The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-12-26

but you are saying your prayers, now.
on mustn't think of toys, Charley. Our
Father
sour Father came musicaily from the
sweet lips of the child.
'Who art in heaven
:Oh! hope he'll bring me whole pile
of wagons and dogs and horsesr And
Charley clapped bis hands with delight.
Hush, dear! You musnt think about
toys now. Who art in heaven
Our Father, who art in Heaven softly
murmured the child.
'Hailowed be Thy
Won't good old Kriss Kringle come,
mother?'
Charley must say his prayers good, if
he wants the dear angels to stay with him
while he is asleep. Come, loveI Now
don't think any more about toys and sugar
plums. Hallowed be Thy name
But il was no use. Charley could not
say his prayers. His head was too full
of Christmas. Harry met with bat little
better success-and Anna, after she had
been in bed five minutes, remembered her
neglec on this score. and, kneeiing under
the clothes, piously lifted her thoughts to
Heaven.
Ere this scene closed, Mr.. Lamberton
had half repented his resolution-and the
mother of these three dear little ones felt
her heart almost too weak TO carry out her
purpose.
Il declare,' said the former, I'm afraid
it will be felt as too serious disappoint-
ment.'
And SO am l., returned the latter.
.it is such useless waste of money
Il know it is
besides, it does children no real good.
In fact, as far as my observation goes, il
does them harm.
Ia this Mrs. I.amberton agreed.
Then said The husband, will it not be
the old custom this year, and not true
regard for our children!'
Il suppose So
w Ill we be acting right then?'
Perhaps not. But it will be such a
disappointment
No doubt OF that. But a light one
compared to what they will have 10 su ffer
in after life. The fact is, trial like this
will help 10 prepare them for The severer
ones to come in the future
Thus arguing the question, Mr.. and
Mrs. Lamberton finally came back to their
original determination, which was TO dis
pense with the usual nonsense of toys,
that would be broken or thrown aside in
an hour, and heal the wounded hearts oc-
casioRed thereby, with a generous distri
button of a few srXpences and shllings.
This would be saving; and | am afraid
the economy of the new order of things,
was, in reality, its highest recommenda-
ion. Bedtime at last came, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Lamberton retired for the night, leav-
ing the eXpectant stockings hanging empty
in the chimney corner. The mother, Just
before lying down, had occasion 10 90 into
the room adjoining. 1t was the one in
which kriss kringle was expected TO make
his appearance some time during the night.
There was Charley little stockings round
almost as when his foot was in it, and bent
to the very shape. Mrs. Bamber;on sigh
ed gently, as the image Of his hopeful face,
turned up to hers, presenting itself; and
she heard, in imagination, his sweet voice
as il mingled his evening prayer with
words that showed his thoughts 10 be near
the earth.
Hours went by after the mothers head
rested upon It's pillow, before sleep came.
And then she dreamed that it was Christ
mas morning, and that the children's
stockings were filled, and that they were
wild with delight. Charley was on her
/ knee, showing his wagons, and dogs, and
horses. Harry was marching about the
room with his sword and drum, and Anna
was hugging in her arms waX-doll with
almost as much delight as young mother
ever felt in clasping to her bosom her
new born babe. A noise, which seemed
to come from overhead, where Uncle
Joseph and Aunt Rachel slept, awoke
Mrs. Lamberton from this dream. She
started up and listened, but all was silent.
The mother slept again. But this time
her dreams were less pleasant. Christmas
morning had come; but il brought no Joy
TO the expectant children. Their stockings
were empty and their hearts well nigh
broken. Sleep passed once more from
her eyelids, and, though il was long before
the approach OF dawn, the gentle visitant
came not again 10 her pillow.
And long ere the morning broke, Mr..
Lamberlon found himself awake and
thinking of the children.
They will be so disappointed sighed
the mother, when she found that her hus-
bands slunber was likewise broken.
is there nothing that we can put into