Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-05-12
SECOND DISPATCH.
From Dickens Household Words
THE ANGELS STORY.


THE ANGELS STORY.
Through the blue and frosty heavens
Christmas stars were shining bright;
The gtistcning lamps ofthe great city
Almost matched their cleaning light;
And the winter snow was lying,
And the winter winds were signing,
Long ago on Christmas night.
While from every tower and steeplc,
Pealng bells were sounding clear,
Never with sucn tones of gladness,
Save when Christmas time is near,)
Many a one that night was merry,
Who had toiled through all the year.
That night saw old wrongs forgiven,
Friends, long parted, reconciled;
Voices, all unused to laughter,
Eyes that had forgot to smile,
Anxious hearts that feared the morrow,
Freed from all their cares awhile.
Rich and poor felt the same blessing
From the gracious seasons fall;
JOY and plenty in the cottage,
Peace and leastiug in the hall:
And the voices of the children
hiuElIR GtCttI siOOh Z Ii itiI
Yet one house was dim and darkencd;
Gloom. and sickness, and despair,
Abiding in the gidcd chamber,
Climbing UP the marble stair,
Sitting even the voice of mourning
For a child lay dying there.
Silxcn curtain, fell around him,
Velvet carpets hushcd the tread,
Many costly TOYS were lying,
All unheeded, by his bed;
And his tangled golden ringlcts
Were on downy pillows spread.
All the skill Of the great city
To save that little life was vain;
That little thread from being broken:
That fatal word from being spoken;
Nay. his very mothers pain,
And the mighty. love within her,
Could not give him health again.
And she knclt there still beside him,
She alone with strength to smile,
And 10 promise he should suffer
No more in little while,
And with murmured song and story
The long and weary hours bcguile.
Checked these constant mourning cries,
Stilled the little hearts quick Tutoring,
Raised the blue and wondering eyes,
Fixed on some mysterious vision,
With Il startled sweet surprise.
For radiant angel lowered
Smiling DER the little bed;
White his raimcnt, from his shoulders
Snowy doye-like pinions spread,
And a starlke light was shining
In glory round his head.
White, with tender love, the angel,
Leaning Der the little nest,
In his arms the sick child folding,
Laid him gently on his brpast.
Sobs and waiting, from the mother,
And her darling was at rest.
50 the angel, slowly rising,
Spread his wings; and, through the air,
Bore the pretty child, and held him
On his heart with loving care,
\ red branch of blooming roses
Placing softly by him there.
While the child thus clingiug, foatcd
Towards the mansions of the BleSt,
Gazing from his shining guardian
TO the flowers upon his breast,
Thus the angel sPake, It'll smiling
On the litiic heavenly guest;
'Nuow, o little one! ;hat heaven
Doe, no earthly thing disdain;
Mans poor JOYS tinl there an echo
just as surely is his pain;
Love, on earth so teebly striving,
Lives divine in heaven again!
"Oucc in wonder town below us,
In poor and narrow street;
Dwelt Il li;tic sichly orphan;
Gentle aid, or pity sweet,
Never in 'life's rugged pathway
Guided his poor tottering feet.
IAN she striving anxious forcthought
That should only come with ago,
Weighed upon his baby spirit,
Showed him soon lifc's Sterncst page;
Grim Want was his uurse. and Sorrow
Was his owaiy heritage!
"All too weak for childish pastimes.
Drrarly the hours sped;
ON his hands. so small and trembling,
Leaning his poor aching head
T Or. through dark and painful hours,
Lying slecpless OH no bed.
dreaming strange and longing fancies
OF cool forests far away;
Dreams OF rosy, happy children,
! Laughing merrlly at play;
i Coming home through green lanes, beari
Trailing branches of white May.
/ "Scarce a glimpse of the hluo heavens
/ Cleaned above the narrow street,
/ And the >ultry air of summer
f THAT YOU called so warm and sweet
Fcvered the poor orphan, dwelling
In the crowded alleys street.
"One bright day, With feeble footsteps
( Slowly fourth Lc dared to crawl,
/ Through the crowded city's pathways,
/ Till he reached o garden wall,
4 Where, mid princely balls and MANSIONS
Stood the lorlliest of all
There were trees with giant branches,
! Velvet g|ades where shadows hide;
! There were sparkling fountains glancing,
{ Flowers whose rich luXuriant pride
. Waited breath of precious perfume
To the child who stood outside.
/ He against the gate Of iron
Pressed his wan and wistful face,
: Gazing with an awe-Struck pleasure
! AZ the glories of the place;
! Never had his fairest day-drcam
Shone with half such wondrous grace.
You were PLAYING in that garden,