Show the shoemaker and nis his guest ile he was an om old shoemaker er loved and honored by all ills his neighbors who affectionately called callea hl him unde cobbler it was chrls christmas amas eve addlie sat alone in his little shop slowly leading from the book about tile the visit of the wise men to the babe in the manger ina liger at bethlehem lehem and ot of the gifts they brought ile he murmured to himself it if tomorrow were tile the fit first st christmas and if th that it babe were to bo be born in our city tills this night I 1 know 11 what I 1 would give hinl him ile he rose and took from a shelf two tiny shoes of softest snowwhite snow white leather with bright silver buckles 1 I would give him these my finest work how pleased his mother would be but im a foolish old man lie he thought smiling ile he has no need of my poor gifts replacing the shoes he blew out the candle anti anil slipped into Us lis bed bcd bc d hardly had he closed his eyes it seemed when he heard beard a voice call his name instinctively lie he felt amaie abate of tile the identity of the speaker uncle cobbler you have longed to see me tomorrow ow I 1 shall fass pass by your window if you see me bid me enter I 1 shall be your guest arid and sit at your table the old shoemaker did not sleep that night tor for joy lefoie it was dawn lie he rose arid swept and tidied up US 1119 little shop ile he rearranged what little furnishings lie he had and spread green boughs of fir along the rafters rathers rat fers on the spotless linen covered table he be placed a loaf of bread a jar of honey b ey a pitcher of milk and over the tire fire he hung a pot of coffee when all was in readiness he be took up his vigil at the window ile he was certain he be would know the visitor from childhood had he not gazed in love arid and reverence nt at ills his image above the great alter in the cathedral then as he watched the driving sleet tailing falling upon that desei led street he thought of the joy that would be his bis when he sat down anti and biake blead w with ith ills his guest soon he saw an old street sweep er pass by blowing upon ills his thin gnarled earled hands to warm ahem poor fellow lie he must bo halt frozen thought the shoemaker opening lilt door lie he called out to him come in my fi filand lend atil araj warm wann and drink a cup of hot coffee no further urging was needed and the man gratefully accepted the invitation an hour passed then the shoemaker noticed a young miserably clad woman carrying a baby she paused wearily to rest in the shelter of his doorway the heart of 0 the old cobbler was touched quickly lie he flung filing open the door come in and warm while you test lest lie he said to her you tid not look well he remarked 1 I am going to the hospital I 1 hope they will take me in fit and my baby boy she cx explained pla ined my aly husband Is at sea and I 1 am ill without money poor child crie d the old man mant 1 you yon must eat something while you a are re getting warm no then than let me give a cupo milk to t the he little one ali ah what a bi ight bright pretty little fellow lie he is why you have put no shoes on him 1 I have no shoes for him bighea the mother then he shall have this lovely pair I 1 finished yesterday and tild the old shoemaker took down florn the shelf tile the soft little snowwhite snow white shoes lie he had looked at the evening before and slipped them on oil the childs feet they fitted perfectly shortly after the poor young mother went on her way tearfully teai fully with gratitude and the old cobbler resumed his post at the window hour after hour slipped by and while many people passed and many needy souls shared the hospitality vitality pita lity of the old cobbler the expected guest did not appear finally when night had fallen he retired to his cot with a heavy heair it was only a dream lie he sighed 1 I did hope and believe but he has not come suddenly so it seemed to ills his weary eyes the loom was flooded with a glorious light and to the cobblers astonish med vision there appeared before him one by one the poor street the sick mother arid and her baby and all the folk whom he had aided during the lay day each smiled at him then said ald the voice again have you not seen me did I 1 not sit at your table and all was still out of the silence came th the echo of familiar words whosoever shall deceive one such little chim child in my name receive th me 1 I was hungered and ye gave we me meat thirsty arid and ye gave me drink a stranger stranger and je ye took me in inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me |