C. O. Solberg

“ On that night, I think, he could see for the first time, and something better than a Christmas tree at that.
We might tell more of this story; of how Tim’s class in Sunday School walked by the coffin for the last time to see his face; of his sad burial on that cold winter day; of how sympathetic people said that it was better for the blind cripple to die than to live. We might say that his mama learned the way to church; that Mr. Rudiger became a better man; that Alex grew up to be a good boy; that Louise was one of the most faithful girls in that Sunday School. ”

“ CHAPTER THREE Tim Is Hurt
It was a bright Saturday morning. The sun shone down from a clear sky, and as its glowing ball hung mideast, the rays beat with steady cheer along the gray line of asphalt pavement. It shone along the steel rails of the street-car track, worn bright by the constant passing of the cars. Earlier a gray mist had made all dim. Have you ever watched how the coming of the morning light, as it gradually brightens, changes a morning mist from the darkness as of clouds to a light, transparent film, which is almost ghastly? ”

“ But brighter even than the day, for no snow lay on the ground and it even seemed warm; brighter even than the good cheer of the shopkeeper, who sang out a welcome the minute you stepped into the door, came out rubbing his hands, and ready to tell about the wonderful articles he had to sell; brighter still was the good cheer of the children at their play. How happy they were in their Saturday freedom! How happy too, in their Christmas expectations. A company of them had gathered at a certain street crossing on the avenue described and were shouting and running merrily. ”

“ Benson persuaded him to be present at the Christmas entertainment and speak the piece that had been assigned him.
Christmas night came. The church was packed with happy people. Two beautiful evergreen trees were the center of attraction. Between them was an arch, on which were the words “Peace on earth, good will among men.” The exercises passed off cheerily, and even Bob, as he sat beside his teacher, dressed in a suit that some friend had given him, could not but catch the spirit of joy and good cheer that shone from the happy faces of the boys and girls about him. ”

“ Benson induced the boys to make up with Bob, and as a result he again entered the Sunday School. And where he had formerly met with scorn and abuse he now found a growing friendship, and you may well believe that the good-will of his fellows means much even to the humblest lad. The Christmas spirit came to that class and to that school with great blessing, but especially so to Bob Jerrold. Thus if the Christmas blessing comes truly home to our hearts, it will mend many a ragged place, and instead among our boys we shall find the whole cloth of manly-heartedness and Christian love. ”

“ Sander was a trifle too scornful in his tone. Now do not misunderstand him. For Sander, you see, was a lad eight years of age. And this was the first time he had seen bare earth so late in the winter. At least he thought so. But you will admit that his experience was limited. Besides, today was his birthday, and Christmas Eve too. Very poor birthday it promised to be, for Mama and Papa were just getting ready to drive off on a long journey to town.
For you must not imagine that this little man lives in some fine large house on the avenue or in some tall flat building in the city! ”

“ Rudiger, “it’s your business, and I wouldn’t have your responsibility for all the world. That,” said he, pointing to Tim, “is the only kind of boy you ought to have. Case dismissed.” The chair creaked as the judge turned about and directed his attention to other affairs.
Nothing could measure the joy of Tim as he accompanied father and brother home. He insisted on being first to enter the house, trembling in his eagerness. But his mother was too overcome with shame to respond to the innocent lad. Alex was shamefaced and silent, and for a week or so scarcely showed himself on the street. ”

“ And they were on their feet stirring when the lad crept out of bed. Another thump or two, and thru the open door in came Sander’s mama and papa all frost—with the morning cold. Imagine their surprise and joy to find their little boy safe, and their sod hut a rescue home amid the broad prairie. The sun now beamed as tho he never had set with an angry frown, and all nature was still with the serene calm which comes after the terrific storm. The cold was nipping but the day was cheery. And as Sander’s mama bustled about for breakfast, all told their several stories. ”

“ On Christmas Eve, too?” exclaimed the young man.
“And how old are you, Sander?” asked the schoolma’m. For teachers always want to know about such matters.
But let us make a long story short. And it was a very long story to Sander. All that night the wind roared and howled. Snow seemed to get in everywhere. The stove glowed with heat, yet all were shivering. Every time Bigbeard put in a fresh chunk of coal he said a word of thanksgiving.
“Good coal never was a bigger blessing than this night. God care for the man who brought it here,” was his ejaculation. ”

“ The car had sped along until it struck the very horseblock on which little Tim was seated.
There was a rush of people as the crowd gathered about the senseless, bleeding figure. The motor-man and many willing helpers lifted the car, while the conductor picked up the injured boy. But he was scarcely able to find room to lay down the burden. Someone brought a blanket to put under him on the cold ground. All were elbowing and pushing and talking, when a burly policeman pushed his way in. ”

“ Granny’s going away for the day with some friends,” was the answer.
Grandfather’s summer home was a pleasant place for Ginkle to visit. A five-year-old boy always likes his grandfather and grandmother. This was now the second summer that he was spending at Three Pines. The cottage took its name from the three splendid big pine trees that stood right in front of the house, crowning the hill. The shore line below formed a semi-circle, against the foot of which the bright waves of the lake beat in the early sunshine. ”

“ Alex may not have given his true name. As Rudiger set out for the police court, Tim sat by him on the car. It had proven impossible to get away from Tim. Tim loved his brother tenderly, and a very sober look settled on the generally peaceful face. There were but few vehicles on the street at this time, hence the car went so fast that it soon reached the neighborhood of the court.
The police court was well filled with a queer crowd. Several blue-coated men stood about the sidewalk, the door, and the room. The dingy, dirty chairs were mostly filled with people not altogether pleasant to see. ”

“ Above the very mist and smoke that bedims the air rises the tall spire with its heavily buttressed tower. Have you ever climbed the tall ladders far up into the belfry? Far down below, the men pull the ropes, and out from the huge latticed windows rolls forth the volume of sound. Three bells there are that chime out upon the fading day. [Pg 46] So strong are they and vibrant with melody that the tower trembles. Even the cement walks and asphalt pavements seem to quiver under the heavy strokes of the bell.
As Frank opened the window the children with him crowded about. ”

“ Yes, Jesus has a Christmas blessing for the sick also. Of course our two little girls did not clap their hands or shout for glee, for they were in a hospital where little children must keep very quiet. But little May had to point out and tell about the angel figure hung in the tip-top, as tho to remind of the angels that sang over Bethlehem to the shepherds.
Poor Uncle! He was very sick and could hardly raise his head, all bandaged and covered, but he looked happy and smiled. Then he wanted May and Dorothy to sing their Christmas carol. ”

“ At that moment she caught a few words of the song Dorothy was singing in the next room and said, “Would my little girls like to sing Uncle Mark a Christmas song?”
“Of course,” they both cried with one breath.
You may be sure they practiced hard and willingly to get a good song learned, and came at once whenever Mama called them.
On Christmas eve it was snowing as our two little friends came to the hospital door. They stamped the snow off their feet, shook themselves, and went in. All was bright and cheery. Some people think a hospital is a very gloomy place. ”

“ Keep us now and forever from any storm of evil and temptation, and, because we are the weak children of sin and death, bring us at last into the sweet safety, warmth, and joy of heaven, out of this world of cold and sorrow. As the shepherds went with gladness to the manger on the first Christmas Eve, lead our hearts with joy to Jesus this night. We ask all blessings in His [Pg 58] name. Amen.” And we might add that Sander slept very sweetly that night for all his trouble.
Bang! Bang!!
It seems that even Bigbeard had nodded, as he sat by the fire, tending it from time to time. ”

“ Alex’s two associates scowled, for they did not like it.
“And you are in the saloon business, Mr. Rudiger?” asked the judge. “The business you are in makes it impossible for you to bring up a boy rightly, either in the city or out of it. You may make an easy living, sir, but you are putting a fearful handicap upon your boys. As for this one,” said he, pointing [Pg 18] to Tim, “God has mercifully sheltered him from the evil influences of this world, and in that fact he is fortunate, deformed as he may be in body and lacking in sight.” ”

“ Louise had gone to bed. Tim had told over and over again about the afternoon at the chapel.
“Oh, yes, Tim,” said his mother, “you’ve got Sunday School on the brain.”
“Wish I could a took part in that Christmas program. S’pose I can’t.”
There was a rattle and bark outside the house. The dogs, Jim and Gyp, set up a howl in the kennel under the porch. No, it was not brother Alex. He had been gone since dinner.
The house was again disturbed by the homecoming of Mr. Rudiger. He always remained in his place of business very late. He had an idea, too, that robbers never attack a drunk man. ”

“ Uncle Martin had most patience, in listening to his many little speeches and answering his questions. Buddy inquired many times about the hanging up of stockings and other matters that seemed to him very essential in view of [Pg 76] the coming event. On Christmas Eve he hung up his stocking, and while the family sat about, some reading papers, others busy with final preparations, he allowed Mama to rock him to sleep, while “Unc’e Don” dozed in his big chair. The evening had foretokened a storm. Uncle Will had even intimated that there were prospects of snow. ”

“ And when I die, I shall go to heaven. Cause I ought to be there. All the little children should. If I was in church I could show Jesus how I love Him. [Pg 30] He wants me to be glad on Christmas.” Tim fell back exhausted and was quiet.
The excitement seemed to have been good for the sick boy, for as he quieted down he fell asleep. Far into the night they sat by his bed, for the doctor had told them that Tim was very sick. Louise and Alex, Mama and Papa were there. Tim had mourned that he could not be in church for Christmas and show Jesus his love and joy. ”

“ It was not until he had reached the foot of the lowest step that Mama caught up with him, and he would likely have run right out doors into the cold and snow had he not been stopped. Aunt Clara called from the kitchen to remind him of the stockings he had hung up. In she came also. Uncle John was already seated in his big chair, and Uncles Martin and Will were warming themselves. With a shout Buddy hurried up and was soon very busy digging out of his stockings the many presents that were there, bags of candy, toys, nuts. ”

“ You may be sure these things brought no little trouble to May and her big sister Dorothy, who boasted eight years, while May only could claim four. Like all children, they looked forward with great longing to Christmas, its presents and its joys, its songs and gladness. But we must know that all is not happiness [Pg 62] in this world. There are great sorrows, and many homes are dark even at Christmas time. So it was in the otherwise sunny and cheerful home where May and Dorothy lived. ”

“ But as Granny climbed in, Grannyfather took him from the running board of the car, and held him in his arms, while he watched the car disappear down the road among the trees and bushes.
“Now Ginkle, you must be a good boy; Granny is going away all day, and you must take good care of Grannyfather.” ”

“ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which [Pg 57] is come to pass, which the Lord had made known to us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
When he had read these words Bigbeard closed the book, laid it on the table, and said, “Let us pray.” ”

“ He had been sucking his thumb industriously for some time, and finally broke out in the above remark.
“Well,” said Uncle John, “If Christmas comes soon, I shouldn’t be surprised if we did get some snow. Why does Buddy want snow?”
“So dat Santa Claus can make his sleigh go.”
The two had been walking back and forth for quite a while in the morning sunshine along the path to the garden gate. As a variation they had sat upon the bench under the wide spreading pine tree that stood near [Pg 68] the corner of the house, its long branches reaching almost to the porch. ”