The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-01-08
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From the Saturday Evening Post.
CHRISTMAS EVE.
Translated

MN IL ner form, ana pale ner cheek,
Her step ia falterihg slow and weak,
1t seems that she can scarcely stand,
Yet no one lends helping hand
List With faint voice hear her cry,
sOh God! who art in Heaven on high,
Have pity--Hark! from yonder tower
The bell proclaims the seventh hour.
sAh! is it then indeed so late!
My mistress anger will be great;
She'll punish me with many blow,
Because I've dared to loiter 80.
'This punishment I'm sure to get
When by the angry dame I'm met;
Twill be no worse, if should stay
A little longer on the way.
SAT the store windows will gaze
With treasures every shop displays!
The merchants as Pm passing by
In Jest perchance, asks me to buy.
'IIow tempting are those trinkets there!
pTSty Soiio W PicSS tiC
That doll with such lovely form
And ah!--those gloves of fur so warm!
'But all in vain for them sigh,
A crust of bread scarce can buy;
Now all have presents-but for me
No one will dress the Christmas tree.
See from yon room fire s bright blaze
Sends through the streets Its cheerful rays,
And people through the window stare
A Christ-child's gifts are surely there.
.Fain would see, but much dread
Among the boisterous crowd to tread
No. to the door I'll softly creep,
And through the key hole take peep
The door ajar permits view
Where waxen lights of many hue,
In silver stands, the scene illume,
While incense watts its rich perfume
White curtains reaching to the floor,
In waving folds, are hung before
Each window,-while on every hand
Church-like the floor is strewed with sand.
And Hyacinths, Tulips, Violets too
Fresh as if fed by April dew,
She through the room their perfum'd breath
Lovely the scene-but still as death!
As round she casts her eager gazc,
New wonders still the scene displays;
Meath palm leaves and with garlands dress'd
An Infant Jesus seems to. rest.
She deems it such, and gazing there,
Her heart forgets its wonted care;
Quicken'd by JOY her pulses flow,
And paint her cheeks with transient glow.
Tn silent PRAYER awhile she stands,
Raising to God her supplant hands;
The halcshut door then ventures through,
Saving, 'Oh, grant TO me one view'
The rustling of dress she hears,
A lady pale and fair appears,
Who, weeping, and with accents mild,
Exclaims, Approach, dear little child!
Come nearer, dear one, would you see
The angel God once gave to me.
Alas! but one to me was given,
And now her spirits gone to Heaven.
SThe grave tomorrow takes its prey
Her presents bought for Christmas day,
Accept them--:hey are lying there
You are like her so pale and fair!
sWho art thou, speak, 'An orphsn,I
Saw, since year, nv mother die,
And, now, upon her grave, alone
To her, the good, make my moan.
"A wear ago, no coffin drear
Then hid from me nv mother dear.
And Christmas morn, brilliant light
Showed rs woke charming sight.
Il heard the distant organ sound
And, waking, by my bed I found
A tree which gilded apples bore,
And with rich gifts twas eoverd DER.
sNow cen the bed is taken away
On which my dying mother lay;
And in her grave, so cold and deep,
I. bv her side. would gladly sleep.
sFor now with cruel folks dwell,
Who never, never treat me well;
Bnt though work from morn Till night,
With naught but blows my toll requite.'
Your name and age. tell me. prav.'
s'Tis Tottie. ma'am-I'm seven TODAY
sOh. surely you were sent bv Heaven!
NV Charlotte, too, was barely seven!
well! BY the pale, cold form, swear,
OF my dead daughter lying there,
While you're to Gcd and virtue true,
A mother ! will prove to you