Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-12-24
lgoutb's Department.
LITTLE CARLs CHRISTMAS EVE.

"Rulnt IN tnnuNcu tORetntI Nilt upob dhN
hostess Of little German wayside inn, near
the banks Of the Rhine, and not far below
the city of Baslo and the borders of Switzer-
land. 1t was Christmas eve, and a tempes
tuous night. The wind was raving round the
little inn, and tearing away at windows and
doors as though mad to get at the brave little
light within, and extinguish Il without mercy.
The snow was falling fast. drifting and driv-
ing, obstructng the highway, binding the
eyes of man and beast.
The "come in Of the host and hostess was
in answer to loud. hurried rap at the door,
by which there Immediately entered two trav-
ollers. One, by his military dress, seemed a
soldier, and the other appeared to be his ser
want. This was the case. General Wallen-
stein was on his way from Carlsruhe to his
home at Basle. He had been delayed several
hours by an accident to'his post-carriago and
by the storm, and now found himself obliged
to stop for the night at this lonesome and
comfortless little inn.
When the officer threw aside his plumed
hat and military cloak OF rich fur, and strodc
up to the fire with his epaulettes flashing in
the light, and his sword knocking against his
heels, cling, clang-the gruf host was greatly
! impressed with his Importance, and willingly
/ went out to assist the postilion in the care Of
the horses. As for the old hostess, she bun
I died about with wonderful activity, to pre-
| pare supper for the great man.
"Ho, Carl y she cried, "thou young Rhine
spirit, thou water-imp, run to the wood Tor
another bundle of faggots Away, haste
| thee, or I'll give thee back to thy elRn kings
folk, who are ever bowling for thee
At these strange. sharp words, a Wild
looking little boy started up from dusky
corner of the room, where he had been lying
with his head pillowed on great tawny Swiss
dog, and darted out of the door. He was
coarsely dressed and barefooted yet there
was something uncommon about him-some-
thing grand, yet familiar in his look, which
struck the traveller strangely.
SIS that your childi" he asked
''No indeed" said the old dame-"Fm
poor woman, and have seen trouble in my
time. but. blessed be the saints I'm not the
mother of water-mps."
''Why do you call the boy water-imps"
al call him so, your excelency," said the
woman, sinking her voice into an awe-struck
| tone-'because he came from the water, and
/ belongs to the water He foated down the
Rhine in a great flood, four years ago come
spring-a mere baby that could barely tell lis
name. perched on the roof of little chalet,
in the night, amid thunder, lightning and
rain Now, it is plain that no human child
could have lived through that. My good man
spied him in the morning carly, and took
him off in his boat. ! took him in in pity
but | have always been afraid of him, and
every food-time | think the Rhine is coming
for his own again.
The traveller seemed deeply interested, and
well he might be, for in the very food Of
which the supersttious old dame spoke his
only child, an infant boy, had been lost, with
I 10 .uhA tha rttr hail
below Balse had been swept away by night.
"Was the child quite alone on the roof of
the chaetf" he asked in an agtated tone.
ayes" said the hostess, "all but an old
dog that seemed to belong to him."
THAT dog must have dragged him up on
to the roof and saved him" exclaimed the
general-'is he yet alive;"
"Yes, just alive He must be very old,
for he is almost stone blind and deaf. My
good man would have put him out of the
way long ago but for Carl and as he shares
his meals and makes his bed with him, sup
pose it is no loss to keep the brute.
"Show me the dog" said the officer, with
authority.
"Herc he lies. your excelency," said the
dame. 1--WE call him Eyen-hund," (elf-d0g.)
General Walenstoin bent over the dog,
touched him gently, and shouted in his ear
his old name of "Leon." The dog had not
forgotten tho knew that voice, the touch
Of that hand. With a plaintiff, joyful cry,
he sprang up to the breast of his old master,
nestled about nimbly for his hands, and licked
them unreproved and then sunk down, as
though faint with joy, to his masters feet
The brave soldier was overcome with emotion
tears fell fast from his Faithful
creature he exclaimed, ''you have saved my
child, and given him back to me, and kneel-
ing down, he laid his hand on the head of the
poor old dog, and blessed him.
Just at this moment the door opened, and
little Carl appeared, telling up the steps, with
his arms full of faggots-his cheerful face
smiling brave defiance to winter winds, and
night and snow
"Come hither Carl, said the soldier The
boy flung down his faggots, and drew near.
''Dost thou know who am :"
"Ah, no-the good Christmas king, per-
haps," said the little lad, looking full of in
nocent wonderment.
"Alas, poor child, how shouldst thou re-
member me !" exclaimed General Wallen-
stein, sadly-then clasping him in his arms, he
sad-"but | remember thee--thou art my
boy---my dear, long-lost boyn' Look in my
face embrace me | am thy father I"
NO surely" said the child, "that cannot
The soldier smiled through his tears, and
soon was able to convince his little son that
he had a better father than the old river, who
had carried him away from his tender parents
He told him of loving mother, who yet sor-
rowed for him, and Of blue-eyod sister, who
would rejoice when he came Carl listened,
and wondered, and laughed, and, when he
comprehended it all, slid down from his faith
er's arms, and ran to embrace old Leon.
The next morning early, General Wallen-
stein. after having generously rewarded the
inn-keeper and his wife for giving home,
though poor one, to his little son, departed
for Basle In his arms he carried Carl, care
fully wrapped in his warm fur cloak, and if
sometimes the little bare feet of the child
were thrust out from their covering, it was
only to bury themselves in the shaggy coat
of old Leon, who lay snugly curled in the
bottom of the carriage.
will not attempt to tell you of the deep
JOY of Caris mother, and the wild delight of