Part 5 (2/2)
They were working in the same cause to win souls to the Saviour whom they loved. One was rich, and the other comparatively poor; but both had consecrated themselves and all that they possessed, to the Saviour, who had bought them with his precious blood; and both desired so to live and to train their families, that when lying on the bed of death, they might say with Paul,--”I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.”
CHAPTER X.
BERTIE'S PRESENTS.
Christmas Day dawned clear and cold. As soon as it was light enough to see across the chamber Bertie crept from his bed toward the window, where on one of the k.n.o.bs belonging to the shutters, he could see a huge stocking tied by a string, and stuffed to its utmost capacity.
The little fellow laughed heartily as he felt of the stocking, to ascertain what was within it. Then he jumped on a chair, trying to take the sock down, but with a sudden thought,--
”Winnie would like to see me take the things out,” he leaped into bed again, and began in his childish way to guess what presents he had received, and who they were from.
”I wonder whether I shall have a new Bible,” he said half aloud, ”I had a Bible last year from mamma; but no, I don't think she'll give me another, because she said she hoped that one would last me for a long time.”
Presently he heard some little feet pattering along the hall, and then Winnie's bright face peeped into the room.
”Dit up, Bertie,” she said, laughing, and showing all her white teeth.
”Dit up, and have a merry Tismus.”
”Oh, Winnie darling, I hope you'll have many merry Christmases! Now let's go and see papa and mamma, and then when Nancy has dressed you, I'll show you my presents.”
”Law!” exclaimed Nancy, raising her hands, ”you don't mean to say you haven't taken down your stocking. What would Saint Nick say?”
”I know who Saint Nick is,” Bertie answered, with a merry laugh. ”It's mamma, I saw her last year come creeping softly into my room in the city, and hang it up. I'd rather have mamma than anybody, because she knows what I would like.”
”Well, dear, hurry and dress. Your mamma isn't awake yet; and then you can show us your presents.”
”Did you give me anything, nurse?”
”I! what a question!” she exclaimed, in pretended horror.
”But I think you did, because when I went to the nursery of a sudden last night, you threw your ap.r.o.n over something you was working, and you looked ever so queer.”
”Why, Bertie, I never thought you watched me so, I must be careful what I do. Well, supposing I did, what should you like best?”
”A ball for Winnie and I to play in the house with. One that would not break the windows, I mean.”
Nurse laughed and looked wise, and then left the room. Soon after Bertie finished dressing, and ran to wish mamma and papa a ”Merry Christmas.”
”Well, my son, has St. Nick crept down your chimney?” asked papa directing an arch glance at his wife.
”My St. Nick has,” was the boy's answer, as he kissed his mamma.
”What was in the stocking, then? I think it's very strange no one hung a stocking for me.”
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