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ATTOZWILTB-AisFL.4W,
SOUTH BIDS OP VikED HOUSE.
Dee 93-71
MADILL lz KINNEY, •
ATToaxiss-AT-Law.•
°dice—Rooms formerly occupied by Y. W. C. A.
Reading Room.
M. J. MADILL. &UM O. D. lICINNZT.
MRS. E. J. PERRIGO,
Tll.Aellin Of PIANO AND WIGAN,.
Lessons given in Thorough Basi and liarmen3r.
Cultivation of thr voice a specialty. Located at T.
Pine 81. Reference • Holmes &Passage.
Towanda, l'a., !larch 4, 11I80„
JOHN W. CODDING,
ArroftNcr-AT-LAW. TOWANDA. PA.
Attlee over ICtrbre Drag Store
fraOMAS E. MYER
ATTOU EY-AT-L
TOWik.NDA,
!rdce with Patrick and Foyle.
....-,
rtECK & OVERTON ..:r_s ~ •..
~_
-:.--... ATTOHNICTS•AT i.klr, e . .!
..,,..
-7. TOWANDA, T.L„ i :- i z
-, ...
D'A:OyittioN, • - B s. M. i!ICR
r.--
T)li 6DNEY A..MERCUR,
JL
ATTORNIST AT•LinW, •
TOWANDA, PA.,
SoMetter of Patents. Particular attention paid
to business In the Orphans Ceert and to the settle
ment of estates.
Office In Jionianyes Tilock . Ma] I t. "IL
OVERTON .& SANDERSON,
- .
ATTORNET-AT-LAW,
TOWANDA, P.A.
E. OVERTON; JR. Jopx.F. SAND=
VET H. JESSUP,
• ,
ATTODAIT AND COUSEIZT:.LOR-AT-LA
* MONTROSE, PA.
Judge Jessup having resumed the pracilceof the
taw Ip Northern Pennsylvania, will &trend to any
,Ilegal*udness intrusted to him in Bradtdrd county.
'Persons wishing to consult him can 'call en 11.
Streeter; Esq., Towanda, Pa., when an apgolntment
can be made. ti
H ENRY .STREETER,-.
Air°RNLl' AND COUNSZLLOR-AT-LAW,
TOW ANDAOA. TS
Feb 27, '79
•
,1 1 - 4 1 4 L. HILLIS, 4-1.
. u •
~• ATT,oRNIKY-AT-LAW,
. - TOWANDA., £A.: • „ (rioTll-75
EF. GOFF ,
1.:/11
ATV . ) it.l; Y-AT-L AW,
• WYALUSING, PA.
Agency for the sale and purchase of all kinds of
Securities and for making loans on Real Estate.
All business will •recolve careful and prompt
attention. • Num) 4, 1879, .
"W H. TIIOMPSON, ATTORNEY
v • kt Law, WTALUSING,PA. Will attend
to all business entrusted to lris care In Bradford,
Sullivan and Wyoming Counties. Mee with Esq.
Porter. , , [novl9-74.
TilitAm E. 'BULL,
SURVEYOR.
lENGINERRISIG, SURVEYING AND DRAFTING.
Office with G. F. Mmon, over rata & Tracy,
Main street, Towanda, Pa. 1.15.80.
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ATTOInkEY-A.T:LA.W, •
' • TOWANDA, PA.
(Mice—Second door south -of' First Nations
Bank. - August 12,
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AI : TOR:UM S-AT-L AW,
TOWANDA, PA.
Nie:ELRBRilt
T McPHERSON,
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TOW A NDA, PA.
Diet Att'y - Pratt. Co.
F IRE= NSURANCE.
. flaring accepted the agency of the
LANCASHIRE INSURANCE COMPANY,
• (*netts over $t3,000.000.00.)
- lam prepared to write policies at current rates
M. I).•SIVAIITS, Agent.
`. °Mee with N%tn. S. Vincent, Towanda. Pa.
• e l OHN W. MIX,
ATTORIiZY;AT-LAW AND U. B. CoNIXIBBIONZR,
TOWANDA, PA.
Ofee—Norti Hide riblle Square. M .
Jan. 1,1875
S A.M W.-
,„ .
_ A T 701 LVE F-A T-LA W,
TO W A ND - A, PR 157. r
ftice—oo.l3 sideLroplar street, opposite Ward
House. ' (Nov. IS, 119.
ANDREW WILT ,
J. „
. ,
......0".N.T..T.i,..
titeice—Means'lllpot, Illaln.st.„'over J. L. Kent's
store Towanda 1411 be consulted In German.
...: ,- 1 •
.1 . [Apr1112.'78.3 -
WJ. YOOIG, :; . • ,
•
, - AiTOAN'EY-AT-TAW, _ s , '
. ,
TONtirANDA, PA., t
°etre—second door south of the First tkist , onal
Rank Main St., up stairs. t !
WM - MAXWALL, \
._. .
~ Arro•Niy-AT.LA•i: .
TOWANDA, PA;
Office over ihgtiows Store. .
A petit% 1871.. ' -
D i c t S
i,a . uk, l4
o:nrc NV .o oo
, o D ia ß co Ultj t_ , h
114 Idenc e, oq
tine titre:tit;l:as(qf Main. .1
Tow auda, Marl, D. 72 Ir. -
TX D '
V" B. KEL_ _,. ralTisT.—Officw
‘
. ever M. E. RosentlehreliTowanda, Ps.
Teeth Inserted on Gold; Stlver,ltubber, and Al
mid= hese. Teeth extracted wlkhout pan.
0ct:1442. - . . .‘ .
FD. PAIN E, M: D., •
. PHYSICIAN AND Sea4sox.
Office orer 2.lontanyea , Store. 000eff hours from 10
to 1:2 a. is. ' and from It to 4'z. 21.
Speclalittentlon given
DLSI - AST.SI rISIr ASES
Or and 0/ •
TII EVE TINE EAR
G' W, RYAN 4 - 1
• ,
VOIINFT SUPLIIINTiNDA
face day last sitardayoteach tookt:l4 ever Turner
A (lorda Dm Store, Towpds, Pa. •_
Towanda. J a e:0.1878. Vs. •
S. RUSSELL'S
•-• GZICERALI -
INSU kjg C E G ENCY
v%rwrot.f. TOW4NDA,
F IRST NATIONAL BANK,
TOAVANDA. PA.
C APITAL . PkID I 111115,04110
SURPLUS FUND4I4II.OIIO
•
This Bank offers unusual facilities for!ite trans.
action of a general banking intainass. '
- • N. V. BETTS, Cashier
JOS:POWELL, Pratte:kink ,
♦rlll.lld
'MRS.
_H. PEET,
TIACII-ZE-
OP P1.11,X0 MUSIC,
,
.• TZILMS.-410pertirm. ' •
(Residence Third street, Tat ward.) .
Tosrandea • ts,ii-ly. -
GET YOUR
JOB PRINTING
Dom at ttOI2OOIITIS OltrlCt.
Closrtifloase s Tovand4. Coliffsd wort a laity
COCIEIitICH & HITCHCOCK;.PUbIIshers.
VOLlrfirs
THE FARMER'S CHRISTMAS -EVE.
Well another Tear halt rolled amend, and Mist;
mu Ere la here;.
Take down the BMW - 4am your eyes are Ming ,
and clear, .
And reed about the shepherds, -bow the wilds
came to Win,
And told them the vest Christ was born In. lowly
_ Bethlehem.
Somehow, I cannot help tt, I feel fay boy I. there ;
Among the angels looking down 'upon • his . vacant
?lair ;
Somebew. I cannot help It, try my thenghteU
. check,
• .., .
I feel his face against my thee*, has arms armful
my neck ; • •
Tow•wroa,7l , A..
There. wife, brash off those starting tsars! Our
angel boy tosight
Enjoys a brighter Christmas Xi* among the Saints
(" Bgbt
We shall not hear his votes below, we weer shall
speak' to him ;
But we shall see him, by and by. with eyes no long
er dim.
liee you're found the place, ray eldld ; so 111 be
still and smoke,
While you read about tke chorus tbst Bettdo:
hem awoke.
While Yon were reading, Nary. about the Savior's
birth,'
ilthOugh I did not bear the' wog, I felt the " pelee
OD earti2,l ,
And should the heavenly chorus eome down to
earth again,. .
I'd join my feeble voice to th,elrs, and Ant "good
• will to men:,
k :8er.25,•711
Ab ! got the stockings ilt hung up along the kitch
en wall?
You think, no doubt. that i3antii Claus will give
our home a call : ' •
Well, shouldn't wonder Uhe did lie's rathefeld,
• you know.
And loves to please the children, though - his path
' Iles through the snow.
Now I've been Makin' all the while!, that I've been.
amolln• here, •
That It God Rivas such gCcd gliti. snd
home with cheer,-. L
We ought ter do tor others; the Boot Wei believe,
"It Is more blessed for to give - than It is to re.
delve."
MEI
So, John, get up to-morrow rat the . •lsarltest mOrnltt ,
' beers,
And hitch up Bob and Jimmy, oar strongest work.
• ln' teats
Then get a load of body.wood and Provlslottcrti the ,
sleigh,
And take them to the cottage of poor old Widow
Gray. • ' .
For.whans the good of wishing that the. poor were
waiined and fe'd.
And not jive the foot to warm them, and wlthput
the loaves of Livid
_. •
If all Christians would with noble deeds thdlr life
adorn,
There•,tl be bappleete among the poor each merry
Christmas morn. .
The festival of Cl ristinasil re:'
garded as the greatest celebration in
the ecclesiastical year, and so import- . ,
ant and joyous a solemnity is it deemed,
that a special exception is made in
its favor, 'whereby, in ~ the event of
the anniversary falling on. Friday,
that day of the week, under all other'
circumstances a fast, is transformed
to a feStival.
That the birth of Jesus Christ, the
deliverer of the human race, and the
mysterious link connecting the trans
cendent and incomprehensible attri
lmtes of Deity with human sympa
thies and_ affections, should be-con
sidered as the most glorious event
that ever -happened, -and the most
worthy of being reverently and joy
ously commemmorated, is a proposi
ton which must commend Itself to
tie heart and reason of every one of
lis followers, who aspire to walk in
Ilis footsteps, and share in His inef
fable benefits which His death has
secured to mankind. And so, though.
at one period denounced by the Pur
itans as superstitions,. and. to the
*sent day disregarded by Calvinistic
Protestants, as unwarranted by Scrip
ture, there are few who will seriously
dispute the piopriety of observing
the anniversary o( Christ's birth by
a religious service. - - -
A question, hovever,' which has'
been long and eagerly agitated, is .
here, brought . forward. Is the 25th
of December really the day on which.
our-) Savior first showed himself in
human forth in the manger at Beth
lehem ? The evidence which we
possess regarding the date lis not,
only traditional, but likewise Conflict
ing and, contused, In the earliest
periods at ,which we have any record
of the , observance of Christmas, we
find that some communities of Chris
tints celebrated the festival on the
Ist or 6th of January ; others on the
29th of Match, the time of tbe.Jew
ish Passover; while otheta, it is said,
.observed it on the 29th of September,
- or. Feast of Tabernacles. ; There can
•be no doubt, however, that long be
fore the reign of Constantine, in the
.fourth century, the season of the
New Year' had been adopted as the
period for celebrating the Nativity,
-ardifference in this respect existed in
thy practice of the Eastern and West
ern Churches, the former observing
1 the 6th of January, the latter the 2,5 th
of De( ember. The custom of
Western Church at last prevailed,
and both of the ecclesiastical bodies
agreed to hold the anniversary on
the same day. The fixing of the date
appears to have been the act of Julins
1.,
who presided as pope or bishop Of
Home, from 337 to 352 4. D. The
circumstance is doubted by Mosheim,
but is confirmed by St. Chrysostom,
who died in the beginning of the,
filth century.- This celebrated fath
er of:the Church informs us, in oiie
of his' epistles, that Jtdius, on the
Solicitation of St. Cyril of Jerusalem,
caused strict inquiries to be made :
on the subject, and thereafter ) , fol.
lowing what seemed to be the best
authenticated traditien; settled au
thoritatively the 25th of December'
as the anniversary of Christ's birth,
the " Festornm omnium metropolis,"
as it,is styled by ChrysestOm. •It is
true, indeed, that,aome have repre
sent;d this fixiituilit the day to have
been accomplished by
. St.: . TelesPhor
us, who was bishop : of Room-128-139
A. n., but!the authority of the asser
tion •is very doubtful. Toward the
close of the second century, we find
a notice of the observance of Christ:
man in the reign of -Emperor Commo
dus; . and shout a hundred years af
terwards, in the, time of Dioclesian,
an atrocious 'act of Cruelty is record
ed of the last named emperor, mho.
caused a church in-Nicomedia, where
the Christians were celebrathig „the
Nativityi to 'be set on fire, and by
barring every means of egress from
the building, made all the worshippers
perish In the dames. Since the end of
L. ELPHILXIC.
t feb.1271k..=
CHRISTMAS DAY.
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the forth cattle,* leed, the2sth of
December has been einformly °beer*.
ed le the anniversary _of the Nativi
ty, y ell Abe
.Nations of Christen
Thus far foiancient.usage; bhtat
I
Will be, :readily , comprehended that :
insurmountable difficulties yet sexist
with respect to the 'realdate of the
momentous event under notice.- Sir
Isaac Newton, indeed, remarbi in his :
"Commentary on the Prophecies of
Daniel," that the feast of the Nativi
ty, and most of. the sither acclesissti
cal anniversaries, were originally
fixed at card - USW points of the year.
without any 'reference to' the dates, of
the incidents which they commemo•
rated, dates which, by the lapse , of
time, had hecome J impossible to be
aseertaine& Thus the 25th of March,
or about the time 'of the vernal equi
nox ; the feast ot- St. Michael on the
25th of September, or - near the au
tumnal; equinox; and the birth of
Christ and otherfestivalsakthe time
of the winter-solstice. Many of the
apostles' days—such as St. Paul, St.
Matthias and otherw-rwere deter
mined by the days when the sun en
tered , the respective signs of the
ecliptic, and the pagan festivals had
alto a considerable share in the ad
justment of the Christian year. To
this last we shall shortly have occa
sion to revert more particularly, but
at present we shall content ourselves
by remarking that the views of the
great astronomer just indicated, pre
sent at least a specious explanation
of the original construction of the
ecclesiastical calendar.• As regards
the observance of Easter indeed, and
its accessory celebration, there is
good ground for maintaining that
they mark tolerably accurately the
anniversary of the Passion and Re
surrection of our Lord, seeing that
we know that the events themselves
took place at the period of the Jew
ish Passover. But no such precision
of date can be adduced as regards
-Christmas, respecting which the gen
erally received view now is, that it
does not correspond' with the actual
date:of the Nativity of our Savior.
One objection, in.particular;has been
made, that the incident recorded in
Scripture, of shepherds keeping watch
by Sight on the plains of Bethlehem,
could not hive taken place in the
month of December, a period gener
-1 ally of great inclemency in the region
of Jude&
Though Christian nations have
thus, freeman early period in the his-
Aory of the Church, celebrated Christ
mas about the period'of the winter
solstice or the shortest day : , it is well
known that many, and, indeed, the
greater number of the popular festive
observances by whichit is charadter
ized, are referable to a much a mnre
ancient origin. Amid all_the pagan
,nations of anthprity, there seems to
have 'been a universal tendency to
worship the sun as the, giver of life
and light, and the visible manifesta
tion of 'the Deity. Various as Were
the names bestowed by ,different peo
ple on this object of their worship,
he was still the same divinity. Thus,
at - Rome he'appears to have been
worshipped under one of: the charac
ters attributed to Saturn, the father
of the gods; among the Scandinavian
nations he was known under the epi
thet of Odin or Woden, the father of
Thor, who seems afterward to have
shared with his parent the adoration
bestowed on the latter, as the divini
ty of which the sun was the visible
manifestation; whilst with the ancient
Persians, the appellation for the god
of light waaMithras,apparently the
same as the Irish Mithr, and pith
the Phceni. r iami or Carthaginians it
was Baal or Bel, an epithet familiar
to all students of the Bible.
Concurring thus as regards the ob
jects of worship, there was a no less
remarkable uniformity in the period
of the year at which these different
nations - celebrated a grand festival in
his honor. The time chosetp appears
to have been universally the season
of the Nei Year, or , rather; the win'-
4
ter-solstice, from which the 4 new year
*as frequently reckoned. 'This una
nimity in the celebration of the festi
val in question, is to - be almibed 'to
'thq general feeling of joy which all
or us _experience when the gradual
shortening of the day reaches its ut
most,limit on the 21st day of Decem
ber, and the sun, recoinmencing its
upward 'course, announces that mid
winter is past, and spring and sum
mer are approaching. On similar
grounds, and with similar demonstra
tions, the ancient pagan nations ob
served a festival in mid-summer, or
the sumixiersolatice, when, the sun
arrives at the culminating point of
his: ascent on the 21st of June, or
longest day. • . •
By the' Romans, tha'anniversary
was celebrated lder - the title of
Saturnalia, or the festival_of \ Saturn,
and was marked by theprevalenceo:
a universal license and merry-making.
The slaves were permitted to enjoy
for a time a thorough freedom in
epeech and behavior, and it is even ,
said that their masters waited on
them as servants. Every one feasted
and rejoiced, work and business were
for a season entirely suspended, the
houses were decked a ith laurels and
evergreens, presents were made by
parents and. friend Jul(' all .aorta .of
games and amusements were indulged
in by the eitiXent In the bleak
mirth; the isatie itlcacings bad place,
but in. ruder , and more .barbarons
form. Fires were extensively kin
dled, both in and; out of doors, blocked
of wood blaied in honor of Odin and!
Thor, the sacred' mistletoe was gab
eri'd by the Druids, and sacrifices,
both of men and cattle, were made
to the savage divinities. Fires are
said, also, to have been kindled at
this period of the year by the ancient
Persians, . between *Whom and .the
Druids of Vistern Europe a relatinn
ip is Supposed to have existed.
In the early agei of
its ministers frequently experienced
the utmost diffieulty in inducing the
converts to refrain from indulging in
the. popular amusements which were
eo largely participated in bq their
pagan countrymen. Among others;
the revelry and license which charac
terised the Saturnalia called for spe
cial animadversion. But at hist, con
vineed partly of the inefikukey of Snob
denuneiatlona,luat: partirirdhieneed
TffitidlDkri BRADFORD' 'COMITY'I. Pk. THURSDAY 'itORNING,
I •
••• , •
, ,
by, the Ides.that the speed of Oh a-
Vanity might thereby be arivranimi,
the, Church endeavored to amalga,7
mate, : as .it were, the. old and new re
ligtons- „rind sought, by transferring
thelatathen ceremoniektO the solem
nities of the :Christian fcstivihr, to
.nialte them, subservient to the cum
of religion and piety. A compromise
-was thus effected betweani clergyand 1
laity, thongh It - maid, be admitted
that it proved anything but a' hntefe-'
nions one as we find a capstan% tho'
ineffectuaL proscription bY the cede
siastical authorities of the favorite
'amusements of the people, including
among others the sports and revelries
at Chrletree; • '1
' Ingrained thus on . the Roman Sat
annalist, the Christmis feitivities re
ceived in Britian farther changes and
modifications, by having superadded
to;them, first„ the Druidical rites and
snperititions, anacilien;after the ar
rival of the Saxons, the various cere
-monies practiced by the. ancient Ger
mans and Scandinavians. ' The re
sult has been thin strange medley of
Christian and= pagan rites which con
tributeAo make up_ the festivities of
the modern Christmas. t
The name given by the ancient
Goths and Saxon's to the festival
of the winter solstice, was . J&i or
Yule, the latter term forming, to the
present day, the designation in the
Scottish dialect - of Christmas, and
preserved - also in the phrase of the
" Yule log." Prerhaps the . etymology
of, no term has excited greate r dis
cnaucion among antiquarians. - Some
maintain it to'' be derived from' he
Greek,ou/oi or ioatiosi the mire of a
,hymn in hono of Ceres ; others say it
comes from t Latin jubilant, signi
fying a time s rejoicing, or, from its
being a featly in, honor of Julius
Caesar; whits , some also explain its
meaning as synonymous. with of or
oel, which in the ancient Gothic lan
guage denotes , a feast, and also the
liquor used on, such occasion, whence
our word ale, ' But a more probable
derivation of the term' in question'is
from the Gothic_ gaul or hiuli the ori
gin of the modern word wheel, and
bearing the same signification. Ac
cording to this very probable expla
nation; the Yule festival received its
name from its _ being •:- the turning
point of the year, - or, at the period at
which the firey_orb of day , made a
,revolution in his Annual 'circuit, and
entered on his northern journey. A,
confirmation of this view is afforded
by 'the circumstance that in the old
clog almanac, a wheel is the device
employed for marking the season of
Yule-tide. , ' ('
.
'laroughout the middle ages, and
down to the period of the Reforma
tion, the festival of - Chrismas, in
gritted on' the pagan rites 'of Yule
continued throughout Christendom
to be universally celebrated with
evermark of . rejoicing. l
.On : the
adoption of , a new system o'f faith
by most of the' nOrthern nations of
Europe in the siiteenth century,. the
Lutheran and' Angelican churches re
tained the celebration of Christmas
and other festivals,' which Calvinists
rejected absolutely, denouncing the
observance ..of all such days, except
SundaY,' as superstitious and unscrip
tural. In - reference to the supersti
tion anciently prevalent in Scotland
against spinning on - Chstmas or
Yule day, and . the determination of
the 'Calvinistic clergy >to! put down
all such notions,,the.follOning amus
ing passage is quoted byDr. Jamie
son.from Jhone Hamilton's , "Facile
Tralctise :" " The ministeas of Scot
land—in contempt of the vther halls'
dayes obseruit be England--cause
their wyfis and seruints stin in oppin
laicht of the people tqxanlYeul day ;
and affectionnate auditeurs eon
straines their tennants to yok their
plenchs on Yuel day in contempt of
Christ's Natinitie, milk our Lord has
not left vnpunisit ; forAtair oxin rat ,
wed [-mad] ; and brak their nekis,And
learrait [lamed] sum pleugh men, as
is notoriously knawkn infsindaie
partes of fscotland." In consequence
of the Presbyterian folm of -church
government, as constituted by ' John
Knox and his cosidjutors on the mod
el'of the edclesiastical polity of Cal
vin; hiving taken such firm wain
Scotland, the, festival of Christmas,
with other commemorative celebra
tions retained from the Romish cal:
endar by,the . Angelicans and Luther
ans, is comparatively unknown in
that country,' at least in the . Low
lands. The tendency to mirth and
jollity at the close of the year, Which
seems almost inhaent in,human na
ture has, in North Britain, been,,for
the most • part, transferred from
Christmas and' 'Christmas Eve - to
New Year's Day and the preceding
evening, known by the appellation of
Hogmenay. In many parts of Scot.'
land, however, and also in the county
Of Forfaiand one or tviii - Otherdis-.
triets, the lay for the annual merry.
making is Christm as.
_
From aceurious old song preserved
in the - Hirleian manuscripts in the
British' Museum, we learn that it WAS
paeollarly lucky when-Christmas day
fell, on a 'Sunday, and the, reverse
when, itoccurred , on a Saturday.. The
intermediate days are for the most
part. characterized by a happy uni
formity
,of, propitious augury. l',he
versification is, of ' the rudest "And
most rugged description. but asian
interesting , apechnen of medieval
folk-lore, we ieubjain the stomas m
isting tq Suiday and Saturday :, .
“Boidlnge*. I wane yes al beterney
Yet that day.that Uryste was borne, ;. , •
-Palls uppon a Sunday ;
• That writer shall betoot par lay.
'But pine wyndes alone abalbei
The sower doll be to andAl74s;
By hyude skylle, atheist' '
Throw aU londes sbaThe peas, _
- And 'pod time. 11l amp to INN, . ,
But he that stelyth be shalhe ferrule sane.;
artaate ehylde that day borne he, • -
A peat Intl he shalt*. • '
• • • • • , • • • ; •
It Crystmas on Sailuday falls, - .
That wynter ys to be dresden aIG .
Byte sheltie so talleot pole troopste
That byt shall ale bathe man bests.
hone and corns abet layle Mete woo, ; .
Ando olde folks dyen many on; •
Whate woman that day of ehylde travayle
They sloths boatels Pete pe retie , -
And ehyldren tint be borne that day„
Within halt a yore they - shall dye par fay,
ThOsiunleentheashat wear await rew;
It thou Strata state, hyt libel the 'We; I f
Thou dyes', >Z sokenettake the.” -
- Boinewhat 'akin to the notions
abovi ineulcated, is the belief in De
-voniahlre that if the Mtn shines bright'
at noon On Christmas das;a plentiful
crop' or 'apples may be expected in
the following year. •
MlGLitiilEB OP DINIINCIATION PRONE ANT , IatIARTEIL
WHAT THE /02.141 TOLD THE
onto.
Once In hely
Tttere was born a child like thee.
le tartar/ lie was hltd,
• Roughly crediett—llttle
Bet the Keil lttsmafer -
Os* the glories Einem Star.' ,
Knelt iletoit:t title sad adored, • -
Celled him Jesus, Christ the Lotd I
This t• what the clappers tell
= Swingle' to each easzen belt, •
Moen, round the world so wide;
" . Chsist was boot at Cbristmart - tds
OUR OBRISTMtS STORY.
A Chapter Fics6 an Old Jounul.
Italie the ebarred legs born brighter,
' • 1 will show you by their blase,
The balt•torgotten record
Of bygone Clogs and days. • - -
,
Ming here the ancient volume,
- The clasp is old ana worn.
The gold Is dim and -Undated,
And redid leatlseir! torn.
The dad 4s ptheretf on ft—
There sic to few w" taro
To mad what Time has smitten
Of jay and sena, there.
I
• Brightly, in this quaint old library,
in my grandfather's house, the fire
light flickers on the gleaming brass,
and throws fitful reflections -on the I
carved woods, dark with age. Noth-1
jag here belongs to the present, but
everything, even to . the tall, straight,
chair on which I am sitting, speaks,
of a.long-forgotten past. - Strange ;
stories might these antique relics tell
if speech were given them; of lives;,
begun and ended within therm ancient:
walls—lives whoseAoys and sorrows
the cold calm of the grave has quiet
ed long ago.' How Many scenes and
faces has that old mirror reflected—
bright. eyes tender . with love's young
dream,and sad, sad eyes, perhapathe
same that shone so brightly in youth,
whose light of life was quenched in
tears. Often, it may be, in this very
room, has been breathed to willing
ears the old, old story. ever new to
each young player in the changing
drama of life. -,
Is this the history o r a life, I won,
der—this clasped volume that I have
taken 'from the old escritoire, whose
dlawers and pigeon-heles my mother
told me it was her delight to explore
in her youth ? She told me before I
came on this visit to her early home
that I would find here many careful
ly-preserved records of our dead an
cestors. This must be one of them—
how Strange! the name upon the fly
leaf is the same as my own'! " The
Journal of Ruth." The ink is faded
and the leaves yellow with age, and
:the datt was written when the centu
ry began-1800. Surely tbse can be
no violation of 'privacy in giving to
the world a chapter from a mann
script writtewso long ago. . '
FROM TUE JOURNAL' OF PaITII.
December 1,1880-1 wonder if the
reality Is ever equal to the anticipa
tion.? It has never been so for me.
For years the thought of seeing Rog
er Sheldon again has haunted me,
and often, in imagination, my hands
have touched his again, and I have
seen in his eyes the look I knew so
well. But ft is over ; we have met
and that is all. ..No, not all. Am 'I
disappointed in him ? No ; no, far
from that; , be is grander, .nobler
than when 1 saw rim last The
change is in me. ..I did not realize
there was a 'change till I went to the
glass- after he bad left me and tried
to look atimyself impartially, as with
unfamiliar eyes. Yes, it- is a sadly
changed' , face that I see, not much
like theone he had looked- at , ~ g
ago, when I was a fair girl - i• - wenty.
I Anow I was fair then ' • 1 m. • say
it now, when the grave sedateness of
middleage is coming to me so fast,
hurried on bythe ten hard years that
have . passed since he saw me last
They have been hard years for me.
After father's death, when we found
, our money was gone, there was no :
one to take care of mother and little_
Annie but me. I have done the best
I could.., I know they have been
comfortable and happy, and even
now am not sorry. that I answered
Roger's letter as I did. Let me
think: that was Ave years ago; he
wanted ine to_be his wife, he said,'
and offered Annie a home with us;
but I could not help imagining that
it was out of pity he asked me ;be-'
Sides, I did not like to burden him'; '
so, without explaining my reasons (I'
knew he would: not _ listen to me if I
did), Itold } him it could not be. No
doubt myletter sounded cold, tho'
God knoWS there was anything but
coldness in my heart. I kept hoping
he would write again, but he never
did. I might have how
proud he was. Still I have never
given up thekope of seeing him. It
'has been the one thing to which I
have looked forward. S() , I was not
much surprised this afternoon, .when
iAnnie came running up to my'room
in such haste, to see his name on the
card in her hand. I -krteic! he would
come some time. It W a s not until I
was in his presence and saw the look
of surprise that came over his face
when he saw me, that I realized how
much I had changed. He recovered
himself in a moment, and we talked
like old- friends, nothing. more. I
suppose that I should have been sat
isfied with that; - hut, as I said at
first, the reality did not quite fulfil
the anticipation. Anyway, my dream
is.ended, and 1 1 -must take .up the
harden of life again—this time with
,nothing before me to brighten the
.prospect. But pilaw! how. foolish
and wicked I am ; I have work to do,
and will not mourn over what might
have lbeen. . :, 1 ,
- December 14—el'he days glide away
fF-) rapidlyy , that 'I 'caw - . hardly find a
moment in WhiCh to fill these blank
page& Since Roger. has been here,
parties, sleiWrides and excursions
to the city hetetollowed each other
so fast that We do not get rested
ft-oin one before another is proposed.
'pleasant one.
e li
The neighbors seemed determin t o
make his visit it e
Was always ' a livorlte, and the n
years, that hive taken so much Vora
me : have . but kdded' dignity and a
quiet self- ion to him, which
his fun-I ng boykood lacked: Frqm
many of these merry-makings I kive
excised myself on -the plea of Set
having time. find the old trouble
likely to reassert itself if I aUow it
toy mach' latitude. I did look.king
inglyafter the gay party that started
out -this morningi after, everimens
with which to decorate the house on
Christmas. The weatheris perfectly
delightful' for this time of year. It
seems more like Indian summer than
anything . else. Roger land Annie
brought up the Oar, as usual. Row
pretty the dear child looked in the
new cloak I sat up so late last night
to finish. I Tut well repaid for the
loss of a iew hours' sleep when I saw
how pleased , she was to, find it 'done ,
this morning. - She - dearly - loves loves pret
ty clothes, and she should have them'.
What difference would they make hi
a middtoaged woman? What!.
tears again. I must be getting chili:lt,
ish. It is high time
.I put up my pen.‘
December SO—I thought I had had
trouble enough, and really felt: as If
r could not endure any more, but If
'noose I , can. I have discovered
that Annie and 'Roger love each oth
er: They have not said so, it true,
but I can see it as plainly as if they
had.. I std a little - surprised that
- Annie has not spoken of it. to me,-
for generally I am the recipient of
all her confidence . ; but this, I sup
pose, is different. At first I could
not realize that she was anything bro
a child ; why, ten years ago; she was
only% it littlegirl seven years old, and
yet I was only seventeen when/ I
loved. Roger. I only hope she may
beomore happy in her hiving than - I
haye been. She is, at any rate, very
happy now. and Roger seems con
tented—yes, and happy, I think.. (` often* find him looking at me with a
sort of pitying expression. I wow-.
de I
,
tim !
to.
tea
if he guess my secret,-
Ty to control myself, but som e
!s, when I see thud starting oil
then, I can ha - rdly keep back the
I fear I am getting nervous
and cross, for Annie asked me only
yes. rday if '.I. was not well, which,
per aps, was her gentle' way of show
ing me I was not good-natured.
Wel , this torture' will not last much
longer, for he only waiting to
spend his Christmas and-New Year's
at ,home Ten days will soon pass, ,
I suppose; before he leaves he will
ask my consent to take Annie away,
Heaven knows the old'house is dreary
enough with het—what Will it be
without her ?
December 23—Have: been ' very
busy the last few - days. We deter
mined to have a regular, old-fashioned
Christmas tree and arches, and it
takes considerable preparation. Our
few relatives are to ,be invited , 'to
dinner, 'iand then the neighbors—in ,
the evening. I hive gone into this
with more than usual animation, riot
I dun't want to give myself a moment
-hi which to think. Annie says lam
looking thin and pale, and exPostu-.
later with me because . I will do so
much. She can't understand, she
says, why I should be so uncommon
ly busy—some one else could do part
of the work. She does not know that
constant occupation is my only relief
jtist now. One thing for whick lam
thankful is; although they seem to
think so much'of each other in my
presence, they are not:lover-like. He
treats her more like a younger sister.
The time is very short now; and
yet, anxious as I am to have this sta.
ry over, I dread to have it end. , What
will there be to make life endurable
tarter he is gone ? .1f I could only
'travel or go somewhere,;' but I can't,
and,' to prevent thinking of it, will
go down and see how - the best room
looks since the carpet ( lts been tiken
up—that is where we expect to do
ourilancing Christmas night.
December 24—Christmas Eve has
passed. I .-kept too busy all day , to
thing much. Rhoda and I - lave
worked as if all the world were to
dine with us to-morrow. " What a
notable housekeeper," said Roger, as
Annie 'brought him into . _the dining
_room to see the great centerpiece' of
fruits on the dining-table, and - what
she called " Ruth's :noble array of
pies " upon the side-board. Her work
of preparation, dear child, had been
to weave garlands of - Christmas
greens, and bright berries to decorate
.our Sober rooms. s Leger helped her,
and the work seemed well' fitted for
:them both. Their cheerful voices
came to me across the hall as I, the
maiden sieter, unromantically worked
in the kitchen. Lightly they chatted,
and sometimes a sound of h appy ;
laughter or a snatch of song fell ' upon
my ears, Mingling with the droning
tones of old Rhoda's complaining
voice, as she gave me an elaborate
history of her battle with the rheuma
tisin. And this would be the way
through life. Poetry and pleasure
for them, loneliness and distasteful
work ,for med. Did they ever think
of that?
Later, as the- twilight brolight a
cessation from labor for me, the sit. '
very sou d,of sleigh-bells came near
er and n rer, and General Atherly'a
black ho s pawed impatiently at
the door, while their owner ran in to
ask me to take a sleigh-ride and, see,
the moonlight on the lake not yet
frozen over. I went with delight. I
was so tired' and nervous I could
hardly have sat the evening out With
the sight of . Annie and her lover tor
turing un--yes, wicked that I am to
say it, when her happiness ought to
be my dearest thought. But 'why,
oh why, ciinld she not have 'loved
some other than be ? I was glad, too, '
that Roger could see that I was not
altogether slighted,. and th .t even
.One as fastidious as General Atherly
'Sought my company.
When I came in; flushed and rix
rhilarated with the rapid motion and
sparkling winter 'air, Roger mod
alone in the -library, gazing fixedly
at the book-shelves. "Alone?" I
said, gaily; ."and growing literary?"
"No,". he said quietly, "not . very
literary, for I did not even know that
I was looking at the books. 1 am
waiting for Annie; we are going to.
hear the choir rehearse the Chrlituuts .
anthem."
came i n ,,
Then' Arnie came in, dressed for
the walk., , • '
"How pretty you look, Ruthie! "
she said, running up tothis My eheek,
stilt cold' from the outdoor air. "Your
eyes glisten like Oars, and you're so
, .
. .
spay itid - bright that I am 'sure you
enjoyed your sleigh-ride.' , .
~. The* Issid lightly.(l was so glad
Of aitl*poitunity to say it' before
RogeOL ? Yes, I have had a krtelit
time.
mere'.
nothing I enjoy m ore
than o'ildeigt-rlde4
horse.
. 4 .Ithiti- Genera Atherly's fine
ho ';
with the General , for an,es. )
cort,',,- lidded Roger.
... "Yd.ps, of, course,"_ .was. my laugh.
they !li St
went olf, Annie; astsual,
in tit Wildest spirits ; 'Roger quiet,
FRI
but . - , Oubtedly - as happy as she.
Ho* 'old he im . Otherwise f. Then
.1. 8S ''.oolllll at this Old secretary;
whlOtius my grandfather's, with'my
clftkoitill on, to write these . trivist
;:.,,, lot' my daily life.. But even
tile l t. • n confidences to this'unre
spo , i;..#,_book . are a-relief. It is bete
ter A.t, sitting lonely, tehing the
Mau , - -.. 3 "- 1 Ind ' ghostly , cher of the
„Orel :7 , ,,
i ton themal and-tracing sad
Tic ~'.,. in the: owing embers. as
they:' I •from t , e, great, half-burnt
10g5..; 1,- - . .
• B I
) 1
there w . . not much time for
never ; for before I bad ,
finished
mylt tine; they Came bark..° The
rehe*Oil as short, and it was not
late,juit .' oger' would not sit down
agaitt;!. : e took' my hand to say
good 4 . , ght, ; we I
were alone for the
nigh .-', .Annie had left the room—
probSly the. words he 'had said to
her *their homeward Walk were'so
tend,* atd , precious that she could
not tike leave of him with even a sis
fer's4ye.upon- the parting, so she
wiiitkl'or him in the ball. ,
"To-morrow will ,be Chirstmas,"
he said, still holding in.)? hand. "Will
your friends keep you so busy,that
p
I dare not claim .a few , moments of
lour time?. I ' have , something to
y. Will )ou' come to me in this
• s m before your guests have come
• morrow ?' . •
I said yes ; and when he summon
• •.me I' would come, and controlled
y voice so that' I ern sure not a
emmi betrayed, what it cost me to
k o'B6 calm, so cold, when Knew,
.sol, well, what he wanted. He
1 ik- me for -Annie... Does he
th nk I.am a stone? Will no thought
of , e fast come to him when he telli
me me, of- his love for another?
Was it thoughtlessness or wanton
cruelty that prompted him , to select
time- and 'place_ that witnessed his
first love story, to tell: me of his sec
ond ? lam no coward, but I almost
doubt - if I hrive the strength to carry
me threngh such an interview.
Annie sleeps, happy child ! but no
sleep would come to me if I sought
it. To drown sad thetights I write,
•
write, write, and the night wears on
and rings the day nearer. I dread
its coining ; but as far as lieth in my
power I . will make it a happy day
for every one I can. The bitterness
of my own heart no one shall know
or game ;' but oh, what a mockery it'
will - be when they 'wish a merry
Chrisimas to me—to me, to whom
life kMks so empty that I envy the
quiet 'dead !
December 25.—For so many years
I have written the thought of my
heart in this journal that - to neglect
it 'seems -like slighting an old famil
iar friend. ' But I have left it undone
to-day, not because there has been
nothing to say;,, but because I have
turned over a page in my history so
new, so strange, that I most think it
over again before I can put it into
words. Did I write those words on
the opposite leaf ?, Did I say I en
vied' the dead ? The thought makes
me shudder. God forbid that I should
be taken at my word and torn from
the happiness that has come to me at
last. -
Now ' I will go back to the begin
ning. Annie went to chnrch this
morning; I had said 'before that I
could not go out;; and she did not
urge Me. , I went' into the library
and - watched • her from the window:
Roger met her as she left the gate.
Re will g 4 with her, I thought, but
with a gay greeting she went on, and
he came into the i house, into the li
brary, where I waited for him. I
preferred-to be first in the room; it
was easier thim to r3orne in at his
bidding. I turned to meet him, but
in spite of my sChOoling I was strange
,ly agitated and Mink into the chair
which he quickly placed for me.
" This is not the first .Christmas
day on vOich you and I have met in
this room;" said he, with no joy or
triumph` in his- tune, but rather a
,deep dejection in his look and man
ner.
He waited as if for an answer, but
I did not speak. What could-i say?
i" I have another interview in my .
memory,r he continued; rather sad
ly, "'which belongs to a time, long
years agO, when , I Ventured to hope
that y( ) ); loved me:" , ,
oV
"W " I asked in my thoughts,
"-zotty d she torture me by recalling
those oth r days ?" It was not un
til after 1 ng moments of silence that
tl
I could st my tongue to say :'" I
thought y u had long ago forgotten
all that." , . .
"I cannot forget it," he said, "nor
would I if I could," he continued,
coming close to me and seeking my
eyes, which I had to. keep averted or
they would havObetrayed me. "Do
you think, Ruth," he continued, hum
bly,- " that I ever thought myself
worthy of, you or your love. Ever
1 since I could remember you had
been my ideal of all that was beauti
ful, and my. love for you grew with
my growth. I hoped, when I had
'made myself more nearly your equal;
that you might love me in return,
and in this very room My tongue
broke through the bonds I had set
upon it, and I told you in wild words
of the love that would never die ;
but I did not ask you then to give
me hope, ..for I knew I had spoken
prematurely. 'then. I went away,
hoping to make .my fortuni , more
northy
. Of your sharing . At first
disappointments came to me ; but
when. I heard of your father's .death
. and your loss of property, I could
keep silent no longer, and - wrote the
letter asking you to -be my wife.
Your answer, , altough kind, showed
me how 'presumptuous I had been.
I am a proud man, Ruth, and I re
solved you should never: know how
I was hurt, so I wrote I letter *Scold
as yours, I did . nut send it-some
41.00 pr Annum In 'Advance.
power eeemed to remit. I never
intended returning, brit I could not
resist the desire to see yon `once
more. When I came. to the door end
Annieopened it I could 'almost have
imagined it was you, se - I last saw
you. 'l think she must have consid
ered me :Aker a .etzange acting per
aon,,for, knowing Lissa so near you
had karat, effect epee me When I
hearcithe rustle of dresa,.that alter
noon, and , looked 'up 'and eaw.you
.befote me, so little changed in ap
twarance--;only,' if possible, more
betutiful—l could hardly speak; but
you were as self-poisessed and friend
ly as if, bad' left ;only day before.
I acknowledge I was terribly disap
pointed. I knew what 'I bad
dared hope. Still, I resolved to wait
a few days and see if" I could not .
,bange your opinion of me, and see:
ag Annie' every day . has helped me
wonderfully. - She is such' a deaf,
kind girl, that one cannot help loving
her. - When; I .woklld be . most des
pondent, she always had something
encciuraginffl to say.' I must leave
to-morrow, and, Ruth,' I could not
'go withouttelliug
!' I knew- .what_,•you would say," I
Interitipted, for I 'felt 'that I . could
not endure heating any more, and
Must make the interview short if I
wished to control myself. "Take
her! She is worthy of even you,
hitt whit can I do - Without her? And
then the _tears - would Come. Roger
'bending over me took my bands
sway from coy eyes and - said
"What do you mean,ituth t Who
is this you are .gi s ving to me?"
" Why Annie,
of course," I said.
"I hive 'known all along - , that, how
ever much you may have - loved-me
once, you love her now."
"Yes,,as a dear ;younger sister I
do, but for a wife I want my first,
my only lOve—youl" . -
I could hardly believe my ears—
had -my trouble been only borrowed
trouble, after all ? Then I thought of
Annie. If slie loved him I must give
him up even then. I was just telling
'him so, when the door opened ande
merry voicelsaid
"Oh, you dear old goosie, did you
think I' wanted him for - myself.?
What would I do with a husband ?
Especially such a -grin one as Sir
Roger 1" Then she danced away
again, and in a minute after I saw
her romping Witff the children, the
merriest one among- .them—she is
only a child after all.
-After a whilelloger said, "So you
were a little jealous of Annie, were
you ? 'We are even, then, for I must
confess I felt _anything btit kindly
toward General Atherly. It was'
only Anniei repeated assurances
gave me courage to make one more
trial to win your love."
And so throne' these dreary weeks
happiness bas been knocking at my
door and I never knew it. Oh, this
merry, merry Christmas day! Will
life ever look dark _agaieto me, - now
that Roger has come -back to me
again—tender and true and faithful
through all these dreary years'? llow
could I .do him, such injustice m I
have ? But never' gain will I doubt;
him; my trust shall be perfect as my,
love.
Our dinner was a merry-making to
the. aunts and uncles and the gay
young cousins, but to me, with my
new-found happiness bid den . in my
heart, it was like a dream- I heard;
'and yet I did not bear, the gay con
versation carried on at the table and
the compliments upon my housewife
ly skill that were given sojreely as
the viands were discussed.
Roger had not been invited, as
none but relatives were coming to
the family dinner.. But. Annie bad
secured .a whispered conference with
him as she let himgout, while I was
receiving the guests, and between
Ahem they concocted , little plan
iihich was a revelation to the good
mints, who, in their minds, had long
destined me to a life of single blees
edness. 1 sat at one end of the table,
Annie at the other. Rhoda had
brought in , the great Christmas pud
dingl awl placed it in , front of Uncle
John, to supplant the giant turkey
his skill .in carving had conquered,
and, in the excitement of the children
at the lighting of the brandy, with
which it was saturated, Annie skip
ped unperceived from the table, re
turning with Roger, whose expected
knock at the door she was waiting
for, and ceremoniously installing him
in her seat, she crowdeo in with the
little cousins.
There were no explanations need
ed ; the look that Roger gave me, he
all unabashed, though I, at first, felt
; some dismay at such sudden publici,
ty, told all, even if Annie's nodit and
whispers bad not confirmed it.
And now, my Journal, my' tried
Mend, good-bye. I have told you
all my care and troubles,. my hopes
and-fears; but henceforth my confi
dences will all be to Roger, and I
shall write no more upon these pages.
But I will treasure you still, and if
evet a shadow comes upon 'my life
again, I will: readover,the record of
those wretched days and learn from
it that • our greatest blessings often
lie nearer than we think.—Andrew's
Bazar. •
" PnovEssou—" Can you multiply to
gether concrete numbers ?" The elm
are uncertain. "What will be the product
:of five apples multiplied by six toes?"
Freshmali (emphatically)—" Hash."
"BUT - 1 "said the Rev. Mr.
Bwipes„in _diemg the theme of his
'subject to take up another. "Then = I
t make it spades," 3relkwi a Mill from the
gallery, whO was dreaming the happy
.hours away in an imaginary game of eu
chre. It is needless to say that he went
out - ou this next deal assisted .by one of
the deacons with a handful °ldaho.
Timm was an elephant that had been
trained. to play the piano with its trunk
in a show. One day a new phut* was
bought for it, but no Waller had the ele
phant touched the keys than it burst into
a flood of tears; .."•What ails you, Lan
ni?' salted, the keeper. The poor beast
could only' point to the ivory kepi__ Alas
they were mule of the tusks of his moth
er.
A. car us colonel was disparilt
bpolom of t14401 : 0 the late General
as Imyin licked courage during the last
Praneo. war. ' 44 1 don't think it
pomade," said the Gemara And on some
one-iasiating "No,"- interrupted he, "I
shall never understand how a colonel st
the bead of his regiment eau be courage
ous anough to ha a coward."
NUM= 30
" • ~
==l
' A little .wigr up weir oir the. Rheesdies
.B.lpl o beatiath the shade of an old black
Pin% tnßw s Cheistates tees.' The saw
user had pawed and the "blot days - bad
eons; when the wind.blow . staktbe emir
Mee; and the hardy_little stountsin rose
bad two buds. "Deer ate" betted the
twee, " Imish I could Wombat when' other
plants do. There would be soon pleas. 4.
are in displaying'one's self for the Aunty
blue gentian or the pretty eyebright ; but •
with no one to admire me I see*, use in
bloesoining at .'
"Hot ho i" laughed thil oktpiney wav
ing his shaggy arms. "Ho ! ho.! what a
Jittle grumbler! The snow and I will ad.
Writ you; You were named - after the
blamed and ongbt to ba hap.
W sod ootitented. Push up throughthe
deepening =ow, little friend, and expand
your buds into perfect . blossoms ; we were
`holy sad we shalt
kncrw what4t is when the time !ernes,
. •
Just then the worth wind blew so hard
the old pine was ont of breath, and for
some season he never renewed the conver
sation.
An the world is dead except the ping
and I," murmured the rose, "and perhaps
I had better follow his advice. I was
made for a holy purpose the ChM child
will got forget me." 130 she took good ,
care of her round green bode, - and the
day before Christmas the black pine saw
her blpsionst, white and perfect, Peering
-up through the white snow. .
• Now there were two little Mies, chil
dren of Klotz, the 'Wood-cutter, who were
ontly heart-brake°, for their mothering
sick, aid that morning the hied neighbor
who bad nursed, her through the -night
hid said : "God pity this home ! I fear ,
your mother will die before night." Thar
father ass by the fire-place; ipeechless
with grief; and answered them neither
with word or look, when they crept up to
him for con3fort ;so at last they stole ont
of the titior, and, hand in band, wandered
a short way up the mountain side, follow
ing the forester's tracks till they.came fu
sight of the old black pine.
• '"lf SI the Mothers in the world were
dying, that hard block of pine would not
care," said the boy, bitterly.; "let us go
back into the valley, sister ; there, we will
at least find' human hearts,. while
~h ere
there is no one to care whether we live or
die." ;
"There is one who cares for us - even
here," cried the sister, spying the Christ
mas roses, and in a moment she bad
seraped away the snow and secured them:
" We had forgotten the Christ-child, and
that4o-moirow is his blessed birthday.
Let, us take these roses to the• church,
dear brother; and pray the Jill-merciful
One for whom they were named to spare
our' mother's life."
So they hastened 'down the mountain
to the village chultly where • thei . found
the got;d priest busy trimming the altar
fur the church festival He took the flow- •
era and put • them, with some leathery
trailing moss, into a tall, white vase. .
Then he knelt with the children and pray
ed to God that if it might be consistent
with his holy , • will, be would: spare the
mother's life, and they forgot not to
-thank Him for the sweet, silent witnesses
that brought the resembrance of his be-
Wed Son to co . m'fort and encourage them
in the time' of - trouble. ' When they, re
turned home their father met them at '•
the door and , exclaimed joyously :
".The fever bas turned, and your moth
er is better. Praise God."
The Christmas rose bad fulfilled its.
destiny. /Lb, me the black pine was
right.. We were all made for a holy pur 7
pose, and we shall learn what it is in
God's own time.
'A CHRISTMAS' LEGRND./T •
A STORY FROM THE BLACK YORKKABOUT
casysAwnh=is.
_
It was Christmas eye. The night was
very dark and the snow falling fast, 'as •
llemann, charcoal burner, drew his
cloak tighter around him, and the wind
whistled fiercely through the trees of the
Black Forest. He had been to• carry a '-
load to a castle near, sad was now has
tening home to his little but Although' -,,
be worked very hard,. he was poor, gain-
ing barely enough for_ the wants 'of his
wife and four little • dna. He Was.
thinking of then; when b - heard a faint
wailing. • Gelded by e •• • • he grop
;
; edabout and found li • child, scantily
I clothed; shivering d• so •bing by itself .
in the snow. •• -
" Why, little one, have ••y , le ft thee ,
here - all alone to f this c• el Waist?"
The child answe both' •.. , but look;
ed piteously up in cha •••• -bttruer's
Well, I cannot cave t • • - here. ; • Thou
wouldst be dead before trio •• • g." -
So saying, Hermann ''• - • It . in his
arms, wrapping it in his • and warm
ing its cold hinds in his • • • ni. When
he arrived at his hut he p • down the
child and rapped at the door, which was
immediately thrown open, •• - the_ ell
dren rushed to meet him. '
:
• '" Here, wife, is - a guest to our Christ
mas Eve supper;" said he, leading in Oa
little one, who held timidly to 'his finger
-with his.tiny hand. . ,
‘"
And welcome be is," said the wife.
"Now let him come . end warm himself
by the fire." ' I ' , • •
• The children all pressed round' to wel-
come and gaze at the little new owner.
They showed him their pretty- fir-tree, •
decorated with bright colored lamps, in '
honor of Christmas Eve, which the good
mother had endeavored to make a fete .
for her children. '
Then they sat down to supper, each
child contributing of its portion for_ the
Iguest, looking with. admiration at its
"clear, blue eyes, and golden hair, which
shone so as to abed a brighter light in the
little room ; and as the y wed it 'grevi
into a sort of haloaround the . head, and
his eyes beamed with a heavenly luster.
"Soon two white wings appeased at . his
. shoulder, and he seemed to grow larger
and larger, sod then the _beautiful visiod
vanished, spreading out his bands ad in
' benediction over them. —
Hermien and his wife Jell on their
• kitees, exclaiming in awe struck voicea;
1 "The holy Christ child !" and then em
braced their children in joy and thankful
ness that' they had entertained the Hen
.
t only Guest. •
..
. The next morning; as Hernsiim . - pamed
by the, place where be had found the fair
' child be saw a cluster ,of lovely - white'
flowers, with dark green leaves, looking.•as though the uteir had blossomed. Her
' mann plucked some and carried them re
"
t verently home to his with and children,
t w ho treasured the fair Mescals and tend
, ed them carefully hi remembrance of that
wonderful Christmas • Eve, calling - them
cfirysanthetmts; and every year, as the
that, came around, they put aside a por
t tion of their feast and gave lit to some
.. poor,t:
little child, according of Chris:
I "Inasmuch as ye base done it to one of
." the 'Seat of these; my brethren, ye have
doe It unto rue." , -