“Such beautiful toys! such beautiful toys!” exclaimed little Willie
Duncan, as he clapped his hands, and capered about the room with
delight.
It was a bright, frosty, Christmas morning; and Willie had just taken
down the stocking, which he had carefully hung in the chimney-corner the
evening before, in the hope that some kind friend would play the part of
Santa Claus for him.
His hope was not disappointed: for the stocking was found most
bountifully filled; and Willie eagerly hastened to examine its contents.
It was fortunate that he had borrowed his grandfather’s long stocking
for the occasion; for his own little sock could never have contained the
beautiful, large humming-top, and the pretty Noah’s ark, which now met
his eyes. And then the large, soft ball, just right for playing in the
house in stormy weather; and the nice transparent slate, with which
Willie could amuse himself when the older folks wished him to be quiet.
All these things, and many more, were safely packed away in grandpa’s
great stocking. Papers of candy, stores of nuts and almonds, and pretty
little lady-apples, came to light as Willie continued his search; and
last of all, in a tiny wooden box, was found a bright gold dollar.
“I am sure grandpa must have put that in himself,” said Willie; “for I
saw a gold dollar in his desk-drawer yesterday. But oh, mother! did you
ever see so many pretty things? Am I not very happy?”
“I hope so, indeed, my dear boy,” answered Mrs. Duncan, smiling; “but
pretty things do not always make us happy.”
“Not unless we are good, you mean, mother. But I will try to be good.
Only look at this humming-top!”
“It is a fine one, Willie. Here is a cord. Try if you can spin it.”
The top was soon whirling merrily upon the floor, and humming so loudly
that Willie had to clap his hands once more; and even baby, who was
pillowed up in his crib, unpacking his own wee little stocking, dropped
the china pussy-cat, which he had just taken out, and stretched his
little hands toward the top, crowing with delight.
But now mother said that both Willie and baby must put by their toys,
and be dressed for breakfast; and she gave Willie a basket to put all
his new treasures into, that he might carry them down stairs easily, and
exhibit them to his father.
“And what will you buy with the gold dollar, Willie?” asked Mr. Duncan,
after he had examined and admired all the pretty gifts.
Willie looked very thoughtful as he replied, “I should like to do some
good with it, father. I think I ought to,—do not you?”
“We ought always to try to do good, Willie; but I am not sure that I
quite understand what you mean.”
“I heard you say the other day, father, that we should love to share
with others the blessings which the Lord gives to us.”
“That is right, my son: I did say something of the kind.”
“Well, father, I have a great many blessings this morning,—all these
pretty toys; and so I think I ought to spend the gold dollar for other
people.”
“I am glad you think so, Willie. And who would you like to spend it
for?”
“If you are willing, father, I should like to give it to lame Georgie to
buy a book. He told me, a few days ago, that he wanted very much to buy
a book called ‘Rollo at Work,’ because there is a story in it about a
lame boy named Georgie, just like him. You know Georgie’s father is
poor; and I do not think he can spare the money to buy a book. May I
give him my dollar, father?”
“Certainly, Willie: you may take it to him as soon as you have eaten
your breakfast.”
Willie’s eyes sparkled with delight. His breakfast was quickly eaten,
and his warm comforter and mittens put on.
“May I go to the bookstore and buy the book for Georgie, if he wishes me
to, mother?” he asked; “and may I stay with him a little while?”
Mrs. Duncan readily granted her permission; for although Georgie’s
father and mother were poor, yet they were very worthy people, and had
taught him to be an obedient, good boy, so that Willie’s parents were
quite willing that he should sometimes go to play with him.
Willie found Georgie sitting in his usual seat by the fireside, with a
small stand placed near him, on which were a little box and a new
gimlet.
“O Willie,” he exclaimed joyfully, as Willie entered, “I am so glad you
have come! Only see what nice Christmas-gifts I have got! Father bought
me this new gimlet; and a kind lady, who comes to see my mother
sometimes, sent me this pretty dissected map. I have been playing with
it all the morning.”
As Georgie spoke, he opened the box which stood upon the stand, and
showed Willie that it contained a map of the world, cut into small
pieces, which could all be neatly fitted together. Willie had several
maps of this kind at home; and he was just going to say that he did not
think this was much of a present, and to tell Georgie how many pretty
toys he had received, when he remembered that it would not be kind to do
so; and he said, pleasantly,—
“It is a very pretty map, Georgie: I am glad the lady gave it to you.
And what a nice gimlet! You can bore large holes with this.”
“Yes,” replied Georgie: “you know I have a small one; and I have wanted
a large one for a long time. But tell me about your presents, Willie;
for I am sure you have had a great many.”
“Yes, I have had a good many,” answered Willie; “and I have brought one
of them to you.”
So saying, Willie took out the little box, which contained the gold
dollar, and handed it to Georgie.
“What a pretty little box!” said Georgie: “I never saw so small a one in
my life. Thank you, Willie!”
“Open it, Georgie!” exclaimed Willie, laughing: “it has got your new
book in it.”
“My new book!” said Georgie: “it must be a very small one, then. O
Willie, what a beautiful gold dollar!” he exclaimed, as he took off the
cover. “Do you mean to give all this to me?”
“Yes, Georgie: it is to buy the book that you want so much.”
“You are _very_ kind, Willie! I shall be so happy to have that book! I
wish I could walk to the bookstore, and I would go for it this minute.”
“I can go,” replied Willie. “Mother gave me leave; and, when I come
back, we will read the book, Georgie, and I will tell you all about my
presents; for I can stay with you a while.”
Georgie was very glad to hear this; and Willie took the gold dollar, and
ran joyfully away.
He very soon returned, with the much-wished-for book in his hand.
“Here it is, Georgie,” he said; “and here is a half-dollar in change:
that is enough to buy another book, if you wish.“
“But I think you ought to keep the half-dollar, Willie. This book is
enough for you to give me. I am sure I am very much obliged to you.”
“Oh, no, Georgie! I meant to give you the whole dollar. Shall I run back
to the bookstore, and buy another Rollo book? There are a great many
different kinds.”