Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-12-19

Christmas-trees, toop
Long did Frantz lie awake that night
and ponder over all his mother had said,
and at last thought sprang into his mind.
1t was not wrong to ask the Christ-child for
what we wish, il we will only patiently bear
the Withholding. He would ask for the
tree. But how? His mother had told him
the Christ-chiId was ready to answer, and
always near. Frantz would write his hearts
wish ia letter. and direct it To the
Christ-child.'
Aud early in the fair morning, Frantz
wrote the letter, and when he met his mo-
Their, his face was once more the gay, bright
face of old FOR in his pocket was the paper
which seemed to him a warrant of coming
joy, and in his heart was feeling very like
certainty that his. wish would be granted /;
yet be did not speak Of it. 1t was his first,
his glad. darling secret, and it should be a
great surprise to his mother. So he only
looked joyful and kissed her, and she laid
her hand on his head, and said how glad
she was to see her boy so patient and cheer
ful once more.
Frantz did many little acts Of kindness
and industry that day, 70. in his heart was
fountain Of hope and love; and he wish
ed to help every one. But, lively as he was,
he did not forget to drop his precious letter
in the post office.
1 When the post master came TO look over
the letters, of course he was much surprised
at this one Of Frantz, with so strange d.
rection but in a moment he saw that it
was in child's hand, and he opened the
letter. 1t ran thus
Good Chrisf-chsld.
l am poor little boy, but have
good mother, who has taught me many
things about you; and she has said that you
are kind and good, and love little children,
and delight to give them gifts. SO that they
are not hurtful ones. Now my mother is
kind, too, and would like to give me all
want, but she is poor, and when | asked
her for Christmas-tree, she could not give
; me one, because she had only money enough
TO buy shoes for us; SO ask you, who are
kind and rich, to give me one. hope
am not a bad boy-I am sure my mother
does not think am; and if 1t is best for
s. me not to have the tree, will try to be pa.
= tient, and bear it as good boy should; but
l don't see what hurt large Bible, or warm
clothes, conid do to my mother; so, If
, may not have the tree, Oh! please give her
those, and shall be so happy.
FRANTZ HOFFMAN,
Pleased with the simple, childish limo
! cence of the letter. the post master put il
|, , in his pocket When he went home, he
= found rich lady there, who had come te
= take tea with his wife: and at the table
when all were assembled, he drew fortl
the letter of little Frantz, and read it aloud
{ telling how il had como iato h;e ha~ds, s"s
: saying how the poor little fellow woul'
! wonder at never getting his tree, nor eve
:. hearing of his letter again.
!, But he may hear Of it again., said tn
= rich lady, who had listened carefully to eve
J, ~ word. There is so much goodness Q
:. heart in the poor boys love for his mother
= that it well deserves to be rev arded. IL
i may hear If it again.
II So the lady remembered The name OF tn
= boy; indeed, she asked the man to give he
: the letter, which he did. and by its aid sh
= sou sht and found out where Frantz lived
:, From some of the neigh5ors she heard hoy
poor they were, and how little Frantz help
:. ed his mother all day cheerfully, and WA
. the best boy in all the neighborhood, an
= that Mrs. Hoffman had not now even tn
= money 20 buy shoes, for that her landior
:" had raised her rent, and she had to give tn
little sum laid aside to him. And the lad
'' thought to herself that it would not be like
ri ly to spoil so good boy, by beautiful tree
" SO she had one brought to her house, larg
and full of leaves il was, and she bougt
a. all kinds of beautiful and useful things
. hang on il, and little rose-colored taper.
" to be placed among the branches, and o
i: the table, under the tree, were laid tw
" pairs Of shoes, pair for the mother and
- pair for Frantx, aud pair Of thick blanl
:" cts, and a large shawl, and purse of MOI
:, ey, flor the lady knew that poor Mrs. Hof
!" man must have many wants of which sh
. could not know, and she wanted her to SUI
y - ply them by means of the purse and, be-
=, of all, there was large Bible.
" If Frantz's dream had suddenly turne
+ into reality, 1t could not have been NOR
- beautiful.
Y So day after day went on, and thong
Frantz knew not the fate of his letter, b
never doubted that all would go well.
was pleasant to see the sunshiny face wit
y which he greeted every morning, as on
% day nearer Christmas And when at la
se Christmas morning came, bright and clea
-, there was leaping, bounding heart in b
:" bosom, and light in his blue eyes TIL
- made his mother smile, though she scare
~ knew where their next meal was to CON
=. from. The wheel kept OIL is whirring, AN
10 Fran,z sat with his eyes fixed on the blu
-, sky, as if he almost thought his expecte
" tree would drop down from it. Sudden
knock was heard at the low door, al
n, voice asked
~ is little Frantz Hoffman here?'
Ffaniz almost flew to the door.
-, Il am Frantzp he said.
" And the little maiden, who had aske
-, for him, told him to come with her, and b
4. mother must come too.
- Soon, very soon, was the little party reat
- and the maiden led them along gaily to
handsome house, whose door she pushe
open, and they entered in.
e How lightly trod Frantz along the wiz
ii passage for his heart whispered aloud
e. him! At the end stood door, just ala
ia and the girl pushed it open: blaze Of llg
~ streamed out. Franz caught his mother