Show r i 1 I II t 9 I 71 jo j t r o rn K c A-c is S l s h I. I ri OT I 1 tig ng o ago o there lived 11 inthe In tn Inthe B th the city of Marseilles nn on old oIl 3 1 shot shoemaker maker loved 11 and honored hon holt r ored ortt by nit nIl his neighbors 2 1 who him Father Martin Mm tin One Christmas l eVe Father ather Martin who ho had hOlI been rending the story of ot the three wise men who brought their gifts to the lire Infant Jesus said to himself 1 If only tomorrow were the tho first Christmas day and md the Savior were coming to this world how I would serve und and adore him I I know very well what I J would give gl him He ne arose nrose null nud took from n a shelf two little shoes Here Is what hot I would give him my finest work How flow his mother would bet bel Rut nut what am nm I 1 thinking of oU ho continued smiling Does Docs the Savior need nell my poor shop and my shoes shoes' nut lint that night Father Martin Marlin had hada a dream He no thought that the voice of Jesus himself said sold to him I Martin you have hOV wished to see me Watch h the street tomorrow from morning until un un- tit til evening for I J shall pass your jour our way When WIlen be he awoke the next nort m morning Father Martin convinced that what he lie had hod dreamed would surely take place hastened to put his shop In order lighted his fire drank his coffee corree and then seated himself at the window window win win- dow to watch the passersby The first person no bo saw n a poor street street sweeper who ho was trying to warm himself for tor font It was bitter cold Poor mon man maul I said Martin to him him- self lie He must be very cold eold Suppose Suppose Sup Suppose pose I 1 offer otTer him a cup of ot coffee He tapped on the window and called to the man who did not have to be urged to accept tho the steaming coffee After Atter watching In vain for nn on hour Father Martin saw a young woman miserably clothed carrying a baby She was so pale pole and thin that the heart of f the poor cobbler was touched an and he called to her You dont don't look very well he sold said I to the hospital replied the woman I hope they will take me meIn mehi In hi with my child chUd My husband is at sea I am sic sick and aud haven't a cent Poor thing I It said enid the old man You must eat ent come bread brend while you OU are getting earn warm o Well take talce a acup acup acup cup of milk mUk for tor the little one Como Come worm warm yourself and ant let me take toke the baby Why 1 I You haven't put his shoes on 13 a lIe He hasn't any sighed the woman Walt Valt minute a I have havea a pair And the old man brought the shoes which he had hod looked at atthe the evening before and put them on the childs child's feet teet They fitted perfectly Hour nour after atter hour went by and although although although al al- though many people passed the window window window win win- dow the Master did not come When It grew dark the old man sadly began to prepare his humble supper It was wasa a dream he lie murmured Well I did hope But nut h he has not come After Atter supper he fell feU asleep In his eMir Suddenly tho room seemed full tull of ot the p q S r Watched the Passersby people whom he had bad aided BIded during the day and each one asked of him In la turn Have nave you ou not seen Been met me nut But who are you you cried the shoo maker to all aU these theRe visions Then the little UWe child pointed to the tho Bible DIble on the table and ond his rosy rosT finger Anger showed the tho old man this lilts passage Whosoever shall shadi receive one of these little ones we me I was and ye 0 gave me meat I 1 Iwas Iwas was thIrsty and ye e gave me zoo drink I Iwas Iwas was waa a stranger nger and ye yo took me In Verily I say unto you ou Inasmuch Inasmuch Inas Inas- much as itS ye e have done It one of the least of these Ill my brethren ye 0 have buve done It U unto me |