The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-12-26
A Christmas Tale.
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
A MERRY CHI HRISTMAS.
By I, s, AR T II U r

Il don't think it at all worth while,' said
Mrs. Lamberton. It's great waste Of
money, and, besides, does them no real
good
Very true,' remarked Mr.. Lamberton;
thousands of dollars are spent at Christ
mas ior one trumpery thing and another
that might be far more usefully employed.
never liked the system. 1t does children
as you say, no good.
How much did we sperd on last Christ.
mas for drums, horses and dogs, and the
dear knows what all!'
sOh, don't ask me! More than I'd like
to count up. And it was all a sheer waste.
If the money had been given to the poor,
ahere would have been some satisfaction
in thinking about it. But now there is
nome
We'll, I'm NOT in favor of spending
single cent for toys and such like things
'Give them all sixpence apiece, and
they'll be happy enough said The father.
'and then we'll have no crying over bro
ken dolls heads, crippled wagons, or leg
less horses
Harry will be dreadlulIy disappointed,
I'm afraid remarked the mother, already
all day but talk about what kriss Kringle
will put in his stocking tonight. And
Anna will cry her eyes out if she doesn't
get new doll.
Uncle Joseph and Aunt Rachael were
silent auditors of this little conversation.
Just then the lights were brought into the
room, and Anna, Harry and Charley came
bounding III with them, as wild and play
lul as young fawns. They had been look
ING forward TO Christmas for [ can tell
how long, and now i was only one day
off, they could hardly contain themselves.
Their young imaginatIons teemed with
images Of things i'll store for them by the
good Kriss KringIe, in regard to whose
indentily, there was division among the
younger members OF the house. Anna
who was eight years old, and, therefore,
entitled by her age 10 have her opinions
considered of weight, positively declared
that her father was kriss Krngle; but
Harry, three years her junior, as positive
ly asserted that the aforesaid KrIss came
down the chimney, and, was, therefore,
very different parsonage from her father,
who was too big 10 get III at the top or
out at the bottom. As for little curly
headed, rosy-cheeked Charley, as mische-
vious rogue as ever lived to love sugar
plums, he didn't trouble his head at all
abont the matter. His whole theory on
the subject lay in his confident expectation
of finding his stockings filled with toys
and candies on Christmas morning. Be-
yond that he had no questions to ask nor
doubts for solution.
oh, papa! To-morrow's ChristmasH
cried Charley, climbing upon his fathers
L. t,,,l
won't Kriss kringle bring me nice things!
| want a horse, and sword. and wheel
barrow and whole heap Of sugar
plumbs.
sI'm afraid Kriss won't come this year
returned Mr.. Lamberton, wishing 10 take
the edge off of Charley disappointment.
oh! yes he wiz spoke up Anna and
Harry, quickly. And he'll bring me-
said the latter, "A gun and sword-and
then won't fight the Mexicans! Bang!
boom! bangr
.And he'll bring me the dearest wax
dollr said Anna, with curly hair, and
and eyes that open and shut as if II were
alive! Oh! won't it be nice!
Don't be too certain, Anna said the
father, 'Kriss Kringle don't come every
year.
.Oii, , Go ~ h'CS. CS aIS uOCS.
ed two or three little voices at once. He
came last Christmas, and the Christmas
BEFORE added Anna, 'and he'll be here this
year-I know he will
But suppose he shouldn'; comet sug-
ges,ed Mr.. Lamberton, and he looked
very grave.
There was something so serious in their
fathers voice, that The children felt that
his words really meant more than they
had al first believed-and their faces be-
came sober also. Just then the Tea bell
rang, and all Thoughts of toys and dolls
were, for the moment dissipated. After
supper, the children were washed and
dressed iu their night clothes. Each hung
stocking in The chimney corner, ready
for the advent OF the good gepius who
loves children, and then yielded TO the oft
repeated solicitation of Margaret the nurse
10 come along and GO to-bed.
i must say my prayers first lsped the
dear little Charley, running up to his
mother, and kneeling down before her.