The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-20


, very sounds which should proceed from happy
hearts, are forced and ahtended to mock oul
poverty
''Is it possible?''
"Go to that door, sir, look out and you vii
see thaS his windows are up SO as the gay
sounds may reach our wretched ears. All, sir
human nature is mystery, this is one of it,
enigmas, and can only be explained when the
secrets of all hearts must be made Known
Hark! that shout all mockery, all mockery'
The morlaof christmas day was lovely one
the sun arose bright and beautiful, its sof
beams warmed the chilly air and made mil
lion of young hearts happy. Scarcely had
the light broke into that little chamber than the
young child stole silly out of bed, and crept
softly into the room where slept the t1vo travel
ers. One look toward the chimney place, one
glance at her stocking was the first idea, and
then toward the bed where the old couple lay
they still slept, all was quiet. Her little
heart throbbed with high hope, her dreams had
been pleasing ones, dolls, toys, and games had
danced gaiy through her mind during the
night. Streaks Of light came down through
the half closed shutters, and as she stepped
stealthily across the room, objects Became more
distinct, the fire place before all dark, now as
sumed its natural color, and the stocking, what
was that! what objeG now so rivets her gaze
that she stands spell bound in the centre of the
room? Step by step she approached nearer to
the place, and to her surprise and astonishment
she found, not only the stocking full, but on a
stool beneath it were many pleasing and de-
lightful toys. Books, candies, &C., lay strewed
al around was it a dream of her youthful fancy?
or was it reality! Her head rNa round, the
room seemed full of strange Objects Fairies
were dancing on the carpet, Efn sprites seemed
whirling their little forms through the room, and
as she cast her eyes on the bed, the figures of
the two old people had changed, and two pair
of sparkling eyes were gazing on her-alarmed
astonished, b9s bent upon the stockings treas
ure, she gave one wild scream of joy and fear,
caught the treasure in her arms, grasping at
the same time the we'll filled stool she rushed
wildly from the room. AS she passed through
the door a peal of laughter followed, and closing
the door she bounded into the sleeping apart
ment of her parents. In an instant the house
was all alive, the scream awoke her father and
mother, and her brother springing toward her
snatched box on which was written his own
name, he grasped it eagerly, and opening it
found to his surprise thatit was filled with haad-
some bound books and various amusing games
and toys.
go, father" exclaimed the delighted Jane
''kris kringle has been here. See, see what
he has brought u.s. O such beautiful toys, such
gems of things I am so happy"
And the delighted girl danced and capered
about the room, gazing alternately at her little
store and her equally astonished parents. The
old man muttered something about che sus-
pected them both when they first put foot
within his door"
Having dressed themselves they descended
to the lower room, and making up 10 fire, the
kitchen: which was used as their eating room
soon presented a cheerful and christmas like
appearance. The coffee was made, the cakes
baked, and the poor oppressed family, who ex-
pected to be turned out of their house for the
non-payment Of rent, forgot awhile their trou-
bles snd their grief. There are moments when
the doors OF memory are closed, and the bright
sunshine OF hope makes its future alleclear
Sorrow is not eternal, it has it's changes, its
stops, and It's antdotc, they come in the mo-
ment OF trial, and presto! the whole scene of
lite is varlegated with the pleasing colors of
fancy. Is it all fancy? Let us see.
CHOW, good wife, knock at the door of our
guests, bid them forth to our humble meal, the
have been kind to ourchildrcn, and tlEir strange
dress and manners, assumed no doubt for pur-
poses of their own, is no business of ours. Call
them to breakfast -
The wife obeyed, and The door being opened
out came,no the descript old man and woman,
but young and lovely couple dressed in fine
clothes, their faces lit up with smiles, and the
merry christmas was given with a fervor and
sincerity, to hear which was to feel that it
came from the heart. The humble family start
ed and gazcd upon their guests, the children
crept behind their parents, for their youthful
imagnations had already clothed their kind pa
irons in supernatural garb.
Chow is this,' exclaimed the father tswhy
these DISCUSSES, and-''
'Hush, SIR exclaimed the laughing couple,
'recolect this is christmas morn, and we now
appear, now as old Santa Claus and his wife,
but as we are, the mere actors of this pleasing
farce. But say no more, your coffee smells de-
llcious, those cakes look inviting, and my Anne
liza is hungry, know she is
"Amea," muttered their host and hostess.
eyes, Amelia, why, how sad you look, is /
there anything in the sound calculated to f&nake
you feel sad?'
''No, no, on thea contrary the name calls
up the past when al was joy, all was happ-
acss.'
"Ah, William, see how you distress these
poor people. No more of this.''
''But, sir" exclaimed their host, zone word. |
gracious heaven, let me gaze once more on that
|ace Wife, look up! sesI do you not--am
a1yake?'
"Father! mother! do you not know ycs,r long
ost Amelia?"
'My child! my childn' screamed the mother,
and In moment the daughter was clasped to
he breast of her overpowered parent
F'Stand back!'' exclaimed her father as
Amelia now approached him, @stand back! let
lot the crimson blush of shame mantle on thy
mothers check for taking to her arms the lost
md abandoned Away! leave us to our sorrow,
he withered tree cannot revive, though the
green tendril should entwine itself once more
around it. It's purity is gone.''
90, father! hear me-
''Speak not, ungrateful girl, that man, that
}aSe--.''
''Silence, fatlgsr, wrong him not, he is all
ruth, all honor
ssHa is thv DaramOyr rir] -