s to pay him this evening. Five or six dollars
were coming to him, more than he had earned honestly for a long while,
and his hand shook with eagerness as his employer counted out his
wages. As he put on his hat to leave the shop, he observed his
fellow-workmen, who were all sober and steady men, eying him with sad,
inquiring looks; he almost ran out of the shop.

"I know what they mean," he said to himself. "But what is it to them
how I spend my money--the prying busy-bodies! I'm not a slave--I have
a right to do what I please with my own. Whew! how cutting the wind
is! A glass or two of hot whiskey toddy will be just the thing!"

Without one thought of his toiling wife and neglected children, the
poor, infatuated man hastened towards a grocery with the intention of
slaking his morbid thirst. At the moment his foot was on the
threshold, out from the belfry of Christ Church, ringing clear in the
frosty air, streamed a tide of sweet and solemn music. Simple, yet
touching, was the melody of those sacred bells, chiming forth the
advent of the blessed Christmas time. And as the song of the bells
fell upon his ear, it awakened in the drunkard a thousand memories of
happier, because better days. The comfortable dwelling, the quiet,
neat parlor, with its Christmas dressings, the sweet face of his wife,
the merry laugh of his bright-eyed children--all flashed back vividly
upon his mind. He recked not of the bitter blast--he forgot his late
purpose--he could wish those sweet bells to play on forever. But they
ceased.

"It was a voice from heaven!" said the man, as the tears rolled down
his cheeks. "Surely God has blessed those Christ Church chimes. I'll
never more drink one drop. This money shall go to my family, every
cent of it. It is not too late yet to buy provision for to-morrow, and
some comfortable things for the children."

It was late that night when the watching wife heard the step of her
husband on the staircase. It was as slow and heavy as usual; but how
relieved, how astonished, how grateful she felt, when the door opened,
and he came in, happy, sober, bearing a huge basket filled with
provisions, and threw down a parcel containing stockings, comforters,
and mittens for the children, not forgetting some simple Christmas
wreaths, and some of those condiments which children love.

The next day was a happy one indeed for the mother and the little
boys--a merry Christmas that reminded them of old times, and gave th