Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1852-12-30
I'll / stella 8.
CARRIE RAY-A CHRTSTMAS
STORY.
BY MINNIE MAYNARD.


Sweet, bhlhesone Carrie Ray! How like
a sunbeam seems her presence, as she fitted
about her fathers house! What mussc was
there in her cheerful song and merry laugh.
Carrie was beautiful; and strange had it been
had she reached her eighteenth year and not
discovered the fact; yet she valued beauty,
only as il secured influence, for well she knew
that mo heart is free from its dominion
She was the only child of wealthy parents, who
had bestowed upon their idolized daughter
every advantage which wealth can obtain.
Not poor family in the little village of
c., hut blessed the kind heart of the
beautiful Carrie. It ~as bard to tell which
was the Eaore happy. thcy in gratitude, or
herself in performing her errauds OF kind
ness
Christmas was approaching with its merry
rides and joyous 'fetes', and many young
heart beat more quickly in the anticipated
pleasure Teere was to be Ball in the vii
lage for which Carrie had received an invita-
ton, for all were eager to secure for a partner
the village Belle. But yet, in her own hap
piness, she forgot not that of others, and she
Remembered, that while the rich were pre-
pairing for the artificial wants, the poor were
economising in every way to procure some
unaccustomed luxury in honor of the occasion,
or still worsr, vainly striving to keep the
piercing wiutry air from entering their dwell
Iings, and many a want did she provide for.
many joyful surprise prepare for SUCH
Christmas d4y was usheued in BY cloudIess
SKY, and the ingaing sleigh-bals promised IA
delightful day fer all. At an early hour,
Carrie, wrapped in her hood aud shawl sat out
upon Eer tour rs Santa { laus; and as she
I tciPped gaily along, many merry Christmas
greeted her. Dispensing WITH here pair OF
suues, there little coat, and other articles
" hich she well knew would prove acceptable,
she passed through the village, reserving for
her last cali the cottage of the Widow Page
and her daughter Ella. fair girl of seven
teen, who, by her needle, supported her aged
mother and herself
As Carrie opened the door, ALIAS arms
were thrown round her, and Il wish you 4
merry christmas" burst simultaneously from
the lips Of the two girls. AS she stepped for
ward, and respectfully saluted the old lady
the widow said: "Ah, Carrie, it is needless
for me to give you the usual greeting of the
day, for | see by your countenance that you
are enjoying all could wish you
Carrie drew chair near the fire, and plac
ing near her the emptied basket, then hel
hood lightly upon the table, and spread hel
hands to the blaze.
An air of neatness pervaded the humble
apartment. The rag carpet was carefully
swept and the small table neatly brushed
from every speck of dust, while from the
hearth cheerful fire spread its gratefu
warmth toward the wvole.
The widow sat in her arm chair and as she
gazed upon the young girls before her, how
strong was the contrast presented! Carrie
her dark cheek blooming from her recent ex
ercise, her black eye beaming with animation
and her wealth of raven ringlets nearly en-,
veloping her Slight round form-Ela, tho't
ful and serene, her sunny hair parted smooth,
Ily from fair, open brow, through which per-
Iceptihle beneath its transparent covering
the delicate blue veins, and on her cheek the
faintest ting of rose showed itsefa as though
fearing to mar the spiritual expression Of
her features At length Carrie started up,
and opening her basket, presented first to the
widow new cap and warm cloak and bonnet;
then to Ella press of firm warm Merino, witt
gloves, ribbands and other etecteras; then un
wrapping paper, she held forth nicely
dressed fowl for their Christmas Dinner.