to repeat that had been done to them, she
rose up sorrowing and said:
“I will not leave tho earth. While my
sister angels were here I might have rested
in my Father’s bosom, for num needed me
not; but now that they have tied, I will seek
to make man listen to my voice, telling him
that as he cherished forgiveness here, so that
forgiveness will cherish him hereafter.”
At that moment a new and most beautiful
star blazed in the heavens. It was the star
of Botldcbem. Pointing to it Forgiveness
said, “Behold, tho light of the world. It
shines as a promise that I will ever dwell
upon the earth.” And Peace and Love, re
penting, flow back and have never since left
the earth. So the loveliest angels of lieaven
came home to tho world on the first Christ
mas morning.
( wife Lad died and left him childless. Three
t happy years passed away almost without a
’cloud. You grew and thro e. Everyday
i seemed to my delighted eyes to give a new
charm, a new beauty to my treasure; and
then in the midst of my joy you fell ill. Day
and night, night and day, I watched by your
bed—nay, Janet, give me no thanks; it was
selfish love! It was all in vain thdt doctor
anil nurse argued with mo. I would not
leave you. It was fever and must run its
course, they said. If you should recover, my
strength would bo needed when you could
know and call for me; but I would not listen,
and one night as I sat beside you all tho room
grew dark, and I knew no more. When I re
covered I could not rise from my bed, but I
implored with passionate tears to bo taken to
you. Then some one came forward and sat
down beside me and took my hand, and I saw
that it was Andrew. It gave me no surprise
to see him thero. I dimly remembered that I
had seemed to see him before when I was ill,
and for tho moment his presence calmed
me.
“ ‘Mary,’ he said, in his old, quiet tone, ‘if
you do not do as I tell you you will die; and,
w hat is more, the child will die too?
“I sprang up with a scream and struggled
to go to you. ‘My child, my c hild!’I cried.
“ ‘She is not your child—she is mine,’ he
said, in that calm tone of truth which had
never failed to convince me, and which now
pierced like a sword of ice into my heart.
‘Yes, she is mine! Listen.’ His quiet eyes
controlled me, his quiet words subdued me.
‘When you were very ill, dying, they
thought, my name was often on your lips,
and they discovered and sent for me. On tho
same day a child was born to each of us, and
my wife and your child died. “We might
have hoped for her if her baby had lived,”
said tho doctor; and I gave my child to you.
Can you not bear what I have borne?’
“Oh, Janet, my child, his words were heal
ing, and the sorrow that from that hour I
tried to bear was taken from me!”
At first when mother ceased speaking, the
world, and love, and life seemed to ine to be
blank and hollow, but in a few moments I
rose from my seat and kneeled at her knees.
“Oh, mother, dear—my father?”
“He died long ago. Janet, do you love
me?”
“Then, as we kissed each other I knew that
in all our lives of happy love dear mother
and I had never been sp near together.
AN EDITOR’S CHRISTMAS.
speak of left was a wan and ragged little ris
with delicate features and big, old eyes.
I got fire ami food for them, and dy
,
could for tlieir immediate relief,
1
rushed to tho office of The TrumpetL1
wrote such un uccount of them as
,
sure to send the good people of I>'K>uviua
their door witli abundant relief. Jt w "
long ami graphic article, un i lealistio to '
startling degree. Wo were not illustrating
nowspapeiii then us now, so I could only
ture the suffering of this family |n
However, I gavo the article tremendous
linesand u prominent place. Tho Trum
was issued tho next day, which was th«
before Christinas, and it went forth on in
work of arousing tho pity of Doonvill» f™
tho family in tho old houso l>y the river I
was very busy all that day and could not J
to sw them. But when night < ame and I u
down to rest 1 lmd tlm satisfaction of
that they were provided for, and that I had
been the instigating causo of their relief t
fancies! the- surprise mid sorrow tho lieuev«.
lent Mrs. Barclay would feel w lien she visited
them, l urrying aid, as slio was snro
after reading my article. And how
tresseel, 1 thought, Mr. Archibald Doe»
woulil bo will u he realized that so sad a css«
of want existeel in ' l>o town of winch as Wai
so i roud. Ami others—ever so many othen
—would be equally interested and equal),
helpful. In imagination I saw the phiian-
tliropists of the the community, one after m
other, going down to the old house bytbe
river side carrying aiel and sympathy.
Tho next morning was Chriztnias. it Wa,
cold and clear, with a sharp wind blowin»,
traditional Christmas weather, called cheerr
in storie s, 1 think, lint very luieomforubfa
fol those who uro thinly clad. After break
fast 1 Start'd down to sew my poor friendsbi
tho river. I wanted to help tlie>m, but alii
could do would be but a cipher in compuri-
son with what bad already Iswn done. But
I thrillesl with tho pleasure I would er»,
rience in seeing their improv«! condition
knowing I had had a hand in it.
How forlorn and desolate the house was
even as seen from afar off! And oh! the
dreariness of Christmas to those within!
A num approached tho house just ahead of
mo. A second glance told mo that it was the
tract distributor. I felt a spasm of wrath u
sight of him. IIow dare ho mock tin»
wretched people with his printed twnddjs
about tho Dreciousness of tlieir souls when
their bodies needed food, and fire und cloth-
This is Mr. Worthington’s story just as he
told it to a number of us one Christmas eve
ning at his house. Mr. Worthington isn’t
Mr. Worthington at ail in real life, but a
very famous man whose tongue and pen
carry great weight:
My first journal was a country wee uy in
Doonville. A “flourishing and fearless” jour
nal, was the way my kindly disposed contem
poraries spoke of it in their “able” pages. Its
name was The Trumpet, and I speak only the
plainest truth when I say that it gavo forth
no uncertain sound. I was a very 5 oung
man and very ambitious. I thought I knew
exuctly what a forceful weekly nowipapei
should lie, and I hadn't the least doubt <’f my
capacity to construct and manipulate sv.ch an
Th the pure soul, although it sing or pray.
engine of reform and advancement. That is
The Christ is torn anew from day to day.
the way of tho very young, God bless them.
The life that knoweth Him shall hide apart
▲nd keep eternal Christmas in the heart.
Before they havo bad a hand to ba d en
- / / 'i 11 1 \\V
E lizabeth S tuart P helps .
counter with life tlioy feel so strong ai: I con
Mother and I were sitting by the Are on
Wi’
n n n,h n n
fident they believe they can do anythin , and
Christmas night Twenty happy years we
this very belief, mark you, is what makes
CHRISTMAS.
had
spent
together,
almost
alone,
for
father
The play is done, the curtain drops.
the phenomenal successes we so often a I mire
died before I knew him; and we had never
Slow falling to the prompter’s bell;
Hang up the vine and tho holly,
and wonder at. The Spaniards li. vo a
A moment yet tin* actor stops,
been rich, and were perhaps a little selfish,
Sign the cross over the door,
proverb, “Ho w ho expects good luck wi.l get
And looks around to say farewell.
That joy coming in with the Christmas,
for we loved each other so heartily that we
it,” and it is as true a sentence as ev< r was
It is an irksome word and task;
May go from the place nevermore.
penned. Believe you can do anythin ;, and
could scarcely spare time from each other
And when he’s laughed and said his say,
you can, if any one can do it. Succei i, like
Gather love gifts for tho children,
for the few of our own class whom we came
He shows, as he removes tho mask,
the art of swimming, is largely a mat ter of
Guard well tho mystical way,
A face that's anything but gay.
across, who being bettor off than ourselves,
That tiie Christ child conies at the midnight confidence.
and holding themselves rather higher, seldom
One word ere yet the evening ends,—
To bless with bright favors the day.
I worked very hard on Tho Trumpet. 1
Let's close it with a parting rhyme;
seemed to need our help or sympathy. We
was business man, editor and staff. I had
Bring in good cheer and be merry,
And pledge a hand to all young friends.
had
plenty
of
poorer
neighbors
whom
we
very decided ideas in regard to bettering tho
Dance and ring out glad song;
As fits the merry Christmas time;
loved and who loved usj but they in no way
The stars of u Bethlehem desert
On life's wide scene you, too, have parts
world, and started out with tho praiseworthy
Looked down on a Christ happy throng.
That fate ere long shall bid you play;
interfered between us or made tho happiness
intention of extinguishing several "giant
Good night!- with honest, gentle hearts
wrongs,” under w hich I plainly saw that so
we felt in being together less complete. It
Go ye in hovel and highway,
A kindly greeting go alway.
ciety suffered. We all have the reformatory
was only in the last year that a new strong
Guests to bring in to tho feast;
spirit much stronger in us ill youth than later
Angels shall unawares greet ye
Good night!—I'd say the griefs, the joys,
interest hail come into our lives, and this
In those the world counteth as least.
Just hinted in thi i mimic page—
on, for tho reason, perhaps, that wo haven t
Harry brought; and on Now Year’s day he
The triumphs and defeat of boys
fully measured the strength of our antagonist,
Sound the sweet Christ loving anthem—
and I were to be married. From the first
Are but repeated In our age;
the existing system of things. I was sincerely
Echoes will bear it on high—
I'd say your woes were not less keen.
moment when he brought mo homo to mother,
anxious to thoroughly represent all worthy
To the angels made joyous forever
Your hopes more vain than those of men;
having picked mo up from the muddy pave
local
interests. To that end I scoured Doon
By Christmas of love in the sky.
Your pangs or pleasures of fifteen
ment, where I hail fallen bruised and helpless
ville night and day, and “wroto up” all sorts
At forty-five played o'er again.
Bow
down
and
worship
the
spirit
in the midst of a crowd, sho seemed to take
of things that never before had been described
A
Of the feast, the invisible King ;
I'd say we suffer and we strive
by pen, or immortalized in type. I w anted
him into her heart, and never from that day
Lo ! fie cometh in scarlet and purple
Not less nor more as men than boys;
to wake up my fellow townsmen and w omen
To gather a world's offering.
did she let one jealous feeling come between
With grizzled beards at forty-five,
to the interests that lay close around them,
M arie L e B aron .
fl
As erst at twelve in corduroys;
her and ma Of course, she was to live with
and of all things I wanted them to properly
*
And if, in time of sacred youth,
us; even Harry could not have mado a home
We learned at home to love and pray.
appreciate The Trumpet.
for
me
without
her,
and
the
only
thing
she
Pray Heaven that early love and truth 71
I intended to issue a magnificent Christmas
ever did which for the moment we thought
May never wholly pass away.
number of my beloved journal, twice its
hard, was when, a week before, she had in
ordinary size and brim full of tho most
And in the world, as in the school.
sisted on Harry’s going home for Christmas.
A little way up ono of tbo Rhaetian Alps, alluring holiday matter I could create and
I’d say how fate may change and shift— f
“
Go
to
your
father
and
mother,
Harry,
and
THE
COMPLAINT
OF
SANTA
CLAUS.
beneath
the
shade
of
an
old
black
pine,
grew
The prize be sometimes with tho fool.
rake up. To perfect that number I almost
leave Janet with me,” she said. “You and
a .Christmas rose.* The summer had passed, worked myself into a decline. Looking back
The race not always to the swift;
she hope to be together all your lives; give us The snow lies deep on the frozen ground,
and the short days had come, when the wind upon it now, from tbo standpoint of w hat I
The strong may yield, the good may fall*
old folks one more chance of feeling you all
The great man bo a vulgar clown,
And the Christmas night is cold,
blows and tho snow flies, and the hardy little beg to be permitted to call mature common
The knave be lifted over all,
our own.” And Harry, with a look at me to Anti I shine before the rime so hoar—
mountain rose had two buds. “Dear me,” sense, I commend myself heartily for the in
The kind cast pitilessly down.
Can it be I am growing old?
see what I thought, ha l agreed.
fretted the rose, “I wish I could blossom dustry, zeal and confidence I nursed into
I
when other plants do. There would be some respectable development in th iso old, hard
Who knows the inscrutable design?
Long years ago when the Christmas chimes
I
pleasure in displaying oneself for tho dainty working, moneyless days on The Trunqiet.
Blessed be He who took and ga»wf
Made merry the midnight sky,
Why should your mother, Charles, not mine,
When the carolers’ call filled houses and hall,
blue gentian or the pretty eyebright, but
Among other attractive features for my
Bo weeping at her darling’s grave?
And wassail and mirth ran high.
with no one to admire me, I see no use in Christmas paper I determined to write up the
We bow to Heaven that willed it sov
very poor of Doonville. I could thus be the
When tho harlequin mummers reeled and danced, blooming at all.”
That darkly rules the fate of all,
“IIo! ho!” laughed the old pine, waving his means of conferring two benefactions—giv
And the greut yule log blazed bright;
That sends tho respite or the blow*
shaggy
arms.
“
IIo!
ho!
what
a
little
grum
When tho walls were green with a summer sheen,
That’s free to give or to recall.
ing tho rich a chance to taste of the blessing
In holly and yew bedight;
bler. The snow and I will admire you. You of giving—for it is more blessed to give than
This crowns his feast with wine and wit.
are named after the blessed Christ child, and to receive—and also open the way for the
When the faces of all, the young, the old.
Who brought him to that mirth and state?'
ought to bo happy and contented. Push up poor to be helped. And on Christmas, you
Were brimming with sparkling cheer—
His betters, see, below him sit,
Aye, those were the times when Christmas chimes through the deepening snow, little friend, know, all hearts are said to be tenderer and
Or hunger hopeless at the gate.
and expand your buds into perfect blossoms; more generous, and many are glad of an op
Were the merriest sounds of the year!
Who hade the mini from Dives’ wheel
we were all made for a wise purpose, and we portunity to do something for the needy.
To spurn the rags of I.azarus?
I
snapped
my
fingers
In
Jack
Frost's
teeth,
shall know what it is when the time comes
Come, brother, in that dust we'll kneel,
Doonville was a small place, and so very
While
the
snow
was
wavering
down,
Confessing Heaven, that ruled it thus.
if”-----
prosperous that I scarcely knew where to go
And the icicles hung from my beard I flung—
Just then the north wind blew so hard the to hunt people so poor that I dare intrude
My beard that was then so brown!
So each shall mourn; in life’s advance,
old pine was quite out of breath, and for upon them and tell their wants in my “valu
Dear hopes, dear friends, untimely killed;
And I wrapped myself in my grizzly coat,
some reason ho never renewed the convei’sa- able and widely circulated” paper. Many of
Shall grieve for many a forfeit chance
And lit my pipe with a coal
tion.
And longing passion unfulfilled.
its citizens were very rich, and none whom I
From Hecla’s crest, where I stopped to rest,
Amen! whatever fate to sent,
“All the world is dead except the pine and personally knew bail fallen below decent and THE THIN LITTLE GIRL OPENED THE DOOR.
On
my
way
from
the
Northern
Pole.
Pray God the heart may kindly glow,
me,” murmured the rose, “and perhaps I had tolerable poverty. But down below Doon’s
Ho knocked, and the thin little girl with
Although the hea l with cares be bent
My reindeers—O, tiiey wore brisk and gay—
better follow his advice. If I was made for mills, on the river bank, were sonio broken
And whitened with tho winter snov«
My sledge, it could stand a pull;
a wise purpose I shall not be forgotten.” So down houses about whose doors I had some the pale, delicate face opened the door, came
My pack, tho’ great, seemed a feather's weight,
“COME AND SIT HERE, JANET.”
she took good care of her beautiful buds, and times seen very ragged and very dirty chil out, and shut it behind her. Tho tract dis
Come wealth or want, come good er ill.
No matter how crammed and full!
Let old and young accept tbeir part,
the day before Christmas the black pine saw dren playing. I determined to go thither and tributor took off his liat, she looked up at
So that Christmas evening Mother and I
him, and I knew she spoke, though 1 was lot
And bow before the awful will,
her blossoms, white and perfect, peering up
My
heart
It
was
stout
in
those
good
old
days,
were alona There hail been something in
investigate.
And bear it with an honest heart.
near enough to hear what she said. I no
And warm with an inward glee;
through
the
white
snow.
mother's maimer all day which I could not For I thought of the mirths of a thousand hearts,
I had this thought in my mind as I was go ticed, too, that she raised her hand in ges-.
Who misses, or who wins the prize,
Now,
the
two
little
children
of
Klotz,
the
j not understand. She seemed to have some
Go, lose or conquer, as you can;
ing to office one morning just two days ture—a solemn and intensely dramatic ges
Where the little ones watched for me.
wood cutter, were nearly heartbroken, for
But if you fail, or if you rise,
thing on her mind. She was loving and ten I
before Christmas. I determined to go out ture, it seemed to me; for due so youBtf’to
their mother was sick, and that morning the
Be each, pray God, a gentleman.
So I gathered my sweets from far and near,
der
to
me,
so
tender
that
I
thought
that
no
that
afternoon and begin the search. I hadn’t make unconsciously. A queer sort of chill
!
kind neighbor Who had watched by her side
And I piled my cunningest toys
ono had ever hail a mother like mine, and yet
gone far when I met “Calamity” Parker. crept over me. Tho tract distributor opened
A gentleman, or old or young!
through
the
night
had
said,
“
God
pity
this
(Unheeding
the
swirls
1
,
for
the
innocent
girls,
sometimes when I spoke to her she scarcely
(Bear kindly with my humble lays)
And the rollicking, roguish boys.
home; I fear your mother will die before That was what I called him when my speech the door and went in, blit she stood outside,
heard me. But we had a quiet, happy day—
The sacred chorus first was sung
night.
” Their father sat by the fireplace, was without bridle, for I held him in great and was still standing there when I reached
Upon the first of Christmas days;
we always were happy together—and late in But the times have sobered and changed since
the door.
speechless
with grief, and answered them contempt
The shepherds heard it overhead,
then,
the evening mother sat down in her chair by
He was a tall, thin, broken down creature,
Somehow, when I was quite near her I
neither
by
word
nor look when they crept up
The joyful angels raised it then;.
My
merriment
flags
forlorn-
the fire and said:
who
posed
as
a
gentleman
and
moved
about
could find no words to utter. She reenfedto
to him for comfort. So at last they stole out
Glory to Heaven on high, it said,.
“Come and sit here, Janet, on your little My beard is as white as on Christmas night
with
a
solemn,
unhealtiiful
gait
and
dis
understand, and pointing to the door, said:
And peace on earth to gentle men»
Of old was the Glaston thorn.
of tho door, and, hand in hand, wandered a
stool, and put your head on my knee. I have
short way up the mountain side, following tributed religious tracts. He always seemed “You can go in if you want to. Father died
My song, save this, Is little worth;
a story to tell you to-night.”
Tho’ my wrinkled-up lips still hold the pipe, I
to
me
a
frightful
excrescence
on
society,
al
this morning!”
the forester’s tracks till they came in sight of
I lay the weary pen aside.
“A story, mother dearl Oh, that is lovely,
No longer the smoke-wreath curls;
though he had the discretion to say but little.
I stood sjicechless in the presence of that
the old black pine.
And wish you health, und ioM and mirth, ”
But saddest to see, of sights for me—
like being a child again!”
It fretted my progressive spirit to see him child’s tearless sorrow.
As fits the solemn Christmastide,—
9
My frolicsomo boys anti girls
“It is a truo story, Janet, of your life and
crawling around thrusting his weak litera
“But help came to you yesterday?” I saict,
As fits the holy Christmas birth.
rnina I have never eared to tell it to you be Have grown so knowing, they dare to say—
ture under more intelligent and busier peo my heart sinking as a possibility I had never
Be this, good friends, «ur carol still— ’
fore,
but
I
am
not
afraid
now
—
my
child
and
Those protesters wise and small—
ple’s eyes. “The day and generation are be thought of flashed into my mind.
Be peace on earth, be peace on earth,,
I have loved each other all these years—no, I That all saints deceive, and they don't bjelieve
To men of gentle wilt.
yond tracts,” I said to myself, “and here is
“Yes, he—the man who has just gone in-
In a Santa Claus at all!
am not afraid."
W illiam M akepkacb T ii ^ ckkrav .
this threadbare fraud keeping up this relic of came and was very kind. IIo stayed by
“What could you be afraid of, dear Ah, me! 'tis a fateful sound to hear;
fogyism.” I despised him so heartily I could father all night, and was only away a little
mother!”
hardly speak a decent good morning as he while; but father died while he was gone.”
’Tis gall in my wassail cup;
“You shall hear and judge,” she said, put The darlings I’ve spoiled, so wrought for and
passed me. I think he felt that I disliked
“And—did—did—nobody else come yester
ting her hands on my head, and then she be
toiled,
him; but he had cultivated the unctuous af day?” I stammered.
The children have given me up!
gan: “When I was young, younger than you
fectation of godliness and an appearance of
“Nobody else,” said the child, looking up
are, I was engaged to be married. My home
patience and sweetness under slights and surprise!I at tho question.
My heart Is broken. I’ll break my pipe,
was very unhappy, and when Andrew West
taunts, and invariably returned a smilo for a
And my tinkling team may go.
I felt ashamed to go in and face the tract
ern came and asked me to marry him I was And bury my sledge on the trackless edge
frown. That very habit made him detestable distributor in the presence of the dead he had
reaily to revere the ground ho trod u|K>n. He
Of the wastes of the Lapland snow.
to me.
comforted and whom I had left for others to
hail beon coming backward and forward to
I began to think about him as I went comfort—others who never came.
our houso for some time on business with my My useless pack I will fling away,
along. He had only lieen in Doonville a
And
in
Germany
’
s
forests
hoar,
He greeted mo with gentle kindness, and as
father, and I believe that from the very first From an icy steep I will plunge leagues deep,
couple of years, and I had never heard of his I clasped bis hand in that woeful dwelling!
day he saw my misery. We were—and to
And never be heard of more.
doing anything but distribute tracts and inwardly bent before him in self-abasement
my remembrance always had been—poor, but
M argaret J. P reston .
preach on the street corners down by the
We went out together to plan for the
if I hail been a boy my father would have
mills I concluded that it was time he was funeral and procure furthor aid for tbeliv-
possessed thousands a year. I never wondered
abolished. Accordingly my first work on ing.
About this timo the newspapers teem with
that ho hated me, that my mother mourned
reaching the office was to write a half
“You did a good work wlion you wrote
and fretted from morning till night; they had advice to husbands—how to treat wives, what
column editorial article on “religious about these people,” he said, “and I thank
to
buy
*or
them,
and
to
be
sure
to
buy
some
brought nio up to feel guilty of a crime, and
frauds,"
in
which
the
practice
of
tract
you, for otherwise I should not have known
I did feel it in my inmost heart. It was no thing. Immediately following mandatory
distributing received merited castigation. I of their existence in time to be of help when
marvel that, when Andrew asked me to marry articles of this kind come suggestions to
drew
a
picture
of
the
typical
tract
man,
of
they needed it most.”
him, I looked u|xm him as an angel of deliv wives to make home pleasant for husbands
which Parker was the model, which wasn't
FINDING THE CHRISTMAS ROSES.
With what shame I remembered my article
erance. I loved him with an intensity which during the days of good cheer. So much is
calculated
to
mako
his
patli
in
Doonville
any
amazed and frightened him. It was in vain done for infants that a little gentie reminder
“If all tho mothers in the world were dying smoother. This incisive, and I may say on religious frauds, of which I had been so
to
the
big married children may not come that hol d old pine would not care,” said the
proud only two days before.
ho tried to make me sober and reasonable. It
“able,” article, which was certainly a flaming
From that hour we became warm friends.
was in vain he told me that such worship was amiss; but is the editorial mind a safe one to boy, bitterly. “Let us go liack into the val
sword
of
righteous
wrath
against
the
tract
for
hints
on
bow
to
maintain
con-
wrong and foolish, that it gave him no happi go to
ley, sister; there we will find good people, fraternity, was to adorn the Christmas num As I learned to know him well I looked back
nubial
felicity
I
Marry!
I
know
not,
for-
in amazement at my former conclusions in
ness, while to me it must bring disappoint
with kind hearts, while here there is no one ber.
regard to him. “Calamity” Parker, indeed!
ment. I could not listen, and at last I wear sooth! as 81iakesi>eare's |>eople say when they to care for us.”
Then
I
started
out
in
my
search
for
pov
are
nonplussed.
Every
one
must
work
out
ied him. He said little about it after awliile,
“There is one who cares for us even here,” erty in a self satisfied spirit. It is delightful It would havo been more fitting had I named
but ho went away, and once more my life was the problem for himself.
cried the sister, spying the Christmas roses, to do something that wins one’s own appro him Beneficent Parker. His life was a bene
desolate. He said he would come back, but
and in a moment she had scraped away the bation. I found the row of old bouses all diction—unobtrusive and self-denying; he
he never did. Ho wrote to mo often, kind,
snow and plucked them. “We bail forgotten locked and tenantless save one, the last one gave of his abundant sympathy and slender
worldly means without reserve. Nor was his
tender letters, but they chilled my heart; and
the Christ child, and that to-morrow is His
It is Christmas time ;
and the worst one. It was in a state of
then ono day ho wrote to tell me that it must
And up and down twixt heaven and earth,
birthday. Let us take the roses to the dilapidation so hopeless that its owner hadn’t never failing patience ami sweetness of spirit
lu the glorious grief and soleinn mirth,
be all over between us. lie told me how he
church, and there pray that our mother's life even thought it worth while to shut it up. the cloak of hypocrisy, but the result of years
of spiritual aspiration and discipline, which 1
Tho shining angels climb.
had striven to hold fast by bis old love forme,
may be spared.”
The result was that it was tenanted without
D. M. Mu look .
but he could not; tho mere effort pained him,
So they hastened down tho mountain to the his permission having been asked. A family have never yet begun to attain. His habit w
distributing tracts was merely the outward
the thought of my passionate devotion filled
village church, where they found the good
Three Angels on tho First Christmas him with dread. Ho could never return such
of dull brained, sallow skinned, chronically manifestation of a helpful spirit—a habit
pastor busy trimming the altar for the Christ
Morning.
indigent,
half
dead
creatures
who
had
been
love, ho could never endure to have it lav
mas festival. Ho took the flowers and put crawling westward in worn out wagons contracted in a bygone day among simp*9
When God creatinl man Ho commanded ished upon him; once for all he would give it
people. It hurt no one. For nught I
them, with some feathery moss, into a tall
His angels to visit him on earth and guide a death blow; when his letter reached me ho
drawn by dying horses, had taken possession
white vase. Then he knelt with the children of it by permission of necessity. They had it may have benefited some. Why should
him in his ways, sothat ho might have a fore should bo married.
assume
that toeauso a man had an inoffe®*
and prayed for tlieir mother's life, and the reach«! Doonville just as their horses suc
taste of tho bliss of the life hi come. Rut
sivo habit, of which I disapproved, that be
“I hail another lover then, Janet, and I al
roses
nodding
on
their
stems
smiled
as
though
man sought nftor sensual joys in the place of most hated him, but before many weeks were
cumbed to tho inexorable, and there they was a fit subject to bo insulted in tho public
the gift asked for were already granted.
those in lieaven, and growing greedy of over I became his wife. He loved me always,
were, sick, freezing, starving and dying in prints, derided behind his back and sneer»
When
they
returned
home
their
father
met
worldly fruits, began to quarrel with his but wo quarreled. I could not pretend to
a state of destitution unspeakable.
at when he was present? It was the ig®0,
them
at
the
door
and
exclaimed
joyfully,
neighbors for tho possewion of them; and love him, and ho grew reckless; our home
I saw through the windows that the house rance of youth, my children—youth, over-con-
“
The
fever
has
turned
and
your
mother
iz
the guardian an ,els wept among themselves. was miserable, and within a year lio died. I
was inhabited, though tbo only figuro I could fident youth, which thinks it knows every
better. Thank God.”
But «lieu lliostrong oppressed tho weak and was too ill to know what happened for a long
The Christmas rose had fulfilled its destiny. see moving about was more ghostlike than thing and often knows nothing. I bad
took from them by force the product of their time after that. Strange fai-es passed before
human. On preteuso of borrowing a match
Ah, me! the black pine was right We were I knocked for admittance. A match! such a then learned that each one has his <>wn way
toil. Just ire rose up sorrowing, and, leaving me, strange voices spoke kindly words of
of doing good, and has his rights, too»
all made for a wise purpose, and wo shall
earth, ilew back to heaven. And when the pity, and once overy day it seemed to me that
thing
was a far off, undreamed of luxury to had I learned that it is foolish and wicked
learn w hat it is in God's own good time.
weak overcame the strong with treachery and Andrew came and stood by my bed. When
the family within. There was neither fire judge people whoso real lives we do ¡»otkno
deceit, and got from them by cunning what at last I woke to reason again, you were be
•Tbe Christmas rose is not a rose. It belongs to nor food in the house, and tho wind, the rain and cannot know—or to judge at all.
they feared to take by force. Truth rose up side me. Oh, how I loved you! How pas
the family HeUebore, black Hellebore, so called and the snow came in at will through the
It was some time before I got over my
sorrowing, and, leaving earth, flew back to sionately I loved you! You seemed to uie to Merry Christmas is here, with a
from the color of its roots. Its large white glassless windows. Haven't yon noticed that prise at the apathy of the philanthropists
heaven. And when tho injured went forth be all the world, and you saved my lifel
cheer.
flowers aiv produced tn winter, and it grows only the very elements conspire with poverty to Doonville in regard to that wret bid fanu-.^
to slay their injurers, and crimsoned the
Let all your old troubles and quarrels to ended; tn cold i-lun.itea The Howers are white or tinged make his victims wretched!
“My huslmnd had not left me in poverty, I
I was at a loss to understand how they
plain with tlieir brothers' blood, Peace riwe had no need to work, and I spent my whole • for the T iend that is near have a greeting most with red.
A skeleton man sick unto death lay on the eat their Cnnstmas dinners in comfort, *
dear,
up sorrow ing, mid, leaving the earth, flew life in watching over you. I made no friends,
floor, his head on a bundle of dry leaves.
Aik! breathe a good wish for the foe who's of- God rest re. little children; but nothing you af Two famished children, ill and feeble, were reading about the distress of the i >ocr ,0“4
back to heaven.
for I carrel for nona I forgot the miseries of ' hfendtL
the old house. I did not then know t
fright
Thus <>ach laid act scared some good angel my father's house; I forgot iny quarrels with
, Though with him was the spite,
• »• Tor Jeans Christ your Saviour, was born thli on the semblance of a twsl in another corner people unused to seeing poverty arc slo<er
front llie w.n lil, until Forgivene*. the most my husband; I forgot even my love for An
of the room. A very old woman sat helpless
h.ippy night.
lend a helping band than they who
beautiful o.' n.l, alone remained behind. And drew, and was scarcely moved when I heard
Along tho bills of Galilee the white docks sleeping by the side of the sick children, whose emaci every day; that when we have not the
• And with you was the right.
wlien sue hi aid Anger and Revenge whisper that death had visited his home aS well ns
ated and miserable mother groped about/ always with us we forget how to to bco*5
lay,
v In kindne« of spirit forgive him to-night»
dark deeds in men's ears, and counsel them mine, and that he was indeed desolate, for his , For whoever makes plea nealh the evergreen ■When ( hri^t, Ito child of Nazareth, was born on feeb.y trymg to give Leip to the others. Tba
very selfish-
•
tree
Qhi »»tinaa $ V___ - - _
only one who seemed to have any life to lent and sometime« grow
G1RTRUE7 G a HM**
A pr pee of
fellows, sad welcome to La j
A MOTHER'S XMAS STORY.
""■•Mit U
4
THE CHRISTMAS ROSE.
[cents
Prof
[sing al
¡Christ
Geo
Itlemai
lor», a
Mrs
spend
Mr. an
Som
Yamh
eleven
Whj
wringe
one of
R.L
territor
of ten '
ground
Grea
clocks,
Minnvi
prietor
If voi
hand I
very re
for pari
Clock
ville J
where t
d
Thert
union a
on Tues
ance is
Vines
or amt
cents pt
Jno. J.
Reme
ning & ’
them ar.
The bee
A nev
over in
mouth
■with Mt
The»!
largest i
eat pl art
Holl is t
Severs
are offer
T elepin
tage of t
TheD
Tuesday
guns, b’u
gave up
low watt
A Chri
greatly ti
—six mo
the T eli
geaiion,
Holida
cakes at
have to
them eitl
sell them
Admiss.
tainment
cents; cl
seats can
■without <
One po
“nerve”
landed in
Ksnfman
ing the si
Hon. F
Moore’s v
<1av. Mr
paring tlii
hill count
Kick lil
tins adve
•nd after
■will be re
tion there
hour.
Dr. I. C
headquarl
V. Johnsr
fialty of h
of the red
tions.
(
«ade.