JANUARY, THE LADIES ' HOME JOURNAL .

5
1891

1891

stove ; the minister had cleared a rough bit of cripple for life She had heard that there

.
by and by

if
his being cured

of
the parsonage land the summer before and was hope

-
-
NO shown good spirit about it , and these , as Mrs. his father could carry him to New York to

a
Parkins saw at once , were some of the pitch- famous surgeon there But all the expense of

.
pine roots . She had said when she heard of the long journey and many weeks of treat-
They were

so
his hard work , that he had better put the ment had seemed impossible

,
MRS. PARKINS S

.
here time into his sermons , and she remembered thankful to have him still alive and with
atte that now with a pang at her heart , and con- them that Christmas night Mrs. Parkins

.
fessed inwardly that she had been mean could see the mother's eyes shine with tears as
him and the father put out

to at
CHRISTMAS EVE
spirited sometimes toward the Lanes , and it she looked

a
,
was a good lesson to her to be put at their loving hand he limped across

as
the steady him
st mercy now . As she sat in her corner by the the room

.
old sofa in the warm double gown and watched wish little Lucy Deems that lives next

I
"

,
their kindly faces, a new sense of friendliness neighbor help your girls

to
to
ne me was here

, ,
15 and hopefulness stole into her heart . " I'm keep Christmas said Mrs. Parkins speaking

,
"
just as warm now as I was cold a while ago, " half unconsciously Her mother has had

it
"
BYSARAH ORNE JEWETE

.
she assured the minister . very hard bring her over some day

to
mean

I
;
The children sat side by side , the lame boy when the traveling gets good

"
" .
and the two little sisters before the fire , and We know Lucy Deems said the children

"
nt

,
by with Then Mrs. Parkins thought
18 PART .II Mrs. Lane sat on the sofa Mrs. Parkins , satisfaction

.
Ent at the other side of the room , with all its and the minister turned over the leaves of a with regret of cousin Faber and her two boys

,
YDIA PARKINS was a pretty , shinning things and gay little candles Bible that lay on the table . It did not seem and was sorry that they were not all the

at
small woman of no great on the boughs . She was comfortably wrapped like a stiff and formal meeting held half from minister's too She seemed to have entered

.
vigor, but as she grew a in warm blankets , but she felt very tired and superstition and only half from reverence but , upon new life she even thought of her

a
re

;
little warmer under her weak . The minister's wife smiled with de- it was as if

of
FO the good man were telling his dreary home with disapproval and its

,
bed of blankets in the "
light : cellar and garret

in
Now you'll feel all right in a few household news of some one they all loved comfortable provisioning

,
bottom of the old wagon , minutes , " she exclaimed . " Think of your and held close to their hearts . He said a few and of her money in the Haybury bank with

,
she came to her senses . being out in this awful storm ! Don't try to words about the birth of Christ , and of there secret shame Here she was with Mrs. Lane's

.
try dear " she added kindly , "I'm being no room that night in the inn . Room

as
poor

as
She must get out and talk to us yet , , double gown on woman there

a
; ,
to walk on through the going to bring you a cup of good hot tea . Are enough for the Roman soldier and the priest was in the world she had come like beggar

a
snow as far as she could ; you all right ? Don't try to tell anything and the tax-gatherer , but no room for Christ; to the Lane's door that Christmas eve and

,
me
it was no use to die there about the storm . Mr. Lane has seen to the and how we all blame that inn - keeper , and they were eagerly giving her house room and

-
in this fearful storm like horse . Here , I'll put my little red shawl over then are like him too often in the busy inn of gifts great and small where were her inde-
"

;
a rabbit . Yes , and she must unharness the you , it looks prettier than the blankets , and our hearts . Room for our friends and our pendence and her riches now She was

a
?
horse and let him find his way ; so she climbed I'm drying your clothes in the kitchen . " pleasures and our gains , and no room for stranger and they had taken her and they

in
,
boldly down into the knee - deep snow where a The minister's wife had a sweet face, and Christ , " said the minister sadly , as the child- for Christ's sake and he would bless

it
did

,
10
drift had blown already . She would not she stood for a minute looking down at her ren looked soberly into the fire and tried to them but what was there say for herself

to

?
,
admit the thought that perhaps she might be unexpected guest ; then something in the thin , understand . Then they heard again the story Lord how poor be faltered Lydia Parkins

"

"
,

!
lost in the snow and frozen to death that very appealing face on the sofa seemed to touch her of the shepherds and the star , and it was a for the second time that night
It * # #

.
night . did not seem in character with Mrs. heart , and she stooped over and kissed Mrs. more beautiful story than ever , and seemed
,
Nathan Parkins who was the owner of plenty It
Parkins . happened that nobody had kissed quite new and wonderful ; and then the min- There had not been such storm for years

.
of money in Haybury Bank , and a good farm Mrs. Parkins for years , and the tears stole ister prayed , and gave special thanks for was days before people could hear from each

It
well divided into tillage and woodland , who down her cheeks as Mrs. Lane turned away . the friend who made one of their household other along the blockaded country roads

.
had plenty of blankets at As for the minister's wife , she had often that night , because she had come through

to
and comforters Men were frozen death and cattle and the

;
,
home , and firewood enough , and suitable thought that Mrs. Parkins had a most dis- such great danger . Afterward the Lane's telegraph wires were down and the safe and
winter clothes to protect her from the weather . sang their Christmas hymn , standing about a comfortable country side felt

as
agreeable hard face ; she liked her less than

if
had been

it
The wind was rising more and more , it made any one in the parrish , but now as she bright- the power of some merciless and furious

in
little old organ which the mother played :
the wet gray -and - black bonnet feel very limp " While shepherdswatchedtheir flocks by night- " force of nature from which could never

it
ened the kitchen fire , she began to wonder
and cold about her head , and her again feel secure But the sun

.
poor head itself felt duller and came out and the blue jays came

-
heavier than ever . She lost one back and the crows and the white

,
glove and mitten in the snow as she snow melted and the farmers went

,
tried to unharness the old horse , and and fro again along the highways

A to

.
her bare fingers were very clumsy , new peace and good will showed

-
but she managed to get the good old itself between the neighbors after
creature clear , hoping that he would their separation but Mrs. Parkin's

,
plod on and be known farther along good will outshown the rest She

.
help went to Haybury

as
the road and get for her but ; soon as the
instead of that he only went round roads were well broken and brought

,
and round her and the wagon , cousin Faber back with her for

a a
floundering and whinnying , and re- visit and sent her home again with

,
fusing to be driven away. " loaded wagon supplies

of
What She called
"

.
kind of a storm is this going to be ? Lucy Deems and gave her peck

in

a
groaned Mrs. Parkins , wading along basketful of butternuts on New Year's
the road and falling over her dress Day and told her come for more

to
,
helplessly . The old horse meekly when these were gone and more

,
followed and when she gave a weak , than all one Sunday soon afterward

,
shrill , womanish shout , old Major the minister told his people that he
neighed and shook the snow off his should be away for the next two Sun-
back . Mrs. Parkins knew in her days The kindness of friend was

a
.
inmost beart , that with such a wind put great blessing within

to
going

a
and through such drifts she could not his reach and he added simply

in
a
,

,
get very far , and at last she lost her faltering voice that he hoped all his

,
breath and sank down at the roadside friends would pray for the restoration
and the horse went on alone . It was to health of his dear boy

.
horribly dark and the cold pierced

in
Mrs. Parkins sat her pew she

;
her through and through . In a few grim an expression
so
had not worn
minutes she staggered to her feet and since before Christmas Nobody

.
went on ; she could have cried be- could tell what secret pangs these
cause the horse was out of sight , but gifts and others like them had cost
she found it easier following in his her yet she knew that only right

a
,

tracks . way of living would give her peace of

Suddenly there was a faint twinkle mind She could no longer live

in
a
, .

of light on the left , and what a WLTAYL mean narrow world of her own
welcome sight it was ! The poor making she must try to take the
;

wayfarer hastened , but the wind world as and make the most of
it
is
,

behaved as if it were trying to blow her life

.

her back . The horse had reached There were those who laughed and
shelter first and somebody had heard said that her stingy ways were
him outside and came out and shut frightened out of her on the night of
the house door with a loud bang that the storm but sometimes one
is

'
;

"
reached Mrs. Parkins ' ears. She tried The Lanes sang hymn , standing organ played " taught and led slowly higher
to

their Christmas about a little old which the mother .

a

to shout again but she could hardly level of existence unconsciously and
make a sound . The light still looked a good what she could find to put on the Christmas They sang irresistibly and the decisive upward step once
as

all together they loved

if
it

way off, but presently she could hear voices tree for her, and wondered why she never had the hymn and when they stopped and the taken seldom retraced was not long before
It
is
,

a.

and see another light moving . She was so noticed a frightened , timid look in the poor room was still again Mrs. Parkins could hear Mrs. Deems said neighbor cheerfully
to
,

"It
:

tired that she must wait until they came to woman's eyes . is so forlorn for her to the wind blow outside and the great elm Why always knew Mrs. Parkins meant
"
,
I

help her . Who lived in the first house on the live all alone on that big farm, " said Mrs. branches sway and creak above the little well enough but she didn't know how do for
to
,

left after you passed oak ridge ? Why ,it Lane to herself, mindful of her own happy house and the snow clicked busily against the other folks
of

she seemed kind

to

scared use
;
,

couldn't be the Donnells , for they were all home and the children . All three of them windows There was curious warmth at she didn't have any right
as

her own money

a

if
.

away in Haybury , and the house was shut came close about their mother at that moment , her heart she did not feel frightened or Now she kind of persuaded that she's
to

is
it
;

lame -footed John with his manly pale face , lonely

or

or

up ; this must be the parsonage , and she was cold even selfish any more got the whole responsibility and just you see
,

,
.

off the straight road home . The bewildered and smiling little Bell and Mary , the girls . They lighted the candles on the Christmas how pleased she behaves She's just be-
' a

horse had taken the left -hand road . " Well ,"
.

The minister came in from the barn and tree and the young people capered about and ginnin live she never heard one word the
to

o
;
,

'

thought Mrs. Parkins , " I'd rather be most blew his lantern out and hung it away . The were brimming over with secrets and shouted first prayer yesterday mornin see her
I
';

anywhere else , but I don't care where 'tis so old horse was blanketed as warm as his mis- with delight and the tree shown and glistened beamin an'smilin the minister's boy from
at
,

I
'

'

its gay trimming of walnuts covered the minute she see him walk up the aisle
in

long as get under cover . I'm all spent and tress , and there was a good supper in his crib. brave
wore out." It was a very happy household at the parson- with gold and silver paper and little bags straight an well anybody
as

"
, ,

if
'

The lantern came bobbing along quickly as age, and Mrs. Parkins could hear their whispers sewed with bright worsteds and all sorts of She goin have one of her cousin Faber's
to
"

'

somebody were hurrying , and wavered from and smothered laughter in the kitchen . It pretty home made trifles But when the real sons come over and stop awhile hear He
I
,

if
-

, .

it were in a fishing boat on a only eight o'clock after all and it was
, presents presents that got run down workin the shoe factory to
in

side to side as was were discoverd the

'

rough sea. Mrs. Parkins started to meet it, evident that the children longed to begin their meant no end of thought and management Haybury Perhaps he may take hold and
.

and made herself known to her rescuer . delayed festivities . The little girls came and and secret self denial the brightest part she'll let him take the farm by an by There
. of

I
,

,
-

. of-
" '-
".

" declare , if ' taint the minister , " she ex- stood in the doorway and looked first at the the household love and happiness shone out we musn't expect too much her said the
,

" I'm Mrs. Parkins , or what's left of stranger guest and then at their Christmas One after another they came I'm sure tis
to

claimed . bring Mrs. other woman compassionately

'
as

as

along , change got a'ready

of

her . I've come near bein ' froze to death tree and after a while their mother came with Parkins her share the little tree's fruit until blessed far she's
I
a

. .

Habits live sometimes after they're dead

as

back here a- piece . them to ask whether Mrs. Parkins felt equal her lap was full she sat on the sofa
ll

never saw such a storm One

'
.

in all my life ."

go

to looking on at the pleasuring or whether little girl brought candy though

of

to
; so

bag easy ways

of

Folks don't find

it

free
a

; ,

She sank down in the snow and could not she would rather go to bed and rest , and sleep there wasn't much candy on the tree and the they've settled into life's truly warfare
a

get to her feet again . The minister was a away her fatigue . other gave her book mark and the lame boy ain't
it
a

, ?
,
, -

strong man , he stooped and lifted her like a Mrs. Parkins wished to look on ; she was pretty geranium grown by himself with
so
It

had answered Mrs. Deems soberly

is
"
a

"
,

in.

child and carried her along the road with the beginning to feel well again , but she dreaded and came limping put in
to

flower on There comes Mrs. Parkins this minute

it

it

"
a

lantern hung on his arm . She was a little being alone , she could not tell exactly why . her hands and Mrs. Lane brought pretty the old wagon and my Lucy settin up long-
;

" Come right into the bedroom with me

'

'

woman and she was not a person given to hood that her sister had made for her few side of her as pert
as

Nathan Now ain't

a

sentiment , but she had been dreadfully cold then , " said Mrs. Lane, " and put on a nice weeks before but her old one was still good Mrs. Parkins's countenance got pleasanter
a
,

frightened , and now at last she was safe. , gown of ; 'twill large did not The minister had look than used Well the more
it

and warm double mine be and she need two to wear

?

,
.

It was like the good shepherd in the Bible , and enough for you, that's certain , and then if you found little book hymns which friend she does for others and the poorer she gets
of

a
a

Lydia Parkins was past crying ; but it seemed do wish to move about by -and -by, you will be had given him the autumn conference and the richer she seems to feel
at

"

if
,

as if she could never speak again and as better able than in the blankets .' very unusual circumstance for
as

Mrs. Parkins opened she happened to It's

it

"

a
to ,

to break . It seemed in- Mrs. Parkins felt dazed by this little ex- R oom deny turn right about
to

going see these words her age

"

in

her heart were ourselves woman her

"
:

She didn't know why the tears rushed

Ito'

evitable that the minister should have come citement , yet she was strangely in the mood makes us believe that Heaven
. of to

her tracks
.

to find her and carry her to the fold ; no , to deny myself

to

for it . The reaction of being in this safe eyes I've got learn takes hold and helps folks said the neigh-
to

be-
"

"
,
:

the parsonage ; but she felt dizzy and strange and pleasant place , after the recent cold and ing mean she thought almost angrily bor and they watched the thin little woman
It
"

;
,

sight along the hilly road with look

; to

again , and the second -best gray -and - black danger , excited her, and gave her an un- was the least she could do do something out
of
,

slipped its knot and tumbled off into wonted friendly

It

power enjoyment sympathy people they pleased wonder on their own faces
of

bonnet of and . for these kind had taken was

.

the snow without her knowing it. She felt pleased and young, and she won- her in out of the storm with such loving mid pring but Mrs. Parkins still wore her
,
-s

When Mrs. Parkins opened her eyes a bright dered what was going to happen . She stood warmth of sympathy they did not show the
as

best winter bonnet for the old rusty one

;

, ;
let

light made them shut again directly ; then she still and Mrs. Lane brush her gray hair least consciousness that she had never spoken trimmed with gray the minister's little girls
,

discovered , a moment afterward , that she was all tangled with the snow damp kind word about them since they came
to
if
as

she found when the snow drifts melted and

it
a
,

in the parsonage sitting -room and the minis- were older than the little girls themselves
no

town that she alone had held aloof when carefully hid away
ofto

deck the parsonage

it
;

then they went out again this dear boy their only son had fought scarecrow
to

ter's wife was kneeling beside her with an the sitting room
in

the time corn planting

,

,
-

, .

anxious face ; and there was a Christmas tree through an illness which might leave him
.

There was great fire blazing the Franklin

in

THE END
a
a