Aunty sat on the arm of the chair with her arm round the old man’s
shoulder, and her only answer was a kiss. But it was enough, and
grandpa went on quite cheerfully, as he held two plump hands in his own,
and watched the blooming face that looked up at him so eagerly:
"When I was younger, I loved money, and wanted a great deal. I cared
for nothing else, and worked hard to get it, and did get it after years
of worry. But it cost me my health, and then I saw how foolish I had
been, for all my money could not buy me any strength or pleasure and
very little comfort. I could not take it with me when I died, and did
not know what to do with it, because there was so much. So I tried to
see if giving it away would not amuse me, and make me feel better about
having wasted my life instead of using it wisely. The more I gave away
the better I felt; and now I’m quite jolly, though I’m only a helpless
old baby just fit to play jokes and love little girls. You have begun
early at this pretty game of give-away, my dear, and aunty will see that
you keep it up; so that when you are old you will have much treasure in
the other world where the blessings of the poor are more precious than
gold and silver."
Nobody spoke for a minute as the feeble old voice stopped; and the
sunshine fell on the white head like a blessing. Then Lu said very
soberly, as she turned the great coin in her hand, and saw the letters
that told its worth,--
"What shall I do with all this money? I never had so much, and I ’d
like to spend it in some very good and pleasant way. Can you think of
something, aunty, so I can begin at once to be like grandpa?"
"How would you like to pay two dollars a month, so that Totty can go to
the Sunnyside Nursery, and be taken care of every day while Lucy goes to
school? Then she will be safe and happy, and Lucy be learning, as she
longs to do, and the mother free to work," said aunty, glad to have this
dear child early learn to help those less blessed than herself.
"Could I? How splendid it would be to pay for a real live baby all
myself! How long would my money do it?" said Lu, charmed with the idea
of a living dolly to care for.
"All winter, and provide clothes besides. You can make them yourself,
and go and see Totty, and call her your baby. This will be a sweet
charity for you; and to-day is a good day to begin it, for this is the
birthday of the Divine Child, who was born in a poorer place even than
Lucy’s sister. In His name pity and help this baby, and be sure He will
bless you for it."
Lu looked up at the fine picture of the Good Shepherd hanging over the
sofa with holly-leaves glistening round it, and felt as if she too in
her humble way was about to take a helpless little lamb in her arms and
comfort it. Her childish face was very sweet and sober as she said
softly,--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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