The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-04-26
From the Ladis's Repository.
Chr Christmas 7s6e.
BIZ MISS JULIA A. FLETCHER.

1T was Christmas Eve, and Chestnu
!, Street was thronged as usual with brigh
$ array of happy faces. The gray haired
K man, and his laughing grand children. the
gay belle and the servant girl, the aristo
cratic and the humble,-all were there. L
was mos: singular and animated scene tc
the eye of a stranger;the brlliancy of illumi
mated stores with their holiday suit of ever
y y greens, the many pretty temptations which
every window presented TO those who were
selecting their Christmas gifts, and that
5 dense mass of human beings who were slow.
. ly passing from window 10 window, exam
, InIng every curious toy, every decorated
|. cake. and every article of taste or fancy
which had been placed therein. 1t seemed
as If every individual in The crowded street
was content for the time TO throw aside the
seriousness of ripper years, and be child
again. Here an Illuminated hall told of
the merry dance, and there of fancy fairs
for the building of one church, or the paw
ing for another. Now and then the slow
moving throng were imPeded by another
throng as dense as around the doors of
theatre, or by the rafting cabs and omni-
buses which blockaded the crossings. Ma
ny heavy heart grew light, and many
heavy purse grew lighter, amid hePurchases
of that evening. Gifts there were for pa
rents. sisters, brothers, and friends,an there
| too were toys for the little ones who were
| fast asleep al home, with their stockings
hung in the chimney awaiting the visit Of
Kriss Krangls. Many young dreamer
that nj ht saw their welcome visitor descend
the chimney with his wallet of toys. and
many listening ear heard the tramping'
of tiny steeds upon the roof 1t might
have passed for dream, however, had not
! the well filled stockings in the morning
borne witness that kriss kringle had been
there.
Now turn we to dimly-lighted room in
the third story of dingy looking brick
house IN George Street. 1t is small in di.
mansions, but the bed which stands in one
corner, and the small cook stove which
occupies the middle of the room, show that
1t is at once both chamber and Kitchen
But the room is not destitute of comfort,
for coarse rag carpet covers the fioor,and
the small pine table which stands near the
| stove, is covered with neat white cloth.
on which is spread the evening meal. Ii is
simple enough to suit the abstemious taste.
but ! cannot pity the partakers, for there is
a loaf of nice light bread, a slice of real
Philadelphia-looking butter. and pitcher
Of the delicious Schuyikill water. There
are no curtains to the window, but the close
shutters make the room look so warm and
| home-like, that we almost forget the def
cheney. By the table sits an aged female
reading from well-worn copy of the Scrip
lures, while by her side, young girl is dill
gently sewing. The one small candle
| which burns thereon, sufficeth for them
both, and happier are they than many who
sit lIstlessly by their astral lights, or move
where the brilliant camphene but showeth
a countenance beaming with the excite.
ment of artificial pleasure.
They are waiting for some one who is to
share their frugal repast, for the table is laid
as for three. The old lady hath laid aside
the holy book, for it is printed in small type,
and her eyes are wearied, but the calm smile
which resteth upon her lip, showeth that its
spirit still abideth with her. She hath new
er been rich in worldly goods, for in poverty
was she born. in poverty hath she lived near
three-score and ten years, and in all human
probability in poverty she will depart. But
she hath treasures many and priceless, laid
up where moth and rust corrupt not, and she
| feels that she is richer in her poverty than
manv Of earth's votaries in their wealth -
Yet sorrow hath oft>times visited her spirit,
aud she hath bowed in agony beneath the
| weight of affection. She was a widow in
early life, yea, pool and friendless widow,
and though the bitterness of desolation was
in her heart, as she bowed over the death
couch of the loved, and saw the light go out
upon the shrine wherein her earthly hopes
and affections had been laid. vet for her
chilG's sake, she still struggled on. She
pressed her last kiss upon the cold lips of the
dead, she expended of her scan;y means to
procure decent burial. and then with a
woman's all trusting. all loving earnestness
of heart, she turned unto the living. She
wore no mourning weeds, but the veil and
the mantle of mourning had failed upon her
spirit, and through the forty long years of
her widowhood, she cherished the memory
her early love.
She was an excellent seamstress, and by
the most unceasing exertion, she procured
a subsistence for herself and the fair child
who had been spared unto her, and more
delicately was it nurtured than many child
of rank and wealth. The voice of repining
was never heard in her humble abode
When the fire burned brightly upon her
hearth, and the frugal meal was spread up
on her board, she blessed God in the fullness
of her heart, and murmured not that days
and nights of wasting toll were necessary
to procure them, and when employment
|, failed, and that board was no longer spread
| TOR lack of food, and the fire waned dim for
} lack OF fuel, she gave her last piece unto her
child, and pressed it closer to her heart for
warmth, yet the prayer, Give US this day
our daily bread, arose no less trustingiy.
Year followed year, and as the CHEEKY
laugh of the little Alice was heard in the
: widows dwelling,and her tiny fingers lear
ned to share her toll, the mothers smile was
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