Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-12-24
Grnrral iAtscfllanu.
From Godey's Lady's Book.
A CHRISTMAS EVE.

II was Christmas Eve, and the snow lay
deep in the streets Of Seeberg, a small min
ing town in Germany but the neighboring
peasants came down from their mountain
homes, and sought to forget the rigor of the
season in innocent festivity. Family groups
assemble together, the voice of song and of
childish merriment resounds from many an
humble home, and preparations are being
made for general illumination.
Christmas Eve in Germany is welcomed as
season of rejoicing by the poorest peasant,
as well as by the wealthiest noble of the land
But, amidst all these happy homes. there was
one lowly dwelling at least where no feast had
been prepared, where no sounds of merriment
were heard
Veronica Madel had. for some time past
supported her blind father and little brother
by lacc-making. Once they had known better
days The father had been slater, an indus
trious man, but had lost his eycsight from the
effects of a conhagraton which he had bravely
helped to extinguish. His wife did not long
survive this calamity, but died, partly of grief
partly of ovcr-exertion, committing her blind
husband and her infant boy to the care of her
daughter Veronica, herself still child.
Veronica's mind, however, had been prcma-
had so early fallen to her lot and she well
fulfilled the charge committed to her by her
dying parent
On this Christmas Eve of which VIC speak
the young girl had been seated before her
lace-pillow, working without intermisson
from early morning till night closed in then,
poor child, she was forced to pause in her
labors, for she could not afford light She
made, however, good fire in the stove to
warm her blind father and having placed
MIN in his easy-chair close by its side. she
yielded to her little brothers entreaties that
she would take him out to see the illumina-
tions.
The two children accordingly set forth to-
gether. Already the whole town was astir.
Miners in their characteristic costume marched
along in groups, with bands Of music preceding
them and ever and anon they paused bef
tho door of some wealthy citizen and caroled
forth their Christmas greeting. Then the
door Of tho house so hohored might be seen
10 open, and the master himself would gene
rally step forth and reward the leader of the
serenado by presenting to him some small
gratuity. Children, following the example Of
their elders, wandered also in little bands
from door to door. singing their Christmas
carols and seldom were the young singers
dismissed without some trihing present, ac-
eompanied by kindly word.
As Veronica passed on her way holding her
little brother by the hand, and gazing on these
varied groups, a new thought suddenly sug-
gested itself to her mind "Why should she
not seek to win some trifing Christmas gifts
/ for her poor blind fatherH
Timidly, aud with beating heart, the poor
child bent her steps towards part Of the
town where she was but little known. The
character she was about to play was very new
to her; and her heart we'll nigh failed her
when it came to the point but love to her
father norved her to the task; and, drawing
her hood closely around her. she stepped close
under the window of house of lowly aspect,
and sang in clear, though subdued tones, the
following verse .-