Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-12-27
miscellaneous.
A TRUE CHRISTMAS STORY.
BY MRS. MARY ARTHUR.

mingled with his Iancies.
His mothers wheel kept on-as it always did
In the winters long evening-with a low hummlng
sound, that had till now been very cheerful and
pleasant to little Frantz; but somehow he forgot
to notice it this night. Poor Frantz!-he scarcely
looked like himself, for his head was bent down,
and his eyes seemed to be looking straight through
the floor, so fixed and intent did his gaze SEEM.
Often and often did the mothers eye turn to her
little boy. for never before had the jOv.sparkling
eye of Frantz been so long bent to the earth; but
still at last u deep sigh came from the parted lips
Of Frantz, so LOST was he in thought; and when he
quickly lifted his face and saw the questioning
look Of his mother, his pent up thoughts burst out
at once.
'Oh, mother, in a week it will be Christmas
day; cannot | have II Christmas tree J.
The mothers face looked sad, but only for II mo-
ment; she knew that the earnest wish OF little
Frantz was not likely to DO realized; but she knew
too, that it was best for her boy to learn to bear
choerfully any crossing of his desires that might
be, and she spoke more soo!hingly and gently than
usual as she said
Aud what makes my little Frantz set his heart
on that nowa lie has never had II Christmas tree
before"
"Oh! that is it," exclaimed Frantz. l necey had
one. Ever since | was a baby, mother, l have
heard of the good Christchild who brings beauti-
full gifts to others. Why does he not bring them
to me-? Am | worse than all the rest, mOtherY"
"Nu-no, Frantz :" so spoke the mother hastily
for in Der heart rose a picture of the gentleness,
the self.denying iortitude of her little boy in the
midst of troubles; his patience in sickness, his in
dustry in health, his anxious care to help her in
all that his little hands could do. "NO-nOl my
Frantz-it is not that"
"Well mother but is there any reason? Oh
you do not know | have dreamed and dreamed OF
n beautiful tree that | should have this Christmas;
it was full of golden fruit and lighted t pers, and
under it were laid gifts for you, dear mother-a
new Bible, with large print, and a purse OF money,
so that you might not have to work so hard, dear
mother, aud warm clothes that would never let
you get cold. And oh! as | came along the street
to-day, and saw the windows shining with their
loads Of beautiful toys, and gifts of all sorts, and
cav the boys and girls running and telling how
they would not care for anything else, when the
C~hristmas-day was once come, and they would
have their loaded tree-tAen, mother, all the
dreams | have had since | can first remember,
came back; all you have told ne of the good Christ
child and of his love for children; and | have felt,
mother, as if l was left out, and not loved among
the rest"
dear Frantz," said the mother, 't was a sad
sad thought. Do not let it come into your heart
again. OH the Christchild is always good-al-
ways loving, even when his love is shown in such
ways that we do not see it at once. Come closer
to me, Frantz."
Frantz saw in his mothers face a look Of such
deep tenderness, that his soul grew full. lie took
his own little seat and sat close beside her, and
leaned his head upon her knee, and the mother
said gently:
'The Christ-child has given you beautiful gifts
M Frantz he has given you life, and a warm,
earnest heart; he has given you a mother who
loves YOU dearly: a home to shelter you; he gives
US the light Of the day, and all the glorious things
it reveals, and the stiiler beauty of the night; and
he gives US, more than all, II hope OF heaven, and a
knowledge Of the path to it. Are net these great
gifts, Frantz"
Franz lifted his face; he did not speak. but his
eyes were foil of tears, AMI his mother knew his
heart said
Yes"
So She went on:
These are the gifts we most need to make us
happy others may be good for us. but the CHRIST
child knows better than we do what we need. Ii
it were good Tor US he would give Us all we wished
for but then we might not make a good use OF
his gifts. or we might grow proud ot them, or be
SO wrapped ~ in gifts as to forget the GiVer. All!
my Frantz, let us only ask for what is hest for us
to have. and he will give il; he loves to give, anu
only refuses what will hurt us.
.'IIuw can we know what is best-what to ask
for?
"If it is not given, think that it is best withheld,
and be patient; if it is given. be thankful and
use the gilt Alright, See, Frantz."
And the mother arose, and took from a closet q
small sum Of money.
This" she continued, sis all l have, and if any
Of it is spent for toys Or play, shall not have any
to buy shoes for you nor Tor me, anu by THIS
know that the Ctrist-child deems it best for me +
be content which is n ore necessary, and to give u
the pleasure of buying you beautiful golden trui
and colored tapers.
could / not do without shoes ?" asked Frant2
81 would go SO many errands for the old cooler
that he would mend my old shoes and oh
that would make it right"
"And I-should l do without shoes ?" asked tn
mother.
Frantz looked down at the worn-out shoes sh
had on, and again his heart was full.
"Oh no, mother; you must have shoes, bt
Lii hoy lnn,u tha knvs r,npt ha yrhnSa pntthpT
have shoes, and can can give them Christina
tgees, too"
Long did Frantz lie awake that night, and POI
der over all his mothers had said, aud at last
thought sprang into his mind. Ii was not wron
to ask the Christ-child for what We wish, IT "
will only patiently bear a withholding. lie woul
ask for the tree. But how His mother had tol
him the Christ-child was ready to answer, an
always near. Frantz would write his hearts wis
in a letter and direc. "To the Christ-child."
And early in the fair morning Frantz wrote I'll
letter, and when he met his mother his face WI
once more the gay, bright face of old for in h
pocket was the paper which seemed to him
warrant Of coming joy, and in his heart was
feeling very like certainty that his wish would
granted. Yet he did not speak of it. 1t W
his first, his glad, darling secret, and is should
n great surprise to his mother. So he only look'
joyful and kissed her. and she laid her hand {
his head and said how glad she was to see her be
SO patient and cheerful once more.
FruntZ did many little acts OF kindness ana II
dustry that day, for in his heart was a fountain
hope and love and he wished to help every on,
But, lively as he was, he did not forget 20 drO
Lis precious letter in the postoffce.
When the 2ostm lster came 80 look over the lei
tiers, of course he was much surprised at this on
OF Fran,z's, with so strange a directon; but in
moment he saw that it was "a child's hand, and b
opened the letter. 1t ran thus:-
"Goop CnRIsT-cnILD Il am a poor little boy, b,
/ have a good mother who taught me many thins
about you; she said that you are kind, and 10y
little children and delight to give them gifts,
that they are not hurtful ones. Now my moth
is kind, too, and would like 50 give me all wan
hut she is poor, and when / asked her for a Chi
mas tree, she could not give me one, because s
only had money enough to buy shoes for us; 81
ask you who are good and rich to give me one;
hope | am not a bad boy-l am sure mother d'
not think I am; aud if it is-best for me not to ha
the tree, will try and be patient, and bear 1t as
good hoy should. hot | don't see what butt a lal