Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-12-25

up snow, was Q Sleigh carved ont from an oak
of the forest. Ooursers were there, with stately
horns, that resembled the reindeers of Lapland,
they paved the snow with their hoofs and
scattered it high in the heavens; icicles hung
from their antlers, and their backs were covered
with snow-fakes; they were fastened to the
sleigh with links cut from the icebergs and their
saddles were carved ont of ebony. inlaid with
hail-stones their reins were of crvstallized
moonbeams. The sleigh was filed with presents
of all kinds-toys for the children, and candies
and books in profusion. Then from out the
sleigh there arose being of jovial appearance.
He winked to his steede, and then entered the
cottage. His face was the face Of the moon
seen through tie mists of October, his eyes were
like the stars of night, and his mouth was made
for feasting and drinking; his hair was white
as the snow, and his beard like the boar-frost
his looks were quizzcal, and jollity shone in each
feature; be was short in stature, though broad
in his girth, while his walk was d roll and a
caper; his coat was the skin Of til polar bear,
and hung around his body; alas, ere the morn
ing, it would be black with the SCOT of the CHM
neys; leathern breeches adorned Lis limbs, and
fitted his person exactly; mootssiix covered his
feet, and he bore in ore hand three-cornered
hat, in the other fagon of or,e-brewed.-
Closing the door, he sat down in a chair, and
placed the fsgon beside him; not word did
he speak, but taking mug from the table, be
| filled it, and handed the same to the old man.
Trembling, he drank, but when he had finished
| he smacked his lips, and vowed it was as good
as the best-even that which bis old wife had
| brewed him.
| Loudly old Santa Claus laughed flor it was
| he) till he shook ''like bowl full of jelly."-
Then be sung an old song, till the ratters re-
sounded, and the old man joined in with the
chorus.
"Both back and side go bare, go bare
Both foot and hand 20 cold
But on Christmas give us good ale enough 5
Whether 1t be new or old"
At last Sacta Claus rose, bat no word did he
speak as be pointed to the fagon !; and there, as
II id mirror, they saw the inside Of a cottage,
and heard the mnsic of voices-youDg men and
maidens were gathered together. and linked
hand and hand in the dance. But Mary saw
not in the group the one she so loDged to behold,
and her heart grew light as she gazed. Slowly
the picture faded from sight, and now they
looked on another, and heard the faint murmur
of bells.
| Rapidly over the frozen ground came party
in sleghs; and as each passed along, the light
of the moon shone upon them. Mary's heart
beat faster and faster many among them she
the picture faded from sight, and now they
| looked on another, and heard mems voices in
anger.
| In the village inn, in the bar-room were
grouped together party of men, drinking and
gaming. Mary hid her face in her hands, for
her woman's heart dared not to look on the pic
ture. But she thought of her lover, of his good
ness aud kindness unto her, and she knew he
could not be among them and she gAzed with
calm heart and clear eye On the semblance be-
fore her, but no shade OF her lover was there
Slowly the picture faded from sight, and now
they looked on another, and heard the faint chirp
of cricket.
Twas chamber, alone and deserted-no light
and no ire gave warmth to the picture, and
Mary knew twas the room of her lover. Un-
pressed was the bed, and the curtains were drawn
at the window, and shut was the chest and the
Slowly the picture faded from sight, and now
they looked on another, and heard the low
stroke of hammer.
| There in his worshop, che saw her lover, and
his eye was lit up with smile. Beside carved
wardrobe he stood, and was inlaying her name
in the panel. Hard had he worked, day after
day, and night after night, to finish it for her by
Christmas, and now he put the finishing touch,
and gazed on his work as gazes an artist. Beat
Marys heart lovingly faster, tears overfowed
from her eyelids, as water bubbles up from the
fountain, and she sank on her knees by the
hearth-stone, while her hands were clasped DER
| her bosom. The old man bowed his head oD
his breast, while his silver locks shrouded his
eye brows. and his wife opened the Bible, her
thin lips parted in prayer. Oh! filled were their
hearts with joy at the instant. But ere they
looked round, Santa Claus had departed, and the
,o6 d<>xr 81, obs
! Soon step on the snow outside was heard,
and Nicholas tapped at the doorway; he entered,
and Mary was clasped in his arms and kiss
was impressed on her forehead. A grasp of the
hand did the old man give, and the matron
murmured her blessing. And happiness dwell
in the household this night, and the Christmas
that followed thereafter.