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Show Jj - . fPjjS Jmmmk- - - - llm-acc- ciuiistmas and : h ?lu bill yim gave me just now. Mister Horace!" Mister 1" laughed merrily mid pushing hack tin- liiiliil which held mil tin- I'ill for his acceptance, said: "Mo, Freddy, buy. it was iki mistake. I knew it va li'ii ilnll:ir. and meant tli:it ynu should have it." "JIul. but it is mi much. Mislcr ain't tli;it )iin- -t Iimi big " fur yini to give me'.'" Nut :i Iiu i.f it. in v my. jii- -t .vim invest vt hi r fiii'tiiin' un you think . fur you're welcome tn every penny of Fred, uml it: you're :iii honest . 1 in tin in- ymi for it. but huh good-byeat mice tn kivp nil for must : I 1 appointment.'' . "liood-byc- hardly know such hcups.uu', au' a Kin Mister Horace. don't lmiv tn thank vmi fur hut do 1li.iul you 1 1 I twi n't kind lmw Ymi k m ivv forget You've been to uir. yi hi - the iifU '.fiD?T.iW iii- west. l leil in a pretty little v i v here hi eleur he;nl. pure ami earnest ui:iii-- t ratitui mumi won him the love ainl reverenei' nf imt y hix nt n t'liiiivh. but of all with ulmni he eiime ill euiilaet in hi" ihiil.v liiV. us years pushtil m-- In- niel Mere, aiiilbiveda hWi'-e- t ynnny fjirl li.i in time bivuiiie his wife, and tni-iln-they iiiaile a little hnme on tile hioail prairii' stivtehiiif.' away hrymiil the uway t ".in. yes: lit'itin;i camis miij. how ).'l;ul would Ih- tn make it :ii I J ' ..II gLilllnilU' 1 IlllSllliaS IUr till IIU" 'i"il uml needy" uinl mi till ttii'ir homes w ilh plenty uinl their hearts with joy tlmt 'Christmas camls' would gush frulu their !)- - in grateful hrniy. It hurts I IV lllllsl it IK', in Illll' to SIV distress! this republican I'limitry. tlmt tilings an.' so unevenly divided? I wish we hud Hi i very rieli nor very jHiur. but 1 hut all liinl moderate mean, am could live five. Imiicsl. pleasant lives. with imne nf the grasping avarice of the rii'li. imr tin- snrmw uml misery of the jkhii'." Ami musing thus ho iuhM'il up u linKiil flight of step und was greeted bv glad voices ami laugk-- i ingeyes. while lie was drawn into the (cheery parlor wliieh wan disclosed to view by the nieiiiug iliMir. Ami mi the Christmas day sped mi: ami with its countless unites nf year gone by rliiH'il on into ubliviun. - 1 I H I j , - j two bulky letters and a The first he opened was from J!iiln-i-- : he wrote in jubilant spirits, he had U en advanced into a plea-aposition in u loch he Would receive a good salary. The president nf the i lpaiiy had talked with him ami found that he knew his iliiehurd'sl father, und was so kind lo him he hud invited him lo eat his I hrisimas dinner his it home. and he was not sail nr more lonely any He told them not to Worry iilmut him. tlmt he was in a giHsl place uml in a fair w.iv tn advance, lie re- I u rued the check, saving that he Would iml need ii now. liless.nl them both ami sent a liitle token of his love. While the mother kissed uml cried ut In siTV iee. r village. Tliere eame two little mmis t.i that hajipy lii nm'Tii m I the fathIn all er's tender heart went out in little oues for their xakes. Many a sinriny niilit saw himpliMldin tlinmh ruin and muiw earry iutr eheer and c. unfurl to Miine siekor suffering I'hilil. who h ked for the brijrht faee uml t'lieery vuiee uliniist us fur (in angels visit. Thus, time passed on, uml llnrace a Time hair hail turned to grt-yuml euif had worn Mime linen upon the open Ih'miv. but the genial smile was still us warm and br'ijrht us when he talked to little l'n'dd.v mid the falling elu-e- r . Kir- - I thiinied nut I he nverernw ded Imiisi's nf the Hinr i ilh ruthli'ss hand. And amid the eiiiitrivcuiiiiii who sat U'lfatli that pale pastor's ministrations and wniidered why Mrs. lluyuard woiv the same Unmet for t wo m'Hsoiih and ilii'sscd mi very plainly, few knew tiiat tlie new biimit't had ynne in iee and mi'dieine fur the siek. and the iii"iiev for the new dress in shniuilsanil burial for the dead. When full hud eoiue ii)'iiiii. liuil l'ob-e- rt wrote that he hud worked hard all summer for but little luy: that he wiik weary uml lmiui'siuk uml tireil of strujf-yli- n on aloiie; eolild lie Hot conic houii'.' lie had neither money nor ulothes to liejrin the winter there; he nus lieartsii'k and dineouragtid; what should he do'.' Tor a week the mrents dehaled the siilijeet. The uiother'sfoiid heart eried eoiue;" the father's elear hcml said. ill Jiackai'. Ih-- - tln-riiin't mi many us is kind to bov like mi', iimi tlirm un is I never Mister Horace, kin forget: gmsl-byami thank you once more." "Mr. Horace" returned tn enlleie suow. Freddy retraced Jii stcis slowly, The little lads had ymwii like looking ut his treasure now ami tlu'ii ami took up the earnest Mmlrlit'x life in the five upeu air. and the to lie sure tliii' it was safe, uml mutter. uliee iiioiv. the ilays jKissili).' ipiietly by know handed lilui talked and earnestly nf nil he wniild have him ih. ami . The mother was ealied intn the eimiiril .iiul it was at last divided that he sinuild t? euM It i in fi-- . 1804. KnlH'i't inlii a seat. There I fifgygS viiAK ; jovcr tin- letter and the "token" the j perplexed pastor lore om.ii the other letter to Iiml. if imssible, the Mjlution to this pleasant mystery. As hu opened it u cheek for fifty dollars fell out upon his knee, uml with u luce tilled with astonishment he read: My dear Mr. Horace ifor to me you can never lw anything clscl, 1 send you u Christmas greeting: have you for gotten thut morning, twenty-seve- n years ugo. when you stopied to pat the head of the little urchin who wa4 shoveling the snow from the walks and press into his hand a ten dollar bill? You. jokingly, culled it my fortune, and it has proved to be so, fur from that bill 1 got the start thai has made me what I am "Mdcut of a company whose wealth and power are iucrca&ing daily.' hud lost track nf ymi. and thought i you Had probably fallen hi the war. Wheu. u week ago. I went into a church: a young boy sal W'fore me and I could not remove my eyes from him. My interest was deeiemd by the fact thut he MH'iued sadly impressed by the services, und mure than onue wus to furtively obliged wipe uway a tear. I thought of my own boyhoiMl und my heart went out in syiuHithy to the young stranger. hen the services were over I walked him to the street and remarked umiii the beauty of the day. lie seemed sad and lonely, and as I continued to walk him. I drew him on to tell me of himself and home. What was my surprise to find that tlie lad was in my own employ, and tlie son of my dear benefactor. Horace Hayward? I In in home with me and won j took i from him the story of his life j and yours, lie tells me you are still; j your old ways, always helping others: and inclose this !.M. ax a thank offer-- j iug. for your poor, and may it bless as your generosity has blessed ; them I have conceived ; me. a strong affeu-- j tiou for your boy. not only Wcuuse lie is yours, but becauM' he is a noble, frank aud hnuest lad. I have taken him into my ottice. and will push him on as fast as he is capable of advancement. Ymi need feel no further uneasiness in regard to his future, as I will see that he gets a position in life befitting himself and you. m1 bless yon. sir. in your noble life and work, and accept the heartfelt love and gratitude of your oliedieut servant. - j j j to-da- 1 f 11 '!?. T fl r5jLi ' s. . STORY, f li WAS CIIKIST- - Aay' The S' Mmu bi'Hs run out mer- - - 'fr air. The snow. Hakes danced and twinkled in their airy Hijrht and were caiiffht up by the wind and tossed hither and thither in lmisterou play; now into the faee of some afred man, now under the feet of a toddling child, and upain whirling around a corner and down the street as if in mad pursuit of some phantom partner in their spectral da lure, (treat fire burned briskly in cheery homes, und sent out their ruddy Iieain upon the snow, while sleiffhs full of merry people pasM'd swiftly by. hurrying on in of the Christinas dinner. A little lad. thinly clad and shivering, who shoveled the piles of suow from before, a larire uinl handsome residence. liHiked wistfully up and down the street, and now and then aiirhcd heavily as some gay crowd of holiday revelers pusM-swiftly by. his Tears roM' to but eyes, were wiped huxiily away as the door opened uml a tall, fine looking younjr man came iNiimdinfr down the stejis. At the Ihiv's side he paused, ami layinfr his hand kindly on his head, said. "Merry Christmas, Freddy! you must not work too hunt, this is a holiday, you know, and you can finish :leui'iiifr off the walks I'hey tell me you have been a good boy while I have Wen away, and have been very kind and thoughtful to my father. I appreciate it highly, my boy, and ihank you for him and myself. Here is a little Christmas gift for you, and I hoM- you may enjoy it.' And pressing a erisp. new sin bill into the boy's bentimlied and dirty little hand he hurried off down the street. Freddy "H e - . 'frYU " IIIIIsTVAs: KIIFD1T." for a moment in silent amazement, iraing with startled eyes at the bill which he held in his hand. Then suddenly casting down his shovel he ran after the retreating figure, crying loudly. "Mister Ilornce-ol-i. Mister until flushed and he reached the yuuug man's side, snyiug. "Kxciim me. sir, but I think you've made a mistake: that wa llor-ace.- 1' 'tt?&i I r I'liKIiKlW.K W. himself. "Ten dollarsl-th- at's a until that clarion trumpet call reheap o' money'. I'll give mother a new sounded through Held, and state, and shawl, that's one thing sure, an' little lack shall have a horse and cart and Nell a doll oh. crieky: ain't it fun? An' we'll have a turkey, sure 's fate, and that precious buby shall have both drumsticks, bless her heart! I must go "n get my shovel and tell Mr. Hayward that Mister Horace said I could qnitfor he's tine, is Mister Horace. I tell ye. he ain't none n" your stuck np young bloods, if his father is well off: he's he's well he's a hummer, he llaywunt was the mjii of a wealthy planter, wlm. finding bis "sunny south" ton enervating fur his feeble health, hud reiimved to the north for a time that he might be nearer to his only mi who was completing his education at an eastern college. Among those who served the handsome, courtly old gentleman in his northern home was a man by the name of Sterling, who was janitor and general factotum: hi; lived near by, and his son. Freddy, was always ready M ierforiu any service for him nf which lie was capable. In his vacations "Mr. Horace" had noticed the lmy about the house, mid with his genial smile, kind word and Iwnter. had won his admiration and regard. Horace now strode on with a ehrerful air, and looked about as one who is well content with his surroundings. He still sung the sweet Christmas carol very light-hearte- d hall, which caused the farmer to layby his plow, the statesman his lxmk and pen. the student his cap and gown, and fly to tlie rescue of their country in her hour of need. ltorn. reared nnd nurtured in the south, Horace Hayward had Unbilled her teachings with his native air and now he espoused her cause nnd enlisted under the stars und Imrs. It is an old story! We all know the haughty confidence and eager hope of the lieginning, the desperate struggle, the bitter suffering, the hopeless surrender at the end. The storm of battle had raged fiercely near Horace llayward's childhood home. The plantation was devastated, the home destroyed, and lohn Hayward wus a ruined man. He did not linger long enough to see the blessing to humanity which came through strife and blond and tears, but soon laid him down to sleep Wncath the green and trampled Mnl when! sc many of the nation's fairest vms were laid ls'sidc him. and si lone, heartsick und now looked about him weary. Ibna-to see where he could liest turn his abilities to some account. Suffering und hardship had ilerelosil the merry boy into a thoughtful man. who saw almve the din of battle und the strife of man. the mighty hand of Cod. lie had been educated for the ministry, and knowing that he could do but little ill the south at that time, he sped e Sitm.iso. he finished rending this letter, Horace llavwurd raised his eves, suf- fused with tears, and dropping on his ents Miinetiiiies looked a trifle anxious "I don't liki' tn see him give up." knees before his chair thanked liod. as they said: "I Mir boys will soon 1h Kilt affection prevailed in the cud In the Mush of his curly manhood he men." The year of Is was a disastrous and Mr. Hayward drew bis lust check hud cast his bread upon the waters, one through all the west. The summer ujxin his little Imrde of savings and was long, hot and dry. All vegetation enchsved it to him. telling ldm. ' Come was parched and scorched us by a blast if you must, stay if you can: If work from a furnace. The grain wilted nnd is hard and wages are small, 'half a died liefore it ripened and the grass waf loaf is better than no bread' and exburned clear down into t'ic ground. perience is capital' that is always When full eame then- wen1 no crops to gisiil." The weeks crept by: another harvest uml the farmers had no income letter came, telling them that he could for the ensuing year. Agriculture gov- still retain his position, that, though erns the prosperity of all the towns in he was still houiesiek and hard worked was de- uinl saw mi chance of bettering himthe western states, and picted on the faces of ail. as winter self, he would stay a while longer. The winter closed dnwn drearily. came down with unparalleled severThe long strain on mind ami Isnly ity. The people left the small towns where no work could W obtained und had worn the active pastor to a crowded into the cities: then" every shadow of bis former self And lis . '. i I VJl fI. i i ii Ia i vocation was filled and hundreds were call after call was made upon iiis failcjii U left homeless and iieuniless t i face the ing forces, his courage gave out. and cruel winter weather. gloom und despondency settled down line evening as the faini'y .it in their over the bright spirit ami stout heart little parlor and the careworn minister of Horace llaywai-il- . n Christmas morning, us he sat at leaned his head iimn his hand and lived over in memory the pivous spec- breakfast with his wife and son. he tacles he had seen that day. his oldest said: with a f.vk Fii.i.rn witii Arriy:sn- son, Hobcrt came to him and said: "I have no Christmas gifts for you 1IKXT UK ItK.in. "Father. I am eighteen years old. I this morning, dear ones. I wish (hut 1 and it had returned to him aker many i know the daily self re of could have had. but while we Mt- - so M uv K. Mai days. ls. I that' and mother's. much life, feel us your that it misery ahout from your little means on h ive given j would lie wnm.r for us to put money more than you can spare: U me help into gifts. I can do little now for lack Resolutions, you! I am old eiioiii;ii. let 'He go out j of funds, for all Me had is gone and all Oh, thtvi Xnw Year rinvluticnii tbat wt made with holy aw. and earn enough to keep myself and my calls for help seem nf little use. It How they niltl lit tli naowliauks in a help you in your generous inny has been a hard winter fur Us, Mary, January thaw! I. father?" And the lmy bent forward. but we will cnuie through all right. How the man wh hmka his meerschaum looking eagerly into his fnl lu i 's down-- ! We can not see the u;iv now, but liod and towI to stiioke no more. " As he cast face. srnne moment he sat will guide and help n Now iiimaes au ulj pipe babiud tha in silent thought, ami then drawing sikc the bell ram;, and the post man cellar duur. ! iir to . "NKIIIIV s'.inmI still IS As is!" Horace mm-- - Hill y to-da- . 1 : pi-e- - - m I -- I utii"-iatioi1 w-- rk I I 't , |