side and held out his arms as he -had a year ago. Only this time he said simply, with a great gladness -in his voice, "Come, Florence; we have reached home!" - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Around the Yule Log, by Willis Boyd Allen - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AROUND THE YULE LOG *** - -***** This file should be named 43008.txt or 43008.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/0/0/43008/ - -Produced by Greg Bergquist, Matthew Wheaton and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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