Vastness Cabs.
JOHN W. CODDING,
ATTOUZY-A?•LAW, TOWANDA. PA.
. Office over Meson% old Beide.
THOMASE. MYER
ArromelevA46LAvr,
TOWANDA, Pk.
Oman with Pitt:let awl Foyle.
DECK & oliTitrOX i '
• AlioiarsTs-Ai-LAW, • -
• •
TOWAND.A. /
D*A. Dvirarrow. Itss,t. Y. Dick.
RODNEY A.-MEROUR; • •
' AT!Owl= AT-LAW,
TOWANDA. PA.,
Solicitor of , Patents. Particular attention paid
to buelneu hi the Orphans Court sad to e settle
latent of estates.
Office in Montanyes Block 1, Ta.
OVERTON & SANDERSON,,
ATTOZNIMAT-LAW,
TOWANDA, PA.
Ovstrroic, Js. JOYIN r. SAiDWON
WH. JESSUP,
• •
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOE•AT-LAW,
MONTROSE, PA.
Judge Jessup baying resumed the practiced' the
law In Northern Pennsylvania, will , attend to any
legal business Intrusted to him in Bradford county.
Persons wishing to consult him, can call on H.
Streeter, Esq., Towanda, Pa., whenan appointment
can be made.
HENRY STREETER,.
..::••••.1. AND COONNILLOE-AT•LAW,
TOWANDA, PA.
Feb
TAMES WOOD,
ATTISENIMAT•LAW,
TOWANDA, PA.
mch4.76
IT L. TOWNER, ,hi. D.,
T •
HOMEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN AND BURGEON.
and Office just North of Dr. C ' o ' r•
tdn's, on Meth ßesidence
Street, A th ena, Pa. jun26.6th.
E. 1.,. HILLIS,
ATTORNIT-We-LAW,
TOWANDA, PA.
E F. QORF,
Arroersit-ws-Llw,
WYALUSINO, PA.
Agency for the sale and purchase of all kinds of
Securities sad for making Loans on Real Estate.
All business will neaten careful and prompt
attention. • (June 4. 11179.
Tv- H. THOMPSON, ATTORM
• ALT LAW, WIAI:I7I6ING, PA; Will atttrnd.
to all business entrusted to bli care In Bradteed,,
Sullivan and ;Wyoming Counties. Ollce .tritti Esq. ,
Porter. rn0v19.74.
E4I. ANGL ,D. D. 8
•
OPERATIVE AND MECHANICAL DENTIST.
Odin on State Street, second floor of Dr. Pro At's
Office. ape S 71,
ELSBREE'tt SON,
A21'011217.15-AT•LA.W,
30WANDA, PA.
N. C. CLIMBS&
iv D. KINNEY,. •
V*
ATTOHRiT•VINLAIC
0111ce—Rooms formally occupied by Y. N. C.. A.
Bolding Room, - fJan.il7a.
T McPHERSON,
T.
ATTOBRZY-AT-LAW,
_ . TOWANDA, PA.
Didet AU" Brad. Co.
JOHN W.Mix , •
JATTORNNT.AT-LAW, AND V. 8. COMNIBBIONZI4
• TOWANDA. PA.
Olacto—Nostb Bide Public lignite.
Jan. 1411175.
DAVIES & CARNOCHAN,
ATTOIIII27II-AT-LAW,
FOOTE! SIDE OF WARD .110IISZ.
Dee 2a-1. Towaa;DA.
j ANDREW '
ATTORNET-AT-LAW.
0111ce over Turner • t Gordon's Drug Rom
Towanda, Pa. Kay be consulted In German.
[April ii, 711.)
WJ. Y(01:11 G,
• ,
ATTOIINZT-AT4 AR, -
•
TOWANDA, PA.
Office-smnd, door ,oak of Melina National
Bank Main St., up stairs.
WILLIAMS & ANGLE,
ATTOHNZYI3-ATLAW.
OFFlCE.—Formerly oecupled by Wm. Walklna.
-H. N. WILLtAHL • (0Ct.17. J. ANGLE
WM. MAXWELL,
TOWANDA, PA.
Ocoee over Dayton's Store'
April 12„ 1876.
MADILL Sr, CALIFF, '
Anollltl7B,lT-LAII,
TOWANDA, PA.
Unice In Wnosts Block, AM doorsoutb of the First
Natt:•nt bank. upstairs.
IL J. a WILL. Clatifi.73l7, CALIPP.
PRS. M. WOODBIT.ItItt, Phyei
eau and Surgena. °See am 0. A. Black's
atone.
Towanda, Kay 1, 147111'.
WM. S. V I INCENT;
IGIENERAL
INSURANCE AGENT,
TowANDA.
nibl,ll7
wB. KELLY, Dinrrier,Office
• our M. E. Rosenfield's, Tiniande, Pa.
Teeth Inserted on Gold, Silver,Rubber, and , A 1
uranium base. Teeth extracted ration:pita.
Oct. 3 72.
. _
010
D. PAYNE, M. D., .
_a s PEITSICIANN
AND St7lllW.
Dice over Ifontanyes' Store. °Mee hours from 10
to 12 A. 11, and from 2 to 4 r. N.
• Special attention Elven to
DISEASESpax ASES
Or -
THE Hlfl2l ''• sad
TRZ BAR
GRYAN, •
•
Comm Burzattniaspa
°ince day hat Satunday of each nxnAb., urur Turn!:
t Gordotes Drug Store, Towanda, Ps.
Tcrweads. &um 20. IBM
MRS. U. kEET,
Ts►Cliza OF Pi Amo:itustc,
TERMS.-410 per term.
(Residence Third street, 14 ward.)
Towanda, Jan. ia,il-17.
•> J
p f - E ct • I '
„ .
1
SePASM
VOL. XL.
i CHRISTMAS,
it the lints, inouotanta, when I trandsned
• 4ln the wild, meal panes, all idea;
A' little eras of Iron, cold and dare.
Rose oft before me from some maystda stone.
Strange, mean* names they late-et bolytlgn
Traced by furls hazels upon a rustle amott,
And, blotted by the snows, a piteous line,
Bening our prayers for the sleeper% soot
Some traveler It was, perchance, whose doom'
The torrent or the avalanche bad sped; -
'Wimp was hurled then seine pastime, whom
The *AM chamois o'er the ellifbid led.. 0.
His simple thoughts had never crossed theses :
From whose far borders to his grace I came, -
Tat, as a brother. called he anti me.. '
And my Watt's cobo gave him back the Dame
Peace to thy spirit, Brother ! I,had 4
The goleiVning of the blood this wanderers feel
At thought of biome and country, I I'M knelt ,
-At altars whet the natans eamtitotneel— -
But knew I nerves, in its depth,.tUi when - •
Thy lonely shrine besought me for my prayer,
The sense of kindred with fail sons of tnen-
One love. one hope; God's pity everywhere]
And so thy scroll.-thou gentle Christmas-Ude,
Reared on thOeross, high o'er the wastes of time,
Speaks to earth's pilgrims in His name wbo died.
Good will and perm and Protherbcod 51 0 11 Me j
And, unto them that hall thee, chiefly 'worth •
'Are the glad wreaths that twine around the psi,
.IPor that thou bldd'st oar kindled hearts go forth,
Wherever hive can rum or kindness cheer./
Up the bleak heights of daily toil we press, -
Too busy with our journey and car lad /
To heed the hurried grass the brief caress; . • •
The brother fainting on that weary roe&
Then welcome be the hours and thoughts and!
things '
That win us from ourselves a little while '
To that sweet human fellowship which brings
The only human joy unstained of galls I
Ili
Cumrll-75.
S ET i ils mind a happy chime;
,r,, -For the bleated Chris t mas time,
. May good-will on earth and peace,
, 1 . 1 . 1 Nftely come and nevei cease,
, I Just as once the angels sang, •
1 ~, When the Christmas chorus rang:
' Wry Sing to GOD again,
1 I Pence on earth, good-will to men.
,
1
- - •
CHRISTMAS
AT NTEER z, CRA*LIN PLACE.
NOST certainly, Number One
Crawlin Place, was a dingy
abode at any time, but as Caroecame
in sight of it, oneftright afternoon
a few days . before Christmas, with
his mind full of much pleasanter
places, he gave ahttle sigh of disap
proval, and muttered, not gloomily,
but honestly, as. if he had been call- .
ed upon suddenly to compare it
candidly with brighter 'places he had
seen :
L. ELsßazz.
tfeb.l7B.
"It looks meaner than ever l"
A ray from the sun as he looked
up at No. 1, seemed to contradict
him, for it fell brightly up:in a win
dow in the fourth story and lighted
it up wonderfully : or was it the
bright, deep-set eyes of 'old Aunt
Kizzy, as she looked down and nod
ded cheerfully? However that may
be, little Carol f9rgot - that ,Crawlin
Place was dingy as he darted up the
old stairs. The Wed face of Aunt
Kizzy, her bright eyes and worn wig,
were a part of his home ; and when
Christmas is near, home is dearer
than any other place in the world,
Kit - is dingy. - Besides, Carol—but
let him tell his own secrets.
"Darn up the old stocking I saw
dangling on the, line, Aunt Kizzy,"
he cried, as he came breathleSsy up
to-the window -where the old lady
sat. . t•
a I'll make it strong . enough. to
hold up two cents' worth of snuff,"
sheiaid, cheerily. • '
a I feel sure this will be a lucky
Christmas," said •Carol. '"I saw
three stars shoot last
_night—a star
apiece for us, Aunt Kizzy.. • Now
quick,—before ' mother comes,; - -
count that,; please 1"
a Massy ! massy! Where did
you get it, child r as the coppers
and bits of silver fell into' her lap.
a You aint----" - •
All right, Aunt •Kizzyr. Good,
honest-money: .For moth ' er's press
ent. You go buy it, for I must get
more or there can't be any snuff."
She caught him by his worn jacket
as he was flying. past the door, and
sat-him do* in the old - roc king_
chair. ' -
" Sit there, sir,nnd tell me where
you got this money ! A Christmas
present ought to be bought with
money that don't need washing."
"I won't .tell."
Aunt Kizzy's back became very
stiff and she handed hint back the
mone y.
It's all right," he said, impatient
ly, waving away her extended hand.
But if you milk know," dropping
his voice to a mysterious whisper,
g ,
1-sang for it!"
_•
4( Where, child ?"
f , In the street." I
-4wr-taleat CHRISTMAS S
TOWANDA, BR ADFORD ;COUNTY, PA., DECEMBER .25r Ism
'"Like a; beggar r • ." • •
No, not quite. I .diti'rit ask for
money, Obey gave it to
• a What did - you sing; yon scamp;
you ?" said Aunt Kizzy, - forgetting
her point in her cuOasity. -
"I sang"every song I knew-4even
the one you sang to m e the other
night" ,
..Wherei Any Where abon, ti here"
“No; away uptown where the big
folks live." '
"Don't you ao. itagain?'
"I have promised Santa Claus two
cents' worth- of snufrfor an old lady
who' hangs up black stockings.!!:. .."
"She can't hive it." -
She ,.. must," - " -
Aunt Kizzy dropped the money
slOwlY, piece by piece, into her lap.;
"Seventy cents, Catol I"
"'Get anything you feel Sure
she'll like," he whispered in her - ear
and darted away.
" Seventy cents ! Well, well,
well ! may be you're not ashamed
of your want o' faith, old ICz.zy Hop 7
. kins ! No good comes _o' twitting
so 11 only say, faith's a gOod thing
always. Now step along,. and see
what you can'buy. Seventy cents !
And ten away down in your pocket
for him, that he could - 'nt see. No,
you can't get much for ten cents,
but start out and du your beit.
Straighten your wig, old Kizzy;
count up your change and don't go
out . with envious feelings in your
heart because other old women carry,
heavier purses.f Seventy cents and
ten is eighty; eighty cents ain't to
be, sneezed at. Did n't you expect
to have to, start ''out with only ten ?
You knoW you did ! Then why
not look a little' cheerful ?"
This remark was evidently ad
dresied to the Elded, patient faCe
that looked out at tier froni 3 the
small' looking-glass.'" But Carol's
mother, heard.
Don't:dare find fault with".that
woman in the glass !' said she; coin
ing in and - smoothing. the rusty
black ribbon on the worn-out bon
net. ' r • •
She's orful ungrateful, Carlini.
Instead, of bein' thankful for a bon
net to cover her old wig, she's wish
ing for a vail to hideber old bonnet.'
The more people have,' tire MOre .
they want, Aunt Kiziy. But where
are you going?'
d After Christmas presents,' said
Aunt Kizzy, proudly. Good-bye 1'
There is a dear, strong heart
under that old shawl,' said Caroline,
as Aunt Kizzy turned ' the - dishal
corner.' ' '
Only ten centi for both of 'em,'
muttered the old woman, as she left ,
the narrow street , That boy is Off
trying to get something - for - me.
Ain' t you ashamed of yourself; Kizzy
H?" she falling into her
favoriteinode of addressing herself,
which she called giving a dose to her
pride. "Think of the times. you
might, have earned a , little, if you
had net been 'so proud l' •
- °' , l would do anything now,': she
fOrc:ed her pride to, say.'
I , lqo doubt you' . would,' she' re.
tUrned r severely. • • 'Conie in ,nt the
'leventh hnur and take "
whai Yam
could fiad.' • - •
.
, . I would '• do anythurg the
world that 1 could that was - honeit,'
said her pride, , htiribled noib tOlhe
very dust of ielf-reproa.ch. , •
Would you'sing for incinor,
Aunt Kitv *rid - thIS abmptlsr,
almost triumphantly, as if . ;stie had
proved :her priqe now, 'and tonnd it
nothing but a - vain boaster. A lit
tle rad spot - was burning in each -
fad
ed Cheek. • i
She had left Crawlin Place far be
hind her. The hOuiesshe . noit satv
were beginning to wear a very, Well
to-do look., .
Ori• she walked, until
the streets grew wideand the hoists
very - - ••
What a contrast to erawlin Place!
.
1 If you get ,
envious, back 'y0u...11
go, Kizzy H; Without_ a chance for
present-moneyl •-- • '
This wag probably addressed to
another weak spat in poor Aunt
inake-up 7 '
' `Sher went on witheitt an idea
where to stopi. A house with the
curtains. up 'attra cted ber atteni l 9-
- Massy l' she exclainted; ihe
looked lit the Window. Thtylinst
be made olgold and , silver in there!'
She' walked up the steps and rang
the bell. • -
If you please,laiss,' she begae,
as the dooy opened.
Back gate for beggars,'•said ithe
servant, shortly - . •
With a choking ` feeling' in her
PLEMENT TO (4a-8---0-
.
, r . ... 5. :....
)_ , ,
_J .-K, •r)D•• r - r. p- r-)
, r --_ ..___ -, .....,,..........,__ it)
=I
throat, Aunt , Kizzy stood , staring - at
the closed door.
.
You can't Aare money enough
out of a shut door! to fill a stocking,
unles.sn miracle takes place, Icizey
H,' she said , eheerfully, as shewent
down the grand steps.
House after, house was, parsed be
fore another struck , her fancy.
'Don't look 'quite so grand, as
t 'other,' she said, as she looked . in
at a window. , 'There's picter
o' Christ blessing little children. It
makes me feel cnful old. Dear lit
tle erecters! I don't believe the
grand brass *ages and fiumjacks
haVe. pushed everything good out
of this place.' •
And shentiscr - the 'high steps.
An. her 'land( tbuched• the bell, a
light step wasAheard -behind her,
and a pleasant' - voice behind her
said t - Whom didyou wish to Seer
'1 came,'—Annt Iqzzy's- voice
was a little r unsteady,-- , came
to ask if any of the ladies here would
'would like to' - heir a little old
fa:sbioned singing', -
'" I ' certainly shonld, said the
yormg lac!y, ,pleasantly; and I'm
- nuregrandmanima Would.'
, Open your eyes and take in a ll
the style, edd Kiz,to tell Carlin,'
said the old woman to herself, as
- they walked up the broad handsome
stairs. But when 'she found her
"self actually standing before a sofa,
where lay a proud-lboking old lady,
she forgot • Caeline, and almost
her•errand. •' '
She is going to =sing us some
old-fashioned music,' explained the
=young lady, as her grandmother
stared at them - both. •
• AuntKizzy closed 'lrei old hands
nervously together, but ifinugh she
pressed them .very hard, 'nn'song
came to her 'Aka 'What would
their think ,of her Her breath
came in little 'gasps 'and the red
spots brightened in hei.theeks.,
` - e-Sit &ran and rest yourselfa lit--
'tle while, saidthe younklady, kind
,e I fume ' you • i!p" too many
Alibi for you to sing right away.'
' t !There - wan nit -so' iirany stairs,
nrWai there's been years since
sung albre said' Annt Kizzy,
thin adding . inentally,, , ,Don't - act
like a fool if you've got common
Sehie,'Kizzy 11;!"
She - stood reipectf6lly befnie,
them; Wand in a voice, *nor by :any
*Means to be despised, sang a simple
ballad of e ye oldeii-time.
e Catilitiu sing another? asked"the
'*11111; lad,y, 'as' the - - last note died
4 1 1 2, ' • •
Hl' don't wish 'another yet,' said
her. 'grandmother. e I' want the
Saineagaier -
Aunt Kizzy's heart - 'beatloyfullk.
She had forgotten money, ; there
was happiness in the thoight of be
ing able to give pleasure,: 'She
'sang
. until her 'old Voice - 'sounded
weary, and they declafediliethouid
:sing no , more. The young:,lady
;gave her a dollar. • •
Too much, said Aunt Kizzi,
*ei sang fen songs, and two
"cents apiece is high enough to'ieck
'4' • • - -1;
Oil " •
1 : 2 4 - i A T dollar, for - a good . Concert is
- clump' enotigh;and I have 'int ei.
liti ed oiie so Much for Many nilay,
a im? :" • : - .: - ..
saidinsist on it, can ` t hell) It?
.. . - aia - Aunt itiziy, with. shining eyes,
qshe,thpueht, Of Carol s stocking.
• ,d I ad not consider that I half i pay
tor
_my
..pleastire; , said the .' young.
lady's .gratidinother,""ai with .44,-
Seli Oa dignity she
.pUcer.l `•five rilol
lariin Aunt Kizzy's hand.:
I could . 4t sleep to-night if I tOok
that,l' she cried. , Don't make
,me
tlikik I'm dreaming viciw, and 'll 3vake
u
t r ig
**out n Can for Cariirs,..s4ock
'•
.., he held out the money to the
y lady, who took it, .sa), , ingi: -
i You shall not - be, overpaid, but
let me give You a muff; your hands
will be cold going , lame. This is
an old one, but it.ii warm, and,heie
are some pieces of silk for a . new
liiiine.r, ri ~ - ' :
Telttne.all about it!' cried . Cat
ol,' on . Christmas morning -. s :.lie
stood with a full , stocking bribe
fite.pLice in the sitting,room on Abe
btuth 'story of Number One, Craw-
Um . - ;
won t? , .•r • ,
I'M right• there; Aunt KitLIY, till
you tell me where Yoler got so much
money.. A Christmas - present
ought to be bought with money
that don't-need s washing!"
gial
well, Ina whisper, if you must
knawi-boYi I sang for je"
- - c Sang for it r Carol's surprise was
astenuine as Aunt Kizzy's had been,
but he recovered •himself and said
Like a beggar T`•
No,' saktAunt Kizzy, demurely.
rI didn't ask for mcrney ;, they gave
it to me without'• •
NM
s Dear Aunt 'Kkzyi don't you call
this a lucky Christmas ?'• said Carol,
aShe pulled on . new. booth; While
Aunt Kiszy, with her new bonnet;on,
took snuff extrivagantly, and, his
Mother stood withlands in the Muff.
fliothin' to do with luck"; said
Aunt Kiszy. ' a We workedfor Some
thing and 'taint nog sense to expect
when you work for , something -that
you'll get n—othin'. I With .a merry
jerk she pulled out a pair of warm
glaVes from the long black stocking.
/Cast your bread- upon , the . wat
ers, old - Kin)? H. , Give Carline an
old muff., and get new gloves front
Santa Claus!' •
I shall not allow you to give me
this muff, said Car'line. It is just
what you have wanted for so long ;
and a new lining will make it just
as good as ever.'
Massy,- Carline the silk for it is
in my pocket.. Plenty of it you see.'
As she unrolled it, she gasped :
Carol, hand me the campfire bottle!'
for, carefully folded in the little bun
dle of pieces, lay the rejected five
dollar bill:
It must be a mistake; Said Car
ol's-mother.
'Of Course I shall take it back,
•Carline.' -• •
If it makes you feel so sick,
Aunt Kizzy H., I will take it, and
you shall never se it again, said
Carol, kindly.
' It was n't a mistake, though.
What makes you think:so ?'
4 Well, I tell you how it was; I
did something for—for two ladies
away up town, 'and they offered me
that:bill, and I 'would n't lay a fing
er to it, and that pretty creeter put
Win the silk ; but I'll •take it back,
I'il take it back I' •
Conie•inow, Aunt Xizzy,' said
Carol, laughing, bet you can't tell t
What street it was: • -
• •
Hey?' said the old Niornan with
a blank expression on heipale ace.
'Massy, if I.know anymore than a
'old womarrled by a dog !'
tares: 'mother touched Aunt
ISizzy'S arm. •
orell rite; Aunt, lois , yOu earned
the money.' _
•`• '1 did' what C.arol did.'
'What did he do?' ' 1
"There's your stickle just burst
in' to see you, ' Why don't
you g 0 "tend 'to it ?' ; ' •
" You care more for . the Stocking
than for me, Aunt K' , taiy, for I am
in almost as sad a state.'
Would you tell, Carol?
He grinned and said: • =
#, Make her tell' first how she'got,
hers.' .
, '4 just as soon, tell,
.said his
mother.. . I wish Iliad 'the chant*.
_eVery,day. sang /o r it ,
For a full minute,. Aunt Kizzy
and Carol stared at.eich other„ but
then exclaitined,as if they ; , had and,
bet** them : a
belgarr.
Caroline, laughing.
anything; ,but
ihey gave me something. I sang
last Sunday, iii,church.' • ' '
whispered; Aunt Fizzy,
my head - on?' •
Looks to be. Is mine ?'"
You have something _
that
looks like a head. Is - my wig
Straight c
Straight 4.9 usual, Miss Hopkips.
How, 's mine ?' ",
. . .
4.'Pears„to. have the right pitch,
bOy, so let's tune up. Here's faith for
the futute,foieverr and-three grate.
fur voices raUglout'Aearly with a
~song of praiselci Min, who, in send
ing , !lit Christmas blessings down,
6:not not even so humble a - spot as
:IsTninbei 'One, Cmwlin
I~}ovi St ridaatifir ikeersbe:.
I
• ..4 WlBlili I knew my , leitem well, •,..•
""Pq lElo I might learn to read and spe ll;`
. , I'd fimi them on my pretty card, -'
- ' '• - ' - '. If 'they-were not - so. wry. hard.
::: '. _ .. _ . -.,-,. • . _: ; :-, , _!.., , .
I .. oar 13 is crookelotet you, sic?
. • • -.And G is ninkin4 manila at me,
4
la And 0 is sometlunglle a Ball,—
It has n't any end atilt.
' •
.
. .. N *SD WI the rest are— I my 1 so queer. !
... - -q i Th ey look like crooked sticka—oh
• dear! •
, Ma counted six, and twentymore ;
What do they have so many for?
HANGAIIP THE BABY Eprociatio.
rircrip the bety. , eieeidej; .
sure_yott d.t_foiget . . .
The dear little dimpled darling!. .
She meter sair Christmas yet ; - •
But rye told her all about it,
And sinkopened her big blue.eyes,
Aid rm.taue shicusleatood it, _
She looked malininfand wise. '
, _ .
Deg! what a tiny-.daa'
It doesn't take much to hold
Book pink toes es baby's
Away from the frost and cold.
But then, for the baby'S Christmas
jt will never do at all; - •
Why, Santa Wouldn't be looking
For imythingtalf so mall.
I knoW what will do liar, the baby,
rye thought of tho *my best p lan- . •
ill borrow a.stockhat of ipanchna, • • •
The longest that ever I can;
And you'll hang it by. mine, dear mother,
Bight here in the corner, so _
And write a Utter to Santa,
And &sten,it on to the toe.
Write, "This is baby's stocking
That bangs in the corner here;
Yon never seen her, Santa, .
For. she only came this year , ;
But, she's just the blessedest baby--
Aid now, before you go -
Just cram her stockings. pith goodies, .
From the top clean down to the toe."
•
NO.
THE CHMSTM.I%S ROSE.
r Li r= way up one of the Rhma:
tian Alps, beneath the shade of
an old black pine, grew a ; Christmas
rose. The summer had passed and•
the short days had, Come,'when the
wind blows and the snow flies; and
the hardy little mountain rose had
two buds. Dear me,' fretted the
rose,' I Wish I could blossom when
other plants do. TheFe would be
some pleasure in displaying ones
self for the dainty blue gentian or
the pretty eyebright ; but with no
one to admire- me, I see no use in
blooming at all,'
ho I' laughed the old pine,
waving his shaggy arms. ' Ho !ho !
what a little grumbler ! The snow
and I will admire you. 'You were
named after the blessed Christ-child,
and ought to be happy and content
ed! Push up .throligh the deepen:
ing snow, little - friend, and expand
your buds into perfect blossoms ;
we were all made for a - holy 'pup.
pose, and we shall , know what it is
when the tithe comes,
Just then_the north wind blew so
hard The old pine was ..quite out of
breitb, and for some reason he neit
er renewed. the conversation.,
'All the world is dead except, the
pine and I; murmured therose, and
perhaps I had better follow hisaci .
vice. If I was made fora, holy pur
pose the Christ-child will not for
get me:: So, she took good , care of:
her round green buds, and the'day
before •Christmas the blaCk.pine
saw 'her blossoms, while and perfect,
peering .up through the white .snow.
Now there were two littlnones;
chidren of Klotz, the .wood-Cutter,
who„ .were nearly: heartbroken, for
their .mother, was sick„ and ; that
morning_ the kind, neightxr, , who
had nursed= her through the night
had .said : God pity.this home I I
fear your . mother _clie_befOre
night.' Their father.. sat A' ;OW
fireplace, speechless with grief„and
answered them neither with word
or lOok when, they crept uptohim
for comfort ; so at last: ,stole
out Of;the door, and 641 d . . 1 .4. 11 !Plil
:wandered ashort way up ; th e moun
tain..side, following the : , forester's
tracks till they came in sight of the
old black pine ! '. - - -
clf all the mothers in; the. world
were. dying. that bard black,Pine
.would not care,';,said the honbit
terly; j letus-goback into the-vale
ley, , sister;: ter ;: thereowe will . at :least
find humatthearts, : while hero - there
iszto ona.to'care whether woliVe or
There is-one 'who cares for, us
even here: cried thesistel.„ spying
the Christmas roses, and m a mo
ment she had scraped away the snow
and secured them.: ,We had forgot
ten the Christ-child, rand , that to
morrow is , his. blessed birthday.
Let '.us, -take, -,these ; roses to the
xhurch, t ,dear brother,. and pray the
all,merdiful One. - for . - whom they►
em named to spare mother's We.'
. So they hastened down the moun , -
in to the village church, where
they found :.the good priest, ,busy
f.trimmiug the , altar,: for the Christ
mas festival. -He
_took the flowers
and put Ahern, with some feathery
,fraiting nmss, into a tall, white vase.
Then:he ..knelt . with . - -the, children
asui , prayed.to -God that if it might
be consistent with His_ holy will,
..l-ie
- would spare the *other's' life..and
they forgot mat to: thank jiim . for
the,/ sweet;.. silent - .witnesses . that
brought.the resemblance of his_ he
' loved Son to comfort and encourage
them :in time of;;trouble:.. When
they ,' returned home. their-. father
met them it , tlie.door and exclaim
ed joyously, '.The.fever has,turned,
and your mother is better. ' Praise
The Christmas rose. had fulfilled
its destiny. Ah, me! -the black , pine
Was right We were all made for
a holy purpose, and we shall learn
whit it is in God's own time. ,